[Archived] Rovers V Chelsea Match Preview

[tony gale's mic]

I doubt the miracle man Hughes would have fared any better at all.

Disagree with these assertions.

Our defence has got significantly worse under Ince.

We're also not showing nearly as much going forward. Yes we play nice stuff in midfield but this just means we're less direct in our approach to goal. Sure Hughes' approach wasnt as pretty but it got results and I an guarantee we'd be doing better than this right now. You can attribute this to losing Bentley, but while Hughes showed on more than one occasion he could cope with either losing star players or them dramatically losing form/interest by making countless inspired signings, there's little to suggest that any of Ince's signings fall into that category. Robinson may turn into an exception to that rule though, he had an excellent game today and so far has started well for us, but there's still been one or two moments that don't make me completely confident.

[American]

It's fair to say though, that the conditions were to rovers benefit. It stopped Chelsea from playing as well as they can and evened the game out.

I disagree. With the new on the ground passing approach we are using, a soggy pitch killed a lot of passes before they got to their target going through midfield, especially in the first half.

[gazsimm]

I felt we played reasonably well in periods, the problem being none of that play lead to a decent chance. People keep talking about the Roberts and Villanueva chances? Well I must have been asleep because I can't recall us threatening the Chelsea goal once, let alone twice. We play pretty football in a lot of games this seaon but it completely lacks any cutting edge, we are not creating chances and we are not scoring goals. We lack creativity and the gap between midfield and attack is huge so our strikers are constantly outnumbered and lacking support.

I think we'll lose to Sunderland and Spurs and then we really will be in the sh!t. Sadly I don't think Paul Ince knows what to do about it and the team doesn't seem to have the spirit for a battle. I'm not anti Ince but have yet to be convinced he's the right manager for Rovers.

Roberts and Carlos should of scored Paul, they were very good chances for Rovers, so i think you must of been a sleep!!

[RibbleValleyRover]

I think i will have to agree to disagree with some of my fellow Rovers fans praising Pedersen today. He gave the ball away far too much, his crossing was poor and his set pieces apart from one corner was dire. But hey some see the game differently and they are entitled to their view.

In regards to Grella i think its just a case that he had a long lay off and due to a lack of match fitness/sharpness he is picking up small injuries that are hard to shake off.

[DavidMailsTightPerm]

First 30 minutes it was like the alamo - surprisingly I think the conditions were played better by Chelsea. Next 15 minutes were fairly even - and we looked like we would keep it 0-0 until half - and then fate intervened.

Second half was excellent - though I never felt comfortable that we would get back into it. Lots of inventive interesting passing - but not as much end product as there should be.

Moving Carlos into the second striker position made all the difference - as midfield that had previously looked uncertain as to who played what position suddenly seemed to have more direction and purpose. For all those giving Grella stick - IMO he does show promise, but I wonder how fit he was before the match. Gotta say that t'Axe had a good game - and the midfield looked more solid - but that could have been the change to 4-4-1-1.

Lets put this in perspective - for about 30 minutes in the 2nd half we made Chelsea look ordinary. I give credit to Rovers for that - not the fact that Chelsea didn't play well in this period. Chelsea have just won 9 EPL away games on the bounce - and yet people on here seem to expect us to win easily against teams like this. I wish people would wake up and smell the coffee. At home we have played three of the top 4, played against a Hull side who have exceeded everyone's expectations (especially away from home), beaten a Fulham team (who at the time were unbeaten), drawn with Boro (gotta admit a disappointment). The table does make worrying reading - but it does for approx 1/2 the teams in the EPL - this is gonna be a strange season for a lot of teams.

Ince currently has out injured most of his first choice midfield and our best goal scorer, and yet we continue to put in good performances (no matter what anyone says). Fulham today fielded the same team for the 6th game in a row - we have yet to do it twice.

I still reserve judgement on Ince - but I don't feel he is anywhere as near as bad as some people on here are making out. In the same vein - our performances are far better than some of the doom merchants on this MB would have people believe.

[patrickvalery]

We're also not showing nearly as much going forward. Yes we play nice stuff in midfield but this just means we're less direct in our approach to goal. Sure Hughes' approach wasnt as pretty but it got results and I an guarantee we'd be doing better than this right now.

