Tough game this.

Robins has done a very good job there.

Coventry have played 4 of the top 7 in their opening 6 matches and, given the run of difficult opening games, a 5 point return isn't bad for a newly promoted side.

Both teams desperately need to avoid defeat so a draw looks likely.

With all these games coming up in a short space of time, I fear for Rovers as I still see many teams, IMO, with a superior mental and physical fitness.

1 hour ago, chaddyrovers said:

I wouldnt want Dyche here. Simple as. If you do then fair enough. I don't!

But its feel like you trying to argument again which I not getting involved in. 

You need to change your mentality Chaddy.

I once asked you a question - if you were lying on your death bed and the only person who could save you was a 'Dingle' Consultant Surgeon, what would you do?

I think we know the answer.

All this sh1te about Burnley is a nonsense.  Whether it be Coyle, Cook, Dyche or anyone else with a Burnley connection, if they could move Rovers forward as a club then you would snap their hand off.

Time you showed some intellectual maturity.

3 hours ago, davulsukur said:

any word on his injury?

Heard he was having it scanned today - if that is correct, indicative of a tear.

Guess we'll know more at tomorrow's presser.

4 hours ago, unleaded said:

If he is still picking Evans whilst working with the player for going on 2/3 years now  in match days & in training there’s no hope for the man !! 
We have too many nice guys in our team even the manager ... all drips down from the Venkys ...

 

Paul Cook is twiddling his thumbs - we could do a lot worse.

Gets results and success wherever he's been.

Has that hard nosed winning mentality we are so desperate for. 

4 minutes ago, LeftWinger said:

Pretty much irrelevant our league position after 6 games. 

We are already 6 points off an auto promo place and 4 points off a play off place - I think that's very relevant.

Said it many times, a fast start gives confidence and momentum which take you a long, long way in this league especially when it's a bang average year. 

Don't buy all this 'we played well nonsense'.

If you consistently play well and don't get results then there is a big, big problem.

Played 6, lost 3, points 7, league position 14th - those are the facts that count. 

54 minutes ago, LeftWinger said:

We've conceded 7 in 6 games. Norwich had conceded 12 in 6 at the same stage in their promotion season.

There's only 2 keepers kept more clean sheets than Kaminski so far.

Think he showed last night there are causes for concern.

Also, think it's ridiculous Pears was on the bench last night.  The signing of the Greek lad was hailed as glowing evidence of how good our Euro scouting is - IMO, the inference is that he's seen as not being good enough and is third choice; IMO, absolutely incredulous to give Pears a four year deal - what world do Waggott and Mowbray live in. 

2 hours ago, Hoochie Bloochie Mama said:

1st goal was BB's fault for not tracking the runner.

Nyambe at fault for the 2nd for not tracking his runner. 

Utter shite from Lenihan for the 3rd.

If you can't do the basics away from home you've no chance. Shame because we look a very mobile unit going forward and we're going to play some good stuff this season. 

It's all about organisation and coaching and players understanding their roles.  It does not take almost four years to get this across - look at Big Sam, wherever he went, defensive issues were mitigated within days (remember his first match for us against Stoke).

2 hours ago, philipl said:

The (probably forlorn) hope is Mowbray can pick the best team and knit them together.

A word for Dolan. He didn't go past anybody because all opponents know to keep a pace back from him but he kept us in possession every touch. His passing is rock solid and I am now more confident of his development than I am in Buckley's who didn't even make the bench. Our players are not moving into positions to take advantage of the short passing opportunities opponents standing off Dolan are creating. Equally Mowbray asking Dolan to hug the touchline is missing the strength of Dolan to be able to go either way.

IMO, so true.

A ballsy decision needed very soon on Mowbray should the scores on the doors not rack up very soon otherwise it could be another season of treading water. 

1 minute ago, Exiled in Toronto said:

As it did when Kenny lost six on the bounce, not one of which we played remotely well in.

Shit happens in football, even promoted teams fail to win 1/3-1/2 of their games. Arma missed a penalty, Lenihan scored a pointless own goal and failed to score a simple header - I’m sure everyone would have welcomed a team sheet without those two.

Kenny's record speaks for itself.

Souey's record speaks for itself.

Big Sam's record speaks for itself.

Mowbray, IMO, shouldn't be mentioned in the same breath as those three.

According to Mowbray and LT, Ayala's got a groin issue.  That's two weeks minimum in my book.

Tony will say let's take the positives.

There are none - we've lost, conceded three (and could have been six), big question marks about Kaminski after tonight, Ayala crocked and IMO, Lenihan an overrated shambles and Bell just Bell (a terrible full back and Watford knew it and exploited).

That's seven points from six games and three losses.  No confidence and momentum there.

