[Archived] Bowyer

[DE.]

Yes, clearly he is. People have been saying that for years. Fact is though that when he is fit he should start. He is Premier League and that fact that he's still with us is down to his injury record. Point being that if he was consistently available he wouldn't be in the second tier of football.

If Rochina and Campbell were available at the moment then I doubt very much we'd be having half the discussions on this messageboard. Knee jerk? Short sighted? Bowyer should go? Lack of quality? On and on, round and round.

Agreed on Dunn but that only confirms we should be looking for a replacement of similar ilk, even if it's very unlikely said replacement will be on the same level technically as David.

A word on Rochina and Campbell - Rochina himself is showing worrying signs of injury proneness, and let's face it, it's very unlikely he'll be around for much longer. He's destined for bigger things than playing in a mid-table Championship team imo. As for DJ, not really a creative player, 31 years old and not a stranger to the treatment room either.

If Bowyer wants to continue playing the current formation we really do need to solve the creative midfielder issue. Getting in ANOTHER squad player isn't ideal, but the only reason we're bloated is because Kean, he-who-shall-not-be-named, Shebby and the rest of the motley crew saddled us with an ungodly amount of Portuguese dross immediately following relegation. Just because we can't immediately shift them doesn't mean we should refuse to bring in any other players if the right player is out there to play a specific role we require.

[bob fleming]

Rochina himself is showing worrying signs of injury proneness, and let's face it, it's very unlikely he'll be around for much longer. He's destined for bigger things than playing in a mid-table Championship team imo.

As for DJ, not really a creative player, 31 years old and not a stranger to the treatment room either.

If Bowyer wants to continue playing the current formation we really do need to solve the creative midfielder issue. Getting in ANOTHER squad player isn't ideal, but the only reason we're bloated is because Kean, he-who-shall-not-be-named, Shebby and the rest of the motley crew saddled us with an ungodly amount of Portuguese dross immediately following relegation. Just because we can't immediately shift them doesn't mean we should refuse to bring in any other players if the right player is out there to play a specific role we require.

Para 1 - so he's a younger David Dunn then?!?

Para 2 - agreed, but he could play up there with Rhodes - another option

Para 3 - the whole crux of our situation summed up in a nut shell. All that crap floating about, all those contracts paid up, Etutu (is he still alive?). There has to be a line drawn somewhere surely!? "Here's your budget for the season Gary, wheel and deal please" - none of that whatsoever. So fair enough get another one or two midfielders / "No 10's" in then on loan! Is it a bottomless pit?

[DE.]

Para 1 - so he's a younger David Dunn then?!?

Para 2 - agreed, but he could play up there with Rhodes - another option

Para 3 - the whole crux of our situation summed up in a nut shell. All that crap floating about, all those contracts paid up, Etutu (is he still alive?). There has to be a line drawn somewhere surely!? "Here's your budget for the season Gary, wheel and deal please" - none of that whatsoever. So fair enough get another one or two midfielders / "No 10's" in then on loan! Is it a bottomless pit?

I don't think we'll be able to find somebody on a similar level to Dunny, unfortunately, but even if we had someone with half his ability it would be better than trying to play DJ or Cairney in that role.

The difference between what we've done in the recent past (just bring in ridiculous amounts of the same type of player or players in positions we don't need) and now is that we can clearly see from current performances that we're missing that creative link between midfield and attack. It's also clear we realistically have nobody reliable to fill that gap and therefore at best we're trying to shove square pegs into round holes.

It's possible that there genuinely is nobody out there who can fill this role at the moment - and if so then we'll have to make do. What irks me is that I don't think we're even looking. This is a glaring problem that will stop us from successfully playing the system Bowyer wants, and I fear neither Dunn nor Rochina is the long-term answer to this problem. Why we brought in the likes of Judge and Marrow rather than bring in a creative midfielder is beyond me, but Bowyer will not succeed without a Dunn/Rochina type playing in his preferred formation. The only other option is to change style, but that in of itself is a risk when we know this system works when the right personnel are involved.

[West Yorks Rover]

David Goodwillie scored a HT tonight in SLC against Partick Thistle.

Bring him back quick !!!!

[G Somerset Rover]

What does seem strange is we have moved Cairney out of his best deep lying midfield role into the number ten position and weakened ourselves twice. Firstly losing his ability deeper in midfield and also in wasting him further forward.

