[Archived] Rovers versus Manchester City, 25th April 8pm

[RevidgeBlue]

Thought we played well last night, certainly deserved at least a point, but it's extremely worrying that we managed to put in a good performance yet didn't come away with anything.

Our main problem is we have no quality whatsoever up front and without Hoillet no creative spark in midfield. None of the strikers or midfielders bar Hoillet look as if they've got a goal in them for love nor money and this would still have been a problem imo even if Sam was still in charge or even if the manager was changed for the remaining four games.

Thought Samba was immense and mom by some distance. Hope he wasn't simply trying to advertise himself to Citeh.

Can't agree with the criticism of Rocina, he's made a couple of gaffes defensively but he looks like he's got a sensational amount of ability on the ball, so he might just be able to produce a moment or two of magic in the remaining games which will make all the difference. Phil Jones should have buried the header Rocina teed up for him on a plate right at the death.

Olsson had an excellent second half, Salgado's attitude was terrific. Kalinic was dreadul when he came on, looks like he's over anxious and trying too hard. Dunny looked physically jiggered after about ten minutes but strangely seemed to do better second half.

One thing that's continually stumping me though is how the hell Emerton keeps getting picked week in week out both by Sam and Kean. Good full back but in midfield he offers absolutely nothing offensively, practically nothing defensively, wastes any set pieces he takes and doesn't even look particularly interested. He's like MGP in most respects but at least MGP can produce some quality from a setpiece every now and then.

Another performance like that against Bolton though and we might well pick up 3 points.............if someone can find the back of the net.

[Paul]

Thought we played well and deserved a point at least but our lack of strikers meant it was unlikely to happen.

Another round of games gone and we stay out of the bottom three. Our goal difference is intact and the players showed far more ability than at Goodison last week.

Discussing our remaining marches with Den and Baz last night and we felt not being beaten by WHU is crucial. I'd take defeat against City and a point from Wham every time if the other option was to reverse those results.

[Ewood Spark]

I'd take defeat against City and a point from Wham every time if the other option was to reverse those results.

Not sure how that works Paul. Sure a draw at Wham keeps them at arms length ... but a win against citeh and defeat at Upton Park would leave us in the same relative position to the Hammers with the added advantage of moving further away from our other relegation rivals.

[daveoftherovers]

Totall agree with all those guys that thought we were spirited last night, it was a good effort and we did deserve something, although it's going to take a fluke, an OG or a goal from Samba / Jones I feel to get a result against Bolton, as our strikers just look far too weak...

IF we play like that against Bolton we will win though (IMHO)

[Bobby G]

Obviously we must not give West Ham or Wolves more than a point in our matches with them.

That said, it all rests on the Bolton home match. We need the 3 points cause I dont see us winning at Upton Park or at Molineux even if Wolves have been relegated by then, which I doubt they would have been.

And you can be sure that 2 draws wont keep us up on their own.

Would Roque have scored Roberts free header? This season's Roque probably wouldnt have based on the misses he has had.

[broadsword]

Not sure how that works Paul. Sure a draw at Wham keeps them at arms length ... but a win against citeh and defeat at Upton Park would leave us in the same relative position to the Hammers with the added advantage of moving further away from our other relegation rivals.

I think he meant a draw against City and a loss at West Ham?

[joey_big_nose]

I have to say when the teamsheet was announced I was shocked. Two up top and a four across midfield including Emerton and Dunn seemed ridiculously offensive and lacking in workrate against a Man City five. That alongside Hoilett's absence gave me a sense of total doom.

Went to my hotel in Delhi to watch the game but the hotel didn't carry the channel it was on so I ended up missing it. Glad to see so many were impressed with the effort and dedication of the players. Kean has shown that he can get a lot out of them from time to time.

The manager seems to be rolling the dice now, starting with two up front and bringing the likes of Rochina into midfield. It's not how I would handle it, or Sam. It seems logical for me to first off worry about getting the shape right then trying to be offensive, but that seems to have gone out the window a bit.

We need Hoilett back desperately, and Nzonzi should shore up the midfield - he has been much better since playing with the two Jones who seem to have inspired him to work harder. And, dear god, we need a striker to score something.

