[Archived] Rovers v. Charlton Athletic - Saturday 19th October - 3pm kick off.

[Tom]

We all know what Rhodes is capable of but that doesn't change the fact that on the day he probably did offer less than his strike partner who is coming in for more stick because he looks grumpy apparently

Rhodes is far superior but he was crap yesterday and that wasn't solely down to lack of service IMO he just had a bad day and gave the ball away nearly every time he attempted to link up play but was far from alone in that

On his day he controls the through ball from Cairney and puts us 1-0 up but he couldn't and a minute later they took the lead, that's just football

[92er]

But is is an indisputable fact that given the service he will score.

Last season I was discussing with a pal Rhodes' goal scoring. My pal, who went to every match last season, reckoned Rhodes basically never missed a chance that came his way and also reckoned that a high percentage of the goals he scored were mistakes by the opposition.

Things have obviously changed this season. Rhodes appears not to score all the chances he gets, and the opposition seem to create fewer chances for him! I don't fully understand why this is-do other teams feel less intimidated by us, for example? Are we putting less pressure on the other teams? Have they just sussed us?

Maybe GB needs to look at any difference in play by us over the 2 seasons and see if we can in turn pressure other teams into improving our creativity!

[Blue blood]

Marshall looks like being one poor signing. He's young granted but I've seen nothing to date that shows he's got anything about him. I thought we'd signed some skillful attacker who was capable of the extraordinary? He'd look average in league one.

Agree. Looked very average - not even a spark of promise on display yesterday. People saying it's confidence (or lack of) - I hope so as confidence can be rebuilt whereas a lack of ability can't. Not sure what he's meant to offer and even Lowe had more of an impact offensively then he did.

Didn't like the way Best perfrormed yesterday. Lazy. As the highest paid player he has ability but seems to demand the ball should have been played different and it not he's fault when an attack breaks down. Ok we've been unable to hold on to players and attrack/afford players (don't want to go into whose fault because we have moved on now) but we are in the long rebuild process of and playing Best with this attitude isn't going to help team spirit.

Best's attitude let him down big time. Added to which he gave the ball away far too often, hardly won a single header and has a horrendous first touch.

He did however produce two excellent moves and at times kept the ball well so it's frustrating that he plays so badly the rest of the time. From yesterdays performance imo 5% was up there with the best of any striker in the division - problem was about 80% of what he did was gash. Not consistent enough, and not sure his attitude will change to make him worth persevering with.

We badly missed Corey Evans. I've heard on the grapevine that Evans is out for 3 months! Press release tomorrow. I really do hope my source has been misinformed!

Gutting if true. Think he was really, really badly missed. To me our most important player, as he allows both the 4-4-2 and 4-5-1 to work well.

Bowyer needs to learn how to break teams down, Huddersfield were also the same and Bowyer seems to lack the tactical nous to make the correct changes.

Judge and Taylor should be ahead of Marshall in the pecking order, Marshall was very poor.

I really hope Evans isn't out for 2 months.

Agree with all of this. We do seem to lack nous and tactical insight.

To be fair to Bowyer going 4-2-3-1 helped massively and was a positive move. It was the substitutions and tactics after that, that saw us lose all attacking threat. I suspect if we'd have kept that formation, and taken off Marshall instead of King we might have got an equalizer.

[Amo]

without wishing to single out one of many "this should have been three points" posts, I feel this kind of attitude typifies quite an admirable but doomed optimism about just where this team is capable of going

we are a mid table Championship side at best which will probably, given good fortune, win enough games to stay out of trouble

Practically no game in this division will be "an easy three points"

Most games will see us up against sides with more experienced managers and squads of similarly competent players no less extravagantly talented than our own

Have a look at our sides - only Hanley and Rhodes could genuinely have aspirations of ever being Premiership players in the future, maybe Kane if he improves massively, King if he progressed inexorably from the fitful, raw talent he is at present.

The rest are a collection of players who for whatever reason have been deemed surplus to requirements by clubs in the top flight or Football League journeymen.

Why then do we constantly assume, after two wins, that we are "set to make a playoff charge"?

