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Ewood Park
Championship
Rovers v Cardiff: 21st October 2023
- Thread starter Barmitzvah Boy
- Start date
goozburger.
Senior Member
Well, we ground that one out! I'd say we deserved it on the balance of play. The talking point will be Cardiff City's disallowed goal which I think should have stood, but sod it, we've had more poor refereeing decisions go against us than most, so let's take it and tell Cardiff City tough titty.
Wahlstedt
Only had two notable things to do. One was a very good save to deny a Cardiff City equaliser. The second was a dreadful punch from a cross that, thankfully, Pickering managed to get something on to clear it from immediate danger. He got his clean sheet thanks to a very sturdy defence, but he will need more time to adjust. We may have to forgive him certain mistakes given his age.
Hyam
Improvements coming slowly. Didn't win any headers which is a general concern I have with him, but otherwise didn't put a foot wrong.
Carter
His best game in Rovers colours, and my Man of the Match. Had Meite in his pocket later on in the game, was dominant in the air throughout, and was very good with his passing. He wasn't afraid to venture forward when space opened up for him. A clean sheet for Rovers usually involves a bit of luck, but he was otherwise the biggest reason for our clean sheet, and therefore, our victory.
Hill
Had no idea he had a long throw in his locker. The problem is that there seems to be no brute's big fat head to throw it onto. A great game overall. Got his tackles spot-on, and contributed to our attacking play.
Brittain
He is brilliant with the ball at his feet. He fended off two or three players at once with good technical skills on a few occasions. He will start to get assists from the right-back or right wing-back position if he keeps up his performance levels.
Pickering
A solid game. Nothing of note one way or the other.
Tronstad
Standout player in the first 20 minutes with some superb tackling, covering, and passing. Made a couple of Wharton-esque passes that put us right on the back foot, but cut it all out after the first half. A generally good game.
Szmodics
Our most-talented player. Not bad for £1.5m. He scampered everywhere, as usual, and chased everything down, even if he had little opportunity to score. I think opposition teams realise that he's the danger-man.
Rankin-Costello
I thought he was largely ineffective in the wide area until he ran through for his goal, and thereafter. He should have had a second to put the game to be, but he dallied on the ball and the opportunity was lost. He also could have opened the scoring in the first half after a lovely low cross from Brittain. I think the fact he gets into those positions means he carries a goal threat, and I hope he starts in the same position at Millwall on Tuesday.
Dolan
Highs and lows. A number of times, he stifles the forward play, but he got the key assist to help win the game. I think he keeps his place in the starting XI because when he gets the confidence to take a player on or do something positive, he is unplayable.
Sigurdsson
Probably our poorest player on the pitch, so I think it was right to bring Ennis on for him. He wasn't particularly bad, but didn't offer much, and generally looked fatigued. It's clear that he was tired from international duty and travelling. He'll be back with a bang soon because he is a class player.
As for the subs...
Ennis
Didn't get to see much of the ball when Cardiff City were looking for their equaliser. Ran about a bit and did one or two bits of decent hold-up play.
Travis
Too short a time on the pitch to notice anything good or bad.
Cardiff City will be aggrieved at their disallowed goal, but tough shit, really. They didn't really offer anything else. I can see why they are where they are, however. They are a solid outfit that could easily have come away with a point.
The referee was generally abysmal, and in our favour. That's even discounting the disallowed goal because he has to trust his assistants. Too many stoppages of play, free-kicks when play could have continued. Very whistle-happy.
But overall it was a deserved win. Delighted with the clean sheet, which is our second in a row, and I think it's no coincidence that we have become defensively tighter since Hill came into the side and going three at the back. We only moved up a couple of places to 15th, but we're just three points (and goal difference) away from sixth, so it's tight as usual. Thankfully, that is! I think we can get in there and hopefully put our sticky patch behind us.
Wahlstedt
Only had two notable things to do. One was a very good save to deny a Cardiff City equaliser. The second was a dreadful punch from a cross that, thankfully, Pickering managed to get something on to clear it from immediate danger. He got his clean sheet thanks to a very sturdy defence, but he will need more time to adjust. We may have to forgive him certain mistakes given his age.
Hyam
Improvements coming slowly. Didn't win any headers which is a general concern I have with him, but otherwise didn't put a foot wrong.
Carter
His best game in Rovers colours, and my Man of the Match. Had Meite in his pocket later on in the game, was dominant in the air throughout, and was very good with his passing. He wasn't afraid to venture forward when space opened up for him. A clean sheet for Rovers usually involves a bit of luck, but he was otherwise the biggest reason for our clean sheet, and therefore, our victory.
Hill
Had no idea he had a long throw in his locker. The problem is that there seems to be no brute's big fat head to throw it onto. A great game overall. Got his tackles spot-on, and contributed to our attacking play.
Brittain
He is brilliant with the ball at his feet. He fended off two or three players at once with good technical skills on a few occasions. He will start to get assists from the right-back or right wing-back position if he keeps up his performance levels.
Pickering
A solid game. Nothing of note one way or the other.
Tronstad
Standout player in the first 20 minutes with some superb tackling, covering, and passing. Made a couple of Wharton-esque passes that put us right on the back foot, but cut it all out after the first half. A generally good game.
Szmodics
Our most-talented player. Not bad for £1.5m. He scampered everywhere, as usual, and chased everything down, even if he had little opportunity to score. I think opposition teams realise that he's the danger-man.
Rankin-Costello
I thought he was largely ineffective in the wide area until he ran through for his goal, and thereafter. He should have had a second to put the game to be, but he dallied on the ball and the opportunity was lost. He also could have opened the scoring in the first half after a lovely low cross from Brittain. I think the fact he gets into those positions means he carries a goal threat, and I hope he starts in the same position at Millwall on Tuesday.
