[Archived] Barnsley v Rovers Tuesday 28/01 19.45

[Proudtobeblue&white]

I think Tom's post really sums up where frustration really kicks in. Aside from promotion or bust - because if that's the case, however unrealistic it is for Bowyer to get promoted and no matter how much his hands are tied that has to be the criteria by which he is judged on - we're probably where we are supposed to be.

What's a bit frustrating is that we have the potential to be a top 6 team. King when he was on fire early on in the season, the best finisher in the division, Cairney, Gestede in excellent form, the option of Dunn when fit being streets ahead of this division ability wise, a solid defense, and finally keeper - the ingredients are there for a promotion push. I guess a lot of teams would say the same thing too and think they have a good shot at playoffs.

But getting all these components working at once, having injuries to key players - Evans and Marshall - the experience of other managers and their tactics, some clubs with more resources, all suggest that it'd be hard for Bowyer to get us into the playoffs, even with the potential to do so. In light of this, most people would be happy with us being where we are. A more experienced man probably could do a bit better, but would we get one? And stability and normality is nice.

Tom's post sums up what's really frustrating is not the mistakes, or being a little bit adrift of playoffs but the fact it seems to come because Bowyer keeps making the same mistakes. We always play Williamson and Lowe which doesn't work, and we always seem to sit back when winning/trying to hold on to a point, rather than trying to kill games off. And in both cases it doesn't work. For this to not work once or twice is one thing - but repeatedly is worrying and suggests Bowyer isn't learning from his mistakes.

I like the guy, but he's doing a decent job. Which means he should get praise for the good things that he does - from signings to some good tactical surprises - but it doesn't make him exempt from having his mistakes acknowledged. And whilst there is leeway as he's learning, this must apply less to repetitive mistakes, because clearly this shows that Bowyer is being worryingly slow to learn.

Bob on....

[ABBEY]

Apologies Abbey, but I'm afraid the negativity is beginning to get to me. We have a young manager with a young team trying to restore a bit of pride after the last three years. Of course they will make mistakes, of course they are going to be inconsistent. If these players were the cream of the crop they wouldn't be here. They are decent, honest professionals who have flaws in their game which the coaching staff are trying to improve. The manager will make mistakes, it's his first job after all. It takes time and yet all we get is more and more criticism. Of course things aren't great off the pitch but the least we can do it support those on it and those trying to restore a bit of order about the place. You and I both know, from bitter experience, that supporting a club like the Rovers is no bed of roses. It's the tough times that make the successful times all the sweeter. Something which those supporting the likes of Utd., Arsenal etc. will never appreciate.

I know what your saying but IF it is @#/? or bust then Iaxitive is needed. IF it ain't then consolidation is ok .

Until the lunes go then it's all arguing .

[FGS5635]

Highlights here. Another really really soft penalty

[FGS5635]

I know over the course of these past few games we probably havent played well enough, but penalty decisions are huge game changing moments and we have been on the wrong end of some shockers at both ends of the pitch these past 3 games

[arbitro]

I have been trying to apply some logic to the second half performance and I am really struggling to do so. From playing well, dominance and control we went to sloppy, cautious and generaly poor play. So what happened at half time that saw two completely different halves? Would Bowyer have changed things when they were going so well? After thinking about it I honestly can't see him doing this although clearly I don't know for sure (and if he did he is undeserving of the managers job). Did the players take it upon themselves to sit deep after perhaps feeling it was too comfortable and took their eye (literally) off the ball? I know Barnsley made a change but it can't have impacted too much.

Whatever the reason it is happening too often and ultimately I feel will cost us a play-off place.

[rog of the rovers]

A very soft penalty.

The real shame is that Lawrence throws himself to the ground under minimal contact and gets rewarded with a spot kick, whilst Kane (against Derby) thought about going down, but kept on his feet and ultimately got nothing to show for his honesty.

No matter how many times the pundits or the papers talk about the diving/going down easily the last two games have proven that the risk/reward still favours the attacker.

[FGS5635]

I have been trying to apply some logic to the second half performance and I am really struggling to do so. From playing well, dominance and control we went to sloppy, cautious and generaly poor play. So what happened at half time that saw two completely different halves? Would Bowyer have changed things when they were going so well? After thinking about it I honestly can't see him doing this although clearly I don't know for sure (and if he did he is undeserving of the managers job). Did the players take it upon themselves to sit deep after perhaps feeling it was too comfortable and took their eye (literally) off the ball? I know Barnsley made a change but it can't have impacted too much.

