[Archived] Stoke Vs Rovers

[roversmum]

I feel totally drained.

Something is terribly wrong.

We need to go back to basics. Forget all the fancy stuff, whatever system it is supposed to be that they are using at the moment. Whatever it is, nobody seems to know what they are doing, where they should be, who they should be marking, our goal difference is shocking, ... It obviously is not working. We are only in the position we are because of the results of other teams and with the run we have coming up that gain may soon be lost.

Fans go to football to support their team. They want to win matches and be entertained. Scraping a win here and there is not good enough.

To those who can (if indeed there are any of them) SORT IT OUT.

[tony gale's mic]

Three good games, one bad game and it's suddenly "Sam out!!!11" again.

If we could have a trial period of another manager for a short while then come back to Sam who still has us 7 points from the drop zone, I'd go for it without question.

However, although we did play badly yesterday, we were up against a side with a formidable home record, in good form, and who had beaten Arsenal 3-1 very recently.

If we look at the table, which clubs are doing significantly better than us?

We can't count the big 4, Spurs, City, Villa or probably Everton either (any club who can spend £15m on a midfielder really ought to be doing better than us).

Birmingham are doing brilliantly, and Alex McLeish is a fine manager. Better than Allardyce, I'm sure.

Stoke are doing well too, and the fact theyre pretty high up the table shows that while the margin was very disappointing, they've been pulling the pants down of a few other sides this season.

But looking at the rest of the table, there's noone else really. Fulham for all their praise are only 3 ahead of us.

The rest are all below us.

Get a grip on reality please, everyone. If we don't get minimum 6 points from the next 3 games I'll start getting unhappy. But we really ought to.

[John]

Get a grip on reality please, everyone.

All too rare on here these days.

[roversmum]

I've been to every match this season and most of last. I feel entitled to be depressed.

p.s. it won't stop me going, though, fool that I am...

[tony gale's mic]

I've been to every match this season and most of last. I feel entitled to be depressed.

p.s. it won't stop me going, though, fool that I am...

To be fair if someone says hand on heart they'd feel better watching us play more exciting football in the Championship I can half understand that. At least they understand the realistic (and more likely) alternatives.

However our memories of the Championship (save that dire first season) are of Dunn, Duff and Jansen ripping the league apart. I doubt we'll have players anywhere near that calibre next time round.

[BlueMonday]

For me its reached the stage where League position is becoming irrelevant. I've kept out of the Sam debate, but the style of football we are playing and the damage it is doing to our Club is going too far. If you were to tell me we could guarantee Premier League football every season playing football like this, I would have to consider walking away. We are being fed dross and not even effective dross. If we are going to loose I expect us to go down fighting. No guts no glory and all that...

If it wasn't for the financial implications, It wouldn't bother me if we went down to the Championship as long as we played passionate, passing football that got you off your seat every week. The problem is we must all grind our teeth about the state of Rovers the 'business' as much as

Rovers F.C. Very sad.

[John]

Being athletic is a key attribute for Premier League players these days. It is also an important component in a team's midfield. We simply don't have anyone who can compete.

We were linked with the likes of Gary O'Neil and Papa Dioup in January, but could not even afford them.

It sums up our situation well, when we have to rely on a free transfers, such as Linganzi, to provide us with hope for the future.

[grizfoot]

I still think the real problem is in midfield, we've nobody to get stuck in and fight for the ball. As a result we opt to play five in midfield because our midfield is too light-weight and not aggressive enough. When was the last time you saw Nzonzi or Andrews put in a meaningful tackle, the goal against Man City when Richards ran through the centre of our midfield with no sort of challenge on him whatsoever was a prime example.

As a result with the sytle of football we are playing which highly relies on knock downs means when we do lose the ball it takes us forever to get it back, I know possession isn't everything in football but I can't recall a game this season where we've had more possession than the oppostion. Yesterday's game Stoke had 57% of the ball, which is a huge amount considering Stoke don't exactly pass the ball around a lot. It all comes back to the point that we have no ball winning midfield. If we don't play one surely the best option is to try and retain possession more than hoof it, player for player I'd say the Rovers team is superior to that of Stoke's in terms of technic. We played directly into Stoke's hands yesterday by trying to beat them at their own game, you wouldn't go to Roger Federer's house and ask him for a game of tennis if you wanted to win at a game of something would you now?

