roversfan99

I would say that the main 3 chances aside from the goals were obviously the penalty but also the Pedro chance in the first half and the Sarr one in the second. Possession ultimately is meaningless until we can prove that we can play like this and it means that we win regularly. Lets see. Im sure we will always remember the night we went to Watford and lost 3-1 but wow, how much more possession did we have?!

Rothwell has had his best 2 games v Forest and Watford by not playing. For 2 and a bit years hes mainly flattered to deceive.

2 minutes ago, Paul Mani said:

We’ll win a lot of games playing like that. If we could recreate that performance every week I’d put decent money on us going up automatically!

But we didnt win the one game we did play like that in! 

Was repeatedly told throughout the night by them 2 tiresome commentators how good we looked, how many chances we had, how the fitness levels look better, how much the ref was to blame (never a penalty for me, Holtby dived although happy to have it) and how we looked the recently Premier League side, and I think a few on here feels similar. Possession stats, new "style of play" but with 2 wins, a draw and 3 losses, im yet to be convinced that it isnt style before substance. We need to win on Saturday. Not one to be satisfied with defeats regardless of the stats or perception about performance, ultimately on another day Watford could argue that with Pedro's Gazza style miss on the stretch and Sarr on the counter at the end, they might think they could have had more.

Good to see Brereton score, still needs to anticipate things better and get into the box but some of his work outside it including a few dives after good runs earnt us a few free kicks. Elliott with some bright play and looks to be an exciting talent. Armstrong was really poor, constantly offside, rubbish penalty and ultimately its nights like tonight when you realise how light we are up front, there is no alternative or potential partner. Dolan was totally ineffective off the bench, all step overs and nothing else, should have left Brereton on.

God knows what Kaminski was doing for that second goal, terrible goalkeeping and a huge mistake. Did make one good save towards the end. Bell shocking, Douglas had to play there is something wrong if Bielsa's world reknown fitness regime couldnt get him fit enough for a Mowbray team! Lenihan should have done better for the third, Ayala is better than him and made an already bad night worse by limping off. Nyambe was bright going forward. Wharton all over the place as a sub.

Holtby was one of our better performers. Mowbray again made the mistake of putting Evans and Johnson the wrong way around and exposing their weakesses. Trybull looked rusty at times but also played a couple of lovely passes and one key interception.

Just now, philipl said:

Subs bench looks really strong

Not much in an attacking sense to change it.

Glad to see Elliott starting, how short are we up front beneath Armstrong though? Even with Gallagher.

The midfield looks rather immobile, hopefully (but doubtfully) we will see Johnson further forward than Evans.

Hope Douglas and Trybull come into the side soon.

2 minutes ago, RoversClitheroe said:

7 players in our team were completely ineffective.

Of course, as mentioned. Johnson was sloppy and Evans totally ineffective both played in roles that highlight their weaknesses rather than their strengths. Buckley had an absolute shocker in a game in which he had a chance to put a marker down, to the extent that he was deservedly hauled off. Brereton I have suggested also needs dropping due to not doing enough in 7 successive starts. Armstrong was very quiet although as top scorer in the league he has plenty of credit in the bank. And I presume Bell is the other one? A player who has never shown competence really and an area I want to see Douglas in as soon as possible. Nyambe was not very good either but I would persist with him for now.

Dolan has also been ineffective and also occasionally dangerous to our own team trying tricks in the wrong areas for a couple of games. Hes barely played any senior football, no shame in taking him out of the starting 11 for the moment.

19 minutes ago, Oldgregg86 said:

Listened to that in the gym last week was it paddy Kenny on something 

Undr The Cosh with Jon Parkin and Chris Brown? I heard it on a podcast with former QPR player Marc Bircham although Paddy Kenny has just done one too which I will listen to at some point.

9 minutes ago, Ruaney said:

I'm willing to give him more than a game against a Premier League side to see if he 'has it'. He has to have it otherwise he's a failure and a waste but he's not had a real chance to prove it being played out of position all the time.

I was being facetious about Mowbray. However, Dolan is hardly going to shine against Forest when he had the ball hoofed forwards most of the game because we had Buckley, Evans and Johnson having a bad game behind him. 

The Newcastle game wasnt an example of him proving that he doesnt have it, I was just using it as an example of his infuriating tendency to not show any urgency to get into the box, he does it regardless of whether he is up front or wide. If a player is coming into the final third or out wide, you will often see Brereton 5 yards away just asking for the ball to feet.

I am not convinced that he is best as a central striker just because I dont ever think that he will become a semi regular goalscorer. His slight improvement has coincided with playing wide in a front 3, although as much as I have been desperate for him to kick on, that improvement has been from the benchmark of not looking at home on a football pitch. I personally think that he has not done enough in 7 consecutive starts to warrant persisting with in the starting 11 at this time.

When Dolan did have the ball he failed to do anything, I just think maybe it is wise to take him back out, he is incredibly raw, I dont and never have expected him to be a regular this season, I think he is just a player that might bob in and out over the season.

