Sheffield United v Rovers: 23rd February 2022

[OnlyOneTugay]

Well said OOT!

It’s really difficult Tony but pre - Uncle Jack this was how it was . Got to keep the faith

 

[Marlow Rover]

Absolutely gut-wrenching, particularly with the other results going against us in extra time. I feared the worst after 15mins but we grew into it, particularly in the second half and never looked like losing once they were rightly down to 10 men.

After the red card I thought to myself, these are the big moments… when Khadra missed his penalty, these are the big moments... And when they scored that goal, these are the big moments. We’re going to rue a few things this season… the Hull postponement, the late goals conceded vs Luton and Coventry, DEFINITELY tonight… and our paper thin striker options all season long.

Gally reflects our current form... Hard working, gutsy, defensively very handy, but ultimately absolutely fucking toothless.

I can’t look at this team with anything other than admiration for the way they fight for the shirt and have done all season… but ultimately I fear we simply don’t have enough quality to stay in the race.

Is it time we saw Dack on the bench?

It’s not over yet, but tonight feels pivotal sadly.

 

[steve w]

It's so frustrating because we are not far off. And as the championship is such a roller coaster ride we could win the next five or six and stay in top 6
(or lose them and just fall away)
I share WBs views on TM most of the time, and again tonight, TM showed loyalty to the team he had picked but it was crying out for a change of plan (again)
Vale should be given a chance - the very thing that has got us near the top - "young and hungry" needs a boost, and a youngster with ambition could provide the energy and desire to achieve that.

QPR and then Fulham looks very daunting after tonight but a couple of decent results could set us up for the easier run of games after them

As OOT says - its just a standard Rovers season

 

[tonygreenbank]

C'mon Tony, it's not just tonight, is it?
And did you really think the manager adjusted our approach well once we were playing against 10 men?

To be fair missing a penalty is not really the fault of the manager. I’m pretty sure we’d have won the game otherwise. Anyway I thought you said that our previous good form was down to some mysterious coach? Perhaps he’s left the club and Mowbray is back in charge?

 

[Drog]

Perhaps we will stay in the play offs if those other teams don't play their games in hand

The desire to be able to say 'I told you so' has never been more starkly displayed on these pages. It's been a waiting game that you would always win WB .... wait long enough and the chance to plunge the dagger in EVERY managers back will present itself. I said a few weeks ago that you seem to want the Rovers to slump and that post above just about confirms it.
Truth of the matter is that I said before Christmas that I didn't expect the Rovers to maintain enough form to win promotion as injuries and suspensions take their toll on our rather lightweight squad and so it seems to be panning out. Shame because since the venkys put down the loot it seems to me as if some of the players are over 'trying'.
Tonight's game was a strange affair. In the early stages we were on the ropes as Sheff Utd appeared able to attack at will with little resistance from the boys in yellow. Coming in at HT was imo a bonus. What a turnaround though in the second half as the Rovers got well and truly on the front foot and forays by Billy Sharp and his chums into our half of the pitch became fewer and fewer as the half wore on. The only problem is that the Rovers are a blunt instrument these days. After losing our top marksman in the summer and not adequately replacing him to Premier League raiders Southampton I feared the worst this season. I simply could not see how Brereton and Gallagher could replace Armstrong's goals. Up to the New Year I admit that I was wrong as Brereton stepped up a couple of gears and notched 20 goals before 2021 was out. I still don't really know how as to my mind BBD is not a true striker either. Anyway the new year and the desertion from duty of Lady Luck saw his goals dry up and him pick up a long term injury instead of a 25m move to some unsuspecting Premier League team. To make matters worse new striker Markandy fresh from Spurs managed just a few minutes before breaking down with a season ending injury in similar fashion to Ian Poveda who broke an ankle against Bristol City. Three hammer blows that would nail most teams promotion hopes even without losing true finisher Dack with a second cruciate lay off in three years.
So with no real strikers neither on the pitch nor on the bench and Sheff Utd reduced to 10 men on 66 mins after Goode was sent off for a high two footed lunge on Khadra the Rovers huffed and puffed but could still not blow Sheff Utd's house down. Why Goode lunged as he did and why he protested his innocence so long I cannot begin to guess.... neither have I the faintest idea why Travis charged into the ensuing frey and got himself unnecessarily booked too. Ridiculous actions but that's football I suppose. From then on the Rovers dictated play and Sheff Utd offered little to nothing going forward just a continuation of the dark arts that they had displayed from the start. Unfortunately as the old saying goes our strikers couldn't score in a brothel! No better chance than on 70 mins when on 70 minutes the Rovers were presented with a golden opportunity when they were awarded a penalty for handball. Up stepped Reda Khadra to thump a decent strike just a little too near to MOM Foderingham in the United goals. Even so he made a blinding save which was definitely hand to ball to deny Khadra. Not many minutes later an equally good save prevented an own goal and I and probably most other Rovers fans began to suspect that it just wasn't going to be our night. The killer blow came on one of Sheffs rare forays upfield in added on time when they won a corner. I said bloody hell that's made this corner equal whilst my mate said 'watch this they'll bloody well score a winner'. And they damned well did! Was it luck? was it fate? Whatever it was it still tastes sour.

