[Archived] The Gary Bowyer Thread

[blueboy3333]

Caring about the club is fine, not going to matches is fine, but if it's ok for some of you to constantly moan about the club/team/manager off then it's ok for those that still pay to attend to be insulted by that and do a bit of moaning in return.

Is that fair?

[gumboots]

'Like' Two new signingshttp://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/rovers/news/13338340.Return_of_Jason_Lowe_and_Shane_Duffy_like__new_signings__for_Blackburn_Rovers/?ref=mac

Bowyer relishing the start of the season and not getting dumped out of the league cup at the first hurdle (inc. obligatory excuse about resources just in case we lose to Wolves)http://m.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/13338338.Blackburn_Rovers_boss_Gary_Bowyer_relishing_start_of_new_Championship_season/?ref=mac

I read the top one earlier and wasn't sure whether to run around screaming at the top of my voice to show how angry I was or retreat to a quiet corner and cry. In the end I did neither but simply got on with my marking, feeling a little sadder because they're not like 2 new signings. They're the same 2 ordinary players they were before. Neither of them will have the ability to change a game except by conceding a goal and the return of neither will arouse any feeling of even mild interest in most fans. Give it a rest, Gary. You no longer fool anyone. Nice guy but please just stop trying to enthuse us with stuff that doesn't merit it.

[gumboots]

Caring about the club is fine, not going to matches is fine, but if it's ok for some of you to constantly moan about the club/team/manager off then it's ok for those that still pay to attend to be insulted by that and do a bit of moaning in return.

Is that fair?

You can moan provided that you don't judge. It's a fine line. I've never once said " I don't know why you still go." But it's been said to me, "Youre not a fan because you won't go" It's not even factually accurate because I probably will still go, but not as often and not on a season ticket. That's why I get annoyed. If I didn't care I wouldn't be here trying to find something to lift my spirits enough to make me want a season ticket. I commented to my husband a few days ago that I wish I could find something because in my heart of hearts I don't want to give mine up. I still want to believe that miracles are possible but, where rovers are concerned, even ordinary achievement seems to be missing

[tomphil]

This is the thing for me with Bowyer, I've genuinely tried at times to lay off him and as far as next season goes give him a clean slate on the pitch from the start for 5 games or so. The other week we had the battle for left back, then the we won't be looking for any other striker unless we lose one, next the i'll be using Lowey and Marshy again as right back cover. Now the same crap about Lowe as he's trudged out twice before when Jason has been missing only for him to come back and make no difference, albeit briefly sometimes.

Praying that he's learned something is pointless when listening to him as you just know it's going to be that same old rotating around, tombola, lottery clueless @#/?. I suppose at least he's being honest but he's already talking up Wolves and mentioning FFP and them strengthening etc, excuses in the sub conscious already.

Anyway good to see Duffy might be fit, I really look forward to seeing him resume his useless partnership with Hanley, I see the warrior hasn't been mentioned yet, maybe that's tomorrows 'done ever so well' big news.

[Athlete]

'Like' Two new signings and how Lowe's name will be pre-printed on the team sheets.

"Lowey is doing ever so well too. I cant stress how big a loss he was for us last season with his energy and his sensing of danger in that position he plays."

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/rovers/news/13338340.Return_of_Jason_Lowe_and_Shane_Duffy_like__new_signings__for_Blackburn_Rovers/?ref=mac

Bowyer relishing the start of the season and not getting dumped out of the league cup at the first hurdle (inc. obligatory excuse about resources just in case we lose to Wolves)

http://m.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/13338338.Blackburn_Rovers_boss_Gary_Bowyer_relishing_start_of_new_Championship_season/?ref=mac

GB is an absolute joke of an excuse for a manager his comments are ridiculous

This is the thing for me with Bowyer, I've genuinely tried at times to lay off him and as far as next season goes give him a clean slate on the pitch from the start for 5 games or so. The other week we had the battle for left back, then the we won't be looking for any other striker unless we lose one, next the i'll be using Lowey and Marshy again as right back cover. Now the same crap about Lowe as he's trudged out twice before when Jason has been missing only for him to come back and make no difference, albeit briefly sometimes.

Praying that he's learned something is pointless when listening to him as you just know it's going to be that same old rotating around, tombola, lottery clueless @#/?. I suppose at least he's being honest but he's already talking up Wolves and mentioning FFP and them strengthening etc, excuses in the sub conscious already.