Whatever the reason it is happening too often and ultimately I feel will cost us a play-off place.

The oppposition are behind, they change things, take more chances, attack more. Sometimes hard to halt when other teams have nothing to lose and are pressing. I dont believe he tells them at half time last night anything much other carry on how we are. We have dominated this 1st half and if the next goal is ours the points are ours.

[Tom]

I think its a penalty myself, or at least he's given the ref a decision to make and we'd be screaming for it at the other end

The issue seems to be there was a similar one not given in the first half

[K-Hod]

I'm sick of us hiding behind refereeing calls, when fair enough, refs have been crap- but if we actually put teams away, we wouldn't be hanging on in the first place, and thus, likely to give away penalties and leave ourselves so open.

[FGS5635]

I think its a penalty myself

The issue seems to be there was a similar one not given in the first half

Seriously?? Both have their eyes on the ball. There is minimal contact, not enough to send him down. He falls all theatrically. Its never a pen. If thats a pen there would be a penalty at every single corner

I'm sick of us hiding behind refereeing calls, when fair enough, refs have been crap- but if we actually put teams away, we wouldn't be hanging on in the first place, and thus, likely to give away penalties and leave ourselves so open.

I get your point, but these arent corners, throw ins, or free kicks. They are game changin penalties. There is no denying they have a massive impact on the end result. The margins between success and failure are so small at times. If these decisions go for us these past few games we could all be sat here saying we have ground out some wins here playing pretty badly....thats a sign of a good team. But alas we've had some bad refs and we are all picking the bones out of tactics etc

[EgyptianPete]

Bob on....

Less than 5 weeks ago i looked forward once again with expectation to see BRFC move onwards and upwards, BUT all i see now is negative football, we go from a winning position to either a draw or loss. Players fault, you make your own mind up, or is the management being negative, i think the latter, as many on here have said our management or either not learning from the same mistakes, or is it just being bloody minded.

If we are not careful, this season will fizzle out, we have the players, just dam well play them where they should be and maybe just maybe we move on.

By the way anyone seen the comments from Judge Quote:“I wasn’t enjoying it at Blackburn. It’s hard to go to training every week knowing there’s no game for you at the weekend.

“I don’t even know what the problem was there to be honest. Someone would have to ask the manager why I wasn’t in his plans. I kept my head down, I was no trouble and I worked hard but it just wasn’t happening.

Maybe our Gary isn't the darling we all think he is.

[thenodrog]

Well said ! and some posters would have us believe that he (GB) does it out of the 'goodness of his heart', let's not forget,

he's on a damn good salary, so no he gets little sympathy from me for making the same mistakes, time and again.

Why not write to the venkymob offering your service's? Good pay, good hours,prestige position and you know precisely where weve been going wrong as well as all the answers. You might be just what they are looking for. Nothing ventured, nothing gained as they say. I'm sure you'll have no problems finding a couple of assistant managers on here either!

[thenodrog]

Just got back from the match. Here's a few snaps.

First off our fans our something else. 684 were there (685 including me!) and let me tell you, you were loud and clear! Nice variety of songs so I'm sure the lads on the field were spurred on.

You can see the view I had was pretty decent so here's how I saw the match.

The first half we murdered them in all but scoreline. The gulf in quality was night and day and we played some really good stuff. We created a lot of half-chances but couldn't put any of them away.

Inevitably, Barnsley created two clear cut opportunities to our none. They should have taken the first but for some brilliant goalkeeping from Robbo. The second chance was from a deep cross and was well taken. At that point, after playing good football and dominating, I felt we were hard done to. A point in case were possession statistics matter nought.

Then came Cairney's goal. What a strike! A beautiful volley on the bounce from just outside the box, beating Steele at his near post. The only thing was Steele's seemingly dodgy positioning. He seemed to be way over the other side of the goal to me.

What I don't like about footballers (even Cairney) is the arrogant goading of opposition fans once they've scored. His celebration was pretty awkward to watch. I don't think the Barnsley fans had given him any abuse and it's pretty disrespectful to fans who turn up and pay money to keep the game going. Just a shame to spoil a great goal with that kind of behaviour.

