[Archived] Boro v Rovers - 8th Feb, KO 3 pm, Riverside Stadium

[dingles staying down 4ever]

Rhodes needs a lucky goal and he'll be fine.

Don't think he is under instruction just think hes scared to drop him and unsettle him.

[arbitro]

Hence my earlier suggestion that bowyer is under Orders to play Rhodes. His current form is terrible.

.

He needed to be taken off yesterday for the good of the team. Most of the unblinkered fans at the game could see it but he stayed on. There will always be speculation about players and contract clauses etc given the madness over recent times BUT yesterday Bowyer did nothing to disprove this.

[dingles staying down 4ever]

He needed to be taken off yesterday for the good of the team. Most of the unblinkered fans at the game could see it but he stayed on. There will always be speculation about players and contract clauses etc given the madness over recent times BUT yesterday Bowyer did nothing to disprove this.

At 0-0 do you take your main chance of pinching a goal off?

Wasn't at the game so don't know but I presuming that is the question Bowyer was thinking. But if your goal poacher is scratching for a bit of luck then the manager needs to be brave and try something different.

[thenodrog]

At 0-0 do you take your main chance of pinching a goal off?Wasn't at the game so don't know but I presuming that is the question Bowyer was thinking. But if your goal poacher is scratching for a bit of luck then the manager needs to be brave and try something different.

Since the turn of the year Jr cannot be described as our 'main chance'..... Unless perhaps if we got a penalty.

[arbitro]

At 0-0 do you take your main chance of pinching a goal off?

Wasn't at the game so don't know but I presuming that is the question Bowyer was thinking. But if your goal poacher is scratching for a bit of luck then the manager needs to be brave and try something different.

But the point is that for several weeks now Gestede has been our best chance of scoring a goal. Rhodes' body language yesterday was poor, he looked bereft of coincidence and he literally offered nothing at all. He is clearly out of sorts and yesterday was probably his most ineffective game for us.

[Parsonblue]

Love the people who come on and say "I wasn't at the game but from the commentary Lowe had a poor game"

I even turned Radio Lancs off yesterday when they had a dyed in the wool lifelong Claret amateur cricketer summarising

I'll wait for Parsonblue's always excellent match report to tell me who played how.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to make the game yesterday so can't comment. On the odd occasion I miss a game I never listen to radio commentary.

Did we have a shot on target? Yet more anti football tactics from Bowyer and his boys. He's got a comfortable little number here, playing not to lose, no owners on his back but it's alright because he's brought stability and balanced the books... I get it. Shame we're an absolute shower on the pitch.

Bowyers says he's glad he's finally got the physical presence up front in Gestede. Bowyer says he's happy he's got the delivery of Conway... So what decision does he make when we have a chance to nick it? Conway for Gestede. That makes sense these days, they're tactics reminiscent of Paul Ince.

Everyone blaming Kane for getting roasted... What protection did he get? From someone who's not a winger and shouldn't be playing on the right.

I have faith that this team has the potential to beat anyone in this league but this fella obviously doesn't share that faith. We're garbage at the moment and to be honest, I've given up any small hope of playoffs because we're not a team given the confidence to go and win games. Every decision made is concious of our opponents rather than what we have to upset the opposition.

I like Bowyer, good in the transfer market, likeable fella, deserves the job but he's tactically retarded. I'm not saying sack him, I'm just unwilling to accept what I'm seeing at the moment unlike most of the Rovers faithful.

Our wins are unconvincing, our draws are unconvincing and our losses are convincing. Hopefully this is all down to Bowyer not knowing his best 11 yet but when King and Evans are fit he needs to work it out... And fast.

I couldn't disagree more strongly with this view. At the start of the season I would have been happy with a mid-table position in view of the squad that we had. Since then I think Gary has done a pretty decent job to get us into the top ten which is just about where we are in terms of the development of the club. Tactically, I believe Gary to be pretty good at deploying his resources. Not every manager approaches football with a gung-ho attitude. All successful managers build on a sound defensive strategy and move forward. Clean sheets will build confidence for next season which is what the realists know is what we are now looking at building towards. Of course Gary has made mistakes. It is his first job in management and so is bound to make mistakes. However, adopting a philosophy that starts each game with we've got a point and then tries to build on that seems pretty sensible. It certainly worked for Howard Kendall at this club.

[OJRovers]

Under any of our other recent managers we would've heavily lost that game yesterday. So to get another clean sheet and a point is improvement.

Look at the rebuilding job GB has had to do this year and to be where we are is ok. It is frustrating because we've thrown away a few points, but we almost got relegated last year (if it wasn't for Bowyer) so we can't expect to be winning every week.

Iron out the inconsistency and get the new players geling over summer and we have a good chance of playoffs next season.