[Inta Beaver]

Yesterday was too much for me, I can't believe the tactics we used, we played straight into there hands, we didn't have a plan b, in fact I'm not sure we had a plan a!

I've emailed JW to see if Chimbonda will refund my money because of his performance, what annoys me more is Sam excuses after every game, we had 1 real chance against Stoke, a header from Di Santo which didn't even hit the target, he should of come out and slated his team but no it's the refs fault! Bored of it Sam!

[magicalmortensleftpeg]

Amazing to see the contrast after the West Ham game and now. Some supporters are so eager to get on Sam's back its unreal. Fickle would be an understatement. We didnt play well and lost heavily. But we move on. Its the same team which beat Fulham and Wigan and can go into the game against Hull with a decent chance of winning.

We were playing one of the hardest teams to play away from home and yet there are fans who are somehow suggesting that something is terribly wrong. Well how can it be that terrible if we could beat Fulham/Wigan, score 4 against Villa at Villa park and comfortably contain West Ham. It was one game.

If we lose to Hull then there may be cause for concern but for the time being these overreactions are frightening. We would have all taken a point yesterday so to get none isnt a massive set back. Why is it that as soon as we lose one game out of 5 the fans get outraged and demand that things change. Its not the end of the world

[Inta Beaver]

Amazing to see the contrast after the West Ham game and now. Some supporters are so eager to get on Sam's back its unreal. Fickle would be an understatement. We didnt play well and lost heavily. But we move on. Its the same team which beat Fulham and Wigan and can go into the game against Hull with a decent chance of winning.

We were playing one of the hardest teams to play away from home and yet there are fans who are somehow suggesting that something is terribly wrong. Well how can it be that terrible if we could beat Fulham/Wigan, score 4 against Villa at Villa park and comfortably contain West Ham. It was one game.

If we lose to Hull then there may be cause for concern but for the time being these overreactions are frightening. We would have all taken a point yesterday so to get none isnt a massive set back. Why is it that as soon as we lose one game out of 5 the fans get outraged and demand that things change. Its not the end of the world

Its the way we lost that game that bothers me, the lack of fight, no commitment, no creativity, did you go and sit through that shower yesterday?

[Amo]

Anyone else think Robinson should have done better with the third goal? It wasn't hit with any conviction yet still bobbled past him...

People are being incredibly harsh on Di Santo. He missed ONE chance, and he wasn't even playing up front. It's hard to criticize our strikers when they're feeding off scraps week in, week out. Kalinic looked fed up yesterday, because it was lumped up to him and he was supposed to hold off the Stoke defence single-handedly.

[bellamy11]

you just don't get it.

If he's not playing in the role of a striker, he's not a striker at that moment in time.

If I gave you a mop and bucket at work that day and said clean the toliets and you normally answer the phones are you still a seceraty?? No, on that day at that moment your a cleaner.

Context is lost on most these days.

You claimed Sam gave the fans the two strikers, he could have fielded a whole team of strikers but they wouldn't all then be strikers, would they????

I work as a sports scientist, but when I coach football I become a football coach, roles???? do you get it yet??

The fans aren't asking for two strikers just to be on the pitch they want two strikers playing as strikers in a partnership.

You're wasting your time mate. RIML once tried to argue that Nelsen's distribution is good because he's scored a couple of goals this season.

[RIML]

You're wasting your time mate. RIML once tried to argue that Nelsen's distribution is good because he's scored a couple of goals this season.

What, because I totally misunderstood what someone said?

Funny that because what I said about Di Santo and Kalinic has been misunderstood.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

One of the first things you learn in football management is to organize your players into a system that suits their particular skills. What you don't do is come up with a system and try and shoehorn the players into it. Seems to me that Sam's trying to play his system when the players he's got don't fit the plan.

For his plan to work a significant number of the midfield have got to be prepared to get up and down the field all afternoon,getting up to and beyond our lone striker. For whatever reason our players aren't prepared to or are physically unable to to do this.

When he was successful at Bolton he had one up front but the likes of Okacha, Djorkieff, and Nloan were always bombing up in support.

[vyeo]

It means we don't know what we are doing judging by today's effort rubbish.

Too depressed to even come on to moan about things after the game. But i would say i agree with Philip, except the one amendment.

