Toothless. Dolan and Travis having shockers.

It's like no side wants to get in the playoffs. Results going well for us again. A Reading equaliser now would be beautiful. 

3 points today would be absolutely huge.

Diaz dropped. No Leonard on the bench. Like the fact it's a 433. Should hopefully dominate the ball. 

Goals are a worry. Someone needs to stand up and be counted here.

1 hour ago, Dreams of 1995 said:

Dolan ain't a bad player. He has contributed well this year. He isn't the answer to our problems though, but in the squad he's a relatively cheap and hard working second player

I think long term Dolans best position would be as a number 10. He's suffered a little because of his versatility. At times he's played quite well as a false 9, but at other times such as against Coventry he's been absolutely hopeless.

When he has the ball at his feet though it sticks to him like glue, he's so agile he can go either way and has energy to burn so is great at pressing. 

His main weakness is obvious, in that he's so short (though this does give him his agility). His other big weakness is that he's pretty slow at full speed. If he's wide it's easy for a defender to back off and nullify him. 

If played as a 10 he'd need to improve his decision making and final ball. But his talent in possession and being able to go either way would create a lot of space for players to make runs. Play him centrally and he has the potential to be a bit like Illias Chair for QPR who I think is a great player, though he'd have a way to go to reach that level, whilst also having both Dack and Szmodics to oust. 

I wouldn't mind trying Szmodics wide left, Dolan as a 10 with Leonard up top as we've little other option.

Agreed, he's still just a kid. Scott Wharton, although a lot taller was pretty lean at Adams age. He was all limbs and has really filled out. 

I don't think Adam necessarily needs to bulk up. He'll grow into his body naturally. He'd not long turned 18 at the start of the season. There is a reason players on average start breaking into the first team aged around 20/21. Adam is only in there because he's unbelievably talented. The physical side will come with age.

57 minutes ago, Mattyblue said:

He’s become an ‘easy scapegoat’ because he is quite obviously phoning it in.

We’ve known for months that he’s off, but the fans haven’t particularly had an issue with it as he was still putting a shift in… that hasn’t been the case in recent weeks.

I think Brereton is still putting a shift in. Although he's leaving I think he has really enjoyed his time at Rovers and would love to sign off with a fairytale promotion. 

I just think he's been found out. He doesn't thrive in a more technical system. He's all direct running, hustle and bustle. Even last year when he was on fire there were a good number of goals which bounced in off his shin etc.

We exclusively became a counter attacking side last season and now we're not. It's shown Brereton up for the multiple weaknesses in his game. 

If nothings been officially signed he should be very worried. In a hypothetical situation that he hasn't signed (i think he has btw) and we have an opportunity to extend his contract, we should be very, very careful. I'd be happy for him to be one of our higher earners. But I wouldn't not be happy for us to offer him the rumoured 30k p/w we were rumoured to be offering a couple of months back. 

He's a good bloke who had a fairytale season and story. He's a good championship player in the correct system. No way on earth is he ready, and nor do I ever think he will be ready to make the step up to different leagues.

3 hours ago, bluebruce said:

We're not a normal club, we can be very stubborn (sometimes to our detriment) with sales when we want to be. We may also get slightly longer out of him due to his being a fan and his brother playing here, but after the Phil Jones sale you can never be sure that means anything.

He's on a 5 year contract. We're under zero pressure to sell. I also see JDT singled him out for praise after the Coventry game and commented on his improvement in training. 

I think any perceived friction between them has been smoothed over. If we don't go up this year he's primed for a major role next season. There is absolutely no way on earth I'd endorse us even considering selling him. 

There have been players I've loved having at the club over the last 5 years, but we've not had a player who is an absolute pleasure to watch based on talent alone. I'm looking forward to watching him grow in a Rovers shirt. A bit of smart recruitment and Wharton coming to the fore and I fully expect us to be towards the top end of the table next year.

One other thing nobody has mentioned. Its common practise for teams to put a man on the goalkeeper. But every corner they had they had about 4 players surrounding Pears and wrestling our lot back onto the goal line with little intention of getting to the ball. Each set piece there were about 4 or 5 fouls committed. 

The ref would have a little word before it was taken and then do nothing. He was weak as piss.

25 minutes ago, Crimpshrine said:

We were looking nervous and scared for the last 20 minutes and let them take the game to us rather than try and finish them off. That's where we bottled it - not that one incident in at the end

I guarantee you, had the referee had some kind of competence about him we would all be saying how we battled like warriors and saw the game out without Coventry ever really testing Pears. 

