Took me a while to get to sleep last night. Was upset with everything I heard/read about Bradley Dack. Think the manager can say decisions have cost us here there and bloody everywhere. The luck has not been with us. So I made my mind up more than ever, He MUST be in charge next season. TONY MOWBRAYS BLUE & WHITE ARMY. Get back soon Bradley Dack.
-
NEXT GAME:Leicester City FC
Saturday 4th May 2024
Kick off 12.30 pm
Kingpower Stadium
Championship
Rovers v Brentford
- Thread starter Wilpshire Blue
- Start date
Mr.Groundhog is just so
Unluckily, The Tombola just so happened to spew out 3 largely unchanged teams (for the first time in ages) at the time we had 3 games in 7 days. Dammit!
We´d be top of the league if we just had a bit more luck.
OnlyOneTugay
Prediction Champion 2019 & 2020
I can’t say I was impressed with Brentford and it shows there isn’t much difference between a Championship mid-table team and second top . Their players antics of going down and writhing in agony whenever a Rovers player came within a couple of yards reminded me of an Italian team from the 1960s , early 1970s . Footballing wise they were most effective when they resorted to route 1 , playing to the big lump Ivan Toney , who apart from his conversion of that absolutely scandalous penalty , looked like he couldn’t hit a barn door from 5 yards . How’s he the division’s top scorer ?
Rovers were pretty poor in the first half but much better in the second , but when you have a Johnny Pricesque forward line (in stature ) and your only tactic is to play tight triangles through the opposition defence , things can get difficult . Having said that Rovers had two absolutely blatant penalties ruled out and to my mind thoroughly deserved to win and would have won , but for one of the most disgraceful refereeing performances I’ve seen . Drog - don’t dare give him more than a half of a point .
Looking at the overall performance , which I felt wasn’t that bad , what Rovers are missing is a big , physical, agile , goal scoring centre forward. Now that I’ve knocked a bit of his asking price with my scouting report , I wonder if Brentford are open to offers . Their big lump for our two big lumps - straight swap ?
Rovers were pretty poor in the first half but much better in the second , but when you have a Johnny Pricesque forward line (in stature ) and your only tactic is to play tight triangles through the opposition defence , things can get difficult . Having said that Rovers had two absolutely blatant penalties ruled out and to my mind thoroughly deserved to win and would have won , but for one of the most disgraceful refereeing performances I’ve seen . Drog - don’t dare give him more than a half of a point .
Looking at the overall performance , which I felt wasn’t that bad , what Rovers are missing is a big , physical, agile , goal scoring centre forward. Now that I’ve knocked a bit of his asking price with my scouting report , I wonder if Brentford are open to offers . Their big lump for our two big lumps - straight swap ?
I've been saying that for weeks OOT.
Sorry to bother you all, but i'm a Bees fan. I just wanted to say how sad i am about the awful injury to your striker, football is so cruel sometimes.
I thought we got away with it last night, i don't understand how you're not near the top of the table, your young midfielder with the silly haircut is defintely one for the future.
Best of luck.
I thought we got away with it last night, i don't understand how you're not near the top of the table, your young midfielder with the silly haircut is defintely one for the future.
Best of luck.
steve w
Senior Member
Just so gutted for Dack, and for us as a team - he was just showing his old ability to spot openings and getting into dangerous positions - even his injury was a bit of the "Best" of him that went tragically wrong!! i lov watching players with guile and he has that!
The result doesn't matter under the circumstances but I do think the City kid is going to the very top
Buckley was brilliant too
And again! JRC is/was a massive miss
The result doesn't matter under the circumstances but I do think the City kid is going to the very top
Buckley was brilliant too
And again! JRC is/was a massive miss
"I'd rather have lucky Generals than good Generals" Napoleon Bonaparte.
At the moment all I can believe is that Mowbray has wronged some old gypsy woman, tripped over her black cat on the way out breaking it's neck and knocking a mirror off the wall in the process! Our recent resurgence fooled many of us into having a punt on a rovers victory in the prediction league. Suffice to say the head over heart (or should I say pessimists..... or would realists fit better?) brigade are the ones climbing the table at present. Last night was just one thing and then another stacking up against Mowbray and his team.
