[Archived] MATCH PREVIEW: Rovers vs Wolves

[Eddie]

Did you actually read what he said?

Have you bought a season ticket? Have you chosen not to buy one even though you can? Have you said you would not bother turning up even if it was for free?

He is not talking about you is he?

Thanks for that. I was really referring to thenodrog. It applies the same to anyone within close proximity to Ewood who hasn't bought a season ticket (unless you seriously can't afford it). It's for all of those who go shopping instead. Go to the pub to watch it instead. Support your club and show up. Create an atmosphere that makes the players enjoy playing for the club, that makes players want to play for the club.

People are so often critical of the performances for being flat, but most of the time the support is just the same. The players need to work for the cause, but so do the fans.

[broadsword]

Salgado Samba Givet Olsson

Petrovic Nzonzi

Formica Dunn Hoilett

Roberts

Already looks a decent side to me with pace, skill and some steal at the back. Talking of relegation after ONE game is madness IMO.

But it's a squad game, what happens when players get injured, suspended, out of form?

Salgado took a doing today, Samba may yet go, Givet is a converted full-back and Olsson has had his dodgy games at full-back. Petrovic is a completely unknown quantity who has never played in England - expecting a bit much of him before he's even played I think - Nzonzi is in-and-out, Hoilett apparently had a poor game today and still hasn't agreed a new contract, his mind may be elsewhere. Everyone knows Dunn's injury record and last season wasn't dazzling for him. Formica has played one whole Premiership game. And Roberts is, quite frankly, APPALLING.

If that's the first choice XI, swear to God, we're in deep doo-doo.

[Eddie]

The installments this is utterly irrelevant. Most transfer fees are paid in installments, if we get in installments we can buy in installments. Installments should never stop a club from buying a player.

The window has been open for six weeks. We have two left. If anything the transfer talk has died down.

Wake up.

No. The installment issue is irrelevant if the money coming in and going out is doing so at the same rate. If we are selling a player and having the fee paid over the length of the contract (as appears to be the case with Jones), but then buying a player and paying the majority of the fee up front (as appears to be the case with Goodwillie) then at that point the installment system becomes an issue. The owners should still be willing to spend knowing that the money is going to come in, but it changes the situation slightly.

[Tom]

On reflection the main feeling I have is just disappointment, a lost opportunity and a game that would have been comfortable with a commanding presence at the back. It seems like nobody was organising the defence, as great of a pro as he is Salgado really let us down today. It was real headless chicken stuff after our goal.

It was a weird one today as for once we looked fine going forward and I don't think there was too much wrong with that and there is reason for hope, but one look at the defence and the bench beyond Rochina and Goodwillie shows areas for real concern.

The ref was pretty inept but not in any way that affected the outcome, one minute he books their player for a dive which looked a foul yet minutes later lets Hunt get away with a blatant dive, Doyle given a final warning then commits the same foul and not even a word, defender has two arms fully round Formica yet nothing given. As I said nothing that changed the result just general ineptness.

One concern I do have is that we looked leggy today, Hoilett hasn't had a proper preseason and that showed.

I am heartened by Formica especially, I have no doubts now he can be a great player for us, but a couple of great attacking players doesn't make a team.

[John]

Ignoring the defence, a few injuries/suspensions to the midfield, strike force and we look very low on numbers and quality.

Bet Kean is hoping fellow SEM client Nick Blackman comes good....

[rebelmswar]

No. The installment issue is irrelevant if the money coming in and going out is doing so at the same rate. If we are selling a player and having the fee paid over the length of the contract (as appears to be the case with Jones), but then buying a player and paying the majority of the fee up front (as appears to be the case with Goodwillie) then at that point the installment system becomes an issue. The owners should still be willing to spend knowing that the money is going to come in, but it changes the situation slightly.

We are also definitely writing off any cash injection from the owners too then?

I am not depressed, I passed that a long tine ago - I am in acceptance now, and any positive is utterly fantastic as I don't expect them.