Johnson and Evans, IMO, not good enough.  Holtby needs some real help in there.

Elliott looks extremely confident and assured for a 17 year old and there's a lot more to come from him - did fade in last half hour (though not surprising).

Brereton improving - would not have subbed him.

Armstrong, wasteful - knew he'd miss the pen, far too cocky walking up to the spot persistently bouncing the ball (all Shearer did was put it on the spot and break the feckin net).

Dolan - the lad's card's been marked and Watford had done their homework!

Will soon be at the crossroads with Mowbray - this can't go on.  Sh1t or bust this season and we are already some distance off the pace.

Some on here scoffed at Ivan Toney when Brentford signed him - well he's scored more goals for them this season than Brereton and Gallagher have for us in three combined seasons - says it all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Brentford can certainly work the market!!!

2 minutes ago, imy9 said:

Mercer I am a tad baffled. First of all the majority of our players are poor signings and our recruitment is poor. Now that's fine but the management is poor?

Who gave the young players a chance in the same place??? Mowbray is no Messiah but I can see a style of play now and we look a decent shout for the play offs. Sacking him if he does badly over a few games, come off it lol!

This league is all about organisation, confidence and momentum.

Start well and you fly otherwise you will struggle to catch the bus.

2 minutes ago, Dan said:

Why can’t I find Harvey Elliott on sky bet? 

Not a clue but you will find him on most of the other 'biggies' like 365, WH, PP etc.

6 minutes ago, Exiled_Rover said:

Dolan has been poor the last two games. He needs a break.

Correct.

Young energetic players can hit a brick wall if they aren't managed properly.  The lad has so much talent and the 'X Factor' and I would be disappointed if we don't get 30 games out of him this season.

12 minutes ago, Stuart said:

We bring in these exciting players and Mowbray has no clue how to get the best out of them.

IMO, so true.

Have posted a number of times recently that I think we have the players to get us out of this season's bang average Championship, however, IMO, very much doubt Mowbray is the man to get a tune out of them.

A tough one tonight - up until now, Watford not scored many and we haven't conceded many!!!

Sneaking fancy for us tonight (hope it's not heart over head) but if we don't get out of the starting blocks pretty quickly over the next few matches, I would sack Mowbray - we can't afford another season of treading water.  We have the players - the excuses MUST stop and Mowbray MUST deliver and quick.

4 hours ago, Madon said:

Is this from a decent source? Harvey Elliott to score a brace at 100/1 is grabbing my attention! ?

Hope you've backed your hunch!

Gone for Rovers win (£20 @13/5) and Elliott to be anytime scorer (£20 @13/2).  More confident on Elliott bet though!  

I fear for us in this fixture.  Watford will be a tough nut.

Can't see too many changes as I think our new signings are short of game time and match fitness.

I look at our results to date:

Bournemouth (3rd in league) - loss, no surprise

WW (23rd in league) - handsome win, but WW will be the league's whipping boys as an opening five defeats on the bounce and twelve goals conceded suggests 

Derby (21st in league) - handsome win, but Derby are struggling as four defeats out of their first five games indicates 

Cardiff (18th in league) - poor draw, games we should and have to win

Forest (20th in league) - poor loss, rocked up at Ewood having lost their first four games and having sacked their manager.  No excuses, we should have won and have to win these type of games.  Think Mowbray's bullsh1t about having to throw a side together is lamentable

Recipe for success in this league is simple.  Organisation and a fast start providing confidence and momentum.

Think we have the players to get us up in what I feel will be a bang average league this season.  Sadly, we are in danger of being left in the starting blocks unless Mowbray gets his act together very, very quickly and sadly, IMO, clarity of thought and decisiveness are not Mowbray's strong points.

9 minutes ago, Traviscon said:

Pears has signed for 4 years. 

Do we ever learn with ridiculously long contracts for average players.

Well if Mowbray brings in 2 or 3, I don't think he can have any excuse whatsoever if he fails to get us promoted this season when many on here think we've had a great window.

Get us up this season or on yer bike Mowbray - you've had both enough time and backing in the transfer market. 

1 hour ago, JoeH said:

We saw a £6m influx of cash from Venky's, maybe they've bitten the bullet and given Mowbray a little bit more than was expected around the time Stergiakis came in. 

Could we see a few in by Friday with a little bit more kitty than was first decided? Maybe Fisher leaves permanently and Eastham goes on loan.

It's just over 4 months since VLL's last share issue.

As we are certain to be haemorrhaging even more cash through COVID, I think the only surprise is this issue has taken so long.

I would be amazed if Mowbray has any flexibility.

2 hours ago, Silas said:

Can I ask why?

What area/s do you think they're far better than us?

Defence, scoring goals, midfield, manager, experience? 

Based on last season, they were superior in all areas!!!