Unlike OOT I had no problem dropping off thanks to a couple of very large G&T's and the Gogglebox crew chilling me out. However Mrs Drog commented this morning on how fitful my night had been with me continually kicking out and muttering in my sleep. I can assure you all this is not a regular occurrence so I must have been wound up.
1. Let's put ODB out of his misery and get the elephant in the room out of the way. I know I won't get a like for this but never mind. Brereton and Gallagher are playing in at least one Division and probably more too high! This has been a 95% constant every time they have turned out. Mowbray bought em (fuck knows why!) and Mowbray continues to pick them! I can only believe it's because they are big lads. There simply is no other reason Suffice to say our 12 m pound investment misfits have attracted two loan enquiries, one from ADO Den Hague (who?) from the Dutch Division for BB and one from Blackpool for Gallagher. I may be a shit judge of a player but the Managers of 92 English teams plus the combined number in Scotland and Europe can't all be as bad a judge as me can they? The depressing thing for Rovers fans everywhere is that unfortunately these two will NEVER get any better. As far as I can see it's time he and Waggott manned up and admitted to the owners that they have spewed 12m and can they get rid of them and move on?
Post of the night? This from WB... "Why does he persist in starting with dumb and dumber?"
2. A dodgy penalty award first up after just 10 minutes where Fosu and Lenihan simply made contact. Watch it again and Lenihan's knee was planted and he never moved, Fosu's was the one that made contact. Worse still he went over far too easily. If Lenihan had been last man in front of an open goal I'm sure he'd have ridden any collision and put it in the net. Presumably Eltringham believes Darragh should have got out of Fosu's bloody way!
3. A desperately poor first half performance by the Rovers and the Referee which demanded changes at half time. Obviously we couldn't change the bugger with the whistle who like so many reacted automatically to anything resembling a scream by awarding a free kick! Thank goodness this was highlighted on MoTD last week! Keep it up you lot! Unfortunately I can only think that referees must all retire early on Saturdays.
Once I caught sight of Rothwell and Elliott stripped and ready for action before the second half started there was no doubting who wouldn't be coming out of the home dressing room was there?
2nd Half
4. A much improved performance from the start with Elliott and Rothwell kick starting the midfield and which saw the players at last exhibiting joined up thinking. Rothwell in this first 15 minute period was doing what he does best and 'travelling with the ball from the half way line to the penalty area in the blink of an eye whilst Elliott probed and passed over on the right. Joined up thinking between defence and midfield at last! The difference was commented on at length with the Sky commentators damning of what went on before and the difference those two made.
5. A 'proper' penalty for a protracted foul on Nyambe in front of goal by Sorenson not given by the knobhead in Green OR HIS BLOODY LINO! It was suggested Eltringhams line of sight may have been blocked but that was not the case with the linesman so wtf was his reason for not flagging? VAR in the Championship asap please!
6. Unfortunately my Sky signal dropped in extra time and I had to restart my computer. I missed the Raya/Dack incident although I have seen it just once since. Most opinion is that was another penalty. If it had been given and we'd got a point or with VAR all three points then I'd rather have lost given the early diagnosis of Dack's injury. Just as an aside was it his left leg? And am I right in thinking his last cruciate was on his right? If so I fear Bradley's career may be over. I know players come back from cruciate ops but I've never known them return from ops on both knees. Make no mistake Raya didn't mean to hurt Dack I'm sure but he'd done another 'Raya cock up' and his lunge should have been penalised. VAR in the Championship asap please (2).
Kaminsky... 7 Went the wrong way with the pen but apart from that goaled well enough. Comical incident when quick thinking by Toney with a long distance free kick caught him off his line and almost went under our bar. Kaminsky in traditional gaolie fashion turned around in a fury looking for someone to blame! Try a mirror Thomas!
Nyambe... 7 Did OK but I believe JRC is No 1 currently. Dreadfully unlucky not to earn a penalty BUT I've a feeling he wouldn't have scored if Sorenson hadn't got him in an armlock? He never does although surely there has to be a first time for everything.
Lenihan.... 8 Solid in defence. Restricting Brentford's feared attack to feed off scraps. Wrongly deemed to have given the penalty away.
