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NEXT GAME:no idea
Sometime in August
Kick off unknown pm
No idea where
Definitely the Championship
promotion aspirations
- Thread starter Chaddyrovers
- Start date
steve w
Senior Member
Well todays results put paid to any real hope of a miracle end to the season
I miss WB and kudos to him - he never wavered in his belief TM/MV/SW et al would fuck it up
(I softened my view when we were winning a few but regret that now - my favourite line in any song ever is "God have mercy on the man who doubts what he's sure of")
A loss on Monday and the pitch walk against Bournemouth will be a lonely trek for the players - wonder if TM has the balls to join in?
I miss WB and kudos to him - he never wavered in his belief TM/MV/SW et al would fuck it up
(I softened my view when we were winning a few but regret that now - my favourite line in any song ever is "God have mercy on the man who doubts what he's sure of")
A loss on Monday and the pitch walk against Bournemouth will be a lonely trek for the players - wonder if TM has the balls to join in?
OnlyOneTugay
Prediction Champion 2019 & 2020
Very fair points there Steve . WB was right , I don’t mind admitting that . He called it when I for one ,mainly down to our new found defensive stability, thought we’d hang on to a top six position.
I’ve backed TM since he was appointed and I’d argue he’s done a decent job up to now . However the collapse since January has left me scratching my head .
Defensively we seemed to have cracked it with the three centre halves and two wingbacks. The team were working hard and pressing , a goal meant , more often than not , a win or worse case scenario, a draw .
Only TM , his coaching staff and the players can explain what’s happened, but it’s turned what could have been a good season into the sort of season I’d have been happy with , if we hadn’t risen so high so early in the season . It’s the hope that kills you
So what’s next ? Up to the Coventry game I’d have offered TM a new contract , but the teams performance and the missed opportunities since then have , in my mind , been unforgivable.
I think it’s best for Rovers and TM to part company and move on . TM to a new challenge and Rovers to a new era . The new man would ideally be appointed early , have a track record of getting more from less and importantly , enthuse and inspire the supporters from day one . We all need a fillip before next season starts .
I’ve backed TM since he was appointed and I’d argue he’s done a decent job up to now . However the collapse since January has left me scratching my head .
Defensively we seemed to have cracked it with the three centre halves and two wingbacks. The team were working hard and pressing , a goal meant , more often than not , a win or worse case scenario, a draw .
Only TM , his coaching staff and the players can explain what’s happened, but it’s turned what could have been a good season into the sort of season I’d have been happy with , if we hadn’t risen so high so early in the season . It’s the hope that kills you
So what’s next ? Up to the Coventry game I’d have offered TM a new contract , but the teams performance and the missed opportunities since then have , in my mind , been unforgivable.
I think it’s best for Rovers and TM to part company and move on . TM to a new challenge and Rovers to a new era . The new man would ideally be appointed early , have a track record of getting more from less and importantly , enthuse and inspire the supporters from day one . We all need a fillip before next season starts .
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steve w
Senior Member
The tactic of pressing worked because they did it well at first - Buckley was outstanding and was brilliantly supported by BBD and Khadra (I think it also took a few teams by surprise - a bit like promoted teams for the first half a dozen games)
Then teams sussed us out and as the line up changed through injury or bad loans/purchases they didn't press as a trio (Buckley was constantly looking around for support) - I remember Giles looking completely lost (what am I supposed to be doing look on his face)
The rest as they say is history and highlights what WB and others were saying - we have no plan B
The team wasn't properly prepared and knowing what was expected and of course the highlight was the Derby game with Johnson as a false 9
The buck can only stop in one place
Just to repeat - Only twice has a team in the top 2 at turn of year not finished in the play offs at least - both managed by TM
And one of them is us!!
Without AA last year. BBD this year (and that amazing run this season) - we would have been relegated last season for sure and although I have always felt secure with teams like Peterborough and the teams with point deductions - our form is "good" enough for relegation
Then teams sussed us out and as the line up changed through injury or bad loans/purchases they didn't press as a trio (Buckley was constantly looking around for support) - I remember Giles looking completely lost (what am I supposed to be doing look on his face)
The rest as they say is history and highlights what WB and others were saying - we have no plan B
The team wasn't properly prepared and knowing what was expected and of course the highlight was the Derby game with Johnson as a false 9
The buck can only stop in one place
Just to repeat - Only twice has a team in the top 2 at turn of year not finished in the play offs at least - both managed by TM
And one of them is us!!