Anyway good to see Duffy might be fit, I really look forward to seeing him resume his useless partnership with Hanley, I see the warrior hasn't been mentioned yet, maybe that's tomorrows 'done ever so well' big news.

My thoughts exactly ...Same old same old ..Ah well were stable

[broadsword]

This is what Venky's have achieved, they've set fan against fan.

Divide and conquer.

They must be so proud.

[Boz]

I'm sorry but I just don't buy into this use of FFP as an excuse for underachieving. To be clear IMO underachieve is certainly what we have been doing since we were relegated to this league.

Setting our target for 2015/16 as not getting relegated and for the reason to be down to a transfer embargo, is baloney or a smoke screen for underachieving.

If you cannot do better in this league with 24 squad players, plus a successful academy and u21s team breaking through to the 1st team and whilst on your watch we've seen the number of incoming and outgoing players to varying degrees of ability, to not get more out of them than mid table, then this is not good enough for Blackburn Rovers.

I am hopeful, but to what extent I sadly just don't know, that GB might hit upon a successful formula, stay relatively injury free, which might lead to a challenge for promotion. If by the end of October, once 14 games have been played, we are not then please fall on your sword Gary and pass the challenge onto someone more suitable, to give it a right good go.

But I'm fed up of hearing FFP being peddled as an excuse. The solution to the FFP embargo? Get promoted, which you do by not selling your best players whom are under contract.

[Parsonblue]

Parson, I respect your views but do wish you'd stop suggesting that those who have reached cut off point have given up on the club. Most still care deeply but, in the face of the indifference and negligence of our owners and the apparent inability of our manager to get more than mediocre performances from players, have simply lost the will to feel tied to going to every match. You still have not reached that point and I hope you never do, because it's not a great place to be, but some have and you really shouldn't appear to be sitting in judgement on them.

Whilst I wouldn't disagree for a moment with your comments about the owners and their management of the club I think where we differ is that I see the club and the owners/manager/players as two separate bodies. The club I see as the institution, for want of a better word, that has existed since 1875 and experienced a world of change, a series of ups and downs, periods of success and periods of despair. The owners/directors/officials/managers/players come and go. Some add to the club's rich history whilst others plunge it into crisis. However, throughout that long history, individuals come and go and at some point the present owners will go, the present management will go and the present players will go but the club, in one form or another, will hopefully still be there ready for new owners, new managers, new players etc to take it on into the future. It's the club that I'm deeply passionate about gumboots, not individuals and its a passion I hope I never lose.

[blueboy3333]

You can moan provided that you don't judge. It's a fine line. I've never once said " I don't know why you still go." But it's been said to me, "Youre not a fan because you won't go" It's not even factually accurate because I probably will still go, but not as often and not on a season ticket. That's why I get annoyed. If I didn't care I wouldn't be here trying to find something to lift my spirits enough to make me want a season ticket. I commented to my husband a few days ago that I wish I could find something because in my heart of hearts I don't want to give mine up. I still want to believe that miracles are possible but, where rovers are concerned, even ordinary achievement seems to be missing

You can moan provided that you don't judge. It's a fine line. I've never once said " I don't know why you still go." But it's been said to me, "Youre not a fan because you won't go" It's not even factually accurate because I probably will still go, but not as often and not on a season ticket. That's why I get annoyed. If I didn't care I wouldn't be here trying to find something to lift my spirits enough to make me want a season ticket. I commented to my husband a few days ago that I wish I could find something because in my heart of hearts I don't want to give mine up. I still want to believe that miracles are possible but, where rovers are concerned, even ordinary achievement seems to be missing

I personally haven't judged anyone for not going, but the people who wear not going as a badge of honour are, by extension, judging those that continue to go. My personal take is that on those cold miserable days in winter going to Rovers is simply something half-decent to do, and seeing us win cheers me up endlessly. Some of the games have been awful, but they were awful under previous managers too. At least the one in charge now appears to have the interests of the club at heart.

Not sure of the validity of your last sentence. Ordinary achievement is exactly what Bowyer is criticised for! Personally i don't think 9th place and a narrow defeat to Liverpool in the QF of the FA cup is that bad. it could have been better, it could have been a lot worse. If we keep the majority of our players, and learn to hold on to a lead next season, you never know. By the same token we might get embroiled in a relegation battle. Personally though i much prefer the Championship because it's ultra-competetive. We need the money that promotion brings, even for just one year, but i much prefer being in a league where anyone can beat anyone, rather than being cannon-fodder in the procession that's the Prem.