A word for the entire defence M'Lud, make no mistake when the midfield isn't performing as was the case last night and the ball coming continually back then keeping a virtual clean sheet against the top scoring side in the division is quite some achievement.
Harwood-Bellis.. 8 Another good game by this lad. Doesn't stand out as much as go about his business with quiet efficiency. Third time in a week that he's been up against the best strikers this Division has to offer and he's come out on top every time with the Rovers only succumbing to penalties and dodgy refs.
Douglas..7 Lost his man on a couple of occasions but his colleagues came to his rescue. Again played a part in our new mean look defence.
Trybull... 6 Not at his best but tbh with Brereton, Gallagher and Dack misfiring so badly in that first half it's no wonder is it?
Buckley... 7 See above. A difficult task when let down so badly by the men in front of them. Came too in the second half as Elliot and Rothwell added strength to the midfield. Unfortunate to see Travis injured so quickly after being sent on in place of Trybull to obviously provide some steel, quite likely with the intention of allowing Rothwell and Elliott to 'push on'.
Brereton... 3 Gallagher...3 I may as well lump them together as I'm not sure what these two did to earn a three tbh. I've moaned frequently this season that our intricate passing works best when we abandon our ponderous 2, 3 and 4 touch passing in favour of higher tempo 1 and 2 touch play. Man City appear to have done this successfully to cure their poor form early in the season. Unfortunately one of my biggest criticisms of this pair is that they cannot to 1 and 2 touch play! Neither of em appear able to trap a wet sandbag while many of their second touches are tackles! As I touched on earlier this is nothing new! To Mowbray's eternal shame they were like this when they came! I am of the opinion that todays ideal footballer needs to be excellent at 3 things to make it to the top above all other qualities, namely 1st touch/control, pace and two good feet. This pair are desperately poor at all 3 and as I say THEY WERE WHEN WE SCOUTED THEM! What gives?
Dack... 7 An awful first half namely because of the above but came too in the second half as he found proper footballers around him. His quick thinking could have lead to an equaliser but for THAT incident. I hope I am massively wrong but this will probably be the last time I give him ratings for quite some time.
Dolan... 8 Again theman lad most likely to make good things happen. It didn't always come off last night but an extra point for his unstinting effort and work rate. A real Jack in the Box who never appears to let his head go down or run out of energy and must be an inspiration to his teammates (obviously not all of em). Just needs to polish his finishing and we have a real diamond. And what did he cost?
Subs
Elliot... 6 (Brereton 45) Not his best or most influential game but at least brought quality to proceedings. His score is the same as those other two put together.
Rothwell.. 7 (gallagher 45) Burst onto the scene at half time and drew lots of praise from the Sky pundits for changing the balance of the game. Did his best work before the midfield disruption caused by Trybull going off and then his replacement Travis lasting just 5 mins before succumbing to the gypo curse. Also Frank might just have spotted his danger and issued his own midfield instructions to counter him.
Travis ... (Trybull 54) Not on long enough before a knee to the hip caused him to withdraw. Fortunately this should respond well to treatment and him not be out too long.
Johnson...6 (Travis 61) Looked rusty and a little off the pace but then he really shouldn't have been called on should he?
Buckley... 7 (Bennett 77) Did he get a knock or was he running out of steam as I was again busy restarting my lap top and skygo after it dropped.
Mowbray... 4 / 6 / 8 Delete as appropriate. Poor Tony in his post match interview was visibly upset when he gave a report on the initial diagnosis of Bradley Dack. All credit too him for that. Thomas Franks in his post match interview mentioned the state of the Ewood pitch, employing euphamsims 'hard and soft', and 'difficult'. more than once behind his reasoning to abandon their passing play and 'go long' more than normal. Obviously this was in TM's mind for his team selection too so fair play for that. Unfortunately our 'big men' let him down. Responded quickly at HT by putting ball players on who did much better BUT our diminutive forward line and midfield were hampered by the pitch. Did our mid winter slump coincide with the increasingly difficult playing surface? I think it did. Did our ridiculous injury catalogue owe anything to the pitch? Make your own minds up. However unless TM is also in charge of groundsmen duties then this must go some way to alleviating him of all the blame for our slide down the table.
