roversfan99

Ismael said it was a good away performance. Id hate to see a bad one.

What did you make of McLoughlin? Early days (day) but cant see what De Neve offers. Thought Alebiousu was ok.

Really frustrating performance and result. We wouldn't have scored had we played all night, even against 10. Created nothing of note. West Brom were far superior for half an hour then sat in seemingly comfortable with us passing it side to side. If Ismael's style is just really slow, laborious passing from side to side at testimonial pace not creating chances then I am not a fan. One of the first things to point out, I mentioned the other day that we need a new set piece taker. Our set pieces and deliveries in general across the team were absolutely diabolical. Ryan Hedges deserves a mention in particular too. On what planet was renewing his contract the correct decision? He offers absolutely nothing whatsoever. As a starter, as a squad player, zilch. New signing wise. I liked McLoughlin, calm on the ball and sound defensively. Alebiosu is really quick but looks raw, quite liked him though. Miller looked uncomfortable with the ball at his feet and quite sluggish, a non entity in attack bar the throw in. Hendriksson was totally anonymous bar a few stupid fouls. De Neve, I cant see what type of player he is or what he offers as of yet. Tavares didnt have enough time but made a couple of strange decisions. Seems like we are going to lose more key players. Replacing with players for small fees from inferior leagues seems like a recipe for a long old season for me. We need a lot more than just one attacking player as there arent many goals here as we know.

Glad hes not gone with Montgomery at right back. Also good to see Axel straight in. A shame not to start Kargbo, and obviously Hedges starting is depressing. I still find it strange that Pears isnt on the bench. Unnecessarily risky not to have a senior sub keeper. Surprised that Tyjon has not been included on the bench.

What do you think of the minutes?

"Yeah, I will just stick to parroting everything the club does thanks."

Moving to a back 3 to park the bus etc, tactical tweaks, those are examples of versatility which I said can be very useful. What I am saying is that we shouldnt sign less players because of that versatility. Because one player cant play in 2 positions at the same time. Regarding Leonard, you was clutching at straws. Gestede said we planned to sign a striker. Most of us feel we need a striker. Including you. Now we seemingly will fail with that objective, you suggested that the reason behind that was in these last couple of months in which Leonard hasnt been even with Ismael, perhaps there has been a sudden realisation that Leonard is Championship standard and crucially set to avoid continued further injury complications. I would respect your opinion more if you stuck to your guns. I wanted us to bring in a striker, if we dont then I feel we will be short in that area compared to what I wanted. You seemingly share that opinion. Just stick to it, you dont have to parrot the club, shrug your shoulders and assume that Ismael/Gestede are infallible, or come up with nonsensical reasons.

Your problem is again that you've again misunderstood what I have put. Versatility is obviously useful. My point is, if you need 2 players, signing one to cover both is not sufficient as he cant play them both at the same time. Take this example. Say if we need Miller at centre back, he is most likely to be our first choice right back, so one issue solved creates another.

But Miller is likely to be our first choice right back. So if hes needed to cover centre back, then thats 2 changes in 1. I dont like when we try and cover 2 vacancies with 1 player. Versatility shouldnt mean signing less players. You cant play 2 positions at the same time.

I dont get why people seem so desperate to get rid of Cantwell. I appreciate that he didnt have the best season but hes clearly better than what he showed and is our only player with a bit of flair. I also dont buy the theory that he "isnt an Ismael player." He regularly played him last season and contrary to popular belief, he does work hard. If our plan is to shed all of these proven Championship players and Gestede will just continue to play football manager without appreciating the need for Championship experience. We soon will be in League 1.

Travis and Tronstad?

I wonder if he will go with Tyjon.

Those 7 goals each are going to be a loss. As you mention, Hedges isnt going to contribute goals. De Neve has never scored more than 2 in a season. Miyoshi if he signs, the highest goal return he has ever had is the 6 he got in a season at Birmingham, usually less.

