roversfan99

3 minutes ago, Neal said:

I'd be open to offers if there are any. It sounds ridiculous but I think he'll suffer without DG and slow play down for us on the counter. This team works, Dack doesn't have the pace to fit into the high press and quick transitions. Hope I'm wrong because he brings goals but we were far too reliant on him, it made us very one dimensional and I fear it may take us back to what we were. Now we have goals from everywhere and a decent fee would help at left back, a 2nd keeper and ease the financial burden which could quite possibly derail a potential promotion winning season. 

I think thats harsh. Dack has shown before that he is a player very capable on the counter attack. He is not immobile even if he hasnt got the blistering pace of an Armstrong, and he also makes the right decisions, think back to the counter attack at Peterborough away.

He isnt a player who can only play in a direct team, its just that it was how we played until very recently. He is technically very good and it should suit him playing as such. I bet players like Armstrong and Holtby will love him back as quality players love playing with more quality players. 

To be fair, he got a couple of goals for us early but overall he wasnt up to it even in League 1!

Definitely looks a different player. Needs to score some goals to justify or come close to justifying the fee etc, that side of his game is still missing. But most of the other things, especially today, very impressive.

51 minutes ago, Traviscon said:

He is definitely a different animal this season. He was absolutely shattered by the end of the game and he put a hell of a shift in. 

When he runs at people he looks ungainly, but he does have a knack of keeping hold of the ball. He holds it up well and brings others in to play. I've also noticed that Kaminski seems to look for him as soon as he's got the ball in his hands for the counter attack. 

His final pass and shooting needs a bit of work, although he was unlucky to hit the post for Dolans goal. 

Definitely agree with this. Hardly graceful, sometimes he gets past with one or two "lucky" bounces and then the ball is still with him but it is very useful.

Silly example, and certainly not a comparison! But Luis Suarez loves trying to nutmeg players, and often you see him luckily get past people, it will hit the defenders leg, then hit his and he gets past players fairly scrappily because of it. As long as you get past.

I think he watched a lot of Conway in his year with him too. Loves winning fouls for the team, occasionally will look for one when its not there and it wont work out, but it can be an important skill when it does. Has theatrically won penalties for us too, and often gets us up the pitch.

https://www.lancs.live/sport/football/tony-mowbray-press-conference-live-19002022

"We're trying really hard. We haven't got millions, probably loans I'd suggest, not enough for a transfer fee and salary. Wants to fill the squad out."

Seems to be very much bargain hunting. Wonder how we will approach the goalkeeping situation. The situation shouldnt change, we still need who we need even on a limited budget.

You look at the team today, Bell, Williams, Dolan, Brereton, Rankin Costello, Rothwell, all very good performances. Do them 6 play every week for a team that gets into the top 6? Most I would suggest possibly not. But you look at it, if we start conceding goals, Ayala comes in, one of the best defenders in the division if he is fit enough. Nyambe comes in at right back probably next week due to injury. I would like to think that we will have a different left back for most of the season, although Bell keeps his place next week. That midfield, does Johnson keep the consistency, does Rothwell nail down the spot every single week? Do Brereton and Dolan justify a start in every single game? We dont know at the moment, but even if not, Evans is back soon, Travis will be back in 3 months, maybe another midfielder will come in, maybe even Buckley will make an impact, of course Dack will come back, Gallagher will come back. Not advocating that the team all needs changing, far from it. I just like to think that with hopefully 3 new signings coming in, and the situation with returning players from injury, we might have options.

Brilliant performance, last week was great but of course it was against the whipping boys at home, I know that Derby have started poorly, they have injuries, their manager is under fire etc, but to do what we did today is very eye catching, Derby wont be relegation fodder. All about consistency now. Also shows that high possession is not essential.

The best area of the pitch today was the midfield 3. Johnson looks the player not only that I thought we signed, but the player he was 5 or 6 years ago at Norwich. Got to appreciate that it is 3 games and inconsistency was his middle name last season, but he looks in far better shape, his first goal was absolutely superb, and he gives us leadership and experience. Holtby again looks in much better shape, obviously benefits from the system and run the show. And Rothwell was very purposeful, some lovely runs and more effective, although needs to work on the back pass style shots as we know he has a wonder goal in his locker.

Kaminski overall was very good, made a few very good saves, and some superb bits of distribution. A couple of strange things that he did, seems to be quite unorthodox at times and a little shaky from crosses which seems to be his weakness but overall a very good display. Lenihan and Williams were very good, and credit where its due, Bell was our best full back today. blocked a few crosses, better on the ball than usual and not as passive. Most of their danger came down their left, Rankin Costello was mixed, thought he was neat and tidy though and put in a couple of very good recovery tackles after being caught of position. 