Just one more point in Mowbray's defence, we've played Sat, Tues, Fri (the latter two on mudheap Ewood) whilst Brentford haven't played for nine days! I'd suggest, as will most sports scientists that would be another factor in why they looked so fresh in the first 45 mins.
Referee Geoff Eltringham (Durham) 0.5
Just done a search 'eltringham and drog' Search results for query: eltringham | Rovers Fans
Have to say apart from one good rating most of the time he's been bloody poor and even more vilifying is the fat that we didn't have him all last season else there'd no doubt be more poor reports! I think last week he was 4th official too . So it's not just him that's poor. In just 3 days that's 3 penalties not given and two given that were dubious that have cost us 6 points! VAR simply cannot come soon enough to the Championship.
Finally spare a thought for poor old Adam Armstrong. Leading the Championship scoring chart for so long before lot's of woodwork, dodgy offside decisions and Toney's hat trick overtook him. He had to watch last night as Toney scored the winner and was named MoM into the bargain by Sky. I just hope he comes back with a bang and renewed determination to get back in the goals.
At the moment all I can believe is that Mowbray has wronged some old gypsy woman, tripped over her black cat on the way out breaking it's neck and knocking a mirror off the wall in the process! Our recent resurgence fooled many of us into having a punt on a rovers victory in the prediction league. Suffice to say the head over heart (or should I say pessimists..... or would realists fit better?) brigade are the ones climbing the table at present. Last night was just one thing and then another stacking up against Mowbray and his team.
Unlike OOT I had no problem dropping off thanks to a couple of very large G&T's and the Gogglebox crew chilling me out. However Mrs Drog commented this morning on how fitful my night had been with me continually kicking out and muttering in my sleep. I can assure you all this is not a regular occurrence so I must have been wound up.
1. Let's put ODB out of his misery and get the elephant in the room out of the way. I know I won't get a like for this but never mind. Brereton and Gallagher are playing in at least one Division and probably more too high! This has been a 95% constant every time they have turned out. Mowbray bought em (fuck knows why!) and Mowbray continues to pick them! I can only believe it's because they are big lads. There simply is no other reason Suffice to say our 12 m pound investment misfits have attracted two loan enquiries, one from ADO Den Hague (who?) from the Dutch Division for BB and one from Blackpool for Gallagher. I may be a shit judge of a player but the Managers of 92 English teams plus the combined number in Scotland and Europe can't all be as bad a judge as me can they? The depressing thing for Rovers fans everywhere is that unfortunately these two will NEVER get any better. As far as I can see it's time he and Waggott manned up and admitted to the owners that they have spewed 12m and can they get rid of them and move on?
Post of the night? This from WB... "Why does he persist in starting with dumb and dumber?"
2. A dodgy penalty award first up after just 10 minutes where Fosu and Lenihan simply made contact. Watch it again and Lenihan's knee was planted and he never moved, Fosu's was the one that made contact. Worse still he went over far too easily. If Lenihan had been last man in front of an open goal I'm sure he'd have ridden any collision and put it in the net. Presumably Eltringham believes Darragh should have got out of Fosu's bloody way!
3. A desperately poor first half performance by the Rovers and the Referee which demanded changes at half time. Obviously we couldn't change the bugger with the whistle who like so many reacted automatically to anything resembling a scream by awarding a free kick! Thank goodness this was highlighted on MoTD last week! Keep it up you lot! Unfortunately I can only think that referees must all retire early on Saturdays.
Once I caught sight of Rothwell and Elliott stripped and ready for action before the second half started there was no doubting who wouldn't be coming out of the home dressing room was there?
2nd Half
4. A much improved performance from the start with Elliott and Rothwell kick starting the midfield and which saw the players at last exhibiting joined up thinking. Rothwell in this first 15 minute period was doing what he does best and 'travelling with the ball from the half way line to the penalty area in the blink of an eye whilst Elliott probed and passed over on the right. Joined up thinking between defence and midfield at last! The difference was commented on at length with the Sky commentators damning of what went on before and the difference those two made.
5. A 'proper' penalty for a protracted foul on Nyambe in front of goal by Sorenson not given by the knobhead in Green OR HIS BLOODY LINO! It was suggested Eltringhams line of sight may have been blocked but that was not the case with the linesman so wtf was his reason for not flagging? VAR in the Championship asap please!
