[Archived] Pre-season Friendlies

[LeChuck]

I'll be honest Philip, I can't make head nor tail of the data you've posted. I've researched these stats so hopefully they're right.

From season 02-03 to the present, he's only managed double figures once. (04-05 with 10 goals). The last time he hit 18+ goals (what Benni and then Roque managed) was 96-97. In fact, he's only managed double figures three times since 96-97.

Even towards the end of his first stint at Liverpool you could tell he was a spent force (my Dad's a Liverpool support so I saw plenty of him). We're looking at signing a player based on what he did over a decade ago.

[Darth Paul]

Hmm...no it's not. Nobody knew anything about Samba, which is why a trial was needed.

Everyone knows Fowler has been crap for the best part of a decade.

Hmm...yes it is. The point of a trial is for a manager to get a proper look at someone who he feels may be able to do a job for his club, but doesn't want to commit to a transfer until he has seen him first hand.

Whether you, me or anyone else knows (or more likely thinks he knows) anything about a particular player is irrelevant. There were probably a lot of Hertha Berlin fans wondering why we gave Samba a trial, but I really think that a club manager is better equipped than you or me to make a judgement call of a players suitability.

I am not saying that I am pro Fowler at all, but I am saying that Paul Ince is the manager of my club, and until such point that his position becomes genuinely untenable (and giving a trial to a player some fans don't like does not count) I am happy for him to do what he thinks best.

Next time the job comes up, feel free to apply...your methods may just force me to reconsider my beliefs...

Until then we all need to cut the new manager some slack...

[American]

I would guess that if we do sign Fowler, it would be as a backup and he wouldn't be used much. I'd be happy with him as our 4th or 5th striker and as a veteran presence in training.

[Majiball]

I would guess that if we do sign Fowler, it would be as a backup and he wouldn't be used much. I'd be happy with him as our 4th or 5th striker and as a veteran presence in training.

I do not want to see Derbs development further stunted by Fowler coming in. Fowler comes in and Derbs who has some potential gets stuck on the wing.

[rover6]

Having seen the Sporting Lisbon goals again, I would now suggest that they were not Frankie Fielding's fault.

I think this is a classic example of allowing preconceptions and prejudices to colour one's judgment. Because he's inexperienced and young, you scrutinise him excessively and actively look for faults.

THe 30 yarder was amazingly well hit and was low and into the corner. Perhaps, there could be an argument that Fielding shouldn't be beaten from that distance but it really was an amazing hit. And the second, there really was no chance for Fielding, with the guy so close and free, albeit it, shooting from an angle.

[Hasta]

Having seen the Sporting Lisbon goals again, I would now suggest that they were not Frankie Fielding's fault.

I think this is a classic example of allowing preconceptions and prejudices to colour one's judgment. Because he's inexperienced and young, you scrutinise him excessively and actively look for faults.

THe 30 yarder was amazingly well hit and was low and into the corner. Perhaps, there could be an argument that Fielding shouldn't be beaten from that distance but it really was an amazing hit. And the second, there really was no chance for Fielding, with the guy so close and free, albeit it, shooting from an angle.

Better get used to making these arguments.

Next season I'm anticipating a lot of goals going in that 'you can't really blame the keeper for that' but deep down you know that Brad may well have stopped it. On standard form I'm sure that he would have stopped both Lisbon goals.

[67splitscreen]

Better get used to making these arguments.

Next season I'm anticipating a lot of goals going in that 'you can't really blame the keeper for that' but deep down you know that Brad may well have stopped it. On standard form I'm sure that he would have stopped both Lisbon goals.

Maybe, but as long as Cruz, and Villanauve score more we wont have a problem, will we.

[alexanders]

Do anyone know why Derbyshire didn't play this weekend?

[Flopsy]

hasta, you mean like that 45 yard free kick that that Man Citeh player scored from a few years back, the one that I could have probably saved??

[rebelmswar]

I do not want to see Derbs development further stunted by Fowler coming in. Fowler comes in and Derbs who has some potential gets stuck on the wing.

Even though Fowler is gash at the moment on the pitch, he has a lot to teach Young Derbs.

He may be okay as a impact player but I am sure that the youngsters at Blackburn will learn a lot from him.

[gazza]

Do anyone know why Derbyshire didn't play this weekend?

I believe Derbyshire came home early from Portugal, due to a member of his family being sick

[Majiball]

Even though Fowler is gash at the moment on the pitch, he has a lot to teach Young Derbs.

He may be okay as a impact player but I am sure that the youngsters at Blackburn will learn a lot from him.

Never gonna convince me that Fowler one of the worst trainers in history who barely managed to turn up let alone keep fit, is the kinda example you want our best young striker to learn from. Benni RSC are far better role models for him!

Fowler is a natural finisher you can't teach it you either have it or you don't, what else does he bring to the team??

Fowler is a lesser version of Gazza a waste of talent!

[rebelmswar]

Never gonna convince me that Fowler one of the worst trainers in history who barely managed to turn up let alone keep fit, is the kinda example you want our best young striker to learn from. Benni RSC are far better role models for him!

Fowler is a natural finisher you can't teach it you either have it or you don't, what else does he bring to the team??

Fowler is a lesser version of Gazza a waste of talent!

Damn dude.

[JAL]

Having seen the Sporting Lisbon goals again, I would now suggest that they were not Frankie Fielding's fault.

I think this is a classic example of allowing preconceptions and prejudices to colour one's judgment. Because he's inexperienced and young, you scrutinise him excessively and actively look for faults.

