[Archived] Rovers v Millwall: Ewood Park - December 14th, KO - 3pm

[chaddyrovers]

very happy with the win today. 3 points very much needed. win the most important thing today not the performance.

Thought Ben Marshall was the man of the match. was very good and improving game by game. just needed his fitness and confidence back and now he appears to have it now.

Thought Rhodes hold up play was much better and got more involve today than before in last 4 or 5 games. look fit aswell.

We're watching different seasons. Lowe has had 2 bad games for me: Brighton and Ipswich. Every other game he's either been steady and done the job or excelled in his role.

I agree there Mike. Lowe was good today. he did his job that's he is the side to do very well. put the opposite side players under pressure all game.

[roversfan99]

That shot was incredibly slow on second viewing, I think he would, plus I imagine he wouldn't have made such a mess of the second.

I felt the passing and moving was decent in the second half, aswell as the rotation of positions. Marshall, King and Spurr linked well down the left and Rhodes impressed.

Again I worry that we will revert to 2 defensive midfielders next week with Cairney out wide if Williamson is over his knock.

[darrenrover]

I thought it was a journeyman like performance all round and in the end we were fortunate to take more than a point.

The only positive for me over and above was that Marshall showed some signs of being an attribute.

[Tom]

Like Keans save against Leeds when you see it back its more of a poor finish and the striker giving the keeper a chance but they still have to save them!

Eastwood looks an all round better keeper than Kean but for the money we pay Robbo he has to be number one when fit with Eastwood as backup

[cesus]

Good result, terrible conditions, poor performance. Would be my overall summing up.

Just a few points from my personal observations:

Dunn is still the best footballer we have (I'd say by far, yes I know he can't last 90 mins but he is still by far the best)

King had a poor game overall but the first 15-20 mins of the 2nd was dangerous without creating.

Rhodes was far better than I have seen him for months, I'd say for one of the first times he won more than the centre half amd caused him grief, he dropped & held the ball better and scored a belter.

Defensively we looked all at sea, the worst we have been (at home) all season. Henley had a tough game and didn't particularly excel at anything but he is still getting up to speed, i felt Taylor really let him down leaving him to cover two players for the first goal. As I said at the top conditions were awful so I should probably cut some slack for that!

Eastwood looked more composed than Kean and more dominant of high balls but seemed at fault for the second. From my view in the riverside he looked to push a strike across goal in for the first but as the press who have access to replays haven't mentioned it he mustn't have.

Not sure if others saw but Dunn absolutely tore Gestede to pieces for not battling, well even challenging for a few heads to lofted clearances when the lads at the back were struggling, this league is one big fight and today made me feel we have abit more fight than I previously thought.

[West Yorks Rover]

We're watching different seasons. Lowe has had 2 bad games for me: Brighton and Ipswich. Every other game he's either been steady and done the job or excelled in his role.

I will admit I have only seen Lowe play 4/5 times for Rovers and he has looked poor on each occasion, in fact I thought he

would be more suited to the 4th division.

However If you say he has improved so much this season, I will have to take your word for it, as a more regular attendee, but I think

quite a few other regulars may disagree with you, nothing against the lad, he's young and if he can improve sufficiently all the better.

Hoping to see the Leeds (a) game I will keep a close eye on him, and let you know what I think.

[darrenrover]

Like Keans save against Leeds when you see it back its more of a poor finish and the striker giving the keeper a chance but they still have to save them!

Eastwood looks an all round better keeper than Kean but for the money we pay Robbo he has to be number one when fit with Eastwood as backup

Logic's spot on Tom. Applying same DJ will be partnering LB up front with DE anchoring midfield at Yeovil next week.

[Tom]

Logic's spot on Tom. Applying same DJ will be partnering LB up front with DE anchoring midfield at Yeovil next week.

But in turn it just so happens that Robbo is our best goalkeeper

Put those two points together and he should play

[darrenrover]

But in turn it just so happens that Robbo is our best goalkeeper

Put those two points together and he should play

You're right but that ain't down to money. Just whose least worst! And We're now talking a guy with forty odd England caps playing for a mid table Championship side? Too right if he's fit he should be first choice. Unless Solgado, Nelson etc.....

[Bucksrover]

I don't know that robbo was our best goalkeeper before he got injured, and it remains to be seen how much worse he is after his injury and time out. As we did with rochina I think we build up absent players. I am confident that bowyer will pick the best one of the three!

On the topic of lowe - he isn't a great creator - which is why playing him with cairney helps. But he battled hard today, broke up millwall moves and was effective. Evans has more to his game, but until he is back i am happy lowe does a job

[Josh]

Just out of interest, because I can't remember reading anything about it, how long is Evans out for?

[DE.]

Logic's spot on Tom. Applying same DJ will be partnering LB up front with DE anchoring midfield at Yeovil next week.

