5 hours ago, chaddyrovers said:

Did we? 

Can you tell me about Lowe not rating Bednarek? 

Is this a specific question to me and if so do you expect a different answer to the information I have already provided. Or is this a question to the readership in general to confirm whether my facts are right?

9 hours ago, Bbrovers2288 said:

Will Vaulks if Rotherham go down please

Which might cause a bit of embarrassment to Bowyer who had him on trial in 2014. Could also ask why Lowe did not rate Bednarek the previous close season, a player who has gone on to play for his country.

The Raya situation is puzzling because he is capable of a brilliance few keepers can achieve. Worryingly he appears to be making basic mistakes. He looks like he is in need of one of those coaches that bowlers and golfers sometimes have who can deconstruct and re-assemble his game. I recall Roger Jones once suddenly got similar technique problems but they disappeared when John McNamee swaggered into town and let the opposition know that any assaults on Jones would be met with a retribution that would be long and painful. To be fair to Raya, every other team in the division have centre backs who take responsibility for heading the ball. I think that the situation is loaded against Raya at the moment. There appears to be a convention that at set pieces the area up to yard inside either post is not the goalkeeper's responsibility. Which means attackers often defend these areas. Antonsson, Samuel and Nuttall have all been dreadful and Graham is hit and miss. It looks to be an area where a strong GK coach would be demanding that other coaches sort their charges out. I don't think Raya will ever be good in traffic but few are. Can only think if Leyland, Blacklaw, Bradshaw (possibly) and Filan (certainly) who enjoyed this aspect which makes it a pity that Filan is no longer on the staff. Mind you I'm sure that there is an oldish ex reserve goalkeeper around Darwen who could give a few tips. No goalkeeper in history ever went in where it hurt as much as John Wood.

Just now, JHRover said:

If memory serves me correctly a goalkeeper was the first position we were linked with strengthening last summer. Strong rumours linking us with Frank Fielding. When that didn't materialise nothing else was heard about that position. A bit like after we missed out on Bauer that was the end of the centre back pursuit.

I think you've put your finger on where the transfer window went wrong. Pretty sure that Mowbray's priorities were an experienced reserve goalkeeper and Bauer. Fielding wanted to come back to Blackburn but whilst trying to negotiate his release he got injured. Pretty sure we missed Bauer through Levy type bidding and letting Charlton sell their other Centre back before a move was made. Believe that late on Mowbray went after Foderingham but obviously that came to nothing. Probably all tied up in getting the Brereton deal over the line. Suspect none of this was Mowbray's fault.

Just now, JHRover said:

I don't think Waggott's appointment has got anything to do with appeasing supporters or keeping them in the loop. It's more to do with the fact that Cheston was struggling to cope with running the operation on his own and my belief is Mowbray told the owners that additional support was essential and so recommended someone who he had worked with recently who was looking for a job. Waggott's role at the club seems to be almost entirely to try and increase revenues whilst cutting costs and I suspect that will be the sole criteria he is judged on. Clearly keeping supporters happy and buying stuff contributes towards that. Unfortunately in his 12 months or so at the club he has jacked prices of tickets up and closed another home area down, and publicly admitted falling short of his sales target. I eagerly await news of next years season ticket information but the mere fact we're already playing catch up to many Championship clubs on the sales window is just further evidence of the dysfunctional nature of the operation here. Any club or CEO so concerned about income and crowds would be moving heaven and earth to get such an important element of income on sale asap, yet no doubt when we do get news in April or May and we've missed 3 months of potential sales that rivals have enjoyed it will be a question of commitment of the fans, rather than any acceptance that Rovers' own performance is well short of what is needed.

Can't disagree with your points but suspect that Waggott was brought in for a few reasons, one being that he has a track record of engaging with the grass roots at a club. Strangely from personal experience I have found that the club already had several people who were doing this work excellently. I suspect also that Waggott promised them he could increase attendances and this is something that may come back to haunt him. However I think that Suhail Pasha is in charge of the club, working to Mr Desai's instructions. I doubt that Pasha could have got a work permit to work as CEO but the requirements of communicator were so specific that only he could have done the job. Having Waggott as figure head allows Pasha to sail under the radar. Interestingly on the launch of the "new team" (all of whom appeared to already to be doing their jobs) Pasha was also described as Business and Management Consultant.