6. Unfortunately my Sky signal dropped in extra time and I had to restart my computer. I missed the Raya/Dack incident although I have seen it just once since. Most opinion is that was another penalty. If it had been given and we'd got a point or with VAR all three points then I'd rather have lost given the early diagnosis of Dack's injury. Just as an aside was it his left leg? And am I right in thinking his last cruciate was on his right? If so I fear Bradley's career may be over. I know players come back from cruciate ops but I've never known them return from ops on both knees. Make no mistake Raya didn't mean to hurt Dack I'm sure but he'd done another 'Raya cock up' and his lunge should have been penalised. VAR in the Championship asap please (2).
Kaminsky... 7 Went the wrong way with the pen but apart from that goaled well enough. Comical incident when quick thinking by Toney with a long distance free kick caught him off his line and almost went under our bar. Kaminsky in traditional gaolie fashion turned around in a fury looking for someone to blame! Try a mirror Thomas!
Nyambe... 7 Did OK but I believe JRC is No 1 currently. Dreadfully unlucky not to earn a penalty BUT I've a feeling he wouldn't have scored if Sorenson hadn't got him in an armlock? He never does although surely there has to be a first time for everything.
Lenihan.... 8 Solid in defence. Restricting Brentford's feared attack to feed off scraps. Wrongly deemed to have given the penalty away.
A word for the entire defence M'Lud, make no mistake when the midfield isn't performing as was the case last night and the ball coming continually back then keeping a virtual clean sheet against the top scoring side in the division is quite some achievement.
Harwood-Bellis.. 8 Another good game by this lad. Doesn't stand out as much as go about his business with quiet efficiency. Third time in a week that he's been up against the best strikers this Division has to offer and he's come out on top every time with the Rovers only succumbing to penalties and dodgy refs.
Douglas..7 Lost his man on a couple of occasions but his colleagues came to his rescue. Again played a part in our new mean look defence.
Trybull... 6 Not at his best but tbh with Brereton, Gallagher and Dack misfiring so badly in that first half it's no wonder is it?
Buckley... 7 See above. A difficult task when let down so badly by the men in front of them. Came too in the second half as Elliot and Rothwell added strength to the midfield. Unfortunate to see Travis injured so quickly after being sent on in place of Trybull to obviously provide some steel, quite likely with the intention of allowing Rothwell and Elliott to 'push on'.
Brereton... 3 Gallagher...3 I may as well lump them together as I'm not sure what these two did to earn a three tbh. I've moaned frequently this season that our intricate passing works best when we abandon our ponderous 2, 3 and 4 touch passing in favour of higher tempo 1 and 2 touch play. Man City appear to have done this successfully to cure their poor form early in the season. Unfortunately one of my biggest criticisms of this pair is that they cannot to 1 and 2 touch play! Neither of em appear able to trap a wet sandbag while many of their second touches are tackles! As I touched on earlier this is nothing new! To Mowbray's eternal shame they were like this when they came! I am of the opinion that todays ideal footballer needs to be excellent at 3 things to make it to the top above all other qualities, namely 1st touch/control, pace and two good feet. This pair are desperately poor at all 3 and as I say THEY WERE WHEN WE SCOUTED THEM! What gives?
Dack... 7 An awful first half namely because of the above but came too in the second half as he found proper footballers around him. His quick thinking could have lead to an equaliser but for THAT incident. I hope I am massively wrong but this will probably be the last time I give him ratings for quite some time.
Dolan... 8 Again the
Subs
Elliot... 6 (Brereton 45) Not his best or most influential game but at least brought quality to proceedings. His score is the same as those other two put together.
Rothwell.. 7 (gallagher 45) Burst onto the scene at half time and drew lots of praise from the Sky pundits for changing the balance of the game. Did his best work before the midfield disruption caused by Trybull going off and then his replacement Travis lasting just 5 mins before succumbing to the gypo curse. Also Frank might just have spotted his danger and issued his own midfield instructions to counter him.
Travis ... (Trybull 54) Not on long enough before a knee to the hip caused him to withdraw. Fortunately this should respond well to treatment and him not be out too long.
Johnson...6 (Travis 61) Looked rusty and a little off the pace but then he really shouldn't have been called on should he?
