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

[Daremz]

To be honest, at a certain moment, we must have lady luck on our side? A penalty given to us, offside-goal, own-goal, whatever?

On the other side; if Silva (brilliant player btw) scored in the 3rd minute, we'd probably lost 0-5 yesterday.

This Saturday will be our lucky day. I really think we'll beat Bolton. If we stop Sturridge and can defend our setpieces better than yesterday (some free headers for small City-players, not good!), we have a realistic chance of winning it. Ah, wait, we have to score...

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

We are down amongst the deadmen because we are not good enough.For all our huff and puff last night we still dont have the vital match winning ability of putting ball into back of net.Those thinking matters will suddenly change in our last few games are deluded.

We have a rag tag bunch of players who are giving the dross of '99 a race for their money!

[booth]

For the first 15-20 minutes last night we were dire, men playing boys. Then we got some momentum and look the better team for most part, apart from a silly 5-10 minutes in the second half where we conceded. There were some question marks over their goal with Balotelli standing in an offside position, right in front of Robbo. But again we're shafted with the ref's decisions.

But, why did he replace Dunn with Rochina? It's understandable to bring Dunn of, but I thought Rochina was a forward, or a deep lying striker not a midfielder? Why not bring on Formica or Pederson. Some may say Formica isn't ready yet. Fair enough, I don't know if he is or isn't so I'll take your word for it. But in that case why's he on the bench?

And how did Roberts stay on the pitch for a full 90? He was by far our weakest link and I really thought that Benjani was playing better and deserved to stay on.

I thought we played better than our past few recent games, but Kean has a habit of making silly decisions that cost us.

There were protests at the end at the Jack Walker statue. Someone snidely referred to them as "some chavvy kids". That's a bit unfair, they had all been to the match and there were a lot of fans there who were just concerned for the club. They kept it off the terraces, and waited till the end. Fair play to them. Get a bad result next week in our local derby and I'm sure their numbers will double or even triple.

[Gav]

We have a rag tag bunch of players who are giving the dross of '99 a race for their money!

The dross of 99 had long given up hope by this stage of the season, these players have not.

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

Hope is one thing Gav,ability is another.....

[Torgeir]

Nothing new from last season. We still don't have a striker who can score 10+ goals a season, and this season Dunn isn't chipping in with vital goals from midfield. As much as I like Olsson and Hoilett they're both terrible finishers. Gamst used to know where the back of the net is but his confidence is so fragile it only takes one miss for him to continue to shoot blanks for months.

If Nelsen was fit I would have been tempted to play hoofball with Samba upfront, but with Olsson and Hoilett running down the flanks a partnership of Benjani and MB Diouf could be worth a try - at least they both try hard.

[Mattyblue]

The dross of 99 had long given up hope by this stage of the season, these players have not.

Hope so Gav, I've just got a feeling that Bolton will be our Nottingham Forest 'Rubber Dinghy men' moment.

[joey_big_nose]

What? You'd drop Olsson?

At LB combining with Hoilett on the overlap. It's where we have created most of our decent chances since the new year. Hopefully having five in midfield would cover for Olsson's Roberto Carlos impressions.

-------------------Benjani

-------Hoilett-----Dunn----Rochina

--------------Nzonzi---Jones

Olsson----Samba----Jones---Salgado

-------------------Robinson

It would be totally sickening if we went down this year as in Hoilett, Olsson and Jones we have our three best young players since Dunn, Jansen and Duff. We would lose Hoilett and Jones for sure.

Also Nzonzi looks like he is improving in recent weeks. Rochina and Formica we need to see but the initial look at Rochina is encouraging (though we said that about Kalinic...).

[den]

the initial look at Rochina is encouraging (though we said that about Kalinic...).

WE?

[dr_awol]

-------------------Benjani

-------Hoilett-----Dunn----Rochina

--------------Nzonzi---Jones

Olsson----Samba----Jones---Salgado

-------------------Robinson

If hoilett and dunn are fit, that looks a good team. With the forward situation i would pick who ever looks most up for it during training.