[imy9]

But it's a squad game, what happens when players get injured, suspended, out of form?

Salgado took a doing today, Samba may yet go, Givet is a converted full-back and Olsson has had his dodgy games at full-back. Petrovic is a completely unknown quantity who has never played in England - expecting a bit much of him before he's even played I think - Nzonzi is in-and-out, Hoilett apparently had a poor game today and still hasn't agreed a new contract, his mind may be elsewhere. Everyone knows Dunn's injury record and last season wasn't dazzling for him. Formica has played one whole Premiership game. And Roberts is, quite frankly, APPALLING.

If that's the first choice XI, swear to God, we're in deep doo-doo.

Thats my first choice 11 based on the players we currently have- which IMO looks a decent side.

If Samba stays- Givet's natural position is CB and is his best position, Olsson has improved immensely at LB, Petrovic is an unknown granted but possesses attributes to succeed in this league. Nzonzi was one of our better players in the 2nd half of last season, Hoilett is coming back from an injury, Formica played well and has looked quality throughout pre season, swings and roundabouts with all the above.

The bit highlighted I agree with 100%, which is why I feel if we can sign 3-5 players before the end of the window we potentially have a very good team.

[magicalmortensleftpeg]

Touch and go a week ago doesn't really help with signing a player. We should hardly rush signing a central back for one match. I amey n sure that they would have liked to have signed a central defender by now, but they haven't. It isn't the end of the world. They need to and if they don't by September 1st then that is the time to turn round and be critical of them. They need to think long-term, that it is what will lead to success.

We haven't really received £25m. The Jones money will not have been paid upfront. It is unlikely that the Kalinic money was either. Petrovic is probably a similar case, but it would appear that we stumped up £2m this summer for Goodwillie. Realistically that means that our net summer spending at the moment is probably more around +8-12m rather than the +20m that people like to throw out there.

In reality the deadline wasn't today. Ideally everything would have done by today, but it is ONE match. One match that we could have one. Three points that we could have gained. I have no doubt that come the end of the season the 3 extra points could make the difference between a place or two, but there will always be moments in a season where a side carelessly drops points, or has too many injuries or suspensions. It's unfortunate to have it happen in the first game of the season because, at this moment in time, it is the only thing for us to go on, but this could have just as easily have happened in December or April.

This board has reached a stage where every defeat results in suicide watch. It's getting a bit ridiculous.

Stop thinking that the negativity around here is simply due to our defeat today. Its not. We weren't relegated today. But the lack of activity on the transfer market over the past 8 weeks lost us the game this afternoon, and no activity in the next 2 weeks will see us fighting for our lives next May.

The point is that the owners are not doing what they need to do. Our squad isn't good enough. It wasn't good enough this morning and it wasn't good enough when the team was read out before the game. Read the beginning of this thread. When the team line ups came through I think everybody was shocked at just how weak our team really is.

The issues we face are as real now as they would have been if we had won. We've desperately needed a new defender and a new first team striker for 2 months and they havent been bought. We've also needed more bodies in midfield, they havent been bought. £6m out of £26m has been spent in since June, how much of that is going to be spent in the next two weeks..?

11 out and 3 in, as Kean put it, under no circumstances is that good enough. The squad was thin beforehand, we're now rounding up school children to put on the subs bench.

The transfer fee for Jones would indeed be paid in instalments, in the same way we would pay for a decent defender in instalments, it makes no difference.

[broadsword]

The bit highlighted I agree with 100%, which is why I feel if we can sign 3-5 players before the end of the window we potentially have a very good team.

We might differ on player assessments, but I agree. Our whole season is now dependent on the next 2 weeks.

How hopeful are you of us getting 3-5 players in?

[Waggy76]

This game in isolation is not the concern. Us losing the game isn't the problem and Kean being the manager is not the problem.

The concern is that we've bought two first team players all summer for the loss of 11 squad players including several first teamers. Venky's aren't doing enough.