3 hours ago, Oldgregg86 said:

I think it’s not as black and white as were trying to make it. For instance fergie was known to be ruthless with his players and even stricter with the young lads but cantona generally got away with most things . You do have to set a standard and risk upsetting players whilst getting the best out of players that won’t respond anything but negatively to authority. It’s down to man management and I hate the guy but no doubt fergie was the best at it 

I know its hardly Cantona and Ferguson but I also heard a story on a podcast the other day of Neil Warnock giving Adel Taarabt the captaincy at QPR to try and focus him, but he was a terrible professional who never used to turn up etc so the senior pros were not happy, Paddy Kenny, Clint Hill etc all went into his office and said what are you playing at, Warnock said trust me and go with it because he will get us promoted. He did and they all went into his office at the end of the season and said yeah you were right!

He played central v Newcastle, anytime the ball was coming into the attacking third, he was stood outside the penalty box, never with any intention of getting into the box. He has absolutely no instinct to get into the box or to anticipate goalscoring chances.

I also think that it is a little unfair to blame Mowbray for "shafting" Dolan. He had a bright start but was totally ineffective in the last couple of games, couldnt get involved and tried one or two tricks in counter productive areas. He is a kid who has only just started playing first team football, perhaps we got a bit carried away early on, he is still clearly a promising talent but its understandable that at the moment such a raw and untested kid is struggling to impact games and may need taking out the firing line and putting on the bench.

32 minutes ago, philipl said:

Laugh at the hard fact then

Its not a fact, there couldnt be any evidence that Venkys are sat there willing to pile more money in but cant because of FFP, its your opinion.

Based on Venkys tenure thus far, I would also suggest that it is a fanciful opinion.

3 hours ago, philipl said:

And the reason why not is financial support from Venky's right up to the very edge of FFP

I think any suggestion that FFP is preventing Venkys from piling in more money is a laughable one to be honest.

25 minutes ago, JoeH said:

In light of recent updates I think I'll adjust my starting XI hopes. Still believe we shouldn't throw too many new faces in from the start all at once, so gone for Bell over Douglas for now, Gallagher through the middle as a central striker, Armstrong out left and give Brereton a rest. Breo is only young, as young as a JRC or a Travis (sometimes people forget), and he's been starting every week for some time now. Don't want to overdo him.

Kaminski

Nyambe Ayala Lenihan Bell

Holtby Johnson Trybull

Elliott Gallagher Armstrong

I dont think the reason to take Brereton would be to rest him down to his age or out of fear of overdoing him, I think he simply hasnt done enough over the 7 games to continue to warrant a start. Travis has never needed a rest since he broke through, and Rankin Costello again probably never has guaranteed a spot in the team. Dolan is the most obvious example of someone needing to be taken out due to his age, someone totally new to proper football, but even then, the main reason is that he has been totally ineffective for a couple of games.

Douglas has to start for me. Also Trybull is also a defensive midfielder and Johnson lacks the ability on the ball to be the deepest of the 3 so I would swap them round. 

6 minutes ago, Exiled in Toronto said:

Interesting interview in many ways. Coyle got a million quid for Burnley’s promotion! It seemed clear to me how divergent fans’ and players’ interests are - The fans pain about Coyle seems in stark contrast to the jolly japes at his expense by the players. It really is only a job to them, and when you have what is effectively an unbreakable contract then your job isn’t at risk no matter how useless the manager.

And I for one think Mowbray was right to drop Graham for missing training the day before a game, no matter what the reason. 

Im not sure on the second bit, not if he was stuck on the motorway because of an accident. If there was no reason or it kept happening then fair enough 

I wouldnt say that Holtby is a defensive midfielder and Johnson is more suited to play a bit further forward.

Anyone who has seen Gallagher on the wing for us and recommends doing so again however...

23 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

If Rothwell had been available I wouldn't have start Trybull. 

I don't see Gallagher has playing on the wing in 4-3-3 but starting right of a front 3. Plus I would further inside playing against Watford left centre back in their back 3. 

Its on the wing, its wide. Weve done the pedantic nonsense before but as a winger, a wide striker, an inside forward, whatever you want to call it, he has never had a good game there.

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

Just now, chaddyrovers said:

Trybull is put in cos Rothwell self isolated and Evans poor performance. 

Elliott in due to Brereton and Dolan a break. 

Despite me wanting neither in cos I wanted a left back firstly. doesnt mean we dont use either now unless this is your new position that if a fan says he doesn't want a player it means he cant pick them now?

Not at all, but I just find it interesting that having been against the signings for fear of blocking the current players we have, youd chuck them in at the first opportunity.

Under no circumstances should Gallagher play on the wing. He NEVER has been effective there. Id rather play Pears there.

Just now, Vilesinner said:

Not sure he is an upgrade. Looked to me like his legs were gone towards the end of the season. Would rather Buckley get further opportunities.

Buckley I dont think did himself any favours on Saturday, he was really poor. I only really remember the Charlton away game in which Buckley has stamped his authority on. This is a season which with many key players being either in their final or moreso penulatimate year of their contract, a strong focus must be on trying to get up this year.