[John]

People are being incredibly harsh on Di Santo. He missed ONE chance, and he wasn't even playing up front.

It does not matter if he was playing left back, at this level, we need better finishing. If we want to pick up points and win games that is.

Not the first time this season he has missed a decent opportunity too.

Yes he is young, his parent club is the mighty Chelsea but his finishing ability is currently very poor.

[BPF]

I'm incredibly harsh on Di Santo because he isn't up to standard.

Expect him to be nowhere near the Premiership in 2011.

[John]

I'm incredibly harsh on Di Santo because he isn't up to standard.

Expect him to be nowhere near the Premiership in 2011.

Of course he could (should) improve, but his finishing is not good enough.

If he was older, and not from Chelsea, I would suggest there would be more critics, especially on here.

[CrazyIvan]

To make a few comments on here seems a bit pointless following what happened under the stands but...

Not a good game but you have to give genuine credit to Stoke for making it incredibly difficult for Rovers. They won the game, we just didn't compete. Nzonzi had his worst game yet and Andrews came on and actually made a difference. The only thing I will say is don't take this game as a significant result and indicative of the rest of our season. It isn't one. Hull home is.

All in all, it was a sad and depressing day.

[BPF]

Of course he could (should) improve, but his finishing is not good enough.

If he was older, and not from Chelsea, I would suggest there would be more critics, especially on here.

Agreed but many strikers have a natural finishing ability that is present, even in a raw form from a very young age. It is not present in Di Santo. I think age is a poor excuse. I seem to remember Mr Rooney not finding age a big issue.

Di Santo has struggled to find goals regardless of opponent level. He has been given more than enough chances even with our lack of creativity.

[magicalmortensleftpeg]

For me its reached the stage where League position is becoming irrelevant. I've kept out of the Sam debate, but the style of football we are playing and the damage it is doing to our Club is going too far. If you were to tell me we could guarantee Premier League football every season playing football like this, I would have to consider walking away. We are being fed dross and not even effective dross. If we are going to loose I expect us to go down fighting. No guts no glory and all that...

If it wasn't for the financial implications, It wouldn't bother me if we went down to the Championship as long as we played passionate, passing football that got you off your seat every week. The problem is we must all grind our teeth about the state of Rovers the 'business' as much as

Rovers F.C. Very sad.

For crying out loud. How is Sam meant to be able to work when there are fans who would rather us play good football and get relegated then play so called 'negative' football and stay up. WE'RE 12th NOT 20th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[RIML]

For crying out loud. How is Sam meant to be able to work when there are fans who would rather us play good football and get relegated then play so called 'negative' football and stay up. WE'RE 12th NOT 20th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Even Arsenal's "passionate, passing football" wasn't good enough to beat Stoke @ the Britannia.

[beerwins]

For crying out loud. How is Sam meant to be able to work when there are fans who would rather us play good football and get relegated then play so called 'negative' football and stay up. WE'RE 12th NOT 20th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So its not possible to play good entertaining football and stay up People just want to see Rovers play better stuff like we know they all can, people want to see a formation ditched because it doesnt work or at least a plan b, people want to see the players fired up and giving 100 percent.

I have always been proud to be a Rovers fan because of the work ethic, where has it gone?

[only2garners]

Sam, please explain the following:

1/ Di Santo for Andrews

2/ Chimbonda for salgado

I already had serious doubts about your ability to provide any entertainment in the teams you pick, but do you not realise just how damaging your selections are becoming?

You are even beginning to admit that we are playing some horrendous football at the moment and yet still make substitutions like those above.

Allardyce, pay me back my £25 for the shyte I had to sit through yesterday and go and find yourself another Bolton or Newcastle to make a total mess of - DO NOT spend one more minute trying to destroy my club.

You are a disgrace.

On the assumption Sam doesn't come on here perhaps I can have a go.

Andrews came on for Di Santo when Samba was sent off. Either Di Santo or Kalinic had to come off when we were down to 10 men. You can argue whether it should have been Andrews or Reid who came on but one of them was the only sensible choice.

Chimbonda had a truly dreadful game. Given we had another right back on the bench in my view the wonder was it took Sam so long to make the substitution.

Finally, though I hesitate to resurrect the Andrews debate again here, it beggars belief that fans like Roverite can give Andrews a 0 for his performance yesterday when he only saw him play for 7 minutes.