[Archived] Rovers v Derby County: 25th January 2014, 3pm KO

[rovers11]

This season was always about consolidation, anything better than that will be seen as a bonus.

We're a mid table championship side that will be looking to possibly push on next season and make the playoffs.

The sooner people get used to that the better.

Great post GAV. This season was essentially about preparing for next season. It was about trimming the wage bill, getting rid of the deadwood and bringing in players who can take us forward. I actually expected a season of struggle with so many changes in personnel so I'm pleasantly surprised we're in the mix for the play offs.

We've trimmed the wage bill, got rid of most of the deadwood (although largely on loan) and brought in some very good young players. I'm very satisfied with the season so far.

[Stuart]

Wre you at the game?

Didn't you once reckon to be an expert in the LT? If so you've yet to convince me LT.

So who went up front with Rhodes when Gestede went off? Just before they scored.

[LDRover]

Wre you at the game?

Didn't you once reckon to be an expert in the LT? If so you've yet to convince me LT.

Did we concede when we swapped a striker for a midfielder?

[thenodrog]

Jesus.

When he was scoring goals he wasn't doing enough

Now he is setting up goals he still isn't doing enough

How about you blame some of the dross we are currently sending out in this first XI instead of Rhodes?

The key to that is that he doesn't do enough period. But if you are in China and didn't watch the match then I'm not even going to attempt to answer you. It'd be pointless.

Did we concede when we swapped a striker for a midfielder?

yes.

[Tom]

A couple of other annoying things today

- Gestede wins more in the the air than he loses but we aren't utilising it we have nobody close to him and on the end of his flick ons, Bowyer has to see that we make the most of his aerial presence

- For the second consecutive home game we have had 3 free kicks in great positions and again 3 unbelievably bad effort from Marshall, Cairney and Rhodes not one worked the keeper

[Bucksrover]

Bowyer got the starting line-up spot on today. And I was pleased after this week's exodus of rubbish players.

But his play-it safe tactics showed through in the subs.

Marshall is a loss - pointless challenge of his that caused it as well which adds insult to injury

[LDRover]

The key to that is that he doesn't do enough period. But if you are in China and didn't watch the match then I'm not even going to attempt to answer you. It'd be pointless.

yes.

So we conceded after going 4-5-1 then?

[glen9mullan]

Very poor match where a draw probably a fair result , even though throwing a winning position away hard to stomach .

Williamson is without doubt the worst central midfielder we have had in my life time . He ain't got the legs , can't pass and today was always 100 miles behind the game. He offers nothing to the team and if anything it's like us playing with 10 and the opposition 12 .

Looking at our bench today we lacked any options , with 14 out. IMO we need at least 4 or 5 in , or it's going to be a long hard 19 games between now and the end of the season .

Today could be one opportunity too many where we have had the opportunity to be right in the play off mix and messed it up .

Positives , Robinson getting fitter , Gestede again won nearly everything in the air , and many supporters have a torch on their phone

[West Yorks Rover]

Great post GAV. This season was essentially about preparing for next season. It was about trimming the wage bill, getting rid of the deadwood and bringing in players who can take us forward. I actually expected a season of struggle with so many changes in personnel so I'm pleasantly surprised we're in the mix for the play offs.

We've trimmed the wage bill, got rid of most of the deadwood (although largely on loan) and brought in some very good young players. I'm very satisfied with the season so far.

will we still be a going concern next season if we don't get promoted ?

£8m less in parachute payments and most of the dross back in the summer, wanting their wages !

[Cherry Blue]

Bowyer got the starting line-up spot on today. And I was pleased after this week's exodus of rubbish players.

But his play-it safe tactics showed through in the subs.

Marshall is a loss - pointless challenge of his that caused it as well which adds insult to injury

Totally agree. I know I live in dream land, "ifs" and "buts" and all that, but for that big GB errror we could have been 1 point off play offs.

[adsfortheblues]

Hull got automatic promotion last season by being solid and by winning a lot of games by 1 goal.

They could defend.

[Waggy76]

Very poor match where a draw probably a fair result , even though throwing a winning position away hard to stomach .

Williamson is without doubt the worst central midfielder we have had in my life time . He ain't got the legs , can't pass and today was always 100 miles behind the game. He offers nothing to the team and if anything it's like us playing with 10 and the opposition 12 .

Looking at our bench today we lacked any options , with 14 out. IMO we need at least 4 or 5 in , or it's going to be a long hard 19 games between now and the end of the season .

Today could be one opportunity too many where we have had the opportunity to be right in the play off mix and messed it up .