This in a nutshell. By all accounts Dunn is not fit for Bournemouth - and probably Watford & Wigan too. So I really hope that Bowyer tries something else. We need to play Cairney deeper in CM and either play 2 up top or give Judge a go in the number 10 role. In an ideal world we'd get a loan in but this quite blatantly is not going to happen now.

I also saw that Zaha didn't even get on the pitch in their Carling Cup tie last night. Come on Moyes, sort your 'mate' Shaw out.

[Blackpool_Rover]

When I saw this thread I thought it would be praising Bowyer!

Complete morons on this board who don't understand football or Rovers. This is the happiest I have been since Venky's took over. The fact is we AREN'T a big club and we have NO RIGHT to be back in the premier league without rebuilding and hard work. Bowyer is doing a great job rebuilding and any Rovers fan with half a brain would be happy with a top 10 finish this year.

[RibbleValleyRover]

If injuries have had a major impact on his tactics and therefore ultimately results then change them. If there is no player to sit behind the striker in a no.10 role then instead of putting a square peg in a round hole make changes. Good managers make tactical changes depending on the players available even if only for the short term to keep things ticking over until they come back.

[West Yorks Rover]

This in a nutshell. By all accounts Dunn is not fit for Bournemouth - and probably Watford & Wigan too. So I really hope that Bowyer tries something else. We need to play Cairney deeper in CM and either play 2 up top or give Judge a go in the number 10 role. In an ideal world we'd get a loan in but this quite blatantly is not going to happen now.

I also saw that Zaha didn't even get on the pitch in their Carling Cup tie last night. Come on Moyes, sort your 'mate' Shaw out.

I will wager that Moyes thinks Shaw is a right plonker, and any success he had at PNE was in spite of Lofty, rather than because of him.

I would fancy going 2 up top at B/mouth to start, we need to be far more positive away from home. IMO.

[EgyptianPete]

I will wager that Moyes thinks Shaw is a right plonker, and any success he had at PNE was in spite of Lofty, rather than because of him.

I would fancy going 2 up top at B/mouth to start, we need to be far more positive away from home. IMO.

Ha i thought you meant 2-0 up for a moment, now that would be something of a change.

[West Yorks Rover]

Ha i thought you meant 2-0 up for a moment, now that would be something of a change.

It must be the chemicals in the beer !

That's what the ' Real Ale ' crowd used to say to me anyway.

[Steve Kean's Hypnotoad]

When I saw this thread I thought it would be praising Bowyer!

Complete morons on this board who don't understand football or Rovers. This is the happiest I have been since Venky's took over. The fact is we AREN'T a big club and we have NO RIGHT to be back in the premier league without rebuilding and hard work. Bowyer is doing a great job rebuilding and any Rovers fan with half a brain would be happy with a top 10 finish this year.

All I heard on this board last season was the word rebuilding. Berg needs to be given time to rebuild, Appleton needs to be given time to rebuild, now its Bowyer. The fact is Bowyer's first spell last season was better than his second, and his second was better than this season has been so far. There seems to be no way to distinguish between rebuilding and failing until about 1-2 years down the line, and every year we're in this division we'll have to sell more high earners. Ever since Kean was sacked we've needed someone experienced, effective and fast. Someone who can get in, get us sorted and get us out of this division before we rack up another massive financial loss.

Rebuilding at the moment feels like Bowyer pondering which wallpaper pattern he likes whilst the bailiffs are walking past him carrying the sofa.

[Majiball]

I will wager that Moyes thinks Shaw is a right plonker, and any success he had at PNE was in spite of Lofty, rather than because of him.

I would fancy going 2 up top at B/mouth to start, we need to be far more positive away from home. IMO.

You only need to chat to him for one minute before your thinking, how on earth are you running a football club?

[West Yorks Rover]

All I heard on this board last season was the word rebuilding. Berg needs to be given time to rebuild, Appleton needs to be given time to rebuild, now its Bowyer. The fact is Bowyer's first spell last season was better than his second, and his second was better than this season has been so far. There seems to be no way to distinguish between rebuilding and failing until about 1-2 years down the line, and every year we're in this division we'll have to sell more high earners. Ever since Kean was sacked we've needed someone experienced, effective and fast. Someone who can get in, get us sorted and get us out of this division before we rack up another massive financial loss.