My point was not aimed at the season as a whole. I was merely saying that given todays opposition and injury list Hughes wouldn't have fared any better. I would be extremely suprised if Hughes hadn't got us in a better league position if he was still here. Mainly because the vast majority of the players were his signings. But that is the point really. These are Hughes' signings who have been used to playing the Hughes way for the last 3/4 years. We don't have a team of top drawer players, but they did what they did very well, namely grind the opposition down and take advantage. You cannot blame Ince for wanting to play his own game. It will just take some time for his ideas to be implemented.

[thenodrog]

Difficult conditions today but this 'better more attractive football' myth has simply resulted in us passing but not moving. We are playing close triangles in the middle of the park where it is completely ineffective and simply results in lost possession and our opponents on the attack. As I predicted in June we are in trouble.

[Hasta]

Vince Grella.

This guy doesn't seem to be able to run. He just moves so slow it's untrue. Now I'm not saying he can't tackle or is bad on the ball but numerous times he was just unable to get within the vicinity of the ball because he was so slow. It's saying something when he can't catch Lampard, who himself is no great speedster, and Lampard was dribbling the ball. I don't believe this business that he's not fit so thats why he looked slow. When players come back from injury they don't suddenly gain great amounts of pace. He just can't run. What did he cost, nearly £4mill. Jesus.

As for the 'MOTM' MGP, I accept that he worked hard but nothing comes from him. His passing is wayward (conditions accepted) and his set pieces are woeful. If we're ever breaking quickly then the worst thing we can do is give it Pedersen because he can't get past a defender and the attack seems to slow down to a stroll. Whoever gave that MOTM award had obviously been on the lash all afternoon - again.

You do feel for Warnock. He runs around like a lunatic (sometimes too much of a lunatic) in what is not his usual position whilst all around the rest of the midfield falls to pieces.

[Anti-Dingle-Brigade]

Vince Grella.

This guy doesn't seem to be able to run. He just moves so slow it's untrue. Now I'm not saying he can't tackle or is bad on the ball but numerous times he was just unable to get within the vicinity of the ball because he was so slow. It's saying something when he can't catch Lampard, who himself is no great speedster, and Lampard was dribbling the ball. I don't believe this business that he's not fit so thats why he looked slow. When players come back from injury they don't suddenly gain great amounts of pace. He just can't run. What did he cost, nearly £4mill. Jesus.

To be fair, I think his hamstring flared up again. He got taken off before half time and limped out of the ground, not sure if you saw. Don't think you'll understand but it's difficult to sprint with a hamstring injury.

[ABBEY]

are rovers fans clueless????? 0-2 down and ole ole ole (OLE IF WERE WINNING BUT NOT WHEN WERE GETTING BEAT)???? whats that all about ????? we did about 100,000 passes and it took forever and what did we end up with ????? a nancy pamby chelsea goalkick.......0-2 DOWN AND WE TRY AND PASS IT IT THE NET GET IT UP THE BLOODY PITCH AND AT LEAST TRY AND SHOOT/HEAD SOMETHING TOWARDS GOAL.......PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESE CAN WE PLAY TWO UP FRONT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[DavidMailsTightPerm]

are rovers fans clueless????? 0-2 down and ole ole ole (OLE IF WERE WINNING BUT NOT WHEN WERE GETTING BEAT)???? whats that all about ????? we did about 100,000 passes and it took forever and what did we end up with ????? a nancy pamby chelsea goalkick.......0-2 DOWN AND WE TRY AND PASS IT IT THE NET GET IT UP THE BLOODY PITCH AND AT LEAST TRY AND SHOOT/HEAD SOMETHING TOWARDS GOAL.......PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESE CAN WE PLAY TWO UP FRONT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEASE can we have £100m to spend on players so we can play with two up front and compete against the top 4.

Still - it was only Chelsea - they can't even beat United in the European Champions League final - so disaapointed we couldn't beat them - after all they were due a defeat, they have only won 9 games away from home on the bounce.

P.S. We played on a level playing field with the top 4 back in 95 - have rarely looked like doing so since.

[Amo]

Apparently Ray Wilkins' pre-match comments about us looking to rough Chelsea up were met with disdain by Ince.

Ince is constantly showing us up in the media. We had to get in Chelsea's faces! We don't have the quality to beat them on their own level.

[ABBEY]

And PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEASE can we have £100m to spend on players so we can play with two up front and compete against the top 4.

Still - it was only Chelsea - they can't even beat United in the European Champions League final - so disaapointed we couldn't beat them - after all they were due a defeat, they have only won 9 games away from home on the bounce.

P.S. We played on a level playing field with the top 4 back in 95 - have rarely looked like doing so since.

so we dont turn out for these games ????????