Dolan
Highs and lows. A number of times, he stifles the forward play, but he got the key assist to help win the game. I think he keeps his place in the starting XI because when he gets the confidence to take a player on or do something positive, he is unplayable.
Sigurdsson
Probably our poorest player on the pitch, so I think it was right to bring Ennis on for him. He wasn't particularly bad, but didn't offer much, and generally looked fatigued. It's clear that he was tired from international duty and travelling. He'll be back with a bang soon because he is a class player.
As for the subs...
Ennis
Didn't get to see much of the ball when Cardiff City were looking for their equaliser. Ran about a bit and did one or two bits of decent hold-up play.
Travis
Too short a time on the pitch to notice anything good or bad.
Cardiff City will be aggrieved at their disallowed goal, but tough shit, really. They didn't really offer anything else. I can see why they are where they are, however. They are a solid outfit that could easily have come away with a point.
The referee was generally abysmal, and in our favour. That's even discounting the disallowed goal because he has to trust his assistants. Too many stoppages of play, free-kicks when play could have continued. Very whistle-happy.
But overall it was a deserved win. Delighted with the clean sheet, which is our second in a row, and I think it's no coincidence that we have become defensively tighter since Hill came into the side and going three at the back. We only moved up a couple of places to 15th, but we're just three points (and goal difference) away from sixth, so it's tight as usual. Thankfully, that is! I think we can get in there and hopefully put our sticky patch behind us.
1SimonGarner
Senior Member
Goozy summed it up pretty well again, my quick thoughts.
What a signing Szmodics has turned out, like big Ben he took his time to find his feet but now must be the first name on the team sheet and is involved in virtually everything good that we do attacking wise. Two wins and two clean sheets which is good and Cardiff's style of conservative play probably didn't suit our style but we still won and overall deserved to.
As Goozy said I thought the ref was massively in our favour and give most close calls our way. We're quick to point out when officials are seemingly against us so it's only fair to mention it when we get a "homer".
Lastly I thought it was very noble of 95% of the Rovers fans to show their support for the war in the middle east by extending the minutes silence for the whole game.
COYB.
What a signing Szmodics has turned out, like big Ben he took his time to find his feet but now must be the first name on the team sheet and is involved in virtually everything good that we do attacking wise. Two wins and two clean sheets which is good and Cardiff's style of conservative play probably didn't suit our style but we still won and overall deserved to.
As Goozy said I thought the ref was massively in our favour and give most close calls our way. We're quick to point out when officials are seemingly against us so it's only fair to mention it when we get a "homer".
Lastly I thought it was very noble of 95% of the Rovers fans to show their support for the war in the middle east by extending the minutes silence for the whole game.
COYB.
goozburger.
Senior Member
I can only watch with my overseas video pass, but why were there boos towards the end the period of silence?
1SimonGarner
Senior Member
There was literally one Cardiff fan that shouted something during the silence so some other Cardiff fans (and Rovers fans in my section) then somehow think booing the noise DURING the minutes silence helps! Dead heads.
Wait until the silence is over and then voice your disapproval which a lot did.
Wait until the silence is over and then voice your disapproval which a lot did.
Barmitzvah Boy
Global winner of the 2021 Christmas Quiz 👊🤩🤩
My goodness that was a poor game of football. We managed 3 points so the game is now history and we move on and hopefully upwards. One shot on target and one goal 
I was saying to my mates that Dolan and JRC needed to be subbed and then Dolan comes up with some excellent control, a great pass and JRC scores - maybe I should be asking to replace Vincent Kompany.
Carter and Tranny were immense. Siggy has wonderful ball control but was, in my opinion, let down by players round him. I do like Hill, he is strong and just what we need in that role. I agree with what Gooz says about the individual players, some good insightful comments, goodness knows what garbage Drog would have come out with
.
Where were you today Drog, in the Directors Lounge again?
3 points and a happy BB about to attack some vino tinto
I was saying to my mates that Dolan and JRC needed to be subbed and then Dolan comes up with some excellent control, a great pass and JRC scores - maybe I should be asking to replace Vincent Kompany.
Carter and Tranny were immense. Siggy has wonderful ball control but was, in my opinion, let down by players round him. I do like Hill, he is strong and just what we need in that role. I agree with what Gooz says about the individual players, some good insightful comments, goodness knows what garbage Drog would have come out with
.Where were you today Drog, in the Directors Lounge again?
3 points and a happy BB about to attack some vino tinto
Last edited:
Barmitzvah Boy
Global winner of the 2021 Christmas Quiz 👊🤩🤩
That cancelled goal for Cardiff looked harsh.
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blueandwhitehalves
Senior Member
I massively think that Rovers get far more than our fair share of refs favouring the opposition (which I think is because we're a small club) so I've no problem taking it when we finally get a homer. We should get more of them, everyone else does.
But anyway, one of those that we won ugly, but I'll take that. What a save by Whalstedt in the second half by the way. Had a great view of that from W01 and it was a magnificent save.
But anyway, one of those that we won ugly, but I'll take that. What a save by Whalstedt in the second half by the way. Had a great view of that from W01 and it was a magnificent save.
Valid decision. It was a cracking header but the Cardiff player was clearly offside and standing about a yard directly in front of wahlstedt. The odd thing is that both linesmen were all at sea with throw ins and relied on ref madley to decide.That cancelled goal for Cardiff looked harsh.
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blueandwhitehalves
Senior Member
I agree, I thought it was definitely offside. If standing 1 yard in front of the keeper blocking his view isn't interfering with play, I don't know what is. Even the Cardiff manager said it was offside.