I have a work's xmas do on Friday so not sure about that...

[SoldierMo]

Well one thing is for sure whenever cairney plays central we seem to win more than lose..only problem is he seems to play central when its an enforced change

[Blue blood]

I don't know that robbo was our best goalkeeper before he got injured, and it remains to be seen how much worse he is after his injury and time out. As we did with rochina I think we build up absent players. I am confident that bowyer will pick the best one of the three!

On the topic of lowe - he isn't a great creator - which is why playing him with cairney helps. But he battled hard today, broke up millwall moves and was effective. Evans has more to his game, but until he is back i am happy lowe does a job

Hear what you are saying about Robbo - and kind of agree - regardless of wages and past experience, on reflection, I don't think the past year or so Robbo was that good whatsoever. Indeed certainly nowhere near the level we're paying him or at the level where he got his 40 odd England caps. However from what I've generally seen and hear of Kean and Eastwood - 1st team, friendlies and reserves - then I'd still place him streets ahead of them both. If he weren't on such big wages or have the reputation he does, I think most people would be saying let's get Robbo back - he's nothing special and like Lowe, Rhodes, etc. has his weaknesses but is more than capable at this level and better than what we have.

As for Lowe - spot on - with Cairney there his weaknesses are covered and unless it's a tough away game then a Evans-Cairney cm pairing would be my 1st choice too.

[thenodrog]

Quote............. What did Gestede seem like during his short cameo?

................................................................................................................................................................................................

Reminded me very much of George Weah....

's cousin!

[thenodrog]

Eastwood looks an all round better keeper than Kean but for the money we pay Robbo he has to be number one when fit with Eastwood as backup

that is a complete irrelevance Tom. If it was the case then Best Etohu and DJ Cameron along with Robinson would be the first names down on the team sheet.

Apologies darrenrover I've just repeated what you said.

Up to now eastwood is doing OK imo.

Not sure if others saw but Dunn absolutely tore Gestede to pieces for not battling, well even challenging for a few heads to lofted clearances when the lads at the back were struggling, this league is one big fight and today made me feel we have abit more fight than I previously thought.

He was right to. Despite being a big unit Gestede simply did not compete for the header. S'why I immediately thought of that Ali Dia.

[thenodrog]

How do you explain Lowe being an 'ever-present.'

Who has been shocking in plenty of games !

I will admit I have only seen Lowe play 4/5 times for Rovers

WYR...... If I had only read two of your posts and they were the ones then I'd think you were an idiot.

[Majiball]

Pleased with the 3 points as being honest we seem to not do well after a good result.

Is there any website that would display when we concede goals during matches?

[thenodrog]

I thought it was a journeyman like performance all round and in the end we were fortunate to take more than a point.

Imo the difference yesterday were the centre halves. If they'd had our two and we'd had theirs they would prob have won. A swirling, gusting wind provided difficult conditions for the centre halves.

[arbitro]

that is a complete irrelevance Tom. If it was the case then Best Etohu and DJ Cameron along with Robinson would be the first names down on the team sheet.

Apologies darrenrover I've just repeated what you said.

Up to now eastwood is doing OK imo.

He was right to. Despite being a big unit Gestede simply did not compete for the header. S'why I immediately thought of that Ali Dia.

There was another good row between Taylor and Henley after Millwall got in too easy down our right side. I actually thought Taylor was wrong but it was good to see them having a go and pointing fingers at each other. Dann got between them and smoothed things over but that passion is something that has been rarely seen from any Rovers players in recent times.

[pick32]

Just seen the goals Rhodes was a great goal, the third aswel winnin three consecutive headers. Thought Eastwood could have saved both easily.

[Bucksrover]

Just out of interest, because I can't remember reading anything about it, how long is Evans out for?

Evans is starting running for the first time this coming week. They haven't put a date on his actual return.

On Gestede I think the criticism of him is a bit harsh. He showed great strength in a couple of tussles with defenders, and seems decent on the ball. Yes - i agree that if you are only on for 5 minutes you should be chasing everything - which he didn't. But I saw enough to suggest he will be good for us. Defenders will hate playing against him - he is tall and strong.

On a general point about performance, because of the wind it was tricky walking back to my car in a completely straight line after the match (no alcohol consumed btw) so it might not be the game to assess the minutia of player performance - tough day for goalkeepers.

[Gav]

Lowe does the hard yards West Yorks, a team player that goes unnoticed most of the time, id much rather have him in the side than Rochina, so would Boyer it seems too.

[Amo]

Lowe does the hard yards West Yorks, a team player that goes unnoticed most of the time, id much rather have him in the side than Rochina, so would Boyer it seems too.

Apples & oranges. They're two completely different players.

Rochina showed last season that he can do the business in this league.

[redroses]

I saw Williamson walking along the back of the JW about 2:40pm with his leg in one of those plastic leg braces. He didn't look in a good way.