From then on we pushed them pretty hard and got another good goal from Rudy. He's turning out to be a good 'un and was much more in the game than Rhodes, who was a non-entity throughout the match.

At half-time I was happy with 2-1 considering we went a goal down but it was for certain that we weren't going to get as much of the ball as in the first half.

At the start of the second half we seemed to try and pass it around and control it again. Good effort although it worked for about a minute, maybe two!

Barnsley were always looking for an equaliser but their level of quality should never really have been allowed to get a foothold in the game. They truly are a team with little skill and direction.

A couple of Barnsley's dangermen came to light somewhat, namely O'Grady, who was textbook at holding the ball up and muscling our defenders off it. Similar to what Gestede can do but better, although Gestede seems to have the strikers instinct.

I couldn't believe the penalty decision and my Barnsley mate thought it was soft. The referee was terrible throughout, though. We got the grace of his decisions and when Barnsley finally sussed out how to dive to the floor after the 80th minute, they got his good graces too.

After that it was pretty desperate attacking play from both sides. Neither could really string anything coherent together and I just felt the second half got Rovers down in the mud for a scrap which suited Barnsley down to the ground.

For me, we should have put this lot out of sight by half-time. At 2-1 up we were always prone to a resurgent second half from Barnsley, which was there in spirit but not in quality. It was still enough for them to claw a draw.

Good result for them. A bad result for us. Barnsley have some sort of fight in them but some of the players look defeated already. We can blame the referee for odd decisions but I thought it worked both ways throughout the match. I will scratch my head for a few days wondering how we couldn't beat them.

All in all, though, an enjoyable match, to which one Barnsley fan leaving the ground said "That's the most exciting match I've seen us play this season!".

Player ratings:

Robinson: Pulled off a stunning save and a couple of good ones. His kicking was excellent. Can't fault him, really.

Henley: Much better than in previous matches. A bit stronger, but annoyingly ALWAYS checks back when he goes down the wing. He could do so much more damage.

Hanley: Good and bad moments. He almost let them in towards the end with a dodgy header across goal for the keeper. He was solid otherwise.

Kilgallon: I didn't really notice him. He seems to be improving but he doesn't instill me with confidence.

Spurr: He's never afraid to get forward but sometimes his on-the-ball skill lets him down. You can always see effort oozing from him.

Williamson: His on the ball touches are good but for some reason I find him poor, not really adding anything to our game. He put in a couple of good tackles.

Lowe: Did a great job in putting himself about and getting tackles in. He put a couple of passes astray but he was more or less a box-to-box midfielder, full of energy and a lot of forward play moving through him.

Dunn: Lethargic, losing his touch... He was surprisingly poor tonight. An on-form Dunn might have seen us win.

Cairney: Outstanding. Great goal, great passing, great skill. He does, however, put a couple of passes astray in dangerous positions. He needs to work on that.

Rhodes: Did he play tonight?

Gestede: Put himself about and maybe made up for a lack of Rhodes. Good finish for the goal. Think we've got a good 'un here. He needs to stop jumping too early for the ball, though. He often seems to be on the way down when heading it.

It pains me to say it considering we didn't win but Barnsley are dire. I think they're going down this season. I could envisage more clinical teams having leathered this lot tonight.

I'm amazed et! For a former mod you have just broken 10 of the most imp rules on this board.......

Rule 1 No one is allowed to criticise Jordan Rhodes in any way shape or form!

Rules 2-10…...... See rule 1!

[Parsonblue]

I think its a penalty myself, or at least he's given the ref a decision to make and we'd be screaming for it at the other end

The issue seems to be there was a similar one not given in the first half

That's the issue Tom. There was a far more obvious push on Rhodes early which was a clear foul and yet the ref waves play on. It's their inability to be consistent that is the problem.

[thenodrog]

A very soft penalty.

The real shame is that Lawrence throws himself to the ground under minimal contact and gets rewarded with a spot kick, whilst Kane (against Derby) thought about going down, but kept on his feet and ultimately got nothing to show for his honesty.

No matter how many times the pundits or the papers talk about the diving/going down easily the last two games have proven that the risk/reward still favours the attacker.

Absolutely. Thanks for saving me a post rog. Blatant dive which should have been rewarded with a yellow card if only spurr had learnt to keep his hands below his elbows....and especially in the pen area

I think its a penalty myself, or at least he's given the ref a decision to make

You cannot be serious! No shove and yet that bugger looked like he was auditioning for that Splash programme.