THe 30 yarder was amazingly well hit and was low and into the corner. Perhaps, there could be an argument that Fielding shouldn't be beaten from that distance but it really was an amazing hit. And the second, there really was no chance for Fielding, with the guy so close and free, albeit it, shooting from an angle.

rover 6, DONT EVER GO INTO TOP FLIGHT FOOTBALL MANAGEMENT, seeing startled young FrAnk on that 30 yarder it didnt look good on young Frank,

his size and presence arent there, he hasnt got what it takes, unfortunately.

[S15]

Well, this is what PhilipL said just over a fortnight ago about the prospect of Friedel being sold....

But in true PhilipL style, he has now returned to his role as our cosmopolitan spin doctor from the shores of Malta - putting a wonderful spin on what's been an anxious summer for Rovers fans...

Philip now says that selling Brad was "amazingly good business" - that Brad is a "a tad eccentric" and that having a 37-year-old in goal would be running a risk for Rovers.

Robbie Fowler is now described by Philip as somebody who was "a goal machine in his prime"

As well as Philip's u-turn over the sale of Friedel, it seems as if he's performed quite a u-turn on Paul Ince....

Before Ince took over as Rovers manager, PhilipL was against him....

On June 16th - before Ince took charge at Ewood - in Philip's post that you can view here, he suggested that Ince was "a non-starter" as Rovers manager and would have "0% credibility as manager" and "0% chance of persuading players to stay at Ewood."

But as I suspected when Ince was appointed, Philip has now very quickly resumed his old role of putting a positive spin on events - Mr Ince is now the man who is doing "amazing business" for Rovers. "We are having a great transfer window," says Philip and in any case, it would have been a risk for Rovers to have played a 37-year-old keeper who was "a tad eccentric".

Philip, I don't know how you do it, but I love the way you spin things positively in Rovers' favour. If you ever get bored with sitting in the sun, sipping wine on the sandy Maltese beaches, then I'm sure that 10 Downing Street would love to have you as a spin doctor - you could certainly give Alastair Campbell a run for his money in the spin stakes.

After previously suggesting that Ince would be "a complete dud to sell Friedel", the man has now become "a tad eccentric keeper who would have been a risk for Rovers next season".

If we lose badly against Everton at Goodison Park on the opening day of the season, I look forward to PhilipL saying something like: "It was always going to take time for our fantastic new manager to settle on his best formation. It's better that we get this defeat out of the way quickly, so we can now improve for the rest of the season with our brilliant new line-up. Things would have got worse under Hughes. We've now got an exciting new era."

Philip, I take my hat off to you. Keep the spin coming - it's worth reading for an alternative perspective.

Smiffy, I won't apologise for clogging up a large portion of the page by quoting you.

But, I love you.

[JAL]

Dunny looked good last season in pre season, then for the next six weeks or so and then as everybody else caught up with their fitness they then began to surpass Dunny as Dunny pushed harder to keep up his body packed in until he went from playing every week to once every two weeks to eventually out for longer periods .

Cant see anything different happening this time for Dunny except for the injuries to become longer more sustained periods, as BobbyG points out this is based on the last 5 years not just one season.

No replies!

Thank you

[67splitscreen]

QUOTE (JAL @ Jul 27 2008, 13:21 ) *

Dunny looked good last season in pre season, then for the next six weeks or so and then as everybody else caught up with their fitness they then began to surpass Dunny as Dunny pushed harder to keep up his body packed in until he went from playing every week to once every two weeks to eventually out for longer periods .

Cant see anything different happening this time for Dunny except for the injuries to become longer more sustained periods, as BobbyG points out this is based on the last 5 years not just one season.

Agreed

[wilyrover]

When are these tickets for the NAC Breda match going to eventually be on sale? The official site says 3 weeks before the match. But still no prices.

[Rover9]

I am prity sure it is tomorrow when they go on sale. Have seen it mentioned by a couple of people on the official messageboard and on here somewhere I think aswell. I will be getting mine on Friday along with my Everton tickets if they are finally released for sale. Can't wait the season is drawing closer

[ptholt]

Never gonna convince me that Fowler one of the worst trainers in history who barely managed to turn up let alone keep fit, is the kinda example you want our best young striker to learn from.

Having seen Fowler over the weekend he trained harder and longer than any of our current strikers, he was warming up for long periods of the first game when all of the rest of the squad were sitting on the bench having a laugh.

Not sure what you based your comments above on, but Robbie did more than anyone in the training and warm up sessions, training on his own long after the others had given up.

He has also easily integrated within sections of the squad, whether thats because they respect him for what hes achieved or just because of his ability i dont know, but he was a character thats help bonding the team so maybe coaching and team building is part of the plan?

[adopted scouser]

Sponsored a match between Altrincham And Forest Green yesterday, matchball an' all. Chatting to the girl from the club who tells me that as a little bonus I can go to the friendly on Saturday afternoon.

Me - Who are they playing ?

Her - Blackburn Rovers

[waggy]

nephew went to watch the games,in portugal and should have been home on sunday,he is officially missing in action

[cn174]

Waggy, he's probably still in the stadium drinking €1 beer and having a fight with inflatable dragons

[Hasta]

hasta, you mean like that 45 yard free kick that that Man Citeh player scored from a few years back, the one that I could have probably saved??

How many more can you name though Flopsy? A handful over several years.

Better get used to games like this next year.

[Dave S]

Tonight Rovers reserves play Northwich Victoria.

Paul Robinson and several first teamers are expected to play.