Kaminsky.... 7 Played a big role in keeping the game at 0-0 by HT. Just once or twice still doesn't appear to communicate properly with his defenders. A shouted "KEEPERS BALL" is all it takes Thomas.

Nyambe... 7 Little came down the Sheff Utd left so Ryan was able to foray fwd more than of late. Provided a few decent crosses which came to nothing.

Lenihan... 7 Played a big role in defending our goals. Deceived once by a long looping cross which Sharp met with his head only to see the ball pass the outside of the post. A let off.

Van Hecke... 7 Held the back line together well in that opening 45 mins.

Wharton... 6 Perhaps a quieter game than normal from Scott Wharton.

Pickering... 6 A poor opening 45 minutes on his return to action after a long injury lay off, but made up for it with a strong second half performance. Should he be the nominated penalty taker perhaps?

Travis.... 7 A monster in midfield who battled with Sheffield's 'growlers' time and again. Picked up a needless booking and had a decent shot placed just not quite high enough to leave Foderingham sprawling. Seems to be now prone to a little play acting which I'm never keen on.

Rothwell... 6 Not at his best defensively in midfield despite prompting well and carrying the ball forward.

Buckley.... 6 Not John's finest hour. I don't know where his previous form has gone but it's definitely gone.

Khadra... 7 This lad was our main threat, constantly took on the United defenders but with mixed luck. Saw a cracking free kick swerve and dip jjust too late and of course missed the spot kick. I wasn't a bad pen but he was thwarted by a keeper in top form tonight.

Gallagher.... 5 I'd like to say that he led the line poorly but he hardly led it at all! Time and again crosses flew across the Sheff box with Gallagher hanging back ball watching. All good strikers have to gamble where crosses will go and run into positions time and again until one lands in the right spot. Gally simply doesn't gamble. At best he is a support striker imo and at worst a League Two plodder.

Subs
Dolan (Nyambe 82 minutes) Obvious substitution as when a team goes down to 10 men a full back becomes the spare man and as we all know Nyambe never scores. Dolan came on and fizzed about but again he is no centre forward.

Tony Mowbray.... 6 Sent out the team unable to draw the sting out of Sheff Utd for the first half but after the half time conversations the Rovers were much better prepared. Must be so frustrated to see the team unable to score again and concede against 10 men in injury time. Must be reflecting too on why his strikers have become long term injured and why Gally was given another contract... I certainly am! I think Vale must be included in the squad from now on. A young an inexperienced striker must be better than no striker at all.

Referee Matt Donohue... 7 A good game tonight despite being unfairly pressured by the Sheffield hordes. The Sky TV camera's validated just about every decision that he made despite frequent howls of outrage by the neanderthals. Weird Ref this I've awarded him an 8 and a 4 in recent times.

 

[Drog]

C'mon Tony, it's not just tonight, is it?
And did you really think the manager adjusted our approach well once we were playing against 10 men?

Interesting question. What would you have done in his shoes WB? How would you have juggled the formation and the subs?

 

[khmerblue]

My last game of watching Rovers on British soil,summed up were we are as a club.We have owners that use us as a Toy. We have a manager that has brought Stability to the club, I won't say I will be glad to see the back of him, because I will be forever grateful what he has done for us. Last night when we conceded late, TM slumped into the Dug out whilst better managers would have been shouting himself hoarse on the line,it was like he seemed to accept our fate.