Don't give up your day job to become a ref tom.

Less than 5 weeks ago i looked forward once again with expectation to see BRFC move onwards and upwards, BUT all i see now is negative football, we go from a winning position to either a draw or loss. Players fault, you make your own mind up, or is the management being negative, i think the latter, as many on here have said our management or either not learning from the same mistakes, or is it just being bloody minded.

If we are not careful, this season will fizzle out, we have the players, just dam well play them where they should be and maybe just maybe we move on.

By the way anyone seen the comments from Judge Quote:I wasnt enjoying it at Blackburn. Its hard to go to training every week knowing theres no game for you at the weekend.[/size]

I dont even know what the problem was there to be honest. Someone would have to ask the manager why I wasnt in his plans. I kept my head down, I was no trouble and I worked hard but it just wasnt happening.

Maybe our Gary isn't the darling we all think he is.

I get your pont pete and at somes time bowyer will have to realise that win one lose one is worth more points than 2 draws! Judge is slow and lightweight but he does have skill, intelligence,tenacity and desire and would always have been in my squad in this division.

[Tom]

I've watched it again and it is soft but I think rovers fans would be moaning if we didn't get that one!

Refs were bad in the prem they are even worse in this league, given a chance to make a decision they seem to guess a lot of the time

[Mike E]

Soft penalty. Again. But I'll put some defence forward for Bowyer. This is based on having seen every home game and 3 away:

I suspect his playing Lowe and Williamson together is because they're as near to the sum of Evans as we have in the squad.

Cairney must play as he's awesome, but alongside either Lowe or Williamson, there'd be no defensive ability in midfield. With W&L you have one that can cover and one that can tackle but neither do both. Evans is to return vs Reading on Feb 22nd, but until then I'm hoping Dabo may prove something of a solution. He's apparently a player who lokes to tackle and drive forward, just as Evans does.

I suspect that bring forced to play all 3 is not his preference but a perceived necessity.

[rovers_rob]

I've watched it again and it is soft but I think rovers fans would be moaning if we didn't get that one!

Refs were bad in the prem they are even worse in this league, given a chance to make a decision they seem to guess a lot of the time

I think you need to watch it again then.

It was ridiculous the way he flung his arms forward and did a belly flop to the floor.

Never a penalty and I wouldn't moan if we didn't get a penalty like that.

[West Yorks Rover]

Why not write to the venkymob offering your service's? Good pay, good hours,prestige position and you know precisely where weve been going wrong as well as all the answers. You might be just what they are looking for. Nothing ventured, nothing gained as they say. I'm sure you'll have no problems finding a couple of assistant managers on here either!

You really are a condescending plonker !

[cesus]

That's the issue Tom. There was a far more obvious push on Rhodes early which was a clear foul and yet the ref waves play on. It's their inability to be consistent that is the problem.

I'd say the Rhodes one was a forearm smash to the back of the head! As you say consistency is the key, to not give one were there was clearly contact in the case of Rhodes and give one were even contact is questionable angers me. To be fair to the ref the linesman did flag for the penalty to be awarded ... I have to ask the question though, how can a linesman see a push in the back when he can only see the front on the Barnsley player?? He clearly bought the dive!

[AggyBlue]

He clearly bought the dive!

Don't they all these days.

I bet we'd be surprised by how many matches (not that I know) are won by the team that can cheat the best.

[dingles staying down 4ever]

Refs need to be convinced its a penalty. Usually they need to be convinced by seeing a player go down. It seems that most refs need extra convincing so more acting is needed.

Sad state of affairs but it is the way of the modern game which is why Kane should have gone down on Saturday.

Plus one training session a week in future is to be held at the Red Brick Theatre rather than Brockhall.

[thenodrog]

I've watched it again and it is soft but I think rovers fans would be moaning if we didn't get that one!

Try pushing a grown man over Tom. You'd need to use both hands and give a real shove to cause a bloke to drop like that. The player felt Spurrs hand on him and dived, the crowd went up at once and the ref bought it.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Never mind the pen which was clumsy play by Spurr in my opinion. What about the non marking for their first goal. Terrible.

[thenodrog]

You really are a condescending plonker !

As are you but without the adjective.