Buckley... 7 (Bennett 77) Did he get a knock or was he running out of steam as I was again busy restarting my lap top and skygo after it dropped.
Mowbray... 4 / 6 / 8 Delete as appropriate. Poor Tony in his post match interview was visibly upset when he gave a report on the initial diagnosis of Bradley Dack. All credit too him for that. Thomas Franks in his post match interview mentioned the state of the Ewood pitch, employing euphamsims 'hard and soft', and 'difficult'. more than once behind his reasoning to abandon their passing play and 'go long' more than normal. Obviously this was in TM's mind for his team selection too so fair play for that. Unfortunately our 'big men' let him down. Responded quickly at HT by putting ball players on who did much better BUT our diminutive forward line and midfield were hampered by the pitch. Did our mid winter slump coincide with the increasingly difficult playing surface? I think it did. Did our ridiculous injury catalogue owe anything to the pitch? Make your own minds up. However unless TM is also in charge of groundsmen duties then this must go some way to alleviating him of all the blame for our slide down the table.
Just one more point in Mowbray's defence, we've played Sat, Tues, Fri (the latter two on mudheap Ewood) whilst Brentford haven't played for nine days! I'd suggest, as will most sports scientists that would be another factor in why they looked so fresh in the first 45 mins.
Referee Geoff Eltringham (Durham) 0.5
Just done a search 'eltringham and drog' Search results for query: eltringham | Rovers Fans
Have to say apart from one good rating most of the time he's been bloody poor and even more vilifying is the fat that we didn't have him all last season else there'd no doubt be more poor reports! I think last week he was 4th official too . So it's not just him that's poor. In just 3 days that's 3 penalties not given and two given that were dubious that have cost us 6 points! VAR simply cannot come soon enough to the Championship.
Finally spare a thought for poor old Adam Armstrong. Leading the Championship scoring chart for so long before lot's of woodwork, dodgy offside decisions and Toney's hat trick overtook him. He had to watch last night as Toney scored the winner and was named MoM into the bargain by Sky. I just hope he comes back with a bang and renewed determination to get back in the goals.
Last edited:
Thank you for that Rhino. It's good of you.
Feel free to come here anytime. I like interactions with other supporters and overall we are a friendly lot.
btw 'silly haircut' ... that hasn't narrowed it down so much. Especially if we take some of your lot into consideration too.
OnlyOneTugay
Prediction Champion 2019 & 2020
Superb review Drog , really enjoyed reading that from first to last . Your analysis and opinion on the game are second to none .
Having had time to read Drog’s review and mull over last nights result and performance , my carefully considered opinion is that Rovers aren’t far off being a really decent side . That in itself really frustrates me .
I admit to preferring a mix of fast attacking and route 1 , rather than intricate triangular passing football . However to give credit where it’s due , TM has Rovers playing some good stuff , but , and this is the frustrating bit , we too often lack the end product .
The team is full of skill , craft and passing ability . It just lacks some physicality and leadership , particularly at the back and up front . The young lads like Buckley , JRC , Travis , Dolan , Davenport are rising stars , they just need some old heads out on the pitch .
I know I’ve had a tongue in cheek pop at Ivan Toney , but what a difference he’d make if we could pair him up front with Dolan and /or Armstrong. I think we have more than enough in midfield but I wouldn’t say no to a Sam Morsey . He’d look after the likes of Rothwell, Buckley and Davenport and allow them to grow . At the back a Chris Samba / Ryan Nelson would provide a leadership and a buttress to allow the likes of Scott Wharton , Tyler Magloire , JRC to develop. Granted Lenihan has been impressive in the last couple of games . Can TM turn into the leader? I’m sure it’s in him if you dig deep enough .
Despite the defeat last night and Dack’s dreadful injury ( a real shame for him and us) I had a strangely positive take on the performance and our emerging players . I thought it might be a few too many Benes , but I woke up in a similar frame of mind .
We aren’t that far away - Up the Rovers
Having had time to read Drog’s review and mull over last nights result and performance , my carefully considered opinion is that Rovers aren’t far off being a really decent side . That in itself really frustrates me .
I admit to preferring a mix of fast attacking and route 1 , rather than intricate triangular passing football . However to give credit where it’s due , TM has Rovers playing some good stuff , but , and this is the frustrating bit , we too often lack the end product .