[bubblerrovers]

We played well but that's us done, we will 100% lose away to west ham, we always do. Utd goes without saying and wolves will relegate us sadly. If only we showed last nights fight a few games ago

[Mike Graham]

a lot of effort and at times some quality passing. I thought our back 4 were immense, particually Phil Jones.

However for all our huff, puff and effort Joe Hart did not have to make a single save of note. This is what concerns me week after week: no decent final ball, and zilch attempts on goal.

Steve Clueless's substitution of Dunny by Roriana, or what ever he is called, was puzzling. Whilst the lad has quality it would have been better to bring on Peds who is excellent when dropping back and supporting the defence.

[Sysagent]

Thought we played well especially the back four who were immense and we really should have come away with a point...

But in order for that to occur we would need somebody who can score a goal, we don't have one of those types of players and we haven't for years.

Will we stay up?

If we show the same amount of grit and commitment against the lesser teams we have in the run up to the end of the season then yes just and that is a big fat JUST

Bolton next, doesn't help that it's a local derby in such a crucial time for us, I think our destiny relies on this match and the one at Wolves, win those two and we stop up, lose and down we go.

[Ferrit]

Steve Clueless's substitution of Dunny by Roriana, or what ever he is called, was puzzling. Whilst the lad has quality it would have been better to bring on Peds who is excellent when dropping back and supporting the defence.

Not to mention we were desperate for someone who can actually take a set piece. Gamst would have been ideal to bring on. (Wow, how desperate must we be?)

[joey_big_nose]

Not to mention we were desperate for someone who can actually take a set piece. Gamst would have been ideal to bring on. (Wow, how desperate must we be?)

I just watched the highlights - Rochina seemed to deliver a good ball? Did he take many set pieces in his cameo? Any good?

Also seemed like Benjani fought well and stretched the back line from the highlights. If we were going one up top next game who would people choose from Benjani, Roberts and Cruz?

[cn174]

I just watched the highlights - Rochina seemed to deliver a good ball? Did he take many set pieces in his cameo? Any good?

Also seemed like Benjani fought well and stretched the back line from the highlights. If we were going one up top next game who would people choose from Benjani, Roberts and Cruz?

Couple of corners I recall, went straight into Hart's hands

The free kick at the end was bad, no-one seemed to want to take it, or know what to do when they did. I think Olsson took it in the end and didn't do too bad, but Pedersen is at least decent at these things.

[Roost]

I have given Dunn some grief on here this season, but I thought he played well lst night. The substitution of him, whilst I agreed it was due, was pointless as soon as he was replaced with Rochina.

We cannot seem to create chances let alone score so god only knows what the rest of the season will bring. The scary thing is that Roberts and benjani won't hack it in the championship if we go down - they are not good enough. As for Kalinic, he looked clueless when he came on.

Please God, let Hoilett be back for Saturday.

[Gav]

Well if it wasn’t for bad luck we’d have no luck at all, but I guess that’s how things go when you’re down at the bottom of the league. Without a doubt Roberts was denied a penalty and without a doubt Bolatelli was interfering with play for the City goal, but that’s the moaning over with.

I thought to a man, every single player in blue and white deserves nothing but praise for last night’s performance, they ran themselves into the ground, and if they can perform to the same level for the rest of the season we have a chance of staying up.

A mention for the manager also, I thought he got everything right on the night. I’d have played Kalinic myself, but clearly that would have been the wrong decision. He takes some stick on here, but he got things spot on so all credit to him.

Onwards and upwards – Hopefully.

[Majiball]

A mention for the manager also, I thought he got everything right on the night. I’d have played Kalinic myself, but clearly that would have been the wrong decision. He takes some stick on here, but he got things spot on so all credit to him.

How could he have gotten everything spot on? Surely if he made all the right moves we'd have 3 points in the bag???

He was close but not close enough

[Torgeir]

I have given Dunn some grief on here this season, but I thought he played well lst night. The substitution of him, whilst I agreed it was due, was pointless as soon as he was replaced with Rochina.