I,LL name a few I would like to see given the job,all ex Rovers Gareth Ainswoth, Damian Johnson, Liam Richardson and old jug ears the st Johnstone manager.If Venkys have anything about them they will give TM a good pay off.

We watched the game at my son's bar in Nelson,kicked the Dingles out and just us two watched the game.I said as soon as we conceded that late corner that we would concede.Its a Rovers thing,we got pissed wet through walking home,it was a cross between frozen rain and sleet.

In the 20 months I've been back in the UK not being able to watch Rovers has hurt,but I got my game in paid the price and I saw for myself what a good team we have.

Think it was Chaddy who said we need three up front and we do.I would drop Rothwell and play Buckley in his proper position, no slight on Rothwell performance but he don't want to be here and Buckley does.That will release Dolan to play up front with Gally and Khadra.

The next time Rovers play I will be in the sky dodging Russian missiles,they will go from being my highlight of the week,to a poor second behind wine, women and drink.Its hard being a Rovers fan but I have seen it all,from the depths of the 3rd division to the champions of England.Thankyou Uncle Jack.

 

[davebirch]

All the best Waggy, avoid the ruskies, enjoy the warmth of Cambodia, and the chill of the beer.

I've got to admit, I'm totally, totally frustrated by Mowbray. He's a bit like that beautiful girl you've just pulled. Leads you on with promises and then lets you down.
He's surely got something there, but he just can't kick on, keep the consistency . Surely after five years it's time to bite the bullet, pay for a top line manager, and go the whole hog. There's the basis of a good team at Ewood, it just needs a bit of (good) guidance, with the odd kick up the bum for some players.
Sparkie anyone?

 

[Barmitzvah Boy]

Last night does not really matter given what Putin has done in the last few hours. Dark days.

 

[Smells Like Kean Spirit]

Hard to blame any individual for last night's loss. True Kaminski was naive, but he had pulled off a few show stoppers to keep us in it in the first half. As others have said, we grew in to the game, and ended up looking the better side. Agree with Drog about Travis. He was everywhere last night, doing the hard yards for the team, and he should be automatic captain if you ask me. A bit unfair to blame Khadra for the penalty miss. Fair play to him for stepping up after he created the situation. It would have gone in another day. Agree with Waggy that Buckley is being wasted playing further forward and agree that Dolan should be starting and Buckley given the midfield play maker role instead of the ineffective Rothwell. Pickering will be a massive player for us for the rest of the season - impressive how he shrugs off a dodgy moment, and digs himself back into the game. That's the attitude we need going forward. Hopefully, with Dack on the way back, JRC finding his feet after a long lay off, and a few Mowbray tweaks, we can salvage a play off place.

 

[Barmitzvah Boy]

I just popped over to the ‘dark side’ for a quick gander. There is some dogs abuse on there including ‘Mowbray is a f***ing bellend’ [my editing].

He may have made mistakes but how can that be acceptable? That is the last time I look.

 

[Wilpshire Blue]

To be fair missing a penalty is not really the fault of the manager. I’m pretty sure we’d have won the game otherwise. Anyway I thought you said that our previous good form was down to some mysterious coach? Perhaps he’s left the club and Mowbray is back in charge?

I thought defensively we were ok, which is all I've ever said about a mystery happening.
Going forward, we hadn't scored in six straight hours of football before last night.
We have a young lad in the u-23s scoring regularly.
So what does Messiah Mowbray do?
Keeps the same forwards that haven't scored for six hours and, shocker, it's now almost eight hours since we scored.
But hey, if you think it's just all down to a missed penalty, you're as entitled to your view as I am to mine.

 

[Wilpshire Blue]

Interesting question. What would you have done in his shoes WB? How would you have juggled the formation and the subs?

Well for a start, I would have had at least one other striker option, which was our main downfall.
Unfortunately, we only really had Dolan to bring on, which Mowbray eventually did far too late.
We spent far too much time plodding forward and side to side instead of moving the ball around quickly and stretching their ten men.

 

[Wilpshire Blue]

My last game of watching Rovers on British soil,summed up were we are as a club.We have owners that use us as a Toy. We have a manager that has brought Stability to the club, I won't say I will be glad to see the back of him, because I will be forever grateful what he has done for us. Last night when we conceded late, TM slumped into the Dug out whilst better managers would have been shouting himself hoarse on the line,it was like he seemed to accept our fate.