Rebuilding at the moment feels like Bowyer pondering which wallpaper pattern he likes whilst the bailiffs are walking past him carrying the sofa.

I wonder whether the money has dried up or in fact Venky's are being told by Shaw etc, that we can't spend any more because of FFP,

bearing in mind that we are in so much debt now anyway, I would have been inclined to go for bust this season and spend £8-10m on 2-3 quality

players(not has beens from the prem mind) to have a real go at getting back up.

We are in real trouble anyway, if we're still in this league next season.

Maybe they should worry about FFP later !

Might not be too late to go for it, if we are around the the play-offs in Jan - looking like a big if at the moment mind !

[darrenrover]

I wonder whether the money has dried up or in fact Venky's are being told by Shaw etc, that we can't spend any more because of FFP,

bearing in mind that we are in so much debt now anyway, I would have been inclined to go for bust this season and spend £8-10m on 2-3 quality

players(not has beens from the prem mind) to have a real go at getting back up.

We are in real trouble anyway, if we're still in this league next season.

Maybe they should worry about FFP later !

Might not be too late to go for it, if we are around the the play-offs in Jan - looking like a big if at the moment mind !

Just imagine Balaji and Shebby down the smoke wondering what to do next?

We all know that the best we can hope for is a bit of stability, mid table come Christmas with perhaps a push for the play offs if as and when all our current squads fit.

I guess they may also be contemplating how best to get shut of what remains of the Portugese no marks, Etuhu et al that Singh embarrassingly sanctioned last summer.

The best the pair of them could do is give GB a cheque to sign what we know is required and bugger off back from where they came, leaving those that know about football to get on with their jobs unhindered.

Delegate authority for goodness sake but don't abdicate!

[Rover_Shaun]

I have serious reservations about Bowyer being given large amounts of money to spend. But thats just me.

[Guest Norbert]

I can see where you're coming from-Bowyer is too much of a novice for us to be confident, and some managers are just better on a tight budget.

[West Yorks Rover]

I have serious reservations about Bowyer being given large amounts of money to spend. But thats just me.

Always a risk I suppose, but maybe better with a couple of real quality players from Spain on loan, most clubs there, are struggling to pay

the wages, and if they don't work out at least we're not stuck with them.

I hope nobody comes on and says ' yeah, but they won't want to play for us '

That's rubbish ! there are dozens not being paid properly, they'll come for the money and hopefully, if they're from a decent

Spanish club they will be professional enough to do a job for us.

Bring it on, I say and lets not forget we have great facilities, go and sell the club to them GB.

Thinking about it, that's what this club needs at the moment, a bloody good confident individual running things

from the top,that confidence will flow through to the manager and the rest in no time at all.

Boy oh Boy, I wish the Rao's would listen, plenty of good people out there !

Just get in touch with a firm of headhunters, problem solved !

Sorry folks I think this turned into a bit of a rant, and I know we'll probably stick with Lofty, loan no one and end up

finishing around 16th place.

[yoda's brother]

When I saw this thread I thought it would be praising Bowyer!

Complete morons on this board who don't understand football or Rovers. This is the happiest I have been since Venky's took over. The fact is we AREN'T a big club and we have NO RIGHT to be back in the premier league without rebuilding and hard work. Bowyer is doing a great job rebuilding and any Rovers fan with half a brain would be happy with a top 10 finish this year.

in your opinion of course

not saying i agree or disagree with you.

[chaddyrovers]

When I saw this thread I thought it would be praising Bowyer!

Complete morons on this board who don't understand football or Rovers. This is the happiest I have been since Venky's took over. The fact is we AREN'T a big club and we have NO RIGHT to be back in the premier league without rebuilding and hard work. Bowyer is doing a great job rebuilding and any Rovers fan with half a brain would be happy with a top 10 finish this year.

I agree with most of your post there.

Bowyer need to be given time and patience from fans. Bowyer has had to rebuild the playing squad whilst cutting the wage bill.

Bowyer has brought in 13 players this summer and it will take time for those players to gel and become a team. look at Watford last season who were in bottom 6 for the first 12 or 13 games before the squad gel and they starting winning back to back games and climbing the table.

look how long Forest and Derby have been in this league??? for years. Nigel Clough at Derby has said at the start of the season that it has took him 3 or 4 years to build a side good enough to challenged for Promotion this season. This could be what Rovers might have to do.