The only unforeseen issue today was Givet being injured. Everyone knew that Nelsen was out and Samba was touch and go a week ago. We needed a centre half to replace Jones at the beginning of July. Thats 6 weeks ago. We've needed a decent striker since last May. 3 months ago. Why on earth havent these positions been filled in that time???

We've been given approx £26m in sales and have spent around £6m of that. The deadline is Sept 1st but in reality the deadline was today. We've dropped 3 points because of that.

No point blaming Kean for this. He didn't get Venky's involved, he didn't hire himself and he's not the reason for why there has been virtually no transfer activity all summer. We desperately need investment in the playing squad now.

If Venky's have any ambition of running a successful football club then this is it. Act now or we stand to lose our premiership status next May.

Kean is the problem , he must have told Venkys who he wanted to sign Anderson for example , they may have no money at all , and hood winked the Walker Trust .But , Kean as no right to be manager of Blackburn Rovers , he acquired the job under a cloud , to say the least . He was manager during our worst spell for 25 yrs , we did stay up , I suspect the senior players (Phil Jones returning as well) had more say in that, than the complete half wit ,we have as a manager ..

[imy9]

We might differ on player assessments, but I agree. Our whole season is now dependent on the next 2 weeks.

How hopeful are you of us getting 3-5 players in?

Very hopeful of three players coming in.

Praying we get FIVE!

Think we'll end up with three permanent and two loans.

[davefarnworth]

Not been on here messaging for 15 years. Good old days. Very little falling out. Just good buddies enjoying a good site to reflect. Had just sold Shearer. What we seem to have is a managerless club with no direction, a hopelessly undignified advert for chicken ffs (and Dunny a great player for the club looking stupid for India. We are a laughing stock and we have to accept it. If we get out of this with old 'Arry sniffing after Samba 10 mins before deadline, I'll be surprised. Lack of vision fron so far afield. Sorry about the gloom. Total pragmatism on my arrogant behalf. Hello Dave Birch, long time no speak. Wonder if Spenny from Valencia is still out there? Happy days, they were. Nerds, please do not respond with your drivel.

[magicalmortensleftpeg]

Kean is the problem , he must have told Venkys who he wanted to sign Anderson for example , they may have no money at all , and hood winked the Walker Trust .But , Kean as no right to be manager of Blackburn Rovers , he acquired the job under a cloud , to say the least . He was manager during our worst spell for 25 yrs , we did stay up , I suspect the senior players (Phil Jones returning as well) had more say in that, than the complete half wit ,we have as a manager ..

The manager doesn't dictate the budget, doesn't allocate how much money can be spent on each player, doesn't decide which manager should be hired, doesn't decide if a previous manager should be fired, isn't responsible for setting valuations of players at stupid levels or refusing to spend money which has been generated from outgoing players.

The problems we face are bigger than Steve Kean. Get over him. If he was the biggest problem we had then I'd have very few concerns. In reality there are far worse things to be worried about.

[tony gale's mic]

Very hopeful of three players coming in.

Praying we get FIVE!

Think we'll end up with three permanent and two loans.

So we sign two players in six weeks, and you think we'll sign five Premiership standard players in two weeks?!

[Waggy76]

So we sign two players in six weeks, and you think we'll sign five Premiership standard players in two weeks?!

No

The manager doesn't dictate the budget, doesn't allocate how much money can be spent on each player, doesn't decide which manager should be hired, doesn't decide if a previous manager should be fired, isn't responsible for setting valuations of players at stupid levels or refusing to spend money which has been generated from outgoing players.

The problems we face are bigger than Steve Kean. Get over him. If he was the biggest problem we had then I'd have very few concerns. In reality there are far worse things to be worried about.

You may have a valid point , I take it you mean Venkys ??? But Kean is not a manager , he is clueless ....So we just accept him do we ? With his bullshit ..I appreciate we cannot get rid of the owners easily , but my god ! if we had a decent manager things must be better ..