Positives , Robinson getting fitter , Gestede again won nearly everything in the air , and many supporters have a torch on their phone

Lowe must be the 2nd then ..

[ABBEY]

We've got the 3rd best home defensive record in the league!

going up going up hail hail madam

We've got the 3rd best home defensive record in the league!

theres also 13 other teams who have conceded less goals than us overall, your point is?

[Stuart]

many supporters have a torch on their phone

Shamelessly stolen from Facebook because I haven't worked out how to upload a video.

[DavidMailsTightPerm]

Shamelessly stolen from Facebook because I haven't worked out how to upload a video.

Excuse my ignorance - but what was it with the phone torches ?>

[Speedie Dived]

I am not surprised that people having a pop at Williamson - I thought he was awful today. However - IMO Lowe largely did a good job of his defensive midfield role - indeed it was often Lowe tracking back that stopped Derby attacks.

 

It is amazing the difference that moving Cairney into a more central position made to the team going forward. At some point Bowyer must realise that we have to start going for it - todays draw is acceptable as Derby are on such a good run - but we have to beat teams like Barnsley and Blackpool with far more positive performances.

 

Having said all that - and a draw was overall a fair result - IF Cairney had have struck the ball (rather than thin air) & IF the referee hadn't played the most baffling of advantages when Kane was through - we would now be talking about a hard fought win,

Lowe stopped an almost certain goal in the second half and covered a lot of ground defensively. We know Williamson is not good enough, and this is being addressed with the young French lad.

Not really sure what people expect, we are 3 points off the play offs with a team that has obvious areas of improvement.

Derby are probably best side I have seen since we went down. Hughes changed the game and will go on to play at a higher level, he found space so well.

[rovers11]

going up going up hail hail madam

theres also 13 other teams who have conceded less goals than us overall, your point is?

I'm saying that at home we are very good defensively. Someone earlier said a team that has defensive tactics at home won't make the top 6. That is simply wrong as Hull proved last year. However, that does not mean I think Rovers will make top 6 this year. We won't get promoted this year and I accepted that before the season started which is why I can see the bigger picture even when we get a negative result.

I agree that away from home we have been poor defensively.

[Speedie Dived]

 

 

We will never make the top 6 with negative tactics, especially at home

Two up top is not negative.

[Shabani]

The key to that is that he doesn't do enough period. But if you are in China and didn't watch the match then I'm not even going to attempt to answer you. It'd be pointless.

yes.

Yeh but there's this magical thing called 'Rovers Player' that let's me listen to games and watch extended highlights when I'm living away. Anyway that's when I'm there and I'm not at the moment. I've watched all the games bar this one in January.

What more do you expect Rhodes to do? Its our deficient midfield and rigid tactics that don't move with the flow of the game that are to blame. Rhodes did his bit today, like he does most games. Find another scapegoat

[ABBEY]

I'm saying that at home we are very good defensively. Someone earlier said a team that has defensive tactics at home won't make the top 6. That is simply wrong as Hull proved last year. However, that does not mean I think Rovers will make top 6 this year. We won't get promoted this year and I accepted that before the season started which is why I can see the bigger picture even when we get a negative result.

I agree that away from home we have been poor defensively.

so your saying that in the @#/? or bst scenario ...you will wait for next year...THERE MAY NOT BE A NEXT YEAR

[rovers11]

will we still be a going concern next season if we don't get promoted ?

£8m less in parachute payments and most of the dross back in the summer, wanting their wages !

There are big challenges ahead and will mean we have to rely on Venkys funding us. If Venkys pull out then, yes, we're screwed.

[ABBEY]

There are big challenges ahead and will mean we have to rely on Venkys funding us. If Venkys pull out then, yes, we're screwed.

DO YOU NOT THINK VENKYS HAVE SCREWED US ALREADY?

[rovers11]

so your saying that in the kean or bst scenario ...you will wait for next year...THERE MAY NOT BE A NEXT YEAR

Are we kean or bust though? We will have lower parachute payments and will have to sell Rhodes and lower wages further but I'm not convinced it's kean or bust. Same was said last year but didn't happen.

DO YOU NOT THINK VENKYS HAVE SCREWED US ALREADY?

Yes, of course. Who can deny that?

That doesn't mean I want them to pull the plug and we have to start again in the conference. If that's what you'd prefer then I completely disagree with you.

[Stuart]

Excuse my ignorance - but what was it with the phone torches ?>

I've read on here it was to do with the floodlights a la Arsenal (?) but the floodlights were on, and "Lights on if you hate Bumley".

So I don't know really but it looked awesome!

[yoda]

Two up top is not negative.

Who came on for Gestede