[Archived] The Gary Bowyer Thread

[Stuart]

His Love For Hanley & Lowe is totally beyond me

Grow a pair please GB........

He has changed players for every position over his term as a manager apart from these 2 ...... They have been found wanting over the last 3-4 years over & over again but he keeps picking them .....

Lowe looks totally flat footed and unfit ......and needs dropping

When will he realise that they hold very very Important positions which decide which way a game will end .....😡

The problem with Hanley is not just his own performances - which can be hit and miss - it's that he is in a position where he is meant to be a leader of men. I just see the school bully pointing and telling everyone else what they are doing wrong, or nothing. I don't see him organising or marshalling, and unless he does it very discretely I don't see much in the way of encouragement. He needs to be led but it seems that only a change in manager, a long term injury, or being sold (which Bowyer would block) will ever see him lose the arm band. Even this week he has been saying that he doesn't want to sell Hanley as he is integral to the team. With players like Gestede and Rhodes he has just said that everyone has a price. I genuinely don't understand it.

[West Yorks Rover]

The problem with Hanley is not just his own performances - which can be hit and miss - it's that he is in a position where he is meant to be a leader of men. I just see the school bully pointing and telling everyone else what they are doing wrong, or nothing. I don't see him organising or marshalling, and unless he does it very discretely I don't see much in the way of encouragement. He needs to be led but it seems that only a change in manager, a long term injury, or being sold (which Bowyer would block) will ever see him lose the arm band. Even this week he has been saying that he doesn't want to sell Hanley as he is integral to the team. With players like Gestede and Rhodes he has just said that everyone has a price. I genuinely don't understand it.

Maybe it's because Gestede and Rhodes don't rate him, and he knows it.

Both intelligent lads apparently.

[47er]

The problem with Hanley is not just his own performances - which can be hit and miss - it's that he is in a position where he is meant to be a leader of men. I just see the school bully pointing and telling everyone else what they are doing wrong, or nothing. I don't see him organising or marshalling, and unless he does it very discretely I don't see much in the way of encouragement. He needs to be led but it seems that only a change in manager, a long term injury, or being sold (which Bowyer would block) will ever see him lose the arm band. Even this week he has been saying that he doesn't want to sell Hanley as he is integral to the team. With players like Gestede and Rhodes he has just said that everyone has a price. I genuinely don't understand it.

Hanley deserves his place on today's showing but the midfield.....!!!!

[Stuart]

Hanley deserves his place on today's showing but the midfield.....!!!!

Not at the expense of Kilgallon. In his spell last season he proved he was up to the task as captain. As soon as chopper is fit, Killa is dropped!

[47er]

Not at the expense of Kilgallon. In his spell last season he proved he was up to the task as captain. As soon as chopper is fit, Killa is dropped!

I responded to Chaddy's selections earlier in the week by saying "Kilgallon in for me". I deliberately didn't say who I'd drop for him.

But I wouldn't drop Hanley after today.

[JAL]

The next two games are going to be massive for team GB.

[RevidgeBlue]

I don't know what to say after today. The manager started with a formation that clearly wasn't working, to his credit GB changed it after 35mins and it worked. Then he changed it back to the original system that wasn't working at half time!

Where do you go after that? The most charitable explanation you can put on it is that Delfi drifted inside of his own accord and was told to go back out wide during the interval. Either way whatever he did sparked an improvement and GB should have recognised that and gone with the change.

Could do with a minimum 4 points from the next two games now otherwise the pressure will start to mount quite quickly.

[ABBEY]

Just stating historical facts Abbey.

That would be the same Tony Fernandes who appointed his first team coach to become manager, got relegated and then gave him the gig on a permanent basis. Clearly an owner who sees the value in having a manager who is also a coach. Glad you've finally come round to that way of thinking Stuart.

No I think Jordan is still here unless 'Boro make a better offer.

So Rhodes is now numb nuts ?

[scotchrover]

I don't know what to say after today. The manager started with a formation that clearly wasn't working, to his credit GB changed it after 35mins and it worked. Then he changed it back to the original system that wasn't working at half time!