We arent in a position to be shedding important players. He had a disappointing season but he has by far the most ability out of anyone in the squad and he does work harder than perhaps given credit for. He has to do better though.

It has been an incredible turn from 6 games ago when you wanted Ismael out. (Which is fine) Now, you cant fathom that anything that unfolds isnt exactly how he has planned. Your opinions also follow exactly what he does or what you think he will do. Youve even created a scenario where you are justifying us going from publically saying that we want a striker, something you agreed with, because hes come up with a miracle fitness regime that will lead to a young lad with repeated recurring injuries coming in and filling that role. Its not a conspiracy to suggest that he might (im not saying this is the case) not get everything he wants in a transfer window. As I said, I suspect a lot of managers end transfer windows like that. Also on the numbers. 6 or 7 was mentioned. A new first choice right back was clearly not included in that. (Nor was Batth and Weimann leaving)

I can see Ohashi getting more than last season, but 15+ is a big ask. Maybe it was unusual in this regard, but only 4 players in the whole league got that many last season. Its the midfield where the goals are lacking in particular though. De Neve, Hedges and Cantwell I would suspect are our first choices at the moment. Discounting 2 penalties, they got 5 between them last season. Miyoshi has been linked, if he signed he is not really a goalscorer either.

I asked you a genuine question, that you have skirted around.

Id like to see first team players actually signing new deals to consider potential improvement on this matter. But maybe I am the one being unreasonable. He has said repeatedly that we will happily keep players and risk them leaving on frees.

Very true. And also what we are lacking. We might have 9 (?) bodies once we get a winger in, but where are the goals? Where is the pace? The squad might look ok if fully fit, come winter when injuries start to pile up, could easily end up with subs benches not far off the Tomasson second season.

At the end of the day, he was offered a 3 and a half year deal at a Championship club in a league where he was probably going to struggle to get a job otherwise having failed in his last 2 jobs at this level. He wont have followed the club over numerous years like we all have. His first contact will have been with people who will have put a positive spin on it all. He may genuinely have some naivety that things will change too. Mistakes of the past? No evidence of them being left in the past. Tomasson for example was happy for a season when we bought 3 players. It was the summer after when the shit started to hit the fan.

I dont see 25 goals between them 2, but focusing on your 20-25 goals between our attacking midfielders. Thats what I am asking, where are they from? De Neve has never scored more than 2 in a season. Hedges never scores, youve even said hes "not that type of player," he got 1 last season. Cantwell got 1 from open play.

They all speak like this at the start. Eventually he will be run down by not getting what he needs to succeed like the rest of them. Eustace and Tomasson both weren't hos they were towards the end at the beginning.

Ah yes. Rather than pointing out individuals likely to score, just quote cliches. (Eustace's cliches at that!)

You are again just parroting what the club say and what Ismael says we are doing. I am giving my opinion. We will be left short of quality, short of goals, short of pace and short of numbers (I dont want your squad plan, I mean quality in all areas) if its just one more. I suspect one more wide man and the budget has gone. He did say 6 or 7. That was before Batth left, Weimann left and Brittain left. Explain that. Gestede also mentioned competition for Ohashi and Gueye and they both pointed out power along the front line. Seemingly, that wont be happening. Explain that. People are really scraping the barrel suggesting Leonard is a reason not to strengthen. He has spent 2 or 3 years constantly out with serious issues including his back and he wasnt up to it even when he did play. He hasnt been with the first team. What could have happened during him being sat on the sidelines to make us think, actually, we dont need a striker. I love the assumption that it must be exactly what Ismael wants. Maybe its all the budget can stretch to and hes having to prioritise. Ismael doesnt seem the type to kick up a fuss, not yet anyway. Praising our terrible owners and suggesting that contract issues are an issue in the past. He seems pretty comfy, why rock the boat on a 3 year deal.

He keeps saying "mistakes of the past." He does realise that no players are still renewing their contracts?