[Archived] Henning Berg - Rovers Manager

[Salgado Is A Hero]

Missed a bit on winning headers aswell when required. One main reason recently of why we've conceded goals has been by standard crosses coming into our central defensive areas and we've failed to clear them .

Yea neither Dann or Givet are traditional ball-winning defenders....both require a Samba next to them.

This is why Dann wanted to make sure Samba was still here when he arrived.....and why some people say Givet is too small to be a CB.

It's not like their both midgets but I wouldn't be adverse to selling Dann and bringing in a taller replacement.....even if Dann has played better in this division.

[RevidgeBlue]

It's not like their both midgets but I wouldn't be adverse to selling Dann and bringing in a taller replacement.....even if Dann has played better in this division.

Having stood next to Dann I can confirm he is very tall - he just jumps like he's 5' 10".

Back on topic about Berg, without checking I'd guess the respective records of Berg and the more "experienced" managers Mercerman was so concerned about not getting Freedman, McCarthy and Dyche are now roughly similar?

[Salgado Is A Hero]

It doesn't matter.....they're managing an entirely different squad of players and there is no way of knowing whether or not they'd be a success here.....time to put all that talk to bed.

And yea I forgot Dann isn't actually small.....I should have said "replace him with a defender who's feet leave the ground when contesting a header."

[Pedro]

personally, I don't care whether hendry is the best defensive coach in the world.

its clear that he's got zero integrity as a person and that's the worst kind of role model for our younger players coming through the club.

Im of the opinion, that the club has a duty to its fanbase and community to uphold strong values and promote a healthy culture.

funny how people deride kean for having no integrity, but are happy for hendry to be a scumbag off the pitch if there's the possibility that he'd be a good coach

its double standards and it stinks.

absolute nonsense pedro. he was handsomely well looked after during his playing days and jumped ship to get a better offer. So don't give me this rubbish about him bleeding blue and white.

im not whining about his debts, I just think its abhorrent what he's done and continues to do to people he called friends when it suited him. The worst kind of scumbag and role model

Nonsense?? You are talking utter rubbish Andy. I suspect you fit the criteria I mentioned because Colin was a Rovers hero in the 80's, never mind the 90's. You refer to him as "The worst kind of scumbag" get a feckin grip mate and some perspective whilst you are at it.

King Kenny, Le Saux, Batty, Shearer, Flowers, Sherwood, Pearce, Gallacher, Berg etc. etc. etc. all jumped ship because the romance, harmony and form quickly died at Ewood. They completed their unlikely mission in 95 and we foolishly chose not to build on it (apart from Matty Holmes!) - and in the blink of an eye we became also rans and relegation material. So don't blame any of the players for moving on and don't single out Hendry because it fits this bullshite Glasgow maffia theory and he is "mates" with Kean as people on here claim.

[Pedro]

Yea neither Dann or Givet are traditional ball-winning defenders....both require a Samba next to them.

This is why Dann wanted to make sure Samba was still here when he arrived.....and why some people say Givet is too small to be a CB.

It's not like their both midgets but I wouldn't be adverse to selling Dann and bringing in a taller replacement.....even if Dann has played better in this division.

Andy Todd was a short-arse...he was player of the year twice at Rovers. Dann wanted to know that Samba was staying to check our aspirations, I'm pretty sure it had nothing to do with needing a tall centre-back next to him. Out of all of the defenders we miss the most I'd say it's Jones, I thought he was world class. Samba on the other hand was only average and his positional sense when getting moved around wasn't all that good (I'm sure many will disagree) he flattered to deceive because he defended the front post very well when crosses came in and made loads of clearances from this area.

[jim mk2]

. Samba on the other hand was only average .

Gordon bleedin' Bennett.

[Mike E]

Nonsense?? You are talking utter rubbish Andy. I suspect you fit the criteria I mentioned because Colin was a Rovers hero in the 80's, never mind the 90's. You refer to him as "The worst kind of scumbag" get a feckin grip mate and some perspective whilst you are at it.

King Kenny, Le Saux, Batty, Shearer, Flowers, Sherwood, Pearce, Gallacher, Berg etc. etc. etc. all jumped ship because the romance, harmony and form quickly died at Ewood. They completed their unlikely mission in 95 and we foolishly chose not to build on it (apart from Matty Holmes!) - and in the blink of an eye we became also rans and relegation material. So don't blame any of the players for moving on and don't single out Hendry because it fits this bullshite Glasgow maffia theory and he is "mates" with Kean as people on here claim.

I'll single out Hendry because he's 'allegedly' nicked an old couple's life savings under the pretence of a loan and went on to rub it in their faces. Horrible individual.

But does that make him a bad coach? Nay.

[Pedro]

And I was getting flak for suggesting that all kinds of nonsense went on prior to Berg's appointment....