We cannot seem to create chances let alone score so god only knows what the rest of the season will bring. The scary thing is that Roberts and benjani won't hack it in the championship if we go down - they are not good enough. As for Kalinic, he looked clueless when he came on.

Please God, let Hoilett be back for Saturday.

I agree, I think Dunn should have been replaced with Gamst instead - who at least could offer some more experience and improve our dead balls as some of the deliveries from Dunn and Emerton were shocking. We lost control of the midfield as soon as Dunn went off.

I can't remember the last time I was gutted after a loss, the pressure is really getting to me as a fan so I can only imagine how the players and staff feel.

[ABBEY]

Sorry Kremmin but Roberts dived. The replay on the riverside tv's showed no contact whatsoever ( if it's the 1st half incident you are referring to)

are you on a wind up ? he WAS kicked,yes he went over like he was in a war film but their was contact.

[Torgeir]

are you on a wind up ? he WAS kicked,yes he went over like he was in a war film but their was contact.

Not enough to warrant a penalty imo.

[ABBEY]

If that's the case I'd suggest playing Hanley against Bolton and just ask him to stand in front of their keeper all the match. Never attempt to go for the ball, just obstruct his view.

and kick lard boy like roberts was kicked too.

Thought we played well and deserved a point at least but our lack of strikers meant it was unlikely to happen.

Another round of games gone and we stay out of the bottom three.

just trying to work out why you said in another thread they played well and shouldnt have come off?

[thenodrog]

One thing that's continually stumping me though is how the hell Emerton keeps getting picked week in week out both by Sam and Kean. Good full back but in midfield he offers absolutely nothing offensively, practically nothing defensively, wastes any set pieces he takes and doesn't even look particularly interested. He's like MGP in most respects but at least MGP can produce some quality from a setpiece every now and then.

Hoilett's injured and Kean's been instructed to throw EHD to the wolves. We are reaping what we have sowed without a doubt......

btw much derided player but imo our best striker is Benjani.... not that he has much opposition.

btw 2 there is no place for Rochina in a 4-4-2 formation involved in a fight to the death / relegation scrap. When he came on City took the momentum off us. He looks like he could be useful though in a 4-4-1-1.

MGP should have come on for Dunny and especially so given the free kicks that Mr Game-of-two-halves Marriner was awarding us.

[ABBEY]

Not enough to warrant a penalty imo.

what ? why? how hard do you have to kick someone for a freekick/pen to be given?

a.hardly

b.midly

c.hard

d.break his ankle first

it was a definite c. he kicked him properly and yes he made a meal of it but does that matter?

[Roost]

Well if it wasn’t for bad luck we’d have no luck at all, but I guess that’s how things go when you’re down at the bottom of the league. Without a doubt Roberts was denied a penalty and without a doubt Bolatelli was interfering with play for the City goal, but that’s the moaning over with.

I thought to a man, every single player in blue and white deserves nothing but praise for last night’s performance, they ran themselves into the ground, and if they can perform to the same level for the rest of the season we have a chance of staying up.

A mention for the manager also, I thought he got everything right on the night. I’d have played Kalinic myself, but clearly that would have been the wrong decision. He takes some stick on here, but he got things spot on so all credit to him.

Onwards and upwards – Hopefully.

Can't disagree with you comments regarding the players efforts but:

33% possession

3 'attempts on goal'

No goals scored

If that's as good as we can give then we are as good as down. Draws will not save us, so someone must step up and take responsibility for their role as a striker, and start on Saturday.

[thenodrog]

Would Roque have scored Roberts free header? This season's Roque probably wouldnt have based on the misses he has had.

he's the worst header of a ball of just about any CF I can think of but in this instance the cross was behind Roberts unfortunately.

We played well but that's us done, we will 100% lose away to west ham, we always do. Utd goes without saying and wolves will relegate us sadly. If only we showed last nights fight a few games ago

Indeed starting at West Ham home in Dec!

[Torgeir]

he's the worst header of a ball of just about any CF I can think of but in this instance the cross was behind Roberts unfortunately.

It was a clear cut chance. He tried to put too much power on it and missed is completely. Mame and RSC would both have gotten it on goal, Kalinic would probably have hit the post.