I,LL name a few I would like to see given the job,all ex Rovers Gareth Ainswoth, Damian Johnson, Liam Richardson and old jug ears the st Johnstone manager.If Venkys have anything about them they will give TM a good pay off.

We watched the game at my son's bar in Nelson,kicked the Dingles out and just us two watched the game.I said as soon as we conceded that late corner that we would concede.Its a Rovers thing,we got pissed wet through walking home,it was a cross between frozen rain and sleet.

In the 20 months I've been back in the UK not being able to watch Rovers has hurt,but I got my game in paid the price and I saw for myself what a good team we have.

Think it was Chaddy who said we need three up front and we do.I would drop Rothwell and play Buckley in his proper position, no slight on Rothwell performance but he don't want to be here and Buckley does.That will release Dolan to play up front with Gally and Khadra.

The next time Rovers play I will be in the sky dodging Russian missiles,they will go from being my highlight of the week,to a poor second behind wine, women and drink.Its hard being a Rovers fan but I have seen it all,from the depths of the 3rd division to the champions of England.Thankyou Uncle Jack.

Safe travels and keep posting

 

[blueandwhitehalves]

Sheff Utd's dirty tactics were ridiculous and they should have ended the game with about 3 red cards. But you expect that in this league, just got to get on with it. And we did get on with it IMO, apart from a very bad first 10 minutes we were good up until the penalty miss.

The main problem we've got, and I've seen it before this season, is we don't know how to play against 10 men. When you're in that situation, you know the ref will give them every decision to even it up. So for me you keep the ball and pass pass pass until a chance opens up.

Trouble is our normal set-up with 3 centre halves is too defensive to dominate the ball even against 10, and Mowbray doesn't trust our solidity enough to start throwing on strikers. That we conceded anyway is particularly gutting. Individual mistakes are costing us but that's what you get with a low wage squad.

 

[Chaddyrovers]

Think it was Chaddy who said we need three up front and we do.I would drop Rothwell and play Buckley in his proper position, no slight on Rothwell performance but he don't want to be here and Buckley does.That will release Dolan to play up front with Gally and Khadra.

I would drop Buckley

I would play 4-3-3 or even 4-4-2.

Hedges on the right, Dolan centre and Gallagher left with Rothwell, Travis and Giles centre midfield if we went 4-3-3

Gallagher and Dolan up front, Hedges on the right, Giles left and Travis/Rothwell centre midfield if we went 4-4-2

 

[Drog]

Well for a start, I would have had at least one other striker option, which was our main downfall.
Unfortunately, we only really had Dolan to bring on, which Mowbray eventually did far too late.
We spent far too much time plodding forward and side to side instead of moving the ball around quickly and stretching their ten men.

Well the plodding and tiny triangles of last season has largely been replaced this season as the possession football has been abandoned. However recent matches have seen us play against 10 men twice and an entire team sitting back and playing for a draw doesn't leave any more space than when they had 11 and possession football becomes the only option. All it should do is give away possession and any attacking intention and instead simply relying on dead ball delivery into the box. Allardyces tactics to a tee! It worked for sheff utd as they 'roped a dope' and won it from a dead ball at the death.
Our issue is that we have no one capable of providing a consistent goal threat. We are a toothless team of inside forwards without a centre forward.
Apart from a shaky start Missing a pen and losing at the death was more like a bad day at the office than bad play by the team.

 

[Alan]

This was the game where our promotion chance died I'm afraid.
Against ten men, given a penalty and still lost

Yes my heart fell when that goal went in. That was the moment when I finally realised that we will, not be promoted this season.

 

[Drog]

As another European war looms I have to say I wouldn't like to be between you two in the bloody trenches! Where is any Fighting spirit when we are still in the top six and more than matching almost all the teams around us on the pitch in all aspects but goals?

 

[steve w]

Hedges showed promise on his debut - started to come into the game and made some clever runs!
Then.......................Nothing!! We haven't seen him

I would not drop Buckley he is the only player with real vision and with a player (maybe Hedges) making clever runs I'm confident JB would find him Pickering is always there - offering options and even turned up in the centre last night when it was required his return will hopefully make a massive difference

Sorry but my old hobby horse Rothwell should be the player making way
Be honest................What has he actually contributed since Jan?
He does look keener, and has worked harder, but to what end result?
He drops deep, picks the ball up and then moves it left or right in acres of space. Most midfielders can do that