[perthblue02]

Wot.....no mankini ?

Bad enough searching for a Mr Motivator costume, never mind a mankini ! almost settled on a green goddess outfit but looked like a very unconvincing ladyboy and GB is not in the Kean realms of ridicule.

[davulsukur]

'Like' Two new signings and how Lowe's name will be pre-printed on the team sheets.

"Lowey is doing ever so well too. I cant stress how big a loss he was for us last season with his energy and his sensing of danger in that position he plays."

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/rovers/news/13338340.Return_of_Jason_Lowe_and_Shane_Duffy_like__new_signings__for_Blackburn_Rovers/?ref=mac

Not the sort of comments i want to be hearing from Bowyer.

Central Midfield is a huge weak point in our team and Lowe being automatic starter won't resolve this issue.

[majorstyre]

One of the comforts is that at least with GB in charge I'm pretty confident we won't get relegated

The worrying thing here is perth, that if we lose Rhodes and Gestede, then i think a relegation fight will almost certainly ensue..

once in that, a whole different mentality sets in, and i do not think that with the management we currently have, we do have the nouse to scrap out out if it!

[Rover_Shaun]

Badge of honour. Is that phallacy still being trotted out? :/

There is no honour in treating fans so much like sht that they eventually decide to take a break until said disease is purged*

*Though we've been round the mulberry bush many many many times on this issue so lets not go there again eh?

[Mercer]

No strategy, no vision and no hope.

Club dumbed down from top to bottom.

Think we really are heading for the abyss.

[G Somerset Rover]

Not the sort of comments i want to be hearing from Bowyer.

Central Midfield is a huge weak point in our team and Lowe being automatic starter won't resolve this issue.

After Evans 'performances' last season I genuinely would struggle to determine which two I'd select from he, Lowe or Williamson in the middle of the park (given GB doesn't fancy Cairney there). Such a massive weakness in our side.

[Stuart]

You can moan provided that you don't judge. It's a fine line. I've never once said " I don't know why you still go." But it's been said to me, "Youre not a fan because you won't go" It's not even factually accurate because I probably will still go, but not as often and not on a season ticket. That's why I get annoyed. If I didn't care I wouldn't be here trying to find something to lift my spirits enough to make me want a season ticket. I commented to my husband a few days ago that I wish I could find something because in my heart of hearts I don't want to give mine up. I still want to believe that miracles are possible but, where rovers are concerned, even ordinary achievement seems to be missing

Good post.

People haven't stopped going because they don't care about the club, they've stopped going because there is nothing else that they can do to halt what the owners, board, and, to a lesser extent, the manager are doing to the club and the team.

They keep being told, by the likes of Parson, that there is nothing they can do to change what is happening but if what is happening makes them so unhappy why would they continue, and why would anyone want them to, given the atmosphere that would create? A sense of duty? Loyalty through the "bad times"? The likes of which we are seeing are unprecedented. Our owners may say that they want the best for the club but don't demonstrate it with their actions. If they have money but FFP is now preventing them spending, then they could have mounted a legal challenge - which would have bought time a la QPR - for a fraction of the values of transfer fees. But they haven't. My guess is that they don't have a scooby and the excuse suits a lot of people as it dampens, nay kills, supporter expectations.

I've also seen Gordon post that the fans will kill the club. Nothing could be further from the truth. We are all simply watching it die, helpless from the sidelines.

But one thing is for sure: every Rovers fans wants what is best for Rovers.

[mustard]

“With the restrictions we have with the embargo it’s going to be vitally important we have a clean bill of health and keep everybody fit and well for as long as we can.

“We had a lot of injuries last season and the people that work here, from the coaching, to the medical, to the doctor, took that personally and have analysed that.

“But sometimes you’ve got to be sensible about it and say, ‘look, they are impact injuries, they are part and parcel of the game, so there’s not a great deal you can do about it’.

“If there was something in training or anything like that we’d have put that right because of the expertise that we’ve got here with the medical and sports science teams.

“But it wasn’t anything connected to that so we’ll just keep training them properly and have them hard and robust for another season.”

BALONEY!

Perhaps some at Rovers do read the board as Bowyer has addressed mine and others' claims that the team are unfit and the coaching/sports science team need a shake-up. The majority of the injuries were NOT impact injuries, Gary, so quit trying to peddle that rubbish. The number of hamstring niggles and other muscle injuries that kept players out clearly pointed to fundamental issues IMO. And GOOD that the medical team took it personally, so they should. Maybe they should take it personally that the players looked slower and slower with every passing month.

