[Archived] Jordan Rhodes

[Tom]

He's had two through balls in two games and put away them both

Have we finally learned to play to his strengths?

[DE.]

Unlike his predecessors Bowyer is a smart man, so it wouldn't surprise me if he's trying to mould the team to play to the strengths of our goalscorer.

Unfortunately if we don't learn to defend better Rhodes' efforts will largely be in vain, much like last season. Once Bowyer is happy with how we're supplying Rhodes he desperately needs to sort out the constant leakage of goals at the back.

[Jimmy612]

I think it would be an amazing feat for Bowyer to build the team to play to Rhodes strengths, particularly as he is playing as a lone striker. But the last two games has seen Rhodes score three and us create plenty of chances.

The jury is still out as to whether Rhodes can become more consistent in his all round game, but I would absolutely love to be proven wrong by him - and for him to prove that he can play the lone role.

Onwards and Upwards - and please please let us beat this lot

[darrenrover]

I think it would be an amazing feat for Bowyer to build the team to play to Rhodes strengths, particularly as he is playing as a lone striker. But the last two games has seen Rhodes score three and us create plenty of chances.

The jury is still out as to whether Rhodes can become more consistent in his all round game, but I would absolutely love to be proven wrong by him - and for him to prove that he can play the lone role.

Onwards and Upwards - and please please let us beat this lot.

Come on Rovers!!!!!

[Jimmy612]

Okay - put him into hiding

[Tom]

Well we know what happens when he has service

[McClarky]

Personally thought Rhodes was superb today. He put in a lot of effort, made loads of good runs and took his goals well. Not sure what else he could do to impress really.

[John]

Personally thought Rhodes was superb today. He put in a lot of effort, made loads of good runs and took his goals well. Not sure what else he could do to impress really.

I am sure his 'critics' will find something to pick up on!

[Jimmy612]

Personally thought Rhodes was superb today. He put in a lot of effort, made loads of good runs and took his goals well. Not sure what else he could do to impress really.

Nope, and fair play to the guy. If his all round game improves to be half as good as his quality in the area then he will prove me wrong time and time again - and i bloody well hope he does.

[Tyke87]

Not bad for a guy whos heads been turned and has a bad attitude in training

[Tom]

He had four chances today, one a beauty of a finish, the other a tap in, the third was an absolute pearler of a strike which brought a world class save and the other one to be fair was an easy header he missed.

If we can set up to provide him with chances he will score

[G Somerset Rover]

Two words - goal machine.

Sell him at our peril.

[joey_big_nose]

He had four chances today, one a beauty of a finish, the other a tap in, the third was an absolute pearler of a strike which brought a world class save and the other one to be fair was an easy header he missed.

If we can set up to provide him with chances he will score

I was thinking about this after the game - what is it we have changed to make Rhodes less isolated...? I think it is a combination of getting a lot more pace down the flanks (King, Kane and Spurr can all get up and down) to force the opposition deeper and then having a link player (Dunn or Rochina) and a ball player (Cairney) to play the through ball. This gives us the ability to find Rhodes sesational runs behind. I can't really see how a target man fits into the equation as he doesn't really feed off knockdowns. It's all through balls and the odd cross.

I think we're never going to play 442 again with Rhodes in the side. I guess that's why Best is on his way out and we have brought quite a few link players.

[chris_h]

Two words - goal machine.

Sell him at our peril.

According to some of the sages on here being a goal machine isn't enough.

[hesfromburn]

I think Rhodes all-round play is good, you can see him attempting the right passes and through balls with his back to goal, the problem is as soon as he takes any time on the ball he's hounded by 3 - 4 opposition defenders and always seems to be double marked.

As soon as hes left with one solitary marker 9/10 he ends up getting a chance at goal and normally converts.

I really don't know what more certain people on this board expect him to do!!???! 4 goals in the last 2 games!?!?!?

[blueboy3333]

Bowyer just interviewed on radio lancs, he seemed pretty adamant that Rhodes won't be sold and that he's very happy at ewood. Dunn said much the same when interviewed a bit earlier. Lets just hope a Prem side doesn't come in with a stupid offer.

[beanie]

Hopefully the Venky's mob are uncontactable for the next 2 days.

[joey_big_nose]

I think Rhodes all-round play is good, you can see him attempting the right passes and through balls with his back to goal, the problem is as soon as he takes any time on the ball he's hounded by 3 - 4 opposition defenders and always seems to be double marked.

As soon as hes left with one solitary marker 9/10 he ends up getting a chance at goal and normally converts.

He's not strong, fast or skillful so his game is entirely about finding space. If his marker is tight he finds it very difficult. So we need to setup to make sure we find him in space on one of his great runs. Simple as that. That's what Cairney, King, Kane and Dunn nailed today.

In the Prem I think many defences are too organised and defenders too savvy and physically fit to let him drift in behind (and that's why I can't really see a prem team going for him) but in Championship you can always find plenty of space.

[Tom]

I was thinking about this after the game - what is it we have changed to make Rhodes less isolated...? I think it is a combination of getting a lot more pace down the flanks (King, Kane and Spurr can all get up and down) to force the opposition deeper and then having a link player (Dunn or Rochina) and a ball player (Cairney) to play the through ball. This gives us the ability to find Rhodes sesational runs behind. I can't really see how a target man fits into the equation as he doesn't really feed off knockdowns. It's all through balls and the odd cross.

I think we're never going to play 442 again with Rhodes in the side. I guess that's why Best is on his way out and we have brought quite a few link players.

King has made an immense difference to the team with his form, every time he runs the defence are terrified and doubling up on him

[DE.]

If Everton had a bit more money I could see them making a bid, but can't see them having the cash to bid £8m+ and also pay his alleged £40k a week wages. I reckon we'll be alright, though you can never be sure. Stoke is another club I could see putting in a bid. Maybe Sunderland too.

[joey_big_nose]

If Everton had a bit more money I could see them making a bid, but can't see them having the cash to bid £8m+ and also pay his alleged £40k a week wages. I reckon we'll be alright, though you can never be sure. Stoke is another club I could see putting in a bid. Maybe Sunderland too.

I can't see Rhodes scoring many goals in the prem. If people thought he could then someone would have signed him earlier imo. Very few players have stepped up from the Championship and scored regularly in the Premiership. Lambert and Grant Holt are of this few, and Rhodes just doesn't have his physical ability.

[McClarky]

Main problem last season was that he was always isolated and heavily marked. We seem intent on getting people forward to support him now which gives him the space to contribute more. He looked top class today which is a big improvement.

[booth]

He actually had a working midfield behind him today.

[DE.]

I can't see Rhodes scoring many goals in the prem. If people thought he could then someone would have signed him earlier imo. Very few players have stepped up from the Championship and scored regularly in the Premiership. Lambert and Grant Holt are of this few, and Rhodes just doesn't have his physical ability.

Give him service and he'll score in any league, he just has that gift. Sunderland spent £12M on Connor Wickham remember, so it's not so farfetched somebody could go for Rhodes - who has a far better track record than Wickham did at the time.

[JAL]

Main problem last season was that he was always isolated and heavily marked. We seem intent on getting people forward to support him now which gives him the space to contribute more. He looked top class today which is a big improvement.

Jordan lost the ball cheaply at least three times today which allowed Bolton to counter us which if it was in the prem we could have been punished more heavily.