Lancaster Rover

Sigurdsson is the best finisher in the team by a country mile, the problem seems to have been getting him in positions to make the most of that since around October 2023

Clear difference of opinion on this one which is what makes this site worthwhile, I think he's absolutely miles off it. I don't believe he is a nightmare for good defenders, he's fairly easy to pop off when pressing and his first touch is like a sledgehammer, which undoes much of the physical attributes he brings. Admittedly he did cause one panic attack but I felt that was more to do with the lad at centre half switching off rather than clever or purposeful running from Gueye.

Pears long kicks were awful last night, the amount of times he did a sort of looping on purpose slice to Hedges was infuriating. Cantwell (who strikes the ball beautifully) needs to pull him aside and give him a few pointers on clipping the ball if he's going to go long as much as last night.

Agreed on the entertainment factor however my counter would be that neither Luton not Ipswich set the world alight playing free flowing football, and look where that has got them. I'm not saying we're anywhere near that but a team near the top of the table will always draw fans in regardless of performance, no matter how much we moan and pull it apart on here.

I was surprised by his inclusion with the game so tight. Yuki looked knackered but Cantwell seemed to have more in the tank, however I understand his minutes need to be managed to some degree at the moment. Siggy was Siggy when he came on, the more worrying aspect is that with each passing game Gueye looks further from the required standard. His pressing was non existent last night and was continually behind his man when he should be getting in front to hold the ball. At least 4 times in the last 10 he was stood behind his man, waiting for a pass, leading to us losing the ball, creating 4-2 situations in midfield and the press being completely bypassed. His efforts in the first few games are becoming a distant memory as at the moment I feel he offers nothing.

I thought Weimann carried out the pressing instructions he was given reasonably well, there were a number of times he was directing the press and trying to cajole Yuki and others into pressing however they were just too tired and we got popped off the last 10 minutes, not helped by Siggy and Gueye either not understanding or not carrying out the pressing instructions.

I think we will find out Carter has done serious knee ligament damage. Looked.as though he twisted as he rolled through the challenge and when he tried to bear any weight it looked to be giving way.

Two very well organised teams who will both be relatively happy with a point I reckon. I was convinced we were going to chuck it away last 5 minutes due to having Siggy and Gueye on the pitch reducing us to 9 men. Neither pressed nor tackled and got popped off with ease. 3 dangerous attacks came down the left of as a resulting of their incompetence, lucky that the decision making was poor with fatigue setting in.

Brittain was also way up in the assists chart last year too, he also contributes a lot in the first phase of attacking build up. I think there is very little between Brittain or JRC on the defensive front, I'd go for Brittain being better due to his pace and positional sense. He does get beat the odd time and crosses come in but then that's the case for most full backs these days as with wingers 'cheating' and staying as wide as possible it's often difficult to cover inside and get out and cover the cross.

It’s funny how different periods of time lead to different opinions of players. For me there are a lot of similarities between Gueye and Chris Brown, both strong, physical and cause defenders problems but would struggle to score in a knocking shop wrapped in 50 quid notes. Gueye is an honest pro clearly working hard but we if he gets 5 this year I’ll be surprised

Brittain if fit surely has to start, his ability to get up and down should do something to counter Grant.

No, absolute garbage.

My overwhelming feeling when it comes to TD is disappointment. Feels like Groundhog Day with him each season, as quickly as he plays his way in he plays his way out, with the most worrying aspect being he’s making the same mistakes now that he was making last year and the year before, etc. there isn’t much to suggest he’s learning from them or developing in any obvious way, for that reason I’d be against offering him a long term contract. Putting aside the fact he’s been here for a number of years and Rovers past mistakes in contract extensions I just don’t think he warrants it on performances to date

Cantwell is a show pony and I won’t have it any other way, the minute it gets put on him he folds like a deck chair

Ohashi is absolutely miles off it, got a touch like a sledgehammer at the moment

We have a litany of badly thought out commercial deals but this one is up there, for people who pick and choose their games due to work, family, etc this is a terrible offer.

We played well and got a few spankings last year too. I think that is the difference this year (albeit a very small sample) we've played well and won, played badly and won and played badly and drawn.

I'd not realised how tall Hedges was until the Morecambe friendly, when you're virtually stood at pitch level.

I often think Hedges gets in the team for his work out of possession and ability to retain shape/occupy defenders by his positioning.

He’s got a habit of finding space, he found loads of it in Callum McGregors pocket in old form games

Regarding JRC. Reasons for being left out and confidence. It was said a couple of years ago that his preferred position is in CM. His appearances so far this season have been as a right sided midfielder who steps in to play centrally and as a classic CM in a 2 against Blackpool. He’s been poor on the whole and I don’t think could have many qualms over being dropped. With the horror show against Blackpool he knew he’d be dropped against them lot. A solid team performance down the road keeps him out of the team. It’s in him to work his way back in. I don’t think he’s carrying a knock as he’s been available for selection in all games, had a full pre-season and been no reports of any injury problems. There may be other reasons we’re not aware of as to why he’s off it but on face value it appears to be form rather than physical that’s causing the issue.

JDT’s tactical inflexibility does make me question whether he is a top coach long term. I totally agree that the football we played under him is some of the best I’ve witnessed, that said his inability to react in game to situations or enact any sort of formation reshuffle seemed beyond him at times.

JDT's skill in working the media in comparison to his players is an interesting topic IMO. I have said many times that I loved the way JDT had us playing, but was frustrated by his lack of tactical flexibility. I'm still not sure whether that was pigheadedness or lack of knowledge. However, I often wonder whether his charm and way of captivating the audience within the media, and fan base to some extent got him an easier ride than others have had. It's also interesting how it would appear given the noises post him leaving (taking into account some were just being soft) and the fall out he's had with Larsson at Sweden that his charm with the media doesn't always extend to being able to motivate his players.

Aye, I couldn’t get a ticket today either so had to settle for the Catholic club in Blackpool. We said that it was like watching a kid fight his dad, after the first goal it looked like we could score at will. If anything I’m a bit disappointed we didn’t really pile on the agony like in the 5-1. Kris Boyd is obviously a massive roaster but he spoke more sense post game than I’ve ever heard him. think I’m there for the Dons game

People watch football in different ways and for different reasons. Should be a place for both.