42 minutes ago, Mattyblue said:

This Waggott - Pasha - Owners dynamic seems very dysfunctional to me.

It works fine. Waggott just not involved in important decisions.

8 minutes ago, Ewood Ace said:

After a run of 6 points from 10 games Mowbray resigned at Coventry, saying he was an “honourable guy”. We have 4 points from 9 games, so fail to win at Villa and we will see if he is still the same “honourable guy”.

Suspect the long contract might have altered his principals.

1 hour ago, MCMC1875 said:

We are at 10 defeats in 16 now.

Totally agree but I think the situation matters to us a lot more than it does to Venky's.

9 hours ago, RV Blue said:

Thanks for that Parson, great input.

Venky's might pull the trigger but not before someone else loads the gun. Allardyce went on Anderson's recommendation, Kean, Berg and Appleton on Shebby's. Bowyer was fingered by Suhail Pasha who got burned by the Lambert appointment and has become more cautious. Hence the delay in getting rid of Coyle even when goaded to it by Senior. Its going to take a long run of bad results before Pasha sticks his neck out again.

2 hours ago, Angry_Pirate said:

Yet Smallwood, Rothwell and Bennett religiously take part in the pre match shooting drill. ?

Interesting points on Mulgrew... however many of the games he played also didnt feature Nyambe at RB nor Darragh at CB and had Smallwood in midfield and Bennett at RB.

If we could have lined up with the below all season (when fit and available) I think we would be in a playoff race... regardless of other failings.

                         Raya

Nyambe-Lenihan-Mulgrew-Bell

                Travis  -   Reed

Bennett         Dack        Armstrong 

                    Graham

Personally I would only play Bennett as a cm rotation and would rather have seen Rothwell and Kasey Palmer given more game time (now I'd include Brereton and Chapman), and i think would be starting and tearing it up in one of the wing positions. Rothwell, for someone with such a horrid injury history, it is ironic he will probably have been fit to play all season and never really used.

The lay offs Lowe gives the players in these drills appears to nullify the object of the exercise. Recipient has to chase after it, bring it under control and work back to create an angle. Thought the idea was to hit the ball early. Yet the coach in my grandson's under ten side appears to have no problem with this drill.

15 minutes ago, JHRover said:

You've a bloke like Waggott seemingly tasked with making cutbacks and balancing the books whilst you've unpredictable owners responding to a managers request for funds to strengthen the team. Hence the inconsistencies. We haven't any money to do anything but then the owners can turn around and throw multi millions into the transfer pot.

The key is that Venky's think they can make millions from a re-sale of Brereton which is why they took the gamble. Obviously can't sell Brockhall as they would like.

Just now, JacknOry said:

We had been linked to him since last season, he had rejected a new contract, so many assumed that having sent Downing out on loan, we might be picking Bauer up on the cheap considering his contract is up in the summer.

I mean, as JH pointed out - loaning out Downing and two younger CBs with an injury-prone Lenihan and Mulgrew as our only recognised CBs (both converted midfielders) and then Williams and Nyamble (both fullbacks) as our CB options is quite suicidal - so any sane thinking person would be expecting somebody else to come in.

Absolutely agree. It all smacks to me of Mowbray clearing the decks to get Bauer in and then couldn't get him. 

48 minutes ago, JHRover said:

Of course the alternative explanation is he was instructed to let someone out to save cash and foolishly thought we'd get away with it 

Or told to let them go so he could get someone in, which never materialised.

42 minutes ago, Amo said:

Signing players is only half the battle. Bowyer had a good eye, although I wonder how much of that was his dad's doing. Either, way, he was too drab, unadventurous and chummy with the players to push us on.  

Lambert was an exciting prospect at the time. An actual manager with success at this level. The fact his career has nosedived since then doesn't change that fact.

 

 

 

Bowyer's mate Tommy Johnson spotted the players he brought in.

6 hours ago, Stuart said:

Someone remind me... this is where Steve K**n went, right?

http://www.ekathimerini.com/238295/article/ekathimerini/sports/ofi-crete-is-relegated-for-match-fixing

How soon before Nursey informs us that he was brought in to clean up the mess?