For the here and now, unless Downing has really fallen off a cliff, he is far more effective than Buckley at this time. He created far more chances than anyone else last season.

4 hours ago, wanderingrover said:

Mowbray may have targeted this game tactically more than Forest where a new manager made planning unpredictable. Could see him going with something like below. Johnson/Evans picking up Pedro when he drops in. Front 3 to stay high as much as possible...

 

              Kaminski

Nyambe  Ayala  Lenihan  Bell

        Johnson  Evans

                Holtby 

 Gallagher  Arma  Brereton

 

A point would be great if we could follow up with 3 at the weekend!

38 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

               Kaminski

Nyambe Ayala Lenihan Douglas

       Holtby Trybull Johnson

Gallagher  Armstrong  Elliott

 

Gallagher on the wing presumably against the evidence of him never ever having a good game from that position?

And chaddy, Elliott and Trybull straight in despite us not needing either player?

How do you get the full games on catch up?

7 minutes ago, Stuart said:

All that really proves is how much of a basket case we are as a club.

Balancing the books only counts for off field matters. Conversely it seems that on field matters simply depend on which side of the bed “Madame” gets on the day of the bi-annual Rovers budget meeting.

Can’t clean the stadium properly and would rather argue about who owns the land that makes our ground look like a scene from WALL-E rather than pay a few quid to clean it up. Yet we can add players and wages to our ever increasing pile of debt.

One thing that I would say amidst quite a lot of praise that I have seen for the owners by people clearly far more easily satisfied than me. (Maybe thats just me with ambitions above merely existing) But we havent really spent much at all this summer. A 450k reported fee for Kamimski and a nominal fee for Pears aside, no fees were spent. A free Greek youth keeper, 3 loans, a senior free agent and one intended for the under 23s. Im sure there may be modest signing on fees and potentially loan fees (although maybe not, maybe just wage contributions) and we have also seen Walton, Leutwiler, Fisher, Adarabioyo, Hart, Smallwood, Graham and at this stage Downing leave, so it seems more of a juggle of resources rather than an investment.

I also dont think that many of our key assets would have attracted much if any attention at this stage.

But I certainly agree regarding the generally illogical way in which the owners run the club.

Its quite interesting to look back on the front page of this thread to see how the window has panned out compared to what we expected.

On 04/07/2020 at 22:07, Stuart said:

It’s looking like we are going to need a heck of a facelift in the close season - although Mowbray will no doubt still try to get tunes out of Gallagher and Brereton, presumably still playing both out wide.

Personally I reckon there are five players in our senior squad that we should keep and the rest need replacing, either because loans end or simply because they aren’t good enough.

There is a possibility that a different manager could breathe new life into a few others: Downing, Rothwell, Holtby, maybe even the two above but I just can’t see how anything is going to change without a change in the dugout.

Stuart I think quite fairly suggested that only 5 of the team in Lenihan, Travis, Nyambe, Dack and Armstrong were good enough for the current starting 11. Obviously Armstrong plays up front and the system is different, but I think that potentially, Kaminski, Douglas, Ayala, Trybull and Elliott hopefully can/need to fill most of those other areas. The likes of Holtby, Johnson, Rothwell, Gallagher, Brereton etc need to also start contributing with some consistency.

On 05/07/2020 at 08:47, Kamy100 said:

It is going to be a summer of balancing the books.

With our biggest asset (Dack) not being sellable because of his injury, it will probably mean one or two off Lenihan, Travis or Arma having to be sold to help balance the books.

After that we are looking at freebies, loans and signing up and coming players from lower leagues.

We don't have the money for a major facelift for the squad.

On 05/07/2020 at 09:00, Parsonblue said:

Totally agree with this.  There will have to be departures to balance the books and only Lenihan, Travis, Armstrong and possibly Nyambe are going to attract bids.  One can easily see Fisher or Hilton being used as the back-up 'keeper whilst the likes of Wharton - unless he is sold - Magloire, Carter, Thompson, Vale, Butterworth become part of the senior squad in terms of filling the bench on matchdays or graduating to the starting eleven.  

Also these 2 posts were examples of many predictions that our main assets would have to be sold off and that kids would be making up the numbers which never materialised.

33 minutes ago, Gavlar Somerset Rover! said:

Downing needs to be signed by end of today if we’re to do it, does he not? 

No, as long as there is a space in the squad registration which there is, then he can sign.

I dont see any benefit to constantly waiting though. Tomorrow night is our 6th game and even then, he wont be close to match fitness. He would have been a huge upgrade on Buckley and Evans on Saturday had he signed earlier, and indeed it seemed he was a low priority for Mowbray but he did sign Trybull yet still wants Downing aswell, so it is not as if it was one or the other.

Good podcast with Danny Graham here. Mentions his time at Rovers towards the end of it, describes his relationship with Mowbray as "love-hate" and mentioned him being unfairly punished and made an example of for being late after getting stuck on the motorway due to a car accident. Also mentions going vegan, his relationship with Mulgrew and Dack, Coyle being a laughing stock and his time with Lambert too.