Without AA last year. BBD this year (and that amazing run this season) - we would have been relegated last season for sure and although I have always felt secure with teams like Peterborough and the teams with point deductions - our form is "good" enough for relegation
I think mowbrays done a decent and even a good job this season. I never thought we would go up and I doubt anyone on here asked to predict our season would have envisaged us to be in the top six for so long. Quite the opposite in fact as I had us down for a relegation battle once Armstrong went and we were left with D&D to score. Bbd exceeded most peoples expectations massively up to January or else we would have been.
The low point of course was the Fulham debacle. After that the defensive formation changed and our success was down to the defence quickly becoming the meanest in the division. A turning point imo was the owners throwing down a 10m bounty for promotion. After that the team appeared to be trying too hard to outgun the opposition and not hard enough to stop and frustrate the opposition by continuing the 'they shall not pass' mentality. Lenihan for one seemed to play too far forward in the second half of the season which given his distribution is counter productive and disrupted the previous 'they shall not pass' safety first mentality which had raised all our hopes and expectations.
After that 2022 has contained all the slings and arrows that one could think of. Very little of it to do with Mowbray either. Who could legislate for two missed penalties? Buckley's missed sitters? Numerous last minute goals against just as we were pressing for winners? Long term Injuries we're picked up almost every week to key players? Pickering, markanday, poveida, khadra, nyambe, bbd, edun plus of course more than a few interventions by dodgy referees. Every week we were left holding the shitty end of the stick. I personally have never known a run of misfortune like it.
On the plus side we've seen a number of academy kids coming through to become senior players in what is the second youngest team in the championship! No one wins anything with kids as Hansen famously said. Up to the Stoke game the weekly body blows didn't appear to have affected squad mentality either.
Overall only Luton have overachieved more than us in terms of wage bill v points and that is quite some achievement for a small fish swimming in a pond full of bigger ones, most helped by the skewed influence of the parachute payments.
The low point of course was the Fulham debacle. After that the defensive formation changed and our success was down to the defence quickly becoming the meanest in the division. A turning point imo was the owners throwing down a 10m bounty for promotion. After that the team appeared to be trying too hard to outgun the opposition and not hard enough to stop and frustrate the opposition by continuing the 'they shall not pass' mentality. Lenihan for one seemed to play too far forward in the second half of the season which given his distribution is counter productive and disrupted the previous 'they shall not pass' safety first mentality which had raised all our hopes and expectations.
After that 2022 has contained all the slings and arrows that one could think of. Very little of it to do with Mowbray either. Who could legislate for two missed penalties? Buckley's missed sitters? Numerous last minute goals against just as we were pressing for winners? Long term Injuries we're picked up almost every week to key players? Pickering, markanday, poveida, khadra, nyambe, bbd, edun plus of course more than a few interventions by dodgy referees. Every week we were left holding the shitty end of the stick. I personally have never known a run of misfortune like it.
On the plus side we've seen a number of academy kids coming through to become senior players in what is the second youngest team in the championship! No one wins anything with kids as Hansen famously said. Up to the Stoke game the weekly body blows didn't appear to have affected squad mentality either.
Overall only Luton have overachieved more than us in terms of wage bill v points and that is quite some achievement for a small fish swimming in a pond full of bigger ones, most helped by the skewed influence of the parachute payments.
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OnlyOneTugay
Prediction Champion 2019 & 2020
Would you offer TM a new contract Drog , if he was open to signing one ?
Like you I think he’s been good for the Rovers and has done a decent job since he arrived . However although a big gamble , I think it’s best for the club , the fans and TM if he moves on , with our thanks and good wishes .
Like you I think he’s been good for the Rovers and has done a decent job since he arrived . However although a big gamble , I think it’s best for the club , the fans and TM if he moves on , with our thanks and good wishes .
steve w
Senior Member
Can I just remind you about last season!!
We didn't exactly over perform and if we hadn't put a decent run in early on - We would have gone down without a doubt.
So our problems are down to bad luck, injuries and bad refs?
Every team in the league has that to deal with the same - good teams and managers adapt
Mowbrays awful (record equalling worst in our entire!! history) run last season could possibly be eclipsed if we lose the next three
Not once has he taken responsibility for a poor performance - he didn't have the good grace to apologise after the Fulham (worst home result ever!!) game
How anybody can continue to defend him is beyond me
We didn't exactly over perform and if we hadn't put a decent run in early on - We would have gone down without a doubt.
So our problems are down to bad luck, injuries and bad refs?
Every team in the league has that to deal with the same - good teams and managers adapt
Mowbrays awful (record equalling worst in our entire!! history) run last season could possibly be eclipsed if we lose the next three
Not once has he taken responsibility for a poor performance - he didn't have the good grace to apologise after the Fulham (worst home result ever!!) game
How anybody can continue to defend him is beyond me
Old Darwen Blue
Prediction Champion 2021, 2022 & 2023
I’m actually worried about who those clowns in India would appoint following the Warnock fiasco.