1 hour ago, Amo said:

Further salt in the wound, we're crying out for a centre-back and they have Jack O'Connell.

Who was it that cut him loose? Bowyer?

Theoretically but not sure that Bowyer called the shots on that one. Think Venky's were too tempted by the fee for a player who was not in the first team.

Can't see much to argue with here although Reed's pre-Christmas form surely is as much as Armstrong has produced. Also should not Lenihan get some credit for wanting to head the ball.

Just now, Ewood Ace said:

Coyle did

Only after the two he took over decided that they would be better off elsewhere.

43 minutes ago, JHRover said:

The way it should work is the manager/head coach comes in and appoints his own coaching team. Mowbray didn't do that when he first arrived, and in the 2 years since has only appointed his trusted sidekick Venus to the coaching staff. I have my suspicions that Mowbray was instructed from above to appoint his staff from within the club, which is a recipe for disaster. 

Since Venky's took over only Appleton and Lambert have brought in their own staff and that only because the previous staff had been fired.

37 minutes ago, Miller11 said:

I am beginning to doubt Raya, who I did think had the makings of a top keeper.

I think a major reason for this is our goalkeeper coach. Ben Benson is 28 years old and was promoted from academy coach. Now, academy players need to be taught things like footwork, starting position, hand shape, technique etc. Raya should be well beyond these basics and these should be second nature.

As an established first team keeper he needs coaching on playing to his strengths... he can’t deal with crosses very well, but then again, neither could Brad Friedel, so he stayed on his line rather than coming flapping. His distribution is poor, so why on earth does he attempt to launch counters with quick kicks that seem to invariably go to the opposition or out of touch. Raya needs an old head who has been there and done it... I’m not suggesting we are going to get a world class keeper coach... Bobby Mimms was a good un, and while we might not get anyone quite on his level I’m pretty sure we can get someone who has actually played at pro level. Anyone can knock a few balls into him in a pre-match warm up, he needs some wisdom imparting, not the stuff the FA give you in a folder when you take your coaching badges.

Noticed the pattern. Goalkeeping coach, first team coach, chief scout, head of academy, first team doctor. All promoted from within. Wouldn't be anything to do with cheap options would it. Just thinking about it the one goalkeeper who didn't mind going into the traffic was on the coaching staff not long ago, John Filan. Have to feel for Raya. Has any other Rovers' goalkeeper had to play behind a defence that does not like to head the ball.

6 hours ago, Parsonblue said:

Fortunately, the owners have a different view and like many fans have faith in him, without being blind to his faults, but believe he is exactly the right man for this club at this point in our history.

And your evidence to support the fact that Venky's are not blind to his faults is?

When Bbrovers 2288 said that Mowbray had a lot of questions to answer surely he was speaking idiomatically. I don't think that one for moment that he thought that Mowbray ought to drop round and account to him. Therefore an answer that defined the legal position of employment appears to either miss the point or is deliberately provocative. 

7 hours ago, chaddyrovers said:

and so do I but I gave you an example. 

We play alot of switch of play from one flank to another. 

on Sunday we played 92 long passes out of 401 passes in the game

against Reading we played 76 long passes out of 512 passes in the game

against Bristol City we played 93 long passes out of 370 passes in the game

against Hull City we played 93 long passes out of 465 passes in the game. 

 

Hardly a long passing team are we?

Amazing how you interpret statistics that prove the opposite. If you  look at the table we rank in a group with clubs like Preston, Hull and Wigan who use the long pass about 21% of the time. At the bottom are clubs like Rotherham (27.5%) and Bolton (23.5%) and if you have seen Bolton you would never question that they are a long ball side. The good clubs - Leeds and Norwich are 12 to 13 and Sheffield United and Derby about 16. Now Saturday's game works out at 23% yet you use this as an argument against us being a long ball team. Bristol City is 25%. 

1 hour ago, oldjamfan1 said:

That is stretching things a bit. I'm fairly certain he never kicked a ball for the first team or indeed got anywhere near it.

But loads of people said that he was good enough to have played. His quote.