Just now, blueboy3333 said:

Did Rothwell actually do anything of note today or was he running around a lot without much effect?

He didn't play Badly but yet didn't stand out as much as he has. Still has a positive impact when running with the ball and IMO is a must start. Not the full package and feel he will only get better the more he plays. The lad needs a goal under his belt!!

Just now, Stuart said:

Several players seem to have got worse in the second half of this season.

Armstrong is bang out of form. Bennett looks a shadow of his former self and lacking energy. Evans is poor, Smallwood lacks teeth. Mulgrew looks about 50yo, Nyambe was beaten every time in the first half today. Graham is still Graham but while being the target for everything he has so little support.

They look so low on confidence. A change is needed.

The only players I would really bee keen to keep are Travis, Rothwell, Chapman, Nyambe, Graham, Dack, Raya & Lenihan. The rest I feel arnt good enough.

Just now, Miller11 said:

Today was the straw that broke the camels back for me. Has to go.

If it wasn’t for Raya we’d have lost 3-0, which would have reflected the game more accurately. The lad has the makings of a good keeper, if he is allowed to keep goal in his 6 years box. He doesn’t have the physical attributes to be a “commanding keeper” yet he’s expected to do so to cover for our centre backs failings. He also doesn’t have a coach at the required level to work with.

Nyambe, like Raya, has been used as a scapegoat by Mowbray. I think he’s doing extremely well since he must be the most isolated full back I have ever seen. He’s expected to operate up and down that right hand side, never gets any defensive help from Armstrong or Evans/Smallwood. I’d be putting in a transfer request if I was him... and being subbed off for Brereton and Bennett dropping in there is an insult to the lad.

Travis seems to have got worse the more he has settled in to the team. He’s still infinitely better than Evans or Smallwood, but he seems to be stifled. Mowbray seems to want 2 midfielders who never stray beyond the centre circle in either direction. Those two jokers he started with today offered absolutely nothing. Rothwell looked to make things happen, but I expect he will only have that drummed out of him given a run of games.

Bennett, Smallwood, Mulgrew, Bell, Williams, Evans and Armstrong are all crap. So is Brereton, so let not pretend his signing is anything than an absolute disaster for a minute longer. If Mowbray wants to take responsibility for wasting 7 million on him, that’s a sackable offence on its own.

Rodwell won England caps as a midfielder. Reed has been a standout this season. Yet they can’t dislodge the least dynamic duo, who offer fuck all at either end of the pitch I have ever witnessed?

Dack needs a heavy fine and if we had anyone resembling a proper captain, a bollocking/good hiding. He will probably get a paid holiday and a cuddle.

Shite.

Armstrong is overrated. He's got the first touch of a donkey and his final ball is poor. Think he had a lucky month to get player of the month. The lad has had the odd decent game but all in all, I'd have chapman & rothwell over him.

4 points from 33

9 defeats in 11 our win in my eyes a lucky win. There is no way people can defend this manager!  

Bennett Wow!

mosy teams all around us winning! It's going to be a nervy end to the season!

Just now, skous18 said:

Looked as a 100% pen to me.

everyone’s been terrible. I am Rothwell’s biggest fan but apart from the first 10 mins even he has been shit

Mate have you see the rest of our midfield??

I would love it if Conway comes on for Rothwell! Love it!!!

Just now, S8 & Blue said:

Well, I can’t accuse you of being fickle at least.

I’ll be happy with a good performance and result without throwing a tantrum because I’m not listened to whilst playing armchair manager.

Okay mr positive! 

Just now, S8 & Blue said:

Anyone willing to wait and see what happens/how we play?

Just me?

It's not the point! Even if we win, my and a lot of others opinions of the manager won't change! When is he going to realise that Smallwood, Evans and Bennett should not be in that team! Rothwell only starting because dacks not there also. 

Just seen the team? What on earth is wrong with our manager???? The only positive on that team is Rothwell! The rest of that midfield is shambles!

Got a feeling we will win today. Even if boring Tony starts with his favourites. Hope the latter is incorrect.

Wouldn't it be great if we lined up with what 95% of us think would be best. If Tony starts with his favourites (which will happen) i hope Stoke clean us out! 

40 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Would go:

Raya 

Nyambe Lenihan Mulgrew Bell

Travis Rodwell

Chapman Dack Rothwell

Graham

Subs: Leutweiler, Davenport, Armstrong, Brereton, Reed, Butterworth, Evans

No point bothering with Smallwood, Williams, Conway and Bennett in the squad. Need to look towards next season not back to last.

