[Archived] Blackburn Vs Portsmouth. Ewood Park, 7Th November.

[greco]

i couldnt care less about the speculations or conspiracy theories some might have, IN REALITY, yes IN REALITY, our team didnt perform in the 1 half, so the manager changed tactics and we won.

Whether that was desperate or genius, i dont know, and again its ALL PURE SPECULATION, so why not just enjoy the goddamn win

[thenodrog]

*Raises hand*

ditto.

I could see all 10 problems (Samba exempted) I didn't spot the solution.

Give the manager a break. That was inspired.

The next problem is picking a starting line-up as attacking effective as that for the next game.

Corrected as necessary Alan.

[roversmum]

Thank you, 47er, Nicko and greco. Some common sense at last.

[nicko]

I think yesterday also proved that tactics and formations are secondary to personal performance and attitude.

If you go for it at Bolton you will win.

But picking a starting line-up is going to be a genuine headache.

I can't see Roberts, McCarthy and Di Santo lining up - with Dunn behind and Pascal as a right winger at the Reebok somehow.

By the way, how good was Chimbonda? Am I the only one who thought he was MoM. Absolutely top class - just like the guy who first signed for Wigan.

[daveoftherovers]

I love the idea that the crowd made the decision for the manager by their booing! As if a manager of his experience couldn't see things needed shaking up! Moreover not one of the crowd would have come up with the solution he did. Some would have wanted Pedersen off and McCarthy on, others would have wanted Hoillet for Doeuf, still others would have wanted Kalinic up-front with McCarthy or Di Santo. Nobody wanted Roberts on yet he won the match for us! And no-one but no-one suggested playing 3 strikers with both wingers off.

The manager gets the blame when we lose but little credit when we win.This was a must-win match and we won it comfortably but for some this game further entrenches their dislike of him.Incredible really.

#

Well said that Man!!!

I actually thought the first half was total dog pooh, it was the worst 45 minutes of my life since my first marriage ceremony, the 2nd half (In terms of differentials in performance) was therefore equivalent to my first shag.

I'm also going to confess a couple of things that the people near me (In NO2) witnessed and particpated in:

1. Just before Roberts scored I was heard to tell my mates that he was rubbish

2. Just before Nelson scored, I was heard telling my mates that he was a 50p head

As a result, my mates and the people in the surrounding seats were actively encouraging me to criticise other members of our playing staff, I then took it too far by informing them that Julie was completely useless, obviously this was stretching my localised and evidently time limited magic too far, it was suggested that Robinson would have been a better bet.

Anyway, now that weight is off my shoulders, I'd like to say that I respect the manager for changing the formation as soon as he did, the players substituted at half time either have their minds on other matters and / or have had a total lack of form, unfortunately, this was percieved by us to be "Not trying" which is a transfer listing offence.

The positives, Samba was awesome, Dunny tried his best, N Zonzi was steady and also tried, Givet stuck at it, Di Santo also, McCarthy enjoyed his moment in the sun and Roberts took full advantage also.Chimbonda was class, but needs to keep his hands tio himself, other ref's may have sent him, game over!

Negatives, overall team effort and people going AWOL in the first half, Robinson probably feels he should of got to that shot, it wasn't a pile driver, however, we did allow the same guy 2 "Sighters" previously!!

[Stuart]

By the way, how good was Chimbonda? Am I the only one who thought he was MoM. Absolutely top class - just like the guy who first signed for Wigan.

Samba was Man of the Match by a country mile. He put our midfielders to shame.

[thenodrog]

By the way, how good was Chimbonda? Am I the only one who thought he was MoM. Absolutely top class - just like the guy who first signed for Wigan.

I thought the triangle of Samba, Chimbonda and Emerton were all excellent. EHD should have been more effective with those 3 behind him. Conversely the performances of players down the left side namely Dunny, MGP and N'Zonzi were very poor.

[Ossydave]

By the way, how good was Chimbonda? Am I the only one who thought he was MoM. Absolutely top class - just like the guy who first signed for Wigan.

He would have been sent off by quite a few refs for lashing out like he did

[nicko]

He would have been sent off by quite a few refs for lashing out like he did

He missed.

[RIML]

Samba was Man of the Match by a country mile. He put our midfielders to shame.

Yet he was guilty of not closing down for their goal, but you could argue what was Pedersen doing?

Nelsen was man of the match, great defensive display cleared everything ok a few balls went high and nowhere but he cleared them, he also scored one goal and set up another, Sky Sports give him a special mention for his defensive display. The guy does not get the credit he deserves.

[AggyBlue]

He missed.

My favourite modern quote from refs 'the intent was there'

[roversmum]

So was O'Hara's, to wind Chim up

[Hughesy]

Benni McCarthy was a class apart when he came on. Chimbonda & Samba both also had excellent games!