It's almost as much of an over reaction as people calling for the gaffer's head when ŵe lose two

All summer we have head the mantra "we've signed young British players who are hungry to do well" as if that guarantees success and Bowyer had somehow unearthed the lost secrets of alchemy.

That's probably what everyone else's fans think - Burnley, Blackpool, Leeds, Forest,,,we have to finish above most of the league to get in the play-offs and to my mind there's been no sign that will happen

The only thing that distinguishes us from a morass of similar sides is the weekly wage bill we're lashing out on players nowhere near worth it. you can just about argue Rhodes saved us from almost certain relegation if we hadn't had him so wasn't exactly money down the toilet but most of our outlay for the last two seasons has been

Even Bowyer himself this week warned that there might be times when this side loses 3 in a row - such an unthinkable concept when we came down that Shebby and the goons who gave him a stage and egged him on had a room full of fans applauding him when he nominated such a sequence as a certain sacking scenario

take away the silly money and we are practically back to the Saxton days - an honest, moderate side in the second flight capable of beating most of our rivals on the day but equally capable of losing points in practically every game

until we accept the manifest reality that this is in no shape or form a side that will go up - remember three of four play off sides end up crushed by failure too - we will continue in this cycle of exaggerating the reaction to every win and every draw

Good points. A reality check is badly needed. We're a mid-table side who almost faced League One football last season due to a number of disastrous decisions on and off the pitch. We've had a high turnover of new players, our two playmakers are out injured, and we have an earnest yet rookie manager learning the trade. Yesterday's result was disappointing but I certainly wasn't expecting the cakewalk that many were, nor a Pirlo-esque performance from Lowe in a 5-0 drubbing that one crackpot felt entitled to. I still have hope that if we can get a settled eleven, we'll be dark horses for the playoffs, but as it stands we really don't have a divine right to batter anyone in this league, no matter how large our wagebill is.

[roversfan99]

I don't understand why people feel the need to embed the points made into a bigger picture. People are commenting on one match and being shot down for being unrealistic.

All that many people who went yesterday are saying that, as an isolated performance, yesterday was very poor. We lacked urgency, we lacked ideas and invention. Rhodes and Best did nothing, King was our biggest threat but has played better games this season, even towards the end we didn't seem desperate to push for an equalizer.

A reality check is not needed, of course it is disappointing to lose to a team 4th or 5th bottom in a home game, especially in that way, and there is nothing wrong with saying that, as long as that doesn't mean you start thinking that suddenly we should change manager, which I haven't seen.

Regarding the overall picture, I think that Bowyer has proved with King, Lowe and Hanley that his main strength is developing younger players, whilst he has yet to show that he can break down a defensive team at Ewood by coming up with a Plan B, as also shown v Forest and Huddersfield. I expected a win yesterday because it was a home game v a team near the bottom. That doesn't mean we have a divine right no.

As an aside, my view in general based on his performances for us so far is that Marshall is not much different to Judge and Taylor, he cuts in too much and I think for £1m we should have signed a more direct winger to reduce our reliance on King.

[pick32]

Charlton clearly did there homework, doubled up on king and Rhodes. The subs were awful as we're the tactics. Two teams cancelling each other out and was a very poor game to watch.

The ref was awful for 96mins and if Scott Dann deserved a yellow for his challenge we should of had a penalty about 10seconds before that because it was an absolute carbon copy.

[GanG2245]

dont know why...but i think yesterdays lose will only help team in getting better results in coming matches...

what did bowyer say in his post match interview?

[Sparky Marky]

dont know why...but i think yesterdays lose will only help team in getting better results in coming matches...

Really? I'd say to lose like that to a run of the mill team at home is something that needs investigation. How you can come to your conclusion is really beyond me.

[darrenrover]

I think the reality check is that we have no divine right nor the ability to almost guarantee a victory against any team in this division.

Yesterday was a big disappointment all round throughout the team.

Kean clearly doesn't know when to stick or twist and is over enthusiastic in an effort to impress.

Kane and Spurr looked ok defensively but to me lacked ambition in getting forward, particularly when King and Marshall tucked inside so often providing room on the flanks.

Dann and Kilgallon probably need time to forge an understanding best highlighted by the goal where they were dissected like a kipper. Admittedly it was a great chest down and finish by Church.