The team is full of skill , craft and passing ability . It just lacks some physicality and leadership , particularly at the back and up front . The young lads like Buckley , JRC , Travis , Dolan , Davenport are rising stars , they just need some old heads out on the pitch .
I know I’ve had a tongue in cheek pop at Ivan Toney , but what a difference he’d make if we could pair him up front with Dolan and /or Armstrong. I think we have more than enough in midfield but I wouldn’t say no to a Sam Morsey . He’d look after the likes of Rothwell, Buckley and Davenport and allow them to grow . At the back a Chris Samba / Ryan Nelson would provide a leadership and a buttress to allow the likes of Scott Wharton , Tyler Magloire , JRC to develop. Granted Lenihan has been impressive in the last couple of games . Can TM turn into the leader? I’m sure it’s in him if you dig deep enough .
Despite the defeat last night and Dack’s dreadful injury ( a real shame for him and us) I had a strangely positive take on the performance and our emerging players . I thought it might be a few too many Benes , but I woke up in a similar frame of mind .
We aren’t that far away - Up the Rovers
Thanks for that OOT. Suffice to say I didn't have the motivation to pen that last night.
I recall we'd both have liked the Rovers to have moved for Morsey in the summer. He along with Powell could have transformed our team. btw Powell went to Stoke on a free so he must be on serious money and would prob have smashed our pay structure to smithereens.
I recall we'd both have liked the Rovers to have moved for Morsey in the summer. He along with Powell could have transformed our team. btw Powell went to Stoke on a free so he must be on serious money and would prob have smashed our pay structure to smithereens.
Smells Like Kean Spirit
Senior Member
Always a great review Theno, and I agree SG and BB needed hauling at half-time.
I don't agree that they're the reason why the first half was lost. Thomas Frank had really done his homework.
We were expecting that the opposition's focus would be on Dolan. Frank was cleverer than that. By snuffing out the wide outlet SG and BB had offered, in the last couple of games, it left Dolan on his own, and the midfield undermanned.
By the time Mowbray reacted by bringing on Elliot and adding Rothwell to an understaffed midfield we were already chasing the game.
I agree that Rothwell made a positive impact but, as you say, Frank spotted his danger and issued his own midfield instructions to counter him. Unfortunately Rothwell reverted to type and had virtually disappeared after looking so promising. I'm surprised you awarded him a '7' particularly after he kicked the ball into the turf when faced with a clear sight of goal. He should have equalised.
I don't agree that they're the reason why the first half was lost. Thomas Frank had really done his homework.
We were expecting that the opposition's focus would be on Dolan. Frank was cleverer than that. By snuffing out the wide outlet SG and BB had offered, in the last couple of games, it left Dolan on his own, and the midfield undermanned.
By the time Mowbray reacted by bringing on Elliot and adding Rothwell to an understaffed midfield we were already chasing the game.
I agree that Rothwell made a positive impact but, as you say, Frank spotted his danger and issued his own midfield instructions to counter him. Unfortunately Rothwell reverted to type and had virtually disappeared after looking so promising. I'm surprised you awarded him a '7' particularly after he kicked the ball into the turf when faced with a clear sight of goal. He should have equalised.
Smells Like Kean Spirit
Senior Member
I know a lot is being made of our lack of height and physical presence, but I'm a big believer in quality over quantity.
One of the best displays I ever saw at Ewood during the Dalglish era was when Everton beat us 2-3 in our first promotion season. We had some big players, but Everton's relatively diminutive attack tore us to shreds: Cottee, Beardsley, Ward, Warzycha. Their movement and touch was breathtaking. The Toffees' manager that night? One Howard Kendall. Football isn't rugby or tennis, thank goodness, and sheer physicality is no match for guile and skill.
One of the best displays I ever saw at Ewood during the Dalglish era was when Everton beat us 2-3 in our first promotion season. We had some big players, but Everton's relatively diminutive attack tore us to shreds: Cottee, Beardsley, Ward, Warzycha. Their movement and touch was breathtaking. The Toffees' manager that night? One Howard Kendall. Football isn't rugby or tennis, thank goodness, and sheer physicality is no match for guile and skill.