I have serious reservations about Bowyer being given large amounts of money to spend. But thats just me.

why?

We have only bought 2 players this summer for Cash. both Players who have played and experience of this league in Marshall and Evans. both are very good players. Marshall is a player I've wanted Rovers for the past 2 seasons. similar player to Bentley in my view and quality at this level but Pearson knock his confidence out of his game

[den]

Marshall is a player I've wanted Rovers for the past 2 seasons. similar player to Bentley in my view and quality at this level

Did you watch a lot of Leicesters games Chaddy?

[Rover_Shaun]

Why do you think he wouldn't based on his hit and miss transfer record with next to nowt?

Hughes is a great manager on a tight budget but struggles when given any real money to play with

As fas as Bowyer is concerned I have no real reason other then he's a bit green, seems too nice and his actual purchases leave a bit to be desired so far in Marshall and to a lesser extent Evans and some of his freebies are total duckeggs like marrow and judge. The jury is out on the likes of Taylor and Kilgallon as well

Just not confident enough that he can spot a player, especially if we are hypothetically giving him a few million to spend. Being the main man is a long way away from the comfort of youth team.

Plus would we want to give funds to a manager who's results trend is a downward one? (each period worse than the last)

but I suppose that's where you end up when you go down the cheap and pliable managerial road and the owners lack ambition despite wasting enough money for 2 promotions.

Personally. And I will be flamed for this, I think the time will come when the owners will need to seriously think about making a real push for promotion in order to claw back some of the mammoth losses (yes I am giving them way too much credit) and my gut feeling has always been, and still is, that Bowyer hasn't got what it takes. I am fairly happy with him at the moment because I don't harbour fancy notions of promotion. The club's current ambition is that of mid table anonymity and Bowyer fits in with that. But there surely will come the day when...........

. Marshall is a player I've wanted Rovers for the past 2 seasons. similar player to Bentley in my view

hardly a massive endorsement unless you are being silly enough to compare him to what Bentley was?

[T.J.Newton]

what manager isn't hit and miss as far as transfers are concerned,

add to that the fact there are very little funds available and we are currently a mid table championship team that now has a dreadful reputation having spent the last few years being dragged through the mud and so cant attract higher calibre/reputation players without paying way over the odds(and even then we can only attract mercanaries/vultures ie. Murphy)

As for Hughes he's never managed at this level so who knows how he'd handle the many differences of being outside the premiership.

[Rover_Shaun]

What difference?

Ball. Onion bag. Put ball in onion bag

The key TJ is to get one that has more hits than misses. We went for the big unknown.

But the beauty of having little regard for our chances (in reference to my way of thinking) is that the only way your opinion can go is up

[K-Hod]

Why do you think he wouldn't based on his hit and miss transfer record with next to nowt?

Hughes is a great manager on a tight budget but struggles when given any real money to play with

As fas as Bowyer is concerned I have no real reason other then he's a bit green, seems too nice and his actual purchases leave a bit to be desired so far in Marshall and to a lesser extent Evans and some of his freebies are total duckeggs like marrow and judge. The jury is out on the likes of Taylor and Kilgallon as well as Williamson (bit of a crock so far)

Just not confident enough that he can spot a player, especially if we are hypothetically giving him a few million to spend. Being the main man is a long way away from the comfort of youth team.

Plus would we want to give funds to a manager who's results trend is a downward one? (each period worse than the last)

but I suppose that's where you end up when you go down the cheap and pliable managerial road and the owners lack ambition despite wasting enough money for 2 promotions.

hardly a massive endorsement unless you are being silly enough to compare him to what Bentley was?

A bit harsh to write Judge off already.

[darrenrover]

Just imagine Balaji and Shebby down the smoke wondering what to do next?

We all know that the best we can hope for is a bit of stability, mid table come Christmas with perhaps a push for the play offs if as and when all our current squads fit.

I guess they may also be contemplating how best to get shut of what remains of the Portugese no marks, Etuhu et al that Singh embarrassingly sanctioned last summer.

The best the pair of them could do is give GB a cheque to sign what we know is required and bugger off back from where they came, leaving those that know about football to get on with their jobs unhindered.

Delegate authority for goodness sake but don't abdicate!

I'm being deadly serious by the way but in my opinion of course.