[Archived] The Gary Bowyer Thread

[JHRover]

I'm not going to judge the manager on our performance in the League Cup. To take an example Man Utd here humiliated 4-0 at MK Dons last season. That didn't suddenly make Van Gaal a bad manager or mean he had to be sacked early in the season.

As ever I will judge the manager on league results, performances and position. Nothing else. Not his interviews and not how much money his signings make. So far we've lost one out of one. If we are at the wrong end of the division I would support a change in manager, but as long as he keeps us clear of trouble as he has the last two seasons then I would be fine with him remaining in place until the embargo is out of the way and he has had chance to operate as any other manager has in spending money on strengthening.

Bowyer has done himself no favours whatsoever, and after last night the spotlight will rightly be on him this weekend.

If our league position and results dictates that we have to make a change in manager (though I don't think Venkys will sack him in any event) then I refuse to accept that no decent manager would want to work here. For all our problems and dysfunctional state a manager would look at us as a club with potential, with owners still putting the money in and almost complete independence on the football side of the club. Once again we have people who would be prepared to accept a rookie from League One/Two rather than showing some ambition and going for a proven winner along the lines of Nigel Pearson or Paul Lambert.

Bolton are skint yet managed to appoint Neil Lennon whilst bottom of the league and Forest have similar problems to ourselves yet appointed Davies, Pearce and Freedman (though I'm not a fan of the latter).

[arbitro]

I believe everyone starts the new season with a clean slate,bumley lost to port vale with 7 off the team that played at Leeds,Dyche out.

Most of the frustrations about Bowyer aren't based on two games and to use your Burnley analogy is nonsense. Dyche has had unprecedented success, quite simply Bowyer has, at the very best had us treading water.

[donnermeat]

I believe everyone starts the new season with a clean slate,bumley lost to port vale with 7 off the team that played at Leeds,Dyche out.

I couldn't care less about the Dingles. I care about Rovers and that last night was a terrible performance, another to add to the ever growing list might I add. As someone touched on earlier, his complacency and mediocrity filters down to the players and their performances. It really shows.

[Tom]

Why do people always use other clubs to justify their opinion?

Derby didn't go up last year so it's ok that we didn't, Burnley lost last night so it's not as bad that we did.

Focus on us, 2 games into the season and after a home defeat we really needed a win last night to settle the team now Saturday becomes a needlessly big game.

[Mani]

I'm worried that there's no progression tactically.

[JamieUK]

Sat next to the home dugout. Heard nothing from Bowyer all game, compare that with their manager - he never shut up. Even facing the pitch you could hear him screaming instructions to his side and I was 15 rows back. I just can't see how GB can inspire a side...

[scotty_beam_me_up]

I was Bowyer's biggest fan last year. Had loads of arguments before and after games with friends about him. Usual stuff you see on here.

However my opinion changed at the disabled supporters club end of season awards.

The players were all wheeled out and GB was asked to come forward and speak about the seasons events and how we move forward. I wasn't expecting Churchill but I was expecting some hope or some desire.

He wasn't speaking to an angry mob, he was speaking to a group of people just excited to be in a room with some of their heroes yet he looked uncomfortable and mumbled his way through an awful 5 minutes which just made me feel uncomfortable for the duration.

A manager needs to inspire and he can't do that. We will never have a promotion push under this man.

[roverandout]

Sevilla conceded 5 goals to Barcelona we only conceded 2 last night, so its not as bad as some people make out

[K-Hod]

I'm worried that there's no progression tactically.

Welcome to the other side, you've changed your tune!

[ABBEY]

Jamie , I posted on here same he just stood there like a rabbit caught in the headlights

[tomphil]

Ah, so that's where she ended up after Transvision Vamp...

Lol that's a blast from the past, I bet she's a right old boiler now ! Yeah Wendy Howard was it ? Can't remember but wish she'd come back at least she wasn't phased about asking direct questions.

[LDRover]

Lol that's a blast from the past, I bet she's a right old boiler now ! Yeah Wendy Howard was it ? Can't remember but wish she'd come back at least she wasn't phased about asking direct questions.

At least we couldn't have accused her of being on the gravy train as she didn't want your money honey.

[BRFC95]

Yeah Wendy Howard was it ?

Wendy James

[tomphil]

Two home defeats is not good,short memories as I thought on sat we were not too bad just poor officials.I missed the game last night and luckily was in a snakebite coma.

Calling for the managers head after two games is very poor,but sugar spoon fed supporters as Gordon calls you will throw the dummy out the pram.

Some clubs do not take the milk cup serious others do,like Mr Bowyer said he looked at squad players,P's how did O,Sullivan play.

It's not really about the defeats but the manner of them and the fact that despite whatever personnel get put out we see the same tired old displays and mistakes. O'Sully tried hard and looked like he had an idea but over egged everything a bit, trying too hard maybe and things didn't come off.

On another note don't be so arrogant as to criticize supporters who actually turn up to games, no spoon fed fans turn up to matches like these. Ironic that you make a poncey excuse of a hangover to not go but those who do and are angry at what they saw are wrong ? Man up or shut up

[JamieUK]

Jamie , I posted on here same he just stood there like a rabbit caught in the headlights

He spent more time talking to the fourth official than giving instructions / talking to the other staff.

There was an incident after their first goal - Nyambe left a boot in on one of their players. Their manager absolutely lost it - we'll never see that passion from our boss. There's too many people at this club - players, coaches, staff that just seem to be going through the motions. At full time the only player who looked bothered was John O'Sullivan - he had his hands on his head, the others were happy talking and smiling amongst themselves.