Yes I would oot. This season is looking likely to end in disappointment but club management is many faceted and I'd love to know the driving force behind all aspects of the team. I am assuming Mowbray is in charge of all but I could be wrong but if I were to give marks on all aspects of the club then they would be along the lines of...
Recruitment 8. An obvious blip with the two big money buys who have wasted 3 years as far as contributions are concerned. If they had performed in line with this season from the start then it would be a 9. Otherwise we've spent wisely and had some really top quality loanees come to the club. Really top quality! I can't think of many failures beyond chapman tbh, and I'm of the opinion that is rooted in his injuries. The backdrop to this is that our wage structure is close to the bottom of a league soured by the ridiculous parachute payments designed to help out failed premier league err stars at the cost of fair competition in the 'best second division' in the world.
Team management. 8 Rarely have I seen such a solid team spirit at Ewood. They really do appear a collective. There is no 'I' in team seeming to be the byword. It's obvious that TM isn't as well respected by some supporters as he is by his players. 'Respect' being the go to watchword for any football manager NOT liked or admired etc.
Tactician 6. Perhaps the supporters biggest criticism of Mowbray is this. But then again most of supporter experience in football management is a fantasy play station game.
Youth and Academy 9. I've no idea how much involvement TM has in the Academy so I may be wrong but under his overall management the academy has flourished in a way we've not seen before and has become a fantastic supply line for the first team. We have the second youngest current squad in the championship and to perform as they have this season has been a major achievement. Coaching and recruitment are of obvious top quality despite individuals being lured away. Unable to keep the really top stars of the future (Philips) we seem to be a respected and favoured destination for resurrecting players released by the really big clubs in this area.
Respect .... from the football world. Few speak out against Mowbray and plenty speak for him as an individual. I'd see replacing him as an unnecessary gamble and one that we'd be more likely to regret than celebrate. Of course managers frequently have a shelf life at most clubs but I don't see that his sell by date has expired yet.
Have I missed anything?
OnlyOneTugay
Prediction Champion 2019 & 2020
Excellent analysis , although to put it in context , it’s a much easier read the morning after such a great win at one of our Lancashire rivals .
There’s not much to add other than perhaps we should all digest this post from a PNE fan posted this morning on their forum ( he covers much of the same ground ) and think on . Especially his last sentence , which could easily apply to us :
“ Sad as it to say, it looks like a massive gap has developed between us and Rovers.
On the pitch, our bright young manager was absolutely schooled by a coach many would have you believe is a footballing dinosaur, while 3 of their 4 goals were scored by academy graduates...meanwhile ours are struggling for game time at tier 7 clubs.
There's 3 or 4 players in Rovers' side who could easily be sold on for multi millions, while you'd struggle to name a north end player who'd fetch a fee.
Where they have invested heavily, in the striking department, they have been patient with their significant investments - Armstrong, Brereton - and as a result will more than quadruple their initial outlay on these two. And I wouldn't bet against Gallagher taking on the mantle if Brereton does go this summer.
All of the above have been highlighted as issues by supporters time and time again, yet while the Venkys are much maligned figures of fun, we have people lauding Trevor Hemmings and suggesting statues are erected, and parts of the club named after him.
Time for a reality check “
Up the Rovers ( that’s from me not him
)
There’s not much to add other than perhaps we should all digest this post from a PNE fan posted this morning on their forum ( he covers much of the same ground ) and think on . Especially his last sentence , which could easily apply to us :
“ Sad as it to say, it looks like a massive gap has developed between us and Rovers.
On the pitch, our bright young manager was absolutely schooled by a coach many would have you believe is a footballing dinosaur, while 3 of their 4 goals were scored by academy graduates...meanwhile ours are struggling for game time at tier 7 clubs.
There's 3 or 4 players in Rovers' side who could easily be sold on for multi millions, while you'd struggle to name a north end player who'd fetch a fee.
Where they have invested heavily, in the striking department, they have been patient with their significant investments - Armstrong, Brereton - and as a result will more than quadruple their initial outlay on these two. And I wouldn't bet against Gallagher taking on the mantle if Brereton does go this summer.
All of the above have been highlighted as issues by supporters time and time again, yet while the Venkys are much maligned figures of fun, we have people lauding Trevor Hemmings and suggesting statues are erected, and parts of the club named after him.
Time for a reality check “
Up the Rovers ( that’s from me not him
)
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I'll grant you that OOT.
"Respect .... from the football world. Few speak out against Mowbray and plenty speak for him as an individual. I'd see replacing him as an unnecessary gamble and one that we'd be more likely to regret than celebrate. Of course managers frequently have a shelf life at most clubs but I don't see that his sell by date has expired yet.