Armstrong wasnt at his very best, often chose the wrong option but got a goal, thats what you want. Dolan is an interesting one, he does overdo it at times, once or twice in areas he shouldnt be messing about and it could cost us, he did tire as he did last week which is understandable having not played senior football until this season, but its getting the balance right by Mowbray, when do you play him, when is he sub, and discourage him playing in the wrong areas without affecting his play in the final third, youd hate to be a full back against him, so tricky and quick and love him getting a tap in. Fantastic bonus for us. Brereton I thought his overall play was excellent, going on runs, winning fouls, holding it up, very good. Still that question mark in front of goal, unlucky to hit the post, had a good chance with a header, and a couple of other chances that he finished with no composure at all. Needs to chip in, but definitely a different player.

Subs, difficult for Nyambe coming into a game as a sub right back but did ok. Bennett, little to do and little time but didnt do anything wrong. Chapman, I thought he was poor but you got some end product, brilliant work for the fourth goal.

This team also has scope to get better with players currently unavailable. Ayala is one of the best defenders in the division on his day. Travis has been a stand out performer since he broke in consistently and Dack is probably our best player. We shoudlnt forget that, 3 quality performers who should only make us better upon their return. You probably put all 3 in the first 11 at some point, but if they were all magically fit for next week, they would all be on the bench. Shows the last 2 results for how impressive they are.

Think its unfair to suggest that it would be a different scenario with a crowd. The Ewood crowd is not the pitchfork grabbing mob that some portray, ultimately if the players cannot replicate this with crowds then its a little obsolete, but there is no reason to suggest that they cant. Certain things seem to be falling into place and I dont think its fair to suggest that one of those is a lack of supporters.

Fair play to Mowbray too. The acid test is not when this way of playing gives teams a hiding, its the consistency and the grinding out of results regularly that will get us near the top. There are still certain reservations about this team but a lot of things seem to be coming together.

I presume that their Bennett is injured but I cant see him being let go. Envious of their depth there.

Doesnt mean that he has accepted that their new winger is going to be impossible to stop regardless of the right back so hes accepted that in advance and just played an attacking player and hell to the consequences defensively.

A more obvious logic would be keep the same team.

1 minute ago, JoeH said:

Evidently that’s not what the manager thinks. I believe it’s only right to skate JRC over Nyambe if a) as a team we defend poorly and b) if JRC is poor in the game.

Let’s talk tomorrow and see how it’s gone. We can be berating team selection until the games done.

My point is not even about the right back selection! It is against your logic, even if they had Eden Hazard down the left, no sane manager would accept that there is nothing defensively that he can do and instead pick an attacking player there as if the attitude is to just let the dangerous attacking player get on with it. And thats before you consider that the player has only just signed from the Polish league, he may appear to be an exciting signing and im sure hes a good player but not to the extent that you accept that hes going to have a field day and theres nothing we can do!

I suspect Mowbray has literally just picked the same team that won 5 nil. I would have played Nyambe who was excellent the week before and is our best right back but theres a bit of logic to keeping the same team. 

Of course, the hope is that we keep a clean sheet and win today and the selection is justifed.

Cunningham is starting for Cardiff today. If there was a chance of getting him it may well be gone sadly.

I dont think that a player who may well be talented but is new to the country and a bit of an unknown quantity will tear apart any right back as a foregone conclusion!

That would be crazy logic. He may be a big threat but you surely put your best right back on to hopefully reduce his threat.

Dont get the non selection of Nyambe again. Seems a player easy to leave out by the manager. He was "rested" to avoid burn out, did Rankin Costello play better than Nyambe had done the week before? No, so put Nyambe back in.

Time for a Brereton goal today in a meaningful game. He is getting regular starts, no excuses.

Wycombe really do look like whipping boys in this division. 

Just now, S8 & Blue said:

Agree with most of that re: statistics - but for me JRC has shown flashes of brilliance, he has endeavour and adaptability.
 

I won’t complain if he starts RB, LW, LB, RW - he can offer a lot anywhere and will give 110%

 

 

But I’m in love with Ben Brereton so my opinion on players should be taken with a pinch of salt! ?

His pass at Hillsbrough was good, apart from that, not much. I dont think he lets us down at all, but equally I dont think hes really stood out, I definitely think he will prove a weakness at full back too, even v Doncaster he struggled there. Clearly not where he is best. Hes a young lad though, im not saying he should be the finished product, im not saying hes let us down, he is crap, anything like that, just that his appearances thus far, perhaps at times partially hindered by the position he was chosen in, have been underwhelming IMO.

As a utility man, I prefer him to Bennett because of the lack of recklessness that he brings, but I also wonder if his versatility might not necessarily be of benefit to him long term?

Ultimately, people shouldnt have to personally email the club, these queries should have already been answered and communicated by the club.

4 hours ago, JoeH said:

Team of the week is based on data. He had a great game and as much as you seem to not be a big fan of him, he played well. 

Exactly, basing a team of the week solely on data without any perspective is inherently flawed.

The data is useful but I think you sometimes struggle to appreciate that it is of little use alone.

Rankin Costello had a great game in your opinion, not as a matter of fact because of the data.

My personal opinion of his performance was that he was ok. Going forward, came close with a shot, crossing was poor. Defensively, totally untroubled. On the ball, neat and tidy.