Fucking stupid fucking game. Weak fucking ref. Staring at his feet as soon as he'd allowed it. It was fucking obvious. Every player put their hand up. That shitty fucking ref is going to cost us the playoffs. 

Cheating fucks. Shit city.

There's definitely talent there. He's just physically weak, both in terms of strength and endurance. I'd wager he needs to improve his knowledge of what to do during certain in game situations as well. 

I think he's worth keeping hold of, but he really needs to focus on those two aspects. Extra time in the gym after training and really listening to what is being asked of him on the pitch. 

Maybe an acceptance that he's not going to be in the first team any time soon and just focusing on increasing his weak areas little by little. If he does that, then given his ability, he could be in the first team squad midway through next season. But it's going to be a slow process.

Expectation is a funny thing and comes in different forms. We've shown ourselves to be pretty poor at handling it when facing a team which on paper, we are favorites. 

Our remaining games are of huge importance but it brings a different type of pressure. When put into a scrap with a team that is perceived to be our equal or we are the underdogs, I expect us to fair better. 

I think we're capable of stepping up to a fight, but poor at taking the initiative against a defensive team. The phrase X amount of cup finals doesn't really translate unless both sides are going for the victory.

So I firmly disagree with those saying the playoffs are gone. I don't know if we'll make it, but I'm looking forward to this run of games.

6 hours ago, Blow-in said:

Not to mention hiring shite managers like the Spanish waiter and that absolute joke Fwank Lampturd.

Which basket case club are we talking about here. Chelsea or Everton? 😂

1 hour ago, Danny O.Brien said:

Don't get why when we played so well against a resurgent Huddersfield (I know we only took a point). He decides to switch formation the following game. We looked as threatening and dominating possession wise because apparently how he wants us to play. As we have all season. Now is the time to ring the changes stop just fucking drifting through games and have a go. Stop playing players out of some kind of loyalty or stubbornness. Absolutely start kaminski. Pears has been decent and had a good run. But play out best keeper. Arguably the best keeper in the league on his day. Get Wharton into that midfield alongside Garret and Travis for me. Have Travis go box to box. I know I'm a few days late after the Hull game but we need to see some urgency before it becomes just another close season. Start Leonard, Thomas and szmodics. Drop gally and Diaz. Use all five subs if needed and with time to do something to actually affect the game. Or we'll get absolutely battered by both Coventry and Preston. Leading into a potential humiliation against the dingles. And breath

I love this. Totally aligned to my thinking. JDT said our performance against Huddersfield was the best of the season yet he switches formation the very next game.

100% bring Kaminski back in. And an interesting idea on Garrett. I'm unsure but see the logic. Adding more steal releases Travis to play box to box which is when he flourishes and makes up for Whartons lack of legs, who given his ability is the major difference maker for us. He's the only one in the team who is truly creative. Personally I've not seen enough of Garretts ability on the ball to know whether it would work but it's certainly worth a go. 

As for Leonard, whether he's completely ready or not remains to be seen, but one thing is for certain, he offers more than Gallagher and you should always play your best players. He has to start for me. 

I get the feeling that JDT is slightly reluctant due to the stage of the season we're at, and he's choosing experience over youth. He was far happier to chuck players in earlier on. The experienced players are performing woefully though and need get used to sitting on the bench. 

Looking at his cv he obviously has a strong background in youth football and a modest amount of experience in senior recruitment. 

Reading between the lines it strikes me that our transfer strategy will reflect his skill set, where we're going to weight our recruitment heavily towards young players.

On 16/04/2023 at 07:24, J*B said:

Let’s be absolutely clear: If a player isn’t signing or being offered a new deal when they have 18 months left they MUST be sold.

This. And if clubs aren't meeting our valuation then that's more fool us for letting a players contract reach that point in the first place. 

Saying our valuation hasn't been met is futile when we're going to lose them for free in a years time. In that situation our valuation means very little.

31 minutes ago, 47er said:

We had an interesting discussion a week or so ago about time-wasting. I can't remember the actual topic so I'll put it on here if that's OK?

Coincidentally, great article on it in  today's Guardian.

Average time for the ball in play in the Premier League----54 minutes, 22 seconds.

Shortest game this season-- Rotherham v QPR.   The ball was in play for 44 minutes!!

Interestingly Rotherham played in the second shortest game at Birmingham. In another game one of their players was booked for time wasting--- in the 30th minute!! 

https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2023/apr/17/for-140-years-time-wasting-has-afflicted-football-and-there-is-still-no-solution

Outside of financial doping, it's one of the biggest issues blighting the game today.