By the way, how good was Chimbonda? Am I the only one who thought he was MoM. Absolutely top class - just like the guy who first signed for Wigan.

No seems like great minds think alike.

Chimbonda is an absolute bargain - Spurs made a mess there, similar to what they did with Bent and are doing with Bentley.

He is a safe option at left back, and he is quality at right back.

As with a number of Sam's signings I think he has a quality we have been missing - the fighting spirit who is willing to get stuck in and chase things down. Iv seen the same spirit in Di Santo & Givet...and to an extent Kalinic.

[Parsonblue]

By the way, how good was Chimbonda? Am I the only one who thought he was MoM. Absolutely top class - just like the guy who first signed for Wigan.

Totally agree with you about Chimbonda. I thought he was terrific and his raids down the right wing in the second half illustrated how pace is so essential in this League. It's the reason why I think young Olsson should be given a run on the left in place of Pedersen.

[Hughesy]

He would have been sent off by quite a few refs for lashing out like he did

Lashing out? More like handbags at dawn.

If it was a serious offence then im sure MOTD would of picked up on it!

[Ossydave]

Lashing out? More like handbags at dawn.

If it was a serious offence then im sure MOTD would of picked up on it!

It was stupid and petulant, you simply can't do it. If he had gone then we'd have been screwed.

[cn174]

Just watching the (short) highlights again on Goals on Sunday.

Samba's defending for the first goal was pathetic really, this is about the 4/5th time we've let in such a goal this season. We could do with cutting those out really.

Roberts scored two goals which he is best at - when he has no chance to think about it his instincts are pretty good, just when he has any kind of time to make a decision it is always the wrong one.

Lashing out? More like handbags at dawn.

If it was a serious offence then im sure MOTD would of picked up on it!

They're making a thing of it on goals on sunday. In fact it was about the only thing they talked about.

[thenodrog]

Just watching the (short) highlights again on Goals on Sunday.

Samba's defending for the first goal was pathetic really, this is about the 4/5th time we've let in such a goal this season. We could do with cutting those out really.

Indeed but midfielders running freely from deep at the defence and having time and room to shoot is not the fault of the defence.

btw imo It's 50:50 that if I'd been a defender on the line in my prime I'd have stopped that shot with my feet! I know when keepers make mistakes it's a goal but that was truly awful goalkeeping.

[dingles staying down 4ever]

People criticised the Axe but yesterday showed that Rovers have missed a player of his type. In the first half their goal arrived because O'Hara was allowed to move the ball and shoot. Later in the first half Dunn was running with the ball and probably getting ready to shoot when the Axe chopped him down which should have earned him a booking.

People will point to Grella and say thats his job but the guy is never fit.

Rovers need a midfielder who'll stop the opposotion midfielder runners. We have conceded far too many goals in similar circumstances this season.

[Exiled in Toronto]

I don;t like Allardyce and never will but he must be given credit for the very aggressive substitutions. Hughes never subbed anyone until too late.

Pompey completely negated Sam's masterplan which only really worked against the prem newbies of Wolves and Dingles - Villa was different after the sending off. We have had 4 home games against bottom 6 clubs - his masterplan will not work against better teams who know what to expect from him.

In the first half, we had the Allardyce system populated by some substandard players because they do things such as win throw-ins. In the 2nd half, we had our best players on the pitch, doing what they do well. Let's see if he adapts the starting line-up.

[Stuart]

People criticised the Axe but yesterday showed that Rovers have missed a player of his type. In the first half their goal arrived because O'Hara was allowed to move the ball and shoot. Later in the first half Dunn was running with the ball and probably getting ready to shoot when the Axe chopped him down which should have earned him a booking.

People will point to Grella and say thats his job but the guy is never fit.

Rovers need a midfielder who'll stop the opposotion midfielder runners. We have conceded far too many goals in similar circumstances this season.

Absence making your heart grow fonder there. th'Axe was a liability for a long time before he was moved on.

[dingles staying down 4ever]

Absence making your heart grow fonder there. th'Axe was a liability for a long time before he was moved on.

Nope - read carefully - I said a player of his type - I did not say I wanted the Axe back!

[Iceman]

Here is a novel thought, if Sam does something well give him credit, if he doesnt critisise him, but some of the comments are now becoming moronic.

Yesterday he dropped one of his favourite players at half time as he was playing poorly and played with THREE strikers- tactical masterstroke.

How much did the crowd booing and being 0-1 down, and after the 1st half rubbish play have with that tactical master stroke by Sam? It was a good move, but in all honesty his hand was forced by the crowd and the poor 1st half tactics and performance.

[Stuart]

Nope - read carefully - I said a player of his type - I did not say I wanted the Axe back!

Fair do's! (God forbid)

[Billy Castell]

Well done for the goals Roberts. I am a real critic of his, but the two goals were well taken. What sort of formation did we have after Benni and Jason came on?