Have I missed anything?"
I recall Kean was well repected by his peers ........
Have I missed anything?"
I recall Kean was well repected by his peers ........
Well we were informed last night that no other club in the play off places has managed to beat em at Deepdale.
I have to say that you sound somewhat disappointed steve.
steve w
Senior Member
Yea I am very disappointed that it has taken until we are all but mathematically out of the play off picture to change the formation and play with some purposeWell we were informed last night that no other club in the play off places has managed to beat em at Deepdale.
I have to say that you sound somewhat disappointed steve.
In fact..........I'm fucking furious
We have a team that is more than capable of top 6 and they have been so badly managed its criminal
OnlyOneTugay
Prediction Champion 2019 & 2020
It’s really disappointing that form collapsed after we hit second . I didn’t expect it but I probably should have . In my early days of watching Rovers , the team always used to fade after Christmas, probably down to injuries, a heavy Ewood pitch and no money .
I wasn’t one for changing the formation, I liked the three centre halves and the wing backs , I thought it worked a treat . Something went wrong , but I can’t overly criticise TM for that . The fact that we still have an outside chance of the play-offs shows that other teams , bar Fulham , have also had their ups and downs. However I have to admit I started to lose faith in TM starting with the Coventry result . We really have missed opportunity after opportunity and I’m suffering from a massive ‘ if only ‘ .
Last night a different formation came up trumps . I haven’t seen a better midfield performance from a Rovers team for quite sometime. Travis was his usual excellent self , but Rothwell and Buckley played out of their skins . Hedges did ok too .
I thought the defending was just about satisfactory but not as water tight as when we were at our best with the three centre backs .
Brereton and Gallagher were exceptional and ran the PNE defence a merry dance . They just couldn’t cope with their movement - wow I never thought I’d say that about those two ! Perhaps the saying ‘patience is a virtue’ is paying off . Credit TM for that too , he believes in them .
Should he go ? I think perhaps he should for his own sake and that of the club . I read the TM thread on BRFCS a couple of days ago and the vitriol and spite directed at him has to be read to be believed . I’m not sure if they are truly representative of Rovers fans , but I can’t ever see him winning them over , unless he takes Rovers to the promised land .
UTR
I wasn’t one for changing the formation, I liked the three centre halves and the wing backs , I thought it worked a treat . Something went wrong , but I can’t overly criticise TM for that . The fact that we still have an outside chance of the play-offs shows that other teams , bar Fulham , have also had their ups and downs. However I have to admit I started to lose faith in TM starting with the Coventry result . We really have missed opportunity after opportunity and I’m suffering from a massive ‘ if only ‘ .
Last night a different formation came up trumps . I haven’t seen a better midfield performance from a Rovers team for quite sometime. Travis was his usual excellent self , but Rothwell and Buckley played out of their skins . Hedges did ok too .
I thought the defending was just about satisfactory but not as water tight as when we were at our best with the three centre backs .
Brereton and Gallagher were exceptional and ran the PNE defence a merry dance . They just couldn’t cope with their movement - wow I never thought I’d say that about those two ! Perhaps the saying ‘patience is a virtue’ is paying off . Credit TM for that too , he believes in them .
Should he go ? I think perhaps he should for his own sake and that of the club . I read the TM thread on BRFCS a couple of days ago and the vitriol and spite directed at him has to be read to be believed . I’m not sure if they are truly representative of Rovers fans , but I can’t ever see him winning them over , unless he takes Rovers to the promised land .
UTR
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tonygreenbank
Senior Member
Surely you are not comparing Mowbray with Kean? A manager with over 700 games of experience with one who had 70? Come on man!
Barmitzvah Boy
Global winner of the 2021 Christmas Quiz 👊🤩🤩
‘Should he go ? I think perhaps he should for his own sake and that of the club . I read the TM thread on BRFCS a couple of days ago and the vitriol and spite directed at him has to be read to be believed . I’m not sure if they are truly representative of Rovers fans , but I can’t ever see him winning them over , unless he takes Rovers to the promised land .’
OOT - The vitriol on that site is unreal, indeed some of the comments are disgusting. If you were to indicate any positivity towards TM or SW you would be set upon. I am not the greatest fan of TM but no one (apart from Putin) deserves such abuse.
OOT - The vitriol on that site is unreal, indeed some of the comments are disgusting. If you were to indicate any positivity towards TM or SW you would be set upon. I am not the greatest fan of TM but no one (apart from Putin) deserves such abuse.
Being the butt of it time and again I can certainly believe it OOT. Bunch of belly squirting, know nowt tossers over there as far as I am concerned.