100 million dont talk rubbish

[DavidMailsTightPerm]

so we dont turn out for these games ????????

100 million dont talk rubbish

We play a formation that gives us a chance. I seem to remember Rovers playing 4-5-1 to get out of trouble early in MH reign.

Chelsea have one of the strongest midfields in the EPL - playing 5 midfield players (of which 3 could be consider attacking midfield players) was reasonable considering our main striker was injured.

I do agree - £100m may not be enough.

[den]

Ince currently has out injured most of his first choice midfield and our best goal scorer, and yet we continue to put in good performances (no matter what anyone says).

Good performances?

I just watched MOTD2 and from chances created it could have finished 2-7. On top of the two goals they scored, they had at least another 6 good openings. Robinson made at least 4 great saves, while Lampard hit the bar. That's good?

[Exiled_Rover]

Good performances?

I just watched MOTD2 and from chances created it could have finished 2-7. On top of the two goals they scored, they had at least another 6 good openings. Robinson made at least 4 great saves, while Lampard hit the bar. That's good?

No, you're right, we've been (Please don't use that word again)ing terrible this year. Sack the board, sack the manager, sack the playing staff. Pick the team from the crowd 15 minutes before kick off, with the formation decided by a text poll.

[Hasta]

To be fair, I think his hamstring flared up again. He got taken off before half time and limped out of the ground, not sure if you saw. Don't think you'll understand but it's difficult to sprint with a hamstring injury.

So he had a hamstring injury all game then?

[DavidMailsTightPerm]

So he had a hamstring injury all game then?

There has to be a chance - given our current injury situation - that he was risked when not 100% fit. The soaked ground won't have helped in anyway his injury.

Good performances?

I just watched MOTD2 and from chances created it could have finished 2-7. On top of the two goals they scored, they had at least another 6 good openings. Robinson made at least 4 great saves, while Lampard hit the bar. That's good?

The minute you start judging games from MOTD is when you are in trouble. Any highlights programme rarely gives you a true perspective of the game - especially when a team that normally only gets 30 seconds at the end of the programme is playing one of the "top 4"

[JAL]

Difficult conditions today but this 'better more attractive football' myth has simply resulted in us passing but not moving. We are playing close triangles in the middle of the park where it is completely ineffective and simply results in lost possession and our opponents on the attack. As I predicted in June we are in trouble.

Lets not forget that the forward upfront wasnt making any moves or showing any pace to provide an outlet and turn the Chelasea back four, this for me was one of the keys to the game you could also side that there was no right winger and no other forward to partner our lone striker which then asks big questions of the management team big question mark hangs over Ince and his team.

Nearly forgot which clown said Keith Andrews is premiership class ?

[Hasta]

There has to be a chance - given our current injury situation - that he was risked when not 100% fit. The soaked ground won't have helped in anyway his injury.

That could be possible, but if that is the case when Mokoena and Tugay are on the bench then it would be a very poor decision by the management staff.

Nearly forgot which clown said Keith Andrews is premiership class ?

There is a difference between being able to do a job as a squad player in the Premiership and having to compete with Lampard and Deco. He looked outclassed but he certainly won't be the only one this season against Chelsea.

[92er]

There has to be a chance - given our current injury situation - that he was risked when not 100% fit. The soaked ground won't have helped in anyway his injury.

It was arguably a stupid decision to play him IF not 100% fit, when we had an available alternative. The only problem with this player is that Ince doesn't rate him, whereas it's the manager's job to get the job done with the current personnel.

Many of those supporters around me felt that Grella's performance continued to highlight Vogel's ability.

[DavidMailsTightPerm]

It was arguably a stupid decision to play him IF not 100% fit, when we had an available alternative. The only problem with this player is that Ince doesn't rate him, whereas it's the manager's job to get the job done with the current personnel.

Many of those supporters around me felt that Grella's performance continued to highlight Vogel's ability.

I agree with the sentiment - Ince has made decisions on Vogel and t'Axe that I don't understand. IMO I would be playing Vogel at the moment - maybe we will see him at Sunderland (though I doubt it).

However - he does see them training on a day to day basis - the rest of us don't.

[JAL]

That could be possible, but if that is the case when Mokoena and Tugay are on the bench then it would be a very poor decision by the management staff.

There is a difference between being able to do a job as a squad player in the Premiership and having to compete with Lampard and Deco. He looked outclassed but he certainly won't be the only one this season against Chelsea.