Midfield clearly missed Corey Evans, perhaps starting with Williamson may have been a better bet than Marshall who was awful.

Cairney didn't have one of his better games but showed enough to me that he's integral to any aspirations for success and we should endeavour to secure his permanent signature as a priority.

King's head seamed to drop relatively early on when he realised he'd have 2 to beat and in the second half was pretty innocuous.

Best needs to stop his incessant whinging and learn to stay on his feet.

Rhodes was just Rhodes, totally isolated and not even fed any scraps.

Generally a bad day at the office but I couldn't fathom the lack of passion.

Hopefully Corey Evans' injury isn't as bad as reported and Dunny and Rochina aren't too far from fitness!

[somersetrover]

Poor Performance yesterday. I think the players looked at where Charlton were in the table and just expected to turn up and win. I'm surprised at people criticising Best, I thought he worked hard yesterday coming deep to get the ball and trying to create something, he even tracked back and made a good tackle after a Charlton player had walked through our midfield. We missed Evan's hugely yesterday picking up the second ball's and driving the midfield on. Instead we had Lowe who slows down any momentum in an attack and then either passes 5 yards side ways or backwards. As for Cairney he has some ability but I think that he has looked better playing on the right, as in the middle he wants to much time as he always wants to get the ball on to his left foot, and you don't get that much time in championship football, but playing on the right he can come straight inside onto his left foot which he did well when he played out there.

[aletheia]

Agree with all that’s been said about expectation, the type of player and staff we have due to circumstances.

Overall impression after seeing yesterday’s game –men against boys. They seemed quicker, sharper and stronger.

Not impressed by the shape and personnel employed, particularly when Best proved so inadequate. The rigid 442 clearly wasn’t working. Best should have been removed at half time if not sooner. Move to 451 or variation on it (utilise Judge/Williamson) to dominate midfield and allow Cairney’s creativity to shine and play to Rhodes’ strength. Playing in straight lines with no one in the hole is just primitive. Marshall is not ready.

As for Rhodes –Jeez, how many times does it take before someone realised that long high balls to chase with no one anywhere near him was utterly pointless.

One of those days where not enough players had a good day and too many players had an off day – all the frailties we know about were on show whereas all the positives we know they are capable of were missing. There seemed to be a strange lethargy typified by the performance of Spurr.

[Proudtobeblue&white]

I'm in Parsonblue territory - we are very average, we will have many bad days like Saturday. Get used to it. GB has a difficult job on his hands.

[DavidMailsTightPerm]

Personally didn't spot the hand ball that led to their goal - however, must admit we haven't had the rub of the green this season so far. This is in stark contrast to the start of last season (under Kean) - and even in Bowyer's first spell as caretaker.

Don't really know how Bowyer could have done things much differently yesterday - I think most agreed with his starting eleven - nobody could have foreseen that Best, Marsall, King, Cairney (by his high standards) would play so poorly. Having said that singling out individual players would be a bit harsh - other than Lowe - everyone seemed to be in slow motion (even King). I am hoping it is a one off - and that we pick it up against Blackpool (especially with living in Blackpool).

[cesus]

I'm in Parsonblue territory - we are very average, we will have many bad days like Saturday. Get used to it. GB has a difficult job on his hands.

We are very average and for me personally that's why people seem to have even more of a downer about Saturday. During the week Derek Shaw (shudder) spoke about the current wage structure at the club and spoke of the reality of a transfer embargo, the first opportunity we get to see our well paid professionals (extremely well paid by this leagues standards) we get such an abhorrent performance. I think a lot of people disappointment and anger regarding Saturdays game bares some correlation to the shelf mans comments.

[Stuart]

We are very average and for me personally that's why people seem to have even more of a downer about Saturday. During the week Derek Shaw (shudder) spoke about the current wage structure at the club and spoke of the reality of a transfer embargo, the first opportunity we get to see our well paid professionals (extremely well paid by this leagues standards) we get such an abhorrent performance. I think a lot of people disappointment and anger regarding Saturdays game bares some correlation to the shelf mans comments.

I agree. The team spirit that has given us hope over has evaporated. It could well be down to last Monday.