If only! That front six would be Lethal!

6 hours ago, Bbrovers2288 said:

Again I think your overplaying his impact. I haven’t noticed us suddenly playing incredible when rothwell has came on. I agree he could potentially be a very good player but he could also go the way of say a Ben Thornley. Needs to be proven, reliable with assists and goals to boot to merit such accolade 

Just a question...Would you have Rothwell in your Starting 11? Would you play Armstrong over Rothwell? 

Just now, Blue blood said:

Another of many holes in TM's theory is that Armstrong offers the square root of naff all defensively yet keeps his place in the side. Not sure how he can call for defensive wingers and play Armstrong . And Armstrong hasn't contributed much to the attack either. We've a manager utterly stuck in playing favourites and it's costing us big time. 

This is what drives me up the wall! Tony comments just don't add up! The argument isn't about fans 'overating' Rothwell or Chapman, the argument is that they are both a class above Armstrong. The manager can't see this and like you said, if no changes are made, will cost us!
 

Boring Tony has to go for me! Nice chap and has done very well in his time. However, since the hammering from Preston we've been nothing but shocking, players out of positions, worst defence in EFL. People forget we were lucky, with our win against Wigan. A penalty, and two awful defensive errors from their full backs. Hardly a stand out performance...

The manger has his favourites and I can't really see a massive improvement in the summer.

 Boring Tony needs to go.

48 minutes ago, Mattyblue said:

TM on Rothwell.

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/rovers/news/17542185.tony-mowbray-on-why-joe-rothwell-isnt-starting-for-rovers/

Also known as I’ve backed myself into a corner with this lad even though it is blinding obvious he should be starting.

Yawn - Bore off Tony! They all might work hard but going forward neither of them are even close to Rothwells ability.

Armstrong is predictable and gets pushed off the ball too easily - I have no comments for the other two.

Just now, Neal said:

That's not a good enough reason to keep employing someone who (at the moment at least) looks nailed on to lead us to a second relegation. Yes, he's a nicer bloke and better manager than the jokers we've had in recent history but it's not about that, it's about if he's simply good enough to take us forwards. Based on our last 30 points return, how anyone can conclude that he is almost borders on delusional, or just blind faithful at least. 

 

I don't think you will find any of us that won't agree that he's a nice fella and has done a good job getting us promoted but football is about the nowand he's very much demonstrating that he's not up to the job, much like the favourites he's been picking week in week out for most of the season. 

Took the words out my mouth...

Rothwell is the catalyst we need in the attacking front! 

It's simple, He brings the best out of our midfield. His movements and drive is second to none. Maybe one of the most exciting players we've had in years. How can one man not see this? There's no excuses to not starting him?

"He Doesn't cover defensively?" What, does Armstrong? Do our back 4?

Like you've all said Its too little too late for Joe. He will be off to bigger and better things. Norwich, Leeds or villa will snap him up.

9 hours ago, 47er said:

He needs a really wise 2nd in charge alongside him who can persuade him not to follow through with his most stupid decisions, like selecting a team with no strikers or bringing a defender on when we need more upfront etc etc.

I'm absolutely sick of holding my head in my hands when I see the selected side.

We are short of goals, partly because we keep missing them but also we lack creativity. The creative players, apart from an isolated Dack, largely stay on the bench. Again, he is probably afraid to play attacking players because the defence has been crumbling lately. Whose fault is that? if the defence needs improving, why sign mid-fielders he won't play?

I get the impression that he runs the football show largely on his own and I think he needs help. Whether he'd accept that I have no idea.

Spot on!!!

4 hours ago, dingles staying down 4ever said:

I'm being picky but to me he can't play in a midfield pair, the only way he will play centrally is in Dack's position. He likes to run with the ball which is dangerous if he is playing deep.

You me friend are talking rubbish 

1 hour ago, CD_93 said:

Sharpe's predicted team:

                   Raya

Nyambe Downing Mulgrew Bell

            Reed   Bennett

  Rothwell   Dack   Conway

                 Graham 

Would be happy with that team! 

19 minutes ago, OJRovers said:

I'd play:

Raya

Nyambe-Lennihan-Mulgrew-Bell

------Bennett--Reed

Brereton-Dack---Conway

-----------Graham

 

If Brereton can't get a start when everyone else has been poor, when will he ever start?

 

 

Would Move Brereton upfront. Rodwell to where Bennett is, move Bennett to right wing and change Conway to Rothwell.