That said I don't think we need a massive overhall - just someone to put some passion back into the club and a rocket up a few arses.

[tomphil]

Sat next to the home dugout. Heard nothing from Bowyer all game, compare that with their manager - he never shut up. Even facing the pitch you could hear him screaming instructions to his side and I was 15 rows back. I just can't see how GB can inspire a side...

I sat right at the back of the JW but it was that quiet often you could hear a guy in the BBE screaming his opinions. Yes you could also often hear the Shrews bench but never ours they seem terrified of upsetting the players.

[sharpysharps]

Despite the transfer embargo I don't think Rovers would be short of interested candidates, and I also think it wouldn't be the worst thing in the World to pluck someone from Leagues One or Two. Gary Rowett is a decent example at Birmingham. Uew Rosler not so much from his time at Wigan, but there are definetely some good manager's out there in the lower leagues that would still take the chance at Rovers despite the off the pitch problems.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is certainly making a name for himself at Burton Albion. A guy who played at the very top level in England and knows what is required.

[martonrover]

Sevilla conceded 5 goals to Barcelona we only conceded 2 last night, so its not as bad as some people make out

Erm, Sevilla were playing the best team in Europe. We were playing Shrewsbury Town.

Just seen Bowyer's post match interview on Sky, grinning like a Cheshire Cat and cracking jokes about Rhodes.

Completely inappropriate after that debacle.

[JHRover]

Despite the transfer embargo I don't think Rovers would be short of interested candidates, and I also think it wouldn't be the worst thing in the World to pluck someone from Leagues One or Two. Gary Rowett is a decent example at Birmingham. Uew Rosler not so much from his time at Wigan, but there are definetely some good manager's out there in the lower leagues that would still take the chance at Rovers despite the off the pitch problems.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is certainly making a name for himself at Burton Albion. A guy who played at the very top level in England and knows what is required.

There's no point moaning about inexperience and then going for someone from League One or Two.

I'll say it until I'm blue in the face. If Bowyer leaves we have to go for someone with the experience and know how of operating in the Championship or higher. There are lots of people out there who would jump at the chance to work at a club with our infrastructure and resources. It is a myth that the best we can do is an Ainsworth or Hill from a lower division.

We did it with Ince and it failed. We did it with Appleton and it failed. Why do people want to look at candidates from below us when there are people available who are proven at this level and higher?

[J*B]

Erm, Sevilla were playing the best team in Europe. We were playing Shrewsbury Town.

Just seen Bowyer's post match interview on Sky, grinning like a Cheshire Cat and cracking jokes about Rhodes.

Completely inappropriate after that debacle.

Anyone got a link to this?

[davulsukur]

I am not bothered about what Bowyer does on the sidelines during a game, he could be sat on a potty with his trouser round his ankles for all I care. It's unlikely that many (if any) of the players are going to hear his constant cheer-leading chorus of doing "ever so well" or "give it a right good go" anyway.

The problem with Bowyer is that it seems he lacks any kind of authority over his squad. Last night, at half time, the players should have been absolutely cacking themselves about what Bowyers reaction was going to be. He should have torn strips off them in that changing room and demanded a huge improvement in each players performance.

[oldjamfan1]

I am not bothered about what Bowyer does on the sidelines during a game, he could be sat on a potty with his trouser round his ankles for all I care. It's unlikely that many (if any) of the players are going to hear his constant cheer-leading chorus of doing "ever so well" or "give it a right good go" anyway.

The problem with Bowyer is that it seems he lacks any kind of authority over his squad. Last night, at half time, the players should have been absolutely cacking themselves about what Bowyers reaction was going to be. He should have torn strips off them in that changing room and demanded a huge improvement in each players performance.

To be fair, and this isn't a defence of Bowyer, but you don't actually know for a fact that he didn't do exactly that. Bollock them at half time, that is, not sit on a potty with his kecks round his ankles......

[sharpysharps]

There's no point moaning about inexperience and then going for someone from League One or Two.

I'll say it until I'm blue in the face. If Bowyer leaves we have to go for someone with the experience and know how of operating in the Championship or higher. There are lots of people out there who would jump at the chance to work at a club with our infrastructure and resources. It is a myth that the best we can do is an Ainsworth or Hill from a lower division.

We did it with Ince and it failed. We did it with Appleton and it failed. Why do people want to look at candidates from below us when there are people available who are proven at this level and higher?

Sorry, I don't recall moaning about inexperience fella...I have moaned about Bowyer never learning his lessons though, which you can't put down to inexperience anymore after 2 full seaosns in the job.

Just making the point that there are some decent manager's out there that might not necessarily be on everyone's lips, i'm sure you would agree with that. E.G. Look at who Norwich got last season to get them firing, his previous experience was getting Hamilton promoted to the SPL. It is not as simple as 'that guy has experience' every time. Not every 'experienced' manager is a success wherever they go...just saying.

You could say Nigel Adkins is proven in the championship based on his efforts with Southampton...but then look how he did at Reading.

[DE.]

Can't imagine an angry Bowyer being anything other than comedic.

[davulsukur]

To be fair, and this isn't a defence of Bowyer, but you don't actually know for a fact that he didn't do exactly that. Bollock them at half time, that is, not sit on a potty with his kecks round his ankles......

I don't know it for a fact but whatever he said, it wasn't enough.