I understand that slks and I fully agree about quality over quantity, hence my comments on messi. it's just that sometimes a big lad up top can hold the ball up better for his teammates and unsettle the centre halves when the defence is under pressure and has to lump it fwd. A good option for the bench too. Think pne away last year when that lummox Stockwell destroyed us.
steve w
Senior Member
Great review as always - Thanks
Got to agree with SLKS Brentford aren't where they are for nothing - they worked very hard and kept us stifled - That's why I thought Buckley was excellent - perhaps they let him have a bit more space whilst concentrating their efforts on stopping our attacking options.
I think Kaminski was upset that the quick free kick wasn't blocked/slowed down - everyone knows his starting position so surely they talk about ensuring he isn't caught out by a "Beckham/Rooney" long shot
Teams are trying it more and more against us - and why wouldn't they? I would sure as hell send a team out with that instruction - shoot from super long range if the opportunity arises
Got to agree with SLKS Brentford aren't where they are for nothing - they worked very hard and kept us stifled - That's why I thought Buckley was excellent - perhaps they let him have a bit more space whilst concentrating their efforts on stopping our attacking options.
I think Kaminski was upset that the quick free kick wasn't blocked/slowed down - everyone knows his starting position so surely they talk about ensuring he isn't caught out by a "Beckham/Rooney" long shot
Teams are trying it more and more against us - and why wouldn't they? I would sure as hell send a team out with that instruction - shoot from super long range if the opportunity arises
Wilpshire Blue posted this link on the transfer thread and I think it puts some meat on the bones of my rating for Joe's effect on the game and imo well justifies his '7'.
Joe Rothwell retakes orchestrating duty as Blackburn Rovers contract situation comes to light - LancsLive
Old Darwen Blue
Prediction Champion 2021, 2022 & 2023
Theno, do you really think I’d be petulant enough to refuse you a like even though I didn’t agree with all of your otherwise excellent review? The problem is that Ben and Sam are not wingers and it’s a bit unfair to mark them as such. When Ben plays his speed and aggression causes the opposition problems and he usually wins us free kicks. I think with Sam now he is fed up and I suspect that if another club came in for him he would want to leave. Neither are played in their best position for any reasonable amount of time and their performances suffer accordingly.
Three lightweight lads up front doesn’t work, stick Ben with two of them and the result may be surprising to many. On Rothwell he just isn’t consistent enough for me, hence why he doesn’t start most games. The occasional “Hollywood” goal isn’t enough.
Three lightweight lads up front doesn’t work, stick Ben with two of them and the result may be surprising to many. On Rothwell he just isn’t consistent enough for me, hence why he doesn’t start most games. The occasional “Hollywood” goal isn’t enough.
The difference on Friday was there for all to see.
Also if either were better than 5ft 6" Armstrong they'd be at CF surely? The fact that even with Arma injured 5ft 4" Dolan was chosen to play CF before them speaks volumes. Let's be honest neither of them for all their 6ft frames can actually head a ball can they? They are both Godawful signings who belong in the wastebins of BRFC history with the likes of Radford, Lord, Grabbi, Best, Murphy et al.
Also if either were better than 5ft 6" Armstrong they'd be at CF surely? The fact that even with Arma injured 5ft 4" Dolan was chosen to play CF before them speaks volumes. Let's be honest neither of them for all their 6ft frames can actually head a ball can they? They are both Godawful signings who belong in the wastebins of BRFC history with the likes of Radford, Lord, Grabbi, Best, Murphy et al.
OnlyOneTugay
Prediction Champion 2019 & 2020
........ and my favourite duffer of all time , John O’Mara 
Anyone rem the guy TP found to replace Big Al? Per Pederson 2.5m quid and played just 11 matches! Not only was he crap but he was in direct contrast to bloody Shearer!
I recall telling my mate when Shearer went that the best we could do was use the Shearer money to pay whatever Wolves wanted for Robbie Keane. I think they eventually sold him for 6m the season after. He'd either have bloody done well for us or made us a lot of money.
I recall telling my mate when Shearer went that the best we could do was use the Shearer money to pay whatever Wolves wanted for Robbie Keane. I think they eventually sold him for 6m the season after. He'd either have bloody done well for us or made us a lot of money.