Philip, you said f'all. Stop hanging off the balls of people with actual information.

Now, if you'd said "Shebby didn't make the decision, it was Balaji who chose Berg and this caused great problems and conflicts"...maybe you'd have an ounce of credibility - but as it stands, you have none due to your extremely vague, throwing poo at a wall, Blackpool promenade palm reading nonsense.

[RevidgeBlue]

Gordon bleedin' Bennett.

Ill agree there for once jim.

Samba was absolute quality and spent a lot of time having to compensate for the lack of pace of Nelsen and more particularly Salgado.

Jones is a very good young whole hearted player as well. They're both tremendous players but I'd say Samba is the better of the two at this moment in time.

[philipl]

Philip, you said f'all. Stop hanging off the balls of people with actual information.

Now, if you'd said "Shebby didn't make the decision, it was Balaji who chose Berg and this caused great problems and conflicts"...maybe you'd have an ounce of credibility - but as it stands, you have none due to your extremely vague, throwing poo at a wall, Blackpool promenade palm reading nonsense.

Hole digging JCB

[Pedro]

Gordon bleedin' Bennett.

Like I said, some will disagree but answer these questions honestly:

Do you think a top team would want him?

If so, why didn't he go to one?

Was Phil Jones better and did he go to a top team?

Do you rate Samba alongside the likes of Ferdinand, Terry, Vidic, Adams when in their prime? Or even the likes of Lescott, Vermaelen, Gallas, Woodgate, Southgate, Kompany, King?

On his good days I'd pop Samba in the same bracket as Jagielka and Hangeland but although he was one of our best players, in the bigger picture I think that he was only average.

Hole digging JCB

Hole digging JCB

Easy there with the comebacks! Can you give us an exclusive on what your not going to tell us next Phil?

[Salgado Is A Hero]

Andy Todd was a short-arse...he was player of the year twice at Rovers. Dann wanted to know that Samba was staying to check our aspirations, I'm pretty sure it had nothing to do with needing a tall centre-back next to him. Out of all of the defenders we miss the most I'd say it's Jones, I thought he was world class. Samba on the other hand was only average and his positional sense when getting moved around wasn't all that good (I'm sure many will disagree) he flattered to deceive because he defended the front post very well when crosses came in and made loads of clearances from this area.

There's different types of centre backs.....Givet and Dann like a Samba or Roger Johnson to try and win the first ball whilst they sweep up behind.....John Terry needs a Rio, Carvalho or Alex to sweep up behind or he is slightly-above-average.

At Phil Jones' best, he still wasn't quite as good as Samba imo.

Who was slightly better than "average" by the way....I know it's only your opinion but let's be serious here.....average centre backs are Distin and Richard Dunne....not f#####g Christopher Samba.

He didn't go to a top team but so what? He went to a team that had Samuel Eto'o playing for it....Nzonzi and Hoilett didn't go to top teams either, but they're still very good players....same goes for Adam Johnson and Luis Suarez.

He's miles better than Ledley King also....I couldn't care less for this alternate-reality argument where an injury-free King is one of the world's best CB's.....he was alright but nothing special....better than Dawson but who isn't?......and Woodgate in his prime should be in your top bracket.....Vidic and Terry have key weaknesses that mean they're not 'great'.....all my opinion of course.

But there's a reason "many will disagree" with your views on Samba.....he's in the 2nd bracket of centre backs in the world imo.....Kompany is the only one in the top bracket in the Prem at the moment.....because Vermaelen and Koscielny have been off the boil recently.....maybe Agger is though, I rate him pretty highly....and I need to see more of Vertonghen at CB.

[Plastics]

I find it unusual that somebody would say Samba wasn't as good as Southgate.

[dubdubdub]

Samba was a great player for us which is why every time speculation mounted that he was leaving people were annoyed. Stop being so bitter.

[Pedro]

There's different types of centre backs.....Givet and Dann like a Samba or Roger Johnson to try and win the first ball whilst they sweep up behind.....John Terry needs a Rio, Carvalho or Alex to sweep up behind or he is slightly-above-average.

At Phil Jones' best, he still wasn't quite as good as Samba imo.

Who was slightly better than "average" by the way....I know it's only your opinion but let's be serious here.....average centre backs are Distin and Richard Dunne....not f#####g Christopher Samba.

He didn't go to a top team but so what? He went to a team that had Samuel Eto'o playing for it....Nzonzi and Hoilett didn't go to top teams either, but they're still very good players....same goes for Adam Johnson and Luis Suarez.

He's miles better than Ledley King also....I couldn't care less for this alternate-reality argument where an injury-free King is one of the world's best CB's.....he was alright but nothing special....better than Dawson but who isn't?......and Woodgate in his prime should be in your top bracket.....Vidic and Terry have key weaknesses that mean they're not 'great'.....all my opinion of course.