Where do you go after that? The most charitable explanation you can put on it is that Delfi drifted inside of his own accord and was told to go back out wide during the interval. Either way whatever he did sparked an improvement and GB should have recognised that and gone with the change.

Could do with a minimum 4 points from the next two games now otherwise the pressure will start to mount quite quickly.

Surely you've got to agree that our best performance was in the first 35 mins? We got stuck into them and pressed quite high up.

[Parsonblue]

So Rhodes is now numb nuts ?

If you say so Abbey, if you say so. Personally, I don't think anyone is but that phrase keeps cropping up on here for some reason.

[RevidgeBlue]

Surely you've got to agree that our best performance was in the first 35 mins? We got stuck into them and pressed quite high up.

I thought we were only really good for the first 15 mins or so then our tempo and performance levels tapered off progressively the longer the game went on until the introduction of Koita with 10-15 mins to go.

Regardless of that Marshall in the hole and Delft on the right didn't work at all on the day GB started like that, changed it after 35 mins (we looked better) changed it back at HT (we looked worse) then Delfy went up front for about 5 mins before he was subbed and we and he immediately looked better again. Then he was taken off and Koita looked a complete step up in class altogether Imo.

[Pedro]

Henley was desperate to have support on the right wing 2nd half. Really strange formation for 10 mins with Rhodes, Marshall and Delfoneso crammed in the centre.

First 20 mins we were very good. Closed the ball down, lots of passion and energy....then we went straight back to typical, gutless, Bowyer football. Sat back, pretended to close down, didn't go forwards with purpose and kept taking momentum out of the attack by pulling the ball back.

I'd love to know why.

[SoldierMo]

Gb needs to be sacked clueless

[USABlue]

Who said he isn't Keanesque?

Wee Stevie would be proud. 3000%

After the game today he spewed out the dreaded words "they can see what we are trying to do here". Oh dear. Sadly this man is the in same unsackable situation as the dark lord. His wheeling and dealing and profits have probably cemented his job for like with madame.

[USABlue]

His Love For Hanley & Lowe is totally beyond me

Grow a pair please GB........

He has changed players for every position over his term as a manager apart from these 2 ...... They have been found wanting over the last 3-4 years over & over again but he keeps picking them .....

Lowe looks totally flat footed and unfit ......and needs dropping

When will he realise that they hold very very Important positions which decide which way a game will end .....😡

Bewilders me too.

[JBiz]

As he is GBs captain, this is the correct thread to say I honestly felt Grant Hanley was very good yesterday. We can talk all day about how Killa should be in, but long term - the benefit of playing Duffy and Hanley as the first choice is obvious.

Hanley looked for, strong, decent in the air and back to us timing and ball reading- similarly Duffy looked good in the air and confident with the ball at his feet. I'd try to keep them together all season, because they will get better.

[USABlue]

As he is GBs captain, this is the correct thread to say I honestly felt Grant Hanley was very good yesterday. We can talk all day about how Killa should be in, but long term - the benefit of playing Duffy and Hanley as the first choice is obvious.

Hanley looked for, strong, decent in the air and back to us timing and ball reading- similarly Duffy looked good in the air and confident with the ball at his feet. I'd try to keep them together all season, because they will get better.

Let'a hope so.

[Paul]

That's why things are improving under Gary den. If you are going to lose players far better to get fees for them rather than pay them off!

Clearly quite true but if this is progress it doesn't leave us with much hope. I agree with much of your earlier post re our history etc. however there is one huge "BUT" to put in there.

The last 20+ years has proven that the money in the modern game coupled with good club and team management can bring success and achievement to a club the size of Rovers. We have proved it and other teams continue to do so. For me this us why accepting our current position is simply not good enough.

[Parsonblue]

Clearly quite true but if this is progress it doesn't leave us with much hope. I agree with much of your earlier post re our history etc. however there is one huge "BUT" to put in there.

The last 20+ years has proven that the money in the modern game coupled with good club and team management can bring success and achievement to a club the size of Rovers. We have proved it and other teams continue to do so. For me this us why accepting our current position is simply not good enough.