[Tom]

Last night Showed again how daft it was to let diouf go with only emerton as an alternative.

[Gav]

Hope is one thing Gav,ability is another.....

I agree fully pal, but with the players giving 110% we have hope, don't we?

[Mercer]

We are down amongst the deadmen because we are not good enough.For all our huff and puff last night we still dont have the vital match winning ability of putting ball into back of net.Those thinking matters will suddenly change in our last few games are deluded.

We have a rag tag bunch of players who are giving the dross of '99 a race for their money!

Tend to agree.

Just shows what a superb job Sam did in optimising the limited ability within the squad.

We have to go back to 4-5-1 as we are just don't have the quality in the midfield and we have to get bodies in the box with movement and make things happen when we have the ball

What stood out like a beacon last night, particularly in the first 30 minutes was City just did not want to lose the ball at any price. If you don't have the ball you can't hurt the opposition. A more ruthless team than City (United, Dalglish's new Liverpool) would have been at least 2 goals up after that).

A battling second half performance which merited a point but the truth is, Kean got it tactically wrong to begin with and exacerbated matters by replacing Dunn with Rochina.

[alexanders]

I thought rochina was a brave move and could've snatched us the winner.

[Roost]

Last night Showed again how daft it was to let diouf go with only emerton as an alternative.

Couldn't agree more. Despite him being who he is EHD would have given it all last night and got in amongst the superstars. Emerton meanwhile just watched the game pass by.

I wonder what the real reason is that EHD got loaned out?

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

Just shows what a superb job Sam did in optimising the limited ability within the squad.

Sam did a brilliant job Mercerman with the team he had and the lack of finance available to him...then he was booted out the door by you know who.

Total foolishness.

[Hughesy]

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.

You sure they are correct?

BBC says 46-54 possession

attempts on 6-5

attempts off 6-5

corners 4-6

fouls 15-15

[Parsonblue]

You sure they are correct?

BBC says 46-54 possession

attempts on 6-5

attempts off 6-5

corners 4-6

fouls 15-15

Stats are totally meaningless. The only stats that matter are goals scored and goals conceded. Once again we failed to score and failed to keep a clean sheet. The main stat is that we lost again - the ninth time under the Venky puppet. Eleven matches without a win - there's a stat for Venkys to ponder. 21 points from 17 games for Sam. 14 points from 17 games for their favourite puppet, another stat for Mrs Desai to digest over her chicken curry.

[broadsword]

Is that a worse return than Ince now?

When was the last time we hadn't won in 11 games?

[Gav]

I wonder what the real reason is that EHD got loaned out?

He allegedly asked to leave, and didn't want to work with Venkys.

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

Over 30 years ago I am led to believe Bryan.

God help us.

[SamTheShrew]

Couldn't agree more. Despite him being who he is EHD would have given it all last night and got in amongst the superstars. Emerton meanwhile just watched the game pass by.

I wonder what the real reason is that EHD got loaned out?

Pretty obvious to guess - EHD was one of Sam's henchmen. Out with the out, in with the new in Kean's case. Putting his stamp on the club.

A big stamp of failure

[True Blue & White]

All I can say is COME ON STOKE!!!!

[Paul]

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

Yes- thanks again Bryan, second time recently.

and kick lard boy like roberts was kicked too.

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

Benjani and Roberts were doinbg as well as could be expected. What I questioned in another thread was Paffell banging on about people not protesting and asked him how he felt about the same supporters singing for Kalinic. His arguement is that by singing against Venky's / Kean we undermine the players, I was asking how that works for Roberts and Benjani when the fans sing for Kalinic. I thought they were doing as well as could be expected but my point wasn't about their performance it was about the songs fans sing.

As it happens I'd have left Kalinic on the bench, he brings nothing to the game.

[AggyBlue]

A battling second half performance which merited a point but the truth is, Kean got it tactically wrong to begin with

Kean said after the game it took him 20 mins to work out how their midfield rotation was working and then he made adjustments to nulify them.