I have yet to see anything particularly stand out to suggest that he should be a regular at this stage. Nothing wrong with that, he is a young lad who as a squad player may be very useful and hopefully he can become much more influential over the season.

10 hours ago, chaddyrovers said:

It means I disagree with @roversfan99 comment on which he said he was poor. 

It does appear he signed a new contract last November until 2023. The site I looked on hasnt updated there data. So my apologies. 

Yes I disagree with @roversfan99's comment who said he was poor last weekend. Which he wasn't. 

 

I dont think I said he was poor. I said his crossing was poor which baring in mind it regularly went to the keeper, I think is a fair comment. Overall, he was fine.

I dont think he is a full back so Nyambe would definitely come in, and I dont think hes done enough to be guaranteed a start, hence, like you, I left him out of my suggested team.

Pick on? He was totally untested defensively, all of his crosses went to the keeper and was unlucky to hit the post from his shot. Not sure he warranted a team of the week selection, obviously thats subjective, he was fine but Nyambe will be needed at right back (who was in the team of the week thr week before) and I dont think hes done anything in an attacking sense to make himself guaranteed a spot further forward.

2 minutes ago, Paul Mani said:

Great point about Davenport. On Paper, he’s our weakest link and yet, he’s younger than Whiteman and has played 27 times in the Championship. I think Chaddy is justified in coming to that opinion and bearing the fee involved I’d be inclined to stick with Davenport too.

Of course, all of this doesn’t take into account the managers opinion. Let’s see if Whitemans still in League 1 come October 6th. 

Davenport has never started a game for us I dont think. And Whiteman may have been so important to Doncaster that they were refusing to sell at an affordable price.

Its unfair to assume he isnt up to it on such limited views and assumptions 

17 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

Have you seen him? 

I've seen one full game at Sunderland last season as it was on TV plus clips on highlights show. Decent player, but not good enough to be starter here. Plus we got Buckley and Davenport who I think are better. 

9 minutes ago, Paul Mani said:

Argh mate, I had Sparky with my first post!! He come on like a rabid dog to protect his boy!! ?

On a serious note, I’ve genuinely watched at least half a dozen Donny games in the last 12 months especially for him because of the links. He looks tidy and lively in there but I haven’t seen him do anything that our lads couldn’t do in that league. If we’re spending £2m on a CM from League 1 I’d be expecting big things.

Let me ask you a question. Having watched (I assume) Rovers in League 1 and seen how poor the quality is in there what do you think the likes of Travis, Holtby, Rothwell, Johnson and Buckley Even a fully fit Evans would do to it? I reckon they’d walk into any side in that league, including Doncasters. I’d put decent money on Trav, Holtby, Rothwell and Buckley pissing it....

So what makes you think that Whiteman would have a chance of getting into our first 11? 

I dont remember having seen him play nor have I said that he would get into our team. I have no idea if he would nor could we afford him. One game is certainly not enough to decide he is definitely worse than even 2 young midfielders we have, neither of whom have established themselves yet.

Travis definitely, Holtby definitely, Rothwell, not sure he pissed League 1 last time he was in it. Johnson, quite possibly. Buckley, clearly has talent, very young and yet to fully establish himself.

Just now, Paul Mani said:

Tbf to Chaddy, I don’t think he is being simplistic. Whiteman has been doing the rounds now for about 18 months now. He’s been watched and I don’t think there’s anything to suggest he’s going to break into our first 11.

Id wanna get a player who could make an immediate impact like a Harrison Reed until Christmas and then get Travis back and crack on.

If Evans and Smallwood were at Doncaster, would Whiteman even get in their team? 

Have you seen much if any of him to make the judgement that he could get into our best 11? Or that he is no better than Smallwood?

I understand that you are just winding up Sparks Rover but Whiteman may well be capable of slotting into our midfield and improving us, he may not. Either way, we couldnt afford him. Unless Venkys are really willing to sign any cheque ?

Just now, chaddyrovers said:

But we signed when were league 1 club. 

Are you saying Whiteman is another Dack? We paid 750k for him. 

Would you pay 2 million for a league 1 midfielder who is out of contract in 9 months time?

No im not, I dont know how good he is.

We dont have 2m to spend on a player but even if we did, it wouldnt be a midfielder. And if it was, ive no idea if Whiteman is worth 2m or not.

Just a bit simplistic to dismiss it because hes in League 1 without seeimg him play.

Signing another midfielder doesnt have to necessarily hinder Buckley. If he is good enough to start every week for a top 6 chasing team, he will. But we cant be sure that he is so we could do with another one in there ideally, capable of slotting into the team. 

Its a good job we werent in the Championship when Dack became available if the rule is "if hes in League 1, hes not good enough, regardless of how much I have seen or not seen him."

Have you seen him or is that just based on where he is playing?

Personally not seen him play, Doncaster fans seem to love him but unsure how he compares. That being said, we couldnt afford him anyway.

Has JHRover at any point not accepted or indeed even mentioned that some fans wont buy a season ticket?

16 minutes ago, bazza said:

What are they like on grass?

Just as bad!