[Tom]

Anyone else think the PA was far too loud in the Blackburn End today?

[rebelmswar]

Anyone else think the PA was far too loud in the Blackburn End today?

Probably on purpose to drown out the sound of weeping.

[Mattyblue]

Too right Tom, I was gearing up to face down Conan the Barbarian myself.

[Kelbo]

But it's a squad game, what happens when players get injured, suspended, out of form?

Salgado took a doing today, Samba may yet go, Givet is a converted full-back and Olsson has had his dodgy games at full-back. Petrovic is a completely unknown quantity who has never played in England - expecting a bit much of him before he's even played I think - Nzonzi is in-and-out, Hoilett apparently had a poor game today and still hasn't agreed a new contract, his mind may be elsewhere. Everyone knows Dunn's injury record and last season wasn't dazzling for him. Formica has played one whole Premiership game. And Roberts is, quite frankly, APPALLING.

If that's the first choice XI, swear to God, we're in deep doo-doo.

By a mile, Rochina is technically the best player we have, great ball retention, can pass, shoot and pick a pass, should be in front of Formica in any starting 11.

[roverandout]

look, like many i was at the game, utter, utter sh*te, we didnt dominate in midfield, our defence, includiing that top class defender nzonzi, given the role by genuis kean, was inept, roberts huffed and puffed up front but did nothing. When goodwillie came on at least he tried something. This performance was a disgrace, roundly and absolutely deservedly booed at full time by everyone, kean has to go. One numpty even said, sitting next to me, that 'we were missing half a team, so this game was a right off'. We were missing one key player, ONE. so absolutely no excuse. If you blind people cant see the writing on the wall by now, more fool you.

imy and eddie, and i respect you alot eddie, so it pains me to say it, have you two ever gone to a rovers game? if not you have no idea what your talking about.

[Josh]

look, like many i was at the game, utter, utter sh*te, we didnt dominate in midfield, our defence, includiing that top class defender nzonzi, given the role by genuis kean, was inept, roberts huffed and puffed up front but did nothing. When goodwillie came on at least he tried something. This performance was a disgrace, roundly and absolutely deservedly booed at full time by everyone, kean has to go. One numpty even said, sitting next to me, that 'we were missing half a team, so this game was a right off'. We were missing one key player, ONE. so absolutely no excuse. If you blind people cant see the writing on the wall by now, more fool you.

I don't like to keep quoting you but come on.. "includiing that top class defender nzonzi, given the role by genuis kean" - would you have rather played Myles Anderson?

[Tom]

We were missing one key player, ONE. so absolutely no excuse.

Samba + Nelsen + Givet + Petrovic = 1?

[cmb211087]

look, like many i was at the game, utter, utter sh*te, we didnt dominate in midfield, our defence, includiing that top class defender nzonzi, given the role by genuis kean, was inept, roberts huffed and puffed up front but did nothing. When goodwillie came on at least he tried something. This performance was a disgrace, roundly and absolutely deservedly booed at full time by everyone, kean has to go. One numpty even said, sitting next to me, that 'we were missing half a team, so this game was a right off'. We were missing one key player, ONE. so absolutely no excuse. If you blind people cant see the writing on the wall by now, more fool you.

imy and eddie, and i respect you alot eddie, so it pains me to say it, have you two ever gone to a rovers game? if not you have no idea what your talking about.

Samba, Nelsen, Givet, Phil Jones, Jermaine Jones all would have started if not injured/still here.

[tony gale's mic]

By a mile, Rochina is technically the best player we have, great ball retention, can pass, shoot and pick a pass, should be in front of Formica in any starting 11.

I still have hopes for Rocinha but he's an incredibly frustrating player. Yes very good ball retention but terrible decision making so far. Tries to take on the whole team too often still. Hopefully this will improve with time since he seems to have some of the raw attributes.

[sambo]

Anyone else think the PA was far too loud in the Blackburn End today?

Was borderline unbearable in the Darwen End too.

May contact the club, it was horrible at half time.