[Rover_Shaun]

Bowyer also said we could go on a run of two or three defeats. I wonder if he thought it would be so soon?

[West Yorks Rover]

I certainly would'nt trust Derek Shaw to say or do the best thing for Blackburn Rovers, he's just another traitor 'out for himself ' who

is just hanging around for his pay-off, probably a bit jealous of his mates Aggers,Coco and the other managers.

Hopefully he won't have long to wait !

[AggyBlue]

I think a lot of people disappointment and anger regarding Saturdays game bares some correlation to the shelf mans comments.

This is a worry for me. I wasn't disappointed or angry, in fact I just brushed off the defeat with a shrug of the shoulders.

[rovermagic]

You could see how far we have to go when you look at Church's well taken goal. He was well surplus to requirements at Reading. Reading is a top six side. You watch them on the Foitball League show and can see their quality well superior to ours. Disappointed in how we didn't press the ball up the pitch and how we moved it so slowly in attack.

[Stuart]

You could see how far we have to go when you look at Church's well taken goal. He was well surplus to requirements at Reading. Reading is a top six side. You watch them on the Foitball League show and can see their quality well superior to ours. Disappointed in how we didn't press the ball up the pitch and how we moved it so slowly in attack.

Is that you, Aggers?

[Leonard Venkhater]

You could see how far we have to go when you look at Church's well taken goal. He was well surplus to requirements at Reading. Reading is a top six side. You watch them on the Foitball League show and can see their quality well superior to ours. Disappointed in how we didn't press the ball up the pitch and how we moved it so slowly in attack.

I thought the hand ball claim was earlier in the move...I agree the chest control was briliant

[FGS5635]

I thought the hand ball claim was earlier in the move...I agree the chest control was briliant

No bowyer said it was during the chest control for the goal. I must admit that was right infront of me and in fast motion I didnt think it was handball and neither did all the blackburn end really as nobody claimed.

Tough to listen to Bowyer trying to blame that, but its management 101 that these days to deflect away from the players and focus on something else.

Momentum is so key in this league, you see it every year unfancied teams go on great runs winning by the odd goal every week due to confidence and belief (just gotta look at dingles this year). With that in mind the Hanley red card looks worse and worse now. Obviously all hyperthetical, but I cant help but think without that red card we'd have beat wigan and beat Charlton

But onwards and upwards its all gone now, so time to focus on a big game against blackpool now.

[Guest Wen Y Hu]

Parsonblue's match report is now published to the front page here.

[martonrover]

I certainly would'nt trust Derek Shaw to say or do the best thing for Blackburn Rovers, he's just another traitor 'out for himself ' who

is just hanging around for his pay-off, probably a bit jealous of his mates Aggers,Coco and the other managers.

Hopefully he won't have long to wait !

Agreed, I would rather have stuck pins in my eyes than sat listening to him prattle last week.

[Leonard Venkhater]

No bowyer said it was during the chest control for the goal. I must admit that was right infront of me and in fast motion I didnt think it was handball and neither did all the blackburn end really as nobody claimed.

Tough to listen to Bowyer trying to blame that, but its management 101 that these days to deflect away from the players and focus on something else.

Momentum is so key in this league, you see it every year unfancied teams go on great runs winning by the odd goal every week due to confidence and belief (just gotta look at dingles this year). With that in mind the Hanley red card looks worse and worse now. Obviously all hyperthetical, but I cant help but think without that red card we'd have beat wigan and beat Charlton

But onwards and upwards its all gone now, so time to focus on a big game against blackpool now

Oh dear. I wish he hadn't said it now. Speaking too soon after the game, I expect.

I know it is only one game, but we were really flat after it . Reading this board, we were not alone.

Perhaps it's more of a kick in the teeth after the post Wigan international break. Our momentum has gone before it got going!

Perhaps, it's the realisation that we are so very mediocre. I was so disappointed with the fact that we were back to the misfiring engine and what looked like a forward line far too easy to defend against.I thought we had sorted that out.

I do agree with you about the cost of that Hanley red card. The timing is so bad with other key players being out too.

Anyway, I think it is going to be one of those seasons when one bad performance is an excuse to leak all the anger and despair that is only just below the surface