I wouldn't disagree with any of that Paul, but the problem at the moment rests with the FFP regulations which seems to act against owners actually investing in their own businesses. I suspect both Middlesbrough and Derby know if they don't go up this time then they will be under an embargo next season. Our owners clearly have the cash - which seems to be the only thing keeping us afloat at present - and ultimately, whoever takes over from them is going have to come up with similar substantial amounts to keep it going in the short term at least. Somehow I don't see a queue forming to do that.

[Waggy76]

By continuing the employment of Bowyer our owners are putting two fingers up , to every single Blackburn Rovers supporter !

His tenure will ultimately lead too relegation ....

[Stuart]

As he is GBs captain, this is the correct thread to say I honestly felt Grant Hanley was very good yesterday. We can talk all day about how Killa should be in, but long term - the benefit of playing Duffy and Hanley as the first choice is obvious.

Hanley looked for, strong, decent in the air and back to us timing and ball reading- similarly Duffy looked good in the air and confident with the ball at his feet. I'd try to keep them together all season, because they will get better.

Matt Kilgallon is 31 and has vast amounts of experience in the game. He was given the arm band late last season and stood up to the job well. We looked more solid under his leadership. He has no real resale value and we are paying him a wage. Surely he is best used on the field? Particularly as we look weak defensively without him? The fact that Bowyer feels Hanley is the best captain is another reason to want Bowyer to step down.

This isn't a new thing. He and Lowe have been played whenever they return to fitness, even at the expense of bringing to a halt a run of good form.

[Stuart]

I wouldn't disagree with any of that Paul, but the problem at the moment rests with the FFP regulations which seems to act against owners actually investing in their own businesses. I suspect both Middlesbrough and Derby know if they don't go up this time then they will be under an embargo next season. Our owners clearly have the cash - which seems to be the only thing keeping us afloat at present - and ultimately, whoever takes over from them is going have to come up with similar substantial amounts to keep it going in the short term at least. Somehow I don't see a queue forming to do that.

If we need to break this cycle then we are going to have to bring in more bums on seats and more sponsorship. To do that, we are going to need to bring success, or at least excitement, on the pitch. With Bowyer we get neither.

I know you don't like it and you think that all Rovers fans should be loyal through the bad times and keep robotically shelling out their hard earned cash regardless of what rubbish Bowyer serves up while he's doing his apprenticeship but that's not how the world works.

You can hide behind FFP all you like but our problems are of Venkys, and Bowyer's, making.

[donnermeat]

Kilgallon should be first choice CB no doubt, both Duffy and Hanley play better with him and have a much more assured performance.

The Hanley/Duffy partnership yesterday was certainly an improvement on last season (and the Wigan friendly), but it has to be Killa for me, he's always shown enough when he's played. I also feel a defender's prime is about 2 years later than a midfielder or forward, they're still fit yet have that experience too. Killa is about that age now.

[Pedro]

If we need to break this cycle then we are going to have to bring in more bums on seats and more sponsorship. To do that, we are going to need to bring success, or at least excitement, on the pitch. With Bowyer we get neither.

I know you don't like it and you think that all Rovers fans should be loyal through the bad times and keep robotically shelling out their hard earned cash regardless of what rubbish Bowyer serves up while he's doing his apprenticeship but that's not how the world works.

You can hide behind FFP all you like but our problems are of Venkys, and Bowyer's, making.

I agree, the only thing that will see me walk away from Rovers is boredom and a lack of passion on the pitch. This is what has been served to us throughout Bowyer's tenure. The first 20mins had the fans going, tackles were going in, the ball was going forwards, Rhodes was being a nuisance, chasing the ball to the touchline (at long last!) That is exactly how a Championship side should play their way out of this division. Unfortunately then, we sat back...and Bowyer looked on, motionless and contented.

This isn't an overreaction to a single defeat, it is a judgement made over a long time - That man is not worthy of being our manager. He won't ever be capable of getting promotion and he would be best of as Venky's chief liason officer at the club and let a man with brains and balls take the helm.

[Riverside67]

Having harped on about Bowyer for the last two seasons there is no need to look further than than the stats

Two goals given away again at home away says it all

He learns nothing and never will