[Athlete]

No strategy, no vision and no hope.

Club dumbed down from top to bottom.

Think we really are heading for the abyss.

Not bearing well for the forthcoming season GB still at the helm

[Rover_Shaun]

Lets' move on to what should be Bowyers targets for the future.

It's all speculation though because we all know those at the top couldn't give a toss if we continue to comatose along in the championship indefinitely as long as there's something to skim off the top.

Bowyer has another season, that's painfully obvious.

Some are getting fed up of him, some are long since fed up of him, others are willing to give him a bit more time whilst some are happy with what he's doing.

The questions to me as we enter his 3rd full season are.

What is the minimum he has to achieve in the league this season?

And if we fall short will even his backers agree that after 3 seasons a change of direction is needed?

It's all well and good to say there should be a 5 year plan but surely if there is no sign of any positive improvement in 3 seasons or anything to suggest an improvement may arise it has to be time to part ways.

To me the minimum is a better season than the one before last. If we are not up there consistantly in the top 6 and around the top six (within a win) then he has to be moved on in May (not that it would happen). Otherwise what is the point?

Is that unrealistic given the tailor made excuse of FFP? Well yes. He's spent some decent money on what should now be a good spine to the team, to add to Rhodes, and other managers have done wonders on free transfers in the past.

The time for excuses is over. The time for results has arrived.

[K-Hod]

Absolutely Shaun, are we just supposed to plod along with no hope of ever having the embargo lifted? What is the point of life with no ambition?

What would GB have to do to get sacked?

Defacate on Mrs D's desk at his next meeting in Pune? Spark out Balaji when he's marvelling over his newest car? Interfere with one of the chickens at their hatcheries?

If the FFP excuse keeps being trotted out, then what are we doing to improve the situation? If it's nothing then who's responsible?

If QPR are challenging FFP why aren't we? Especially considering Leeds have been freed from their embargo, and 'Boro and Bolton haven't been embargoed despite fishy looking numbers and talk of 'Boro bidding for Rhodes with crowds not much bigger than ours!

[tomphil]

BALONEY!

Perhaps some at Rovers do read the board as Bowyer has addressed mine and others' claims that the team are unfit and the coaching/sports science team need a shake-up. The majority of the injuries were NOT impact injuries, Gary, so quit trying to peddle that rubbish. The number of hamstring niggles and other muscle injuries that kept players out clearly pointed to fundamental issues IMO. And GOOD that the medical team took it personally, so they should. Maybe they should take it personally that the players looked slower and slower with every passing month.

Yes he was definitely banging the drum for the fitness and medical people for sure in that article. Poor pitch may have contributed a bit last season plus younger players are still physically developing at different rates I suppose so that may play a part in niggles. At times the team has looked like it could and should have been fitter but other times they've looked fine putting in shift. Not sure how much of it is down to slow paced standing off style we usually employ. Are they unfit or does it just look that way ?

[Rover_Shaun]

(sorry I can't quote as works PC thinks the site is dodgy if I click quote)

Khod. I can stomach a 4th season of Bowyer's whingeing if he achieved the target I have set him. We don't have to make the play-offs we just have to show some advancement towards that aim.

It's not an impossible target or expectation...surely?

[Mike Graham]

Caring about the club is fine, not going to matches is fine, but if it's ok for some of you to constantly moan about the club/team/manager off then it's ok for those that still pay to attend to be insulted by that and do a bit of moaning in return.

Is that fair?

Errh yes it is :-)

[BlooBoy]

(sorry I can't quote as works PC thinks the site is dodgy if I click quote)

Khod. I can stomach a 4th season of Bowyer's whingeing if he achieved the target I have set him. We don't have to make the play-offs we just have to show some advancement towards that aim.

It's not an impossible target or expectation...surely?

Personally Shaun i think it is an impossible target.

Nothing in the last two seasons football wise shows that we are improving. Theres been nothing in those two seasons that show Bowyer has learnt from previous mistakes.Nothing that shows that we can kick on and nothing that shows the players can improve. And thats before the possible loss of either/both Gestede /Rhodes.

This so called strong squad maybe hasnt under achieved but was simply not good enough in the first place and that includes the management staff.

We need a very poor Championship to even think of getting anywhere near the top six ...

[Rover_Shaun]

Your confusing impossible with improbable