My suggestions:

Any set piece which isn't taken within a set amount of time is turned over to the opposition. 

During substitutions, if the player leaving the pitch isn't off within 20 seconds then his replacement is delayed coming on by 5 minutes. 

For injuries, the clock stops if physios enter the pitch. For physios to enter the pitch the hurt player has to signal with his hand up that he requires treatment. They then have to leave the pitch (like now) but cannot come back on for 2 minutes. 

If the player does not signal he needs genuine medical attention the game continues. Gentlemanly conduct is no longer expected, since the rules have been abused for so long.

Those are some fairly simple changes that can be implemented. One thing is for sure, and that's that yellow cards are no deterrent at all.

Just get him onto the first team for the rest of the season. He's so talented but he's only 18. We need his talent right now, but I'm sure a bit of game time will do wonders for the team and his relationship with JDT.

He's also on a 5 year contract and Broughton is in charge of transfers not JDT. Why would Broughton flog our biggest talent? 

4 minutes ago, ben_the_beast said:

He's been horrendous for large parts of this season. Are we really going to miss him that much? Yes he's scored 12 goals, but there are players around who are very cheap or free who can match that output. 

If its not signed I can see the offer being withdrawn or renegotiated. If it is signed, then he'll be back on loan to a championship club within one year. Its hard to put into words just how drastic his drop off in form has been. 

He's capable of only one thing. Running at a reasonable speed with the ball if the opposition is stretched. He can only play in a counter attacking side. 

Edit:

Should have sold him. £8m looks like incredible business now. 

Edit, edit:

Clearly I can't edit and just end up quoting myself.

He's been horrendous for large parts of this season. Are we really going to miss him that much? Yes he's scored 12 goals, but there are players around who are very cheap or free who can match that output. 

If its not signed I can see the offer being withdrawn or renegotiated. If it is signed, then he'll be back on loan to a championship club within one year. Its hard to put into words just how drastic his drop off in form has been. 

He's capable of only one thing. Running at a reasonable speed with the ball if the opposition is stretched. He can only play in a counter attacking side. 

This was our easiest game on paper. However, I actually think its a good thing we're now playing clubs in and around us. We're really struggling when sides sit back. And if we manage to pull results out the hat vs Coventry and Preston they are effectively 6 pointers. 

We've made life extremely difficult for ourselves but we're still in the mix. Right now I actually fancy our chances more against some of the better sides. JDT absolutely has to drop Gallagher though. He is no longer an option.

I'm not going to start calling JDT crap as I think he's done well to have us where we are and like the direction he's taking us. But when someone has an off day it needs calling out. After what he called our best performance of the season why oh why did he change formation. 

That was poor in itself but the lack of subs tonight had me screaming. Why the fu** didn't he make changes! This one is on his head. Really pissed off. 

Of the team tonight Carter, Morton, Szmodics and Dolan (bar the miss) I thought were all very good. Mortons second half performance vs Hudds and then tonight, I felt he's been much braver with his forward passes. 

Onto the poor. I'm not sure what planet Hyam was on tonight and Diaz's performance would usually have seen him awarded the worst player on the pitch. But, of all Gallaghers shite performances for us, that was one of the worst of the lot. Whether Leonard is quite ready or not is a valid question, but he's a million miles ahead of Gallagher. He didn't make a single positive contribution tonight. How it took until 85 minutes for Wharton and Leonard to get on is criminal. 

The cross that Hedges whipped in (with far too much pace), Leonard was actually there. Its something Gallagher manages about once per season. I don't wish him any kind of serious injury, but I do hope it keeps him out for a few games. Give Leonard a proper crack at leading the line.

Conclusion:

2 points dropped 

Diaz 1/10

Gally 0/10

JDT 0/10

1 hour ago, rigger said:

It is almost as if the refs have made their own rule, that reads ; If you can't give a penalty, it's a red card. If you give a penalty, it's a yellow card. 

This is an actual rule. If you stop a clear goal scoring opportunity when giving away a penalty, but the ref deems it was a genuine attempt to play the ball it's a yellow card. 

If its deemed as a cynical attempt to prevent a goal when giving away a pen then it's a red.

Hoping they prove me wrong but not the line up I was hoping to see. Rather than focusing on the individuals I thought 433 really suited us. Disappointed to see us revert back to 4231.

Hugggggeeeee game tonight. As are the next two against Coventry, then Preston. 

Win tonight and we give ourselves a teeny bit of breathing space and draws then become acceptable results against those clubs. 

Genuinely see tonight as one of the biggest games of our season.