But there's a reason "many will disagree" with your views on Samba.....he's in the 2nd bracket of centre backs in the world imo.....Kompany is the only one in the top bracket in the Prem at the moment.....because Vermaelen and Koscielny have been off the boil recently.....maybe Agger is though, I rate him pretty highly....and I need to see more of Vertonghen at CB.

I respect your opinion sally but I simply don't agree with your classification of Samba. At a push and all things considered IMO he was average +. Yes he had some great days and performances but he is nowhere near that second bracket of players, he is also not as good as King. He was fantastic at heading balls away from certain areas but positionally (when being moved about) he had big flaws. He excelled when we were camped in our own box because he had a good standing jump on him and this was often how we would defend - it suited him well.

Samba was a great player for us which is why every time speculation mounted that he was leaving people were annoyed. Stop being so bitter.

Bitter? I said it when he was still here.

[Kelbo]

Samba had one thing all the others mentioned hasnt, PRESENCE, ask any footballer, presence is a major attribute to a team!!

Both in ascendency and defensively, on his day, Samba was awesome!1

[Pedro]

Samba had one thing all the others mentioned hasnt, PRESENCE, ask any footballer, presence is a major attribute to a team!!

Both in ascendency and defensively, on his day, Samba was awesome!

Agreed, on his day he was.

[Plastics]

I saw a lot of his days.

[Pedro]

I saw a lot of his days.

Fair enough, it's good to have a hero.

I still think if you picked him up and popped him in another Premier League team (higher one than we were) and he'd go the same way as so many others did when they left because when you really analyse him, he has faults. I'm grateful for his contribution to the team, but I've definitely seen much better than him.

Cheers for your opinions and back to Berg.

[BuckyRover]

It would be luck to a certain extent. But it was also luck that Kenny was willing to sign for us at that time and that Sam was available to JW when he was needed.

If Shebby was to make a complete arse of every process but it ended up being a lucky decision I think we would all be happy

[Silencio]

Like I said, some will disagree but answer these questions honestly:

Do you think a top team would want him?

If so, why didn't he go to one?

Was Phil Jones better and did he go to a top team?

Do you rate Samba alongside the likes of Ferdinand, Terry, Vidic, Adams when in their prime? Or even the likes of Lescott, Vermaelen, Gallas, Woodgate, Southgate, Kompany, King?

He was never as good as Terry, Vidic, Ferdinand, and Adams, but so what? He was definitely as good as Lescott and Vermaelen (who isn't very good) but not as good as King/Kompany. In any case, he was more than good enough for us and is now top of the Russian league and one of the best in that team.

He was one of the better defenders in the league and was our best defender by a country mile...

[rovermagic]

He also under-performed Kean in each of the last two seasons.

McCarthy would have been a disaster. His best days are behind him. His teams play really boring football. Berg is playing a buzzing pass and move game that suits our players. McCarthy is a down-market Pulis. And we don't want to be like Stoke. We actually have prob the best squad in the Championship - though at the moment our first team isn't up to Palace or Cardiff. But it will be within weeks. Actually Marcus O demonstrated that he can play a bit.

[jim mk2]

McCarthy would have been a disaster. His best days are behind him. His teams play really boring football. Berg is playing a buzzing pass and move game that suits our players. McCarthy is a down-market Pulis. And we don't want to be like Stoke. We actually have prob the best squad in the Championship - though at the moment our first team isn't up to Palace or Cardiff. But it will be within weeks. Actually Marcus O demonstrated that he can play a bit.

One win over second-bottom Peterborough and suddenly we have the best squad in the league and "we don't want to be like Stoke".

I'd love to be like Stoke - a rock-solid Premier League outfit well managed on and off the pitch.

As for McCarthy we'll see where us and his team finish the season.

[Mike E]

*Playstation

And tbh, I agree with the sentiment that we've made the right appointment (as opposed to appointing McCarthy). Not because of one win, but because of the gradual improvement with every game. I find that far more encouraging than if we'd had a 'bounce' for a few games.

[USABlue]

One win over second-bottom Peterborough and suddenly we have the best squad in the league and "we don't want to be like Stoke".

I'd love to be like Stoke - a rock-solid Premier League outfit well managed on and off the pitch.

As for McCarthy we'll see where us and his team finish the season.

Now let's for a minute just suppose Berg had taken a 5-0 and 6-0 set back, what would your reaction be? I am sure it would not be as supportive as you are towards McCarthy. Perhaps some are being a little over enthusiastic but then again would we have turned them over like that with our previous regime. An emphatic no should be the answer. I suppose a win over Millwall won't do much to convince you either, solid as they seem to be. Seems to be a bit of a odd comparison seeing where us and Ipswich might be, we have a bit of a head start.