Hasta, i'm not the greatest fan of the 'axe' but I thought he looked twice the player Keith Andrews was today which say it all , the Axe wasnt outclassed today was he?

[Hughesy]

And a naive back-pass which Anelka would have scored had he stayed on his feet.

I have to say, I'm drawing parallels with the relegation season. Lacklustre defence, rumours of unrest, too many strikers who are either injured or not scoring, as well as injuries to other key personnel.

Bring on Sunderland.

Did you also pick out Andrews excellent pass that set up the carlos chance?? No thought not!

Anyone willing to start a relegation thread ?

I tried 4 weeks ago when I saw the warning signs but it was deleted. After Rovers' continuing slide down the table it's even more relevant now.

DO YOU WANT A ROPE? PLEASE!

We need a settled side as much as possible and if there are injuries we need "like for like" replacements playing in their correct positions.

Too many changes every week at the moment.

Also 3 goals in 6 home homes. Not good at all. Two of those were in the last 5 minutes and I can't remember a glut of missed chances.

3 of the 6 games were against the best 3 teams in the league too, with 3 of the best defences. Lets not cloud the judgement without the facts.

Tactically awful.

oh how the silence from those wanting Bentley out is heard. Boy do we miss him.

Ok Den - here is your opportunity as your Football management skills are obviously top class. What would of been your tactics (other than the usual 'get in their faces'). Dont forget we had Dunn, Reid, Emerton, Ooijer, RSC, McCarthy, Grella (50%) all out.

As for Bentley - we didnt want him out until he wanted to go. Thats when people wanted him out. When he made it clear he was a tosser and wasnt hanging around.

Graham, your points are valid and similar to those already posted HOWEVER you cant blame Roberts.

Who is to blame for him missing a 1 on 1 with Cech and not even looking up before striking the ball?

Chelsea never got out of second gear.

Not what MOTD or Ray Wilkins had to say about them. But I suspect your the expert on that one.

I thought this was a similar kind of performance against a top 4 team that we used to get under Hughes. Remember last season's draw against Man Yoo where Friedel made FIVE 1-on-1 saves in the 2nd half? No different to the first half today. I watched the game with my cousin, and she reminded me that the last time we watched a game together was 18 months ago witnessing a 4-0 spineless defeat at OT - the sort that apparently we never used to have under Hughes.

As to all the girlies crying about the league position in November, teams always slide down the league when on a bad run. We've not won in 6 and are still not in the bottom 3. It's when you have won a couple and are still in the mire that you need to worry. Bolton were bottom just over a week ago and are now 11th, but no safer than us.

Sshhh dont mention the bit in bold, they all admire Hughes, he has afterall got a team he spent millions & millions on in the summer (Robinho £32m alone), yet the only have the same points as us and have only played 2 of the top 4. And conceded 6 goals!!!! Ssssshhhhh!

I felt we played reasonably well in periods, the problem being none of that play lead to a decent chance. People keep talking about the Roberts and Villanueva chances? Well I must have been asleep because I can't recall us threatening the Chelsea goal once, let alone twice.

Cech tipped Carlos' shot just over when it was heading for the top corner. Roberts had a 1 on 1. Did you go? Or should you just of gone to specsavers?

Good performances?

I just watched MOTD2 and from chances created it could have finished 2-7. On top of the two goals they scored, they had at least another 6 good openings. Robinson made at least 4 great saves, while Lampard hit the bar. That's good?

Against United at Home last season, it could have been 18-2, did you make a point about that too, or did Hughes get away without your drivel?

[joey_big_nose]

I actually thought we looked alright today. Good balance in the side, good passing and movement in the second half. not bad. Problem is that we don't look like scoring much, although arguably this is due to Roque being out.

No one played badly imo, special mentions need to go to Robinson who looked very good indeed and t'Axe who looked calm and assured on the ball (although that might just be down to the fact Chelsea didn't close us down). Roberts worked hard and shown wh he is our best striker to lead the line in the physiclal and workrate sense, but then also showed his poor finishing which is abit unfortunate considering he is supposed to be a striker.

We need to settle the team, all these injuries are causing real problems.

I am beginning to really warm to Warnock in the midfield and I think maybe we should look at another left back in Jan (if any decent ones are available for a good price) so we can keep Steve there. Olsson has done okay but does not seem to be at the point where he can take the mantle regularly.

I am confident we can get two good resuts this week. If we don't I will begin to worry as whilst we look a very decent team we do not look like beating sides as we cannot put chances away. This has relegated many a club before.

Incidentally - how long till hughes gets sacked?