[Gav]

Did we have a shot on target? Yet more anti football tactics from Bowyer and his boys. He's got a comfortable little number here, playing not to lose, no owners on his back but it's alright because he's brought stability and balanced the books... I get it. Shame we're an absolute shower on the pitch.

Bowyers says he's glad he's finally got the physical presence up front in Gestede. Bowyer says he's happy he's got the delivery of Conway... So what decision does he make when we have a chance to nick it? Conway for Gestede. That makes sense these days, they're tactics reminiscent of Paul Ince.

Everyone blaming Kane for getting roasted... What protection did he get? From someone who's not a winger and shouldn't be playing on the right.

I have faith that this team has the potential to beat anyone in this league but this fella obviously doesn't share that faith. We're garbage at the moment and to be honest, I've given up any small hope of playoffs because we're not a team given the confidence to go and win games. Every decision made is concious of our opponents rather than what we have to upset the opposition.

I like Bowyer, good in the transfer market, likeable fella, deserves the job but he's tactically retarded. I'm not saying sack him, I'm just unwilling to accept what I'm seeing at the moment unlike most of the Rovers faithful.

Our wins are unconvincing, our draws are unconvincing and our losses are convincing. Hopefully this is all down to Bowyer not knowing his best 11 yet but when King and Evans are fit he needs to work it out... And fast.

Did you go yesterday Neal?

Boro are a side in the mix for the playoffs, we managed to take points from them on their own patch, job done if you believe we have a chance of going up.

[thenodrog]

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to make the game yesterday so can't comment. On the odd occasion I miss a game I never listen to radio commentary.

I couldn't disagree more strongly with this view. At the start of the season I would have been happy with a mid-table position in view of the squad that we had. Since then I think Gary has done a pretty decent job to get us into the top ten which is just about where we are in terms of the development of the club. Tactically, I believe Gary to be pretty good at deploying his resources. Not every manager approaches football with a gung-ho attitude. All successful managers build on a sound defensive strategy and move forward. Clean sheets will build confidence for next season which is what the realists know is what we are now looking at building towards. Of course Gary has made mistakes. It is his first job in management and so is bound to make mistakes. However, adopting a philosophy that starts each game with we've got a point and then tries to build on that seems pretty sensible. It certainly worked for Howard Kendall at this club.

Im naturally cautious but if we want to get into the play offs then single points are not enough PB. We need to go for broke from here on in. When Kendall was manager here there were only two points for a win.... a massive difference in emphasis now it's 3.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

No I didn't go yesterday. Before the game I would have been happy with a draw as 'Borough are in decent form and playing at home.

Having said that it's disturbing to hear the same criticisms of the team coming from the guys who did go. There are posters on here who know how many beans make five regarding football and who's views I respect. They are true Rovers fans but they aren't blind. We do appear to be under performing most of the time and our approach to most games leaves a lot to be desired. I've written off any chance of the play-offs, not because the players aren't capable but because the club collectively appears not to be all that bothered one way or another.

We appear to be content to drift along like a rowing boat without oars. Unfortunately the football equivalent of the Niagra Falls is just around the bend !

[thenodrog]

But the point is that for several weeks now Gestede has been our best chance of scoring a goal. Rhodes' body language yesterday was poor, he looked bereft of coincidence and he literally offered nothing at all. He is clearly out of sorts and yesterday was probably his most ineffective game for us.

Arguably the best performance this season was against Man City at Ewood. The players looked comfortable with their respective roles, they passed it around both short and long better than normal, the entire team looked balanced and compact yet how many times have we seen that team and formation put out since? I find it odd cos Bowyer and Short etc aren't thick are they? They are proper football men who will know more about the game than anybody on here is ever likely to. Rhodes needs dropping to the bench for his and the teams own good. He is only of use when we are dominating the opposition and putting balls into the box at will and with 4 in midfield usually against 5 that wont happen enough. When we are being pressed back and looking for an 'out' and in need of someone to hold up the ball he is dreadfully inept. And from what I have seen when we have been in that position there is no better descriptive word for him.

[DavidMailsTightPerm]

It is noticeable the difference in our away performances to that at home. I would be interested on the thoughts of those that travel regularly - could it be a confidence thing given the age of the team - and the terrible form we have had away from home for some time now ?

I agree with some other posters - we are progressing and gradually improving - providing we keep the majority of the team together - next season is possibly the season to kick on after consolidating this season. Having said that - I still haven't given up hope of getting into the top 6.

[Gav]

I think we have far too many posters on here who have forgotten whats happened at the club over the past 3/4yrs. To even be thinking of a playoff spot is beyond what most sensible posters thought at the start of the season, remember most of the side only came together this season!

Some of you need to get a grip.

[Neal]

Did you go yesterday Neal?

Boro are a side in the mix for the playoffs, we managed to take points from them on their own patch, job done if you believe we have a chance of going up.

After Forest away... No thanks. If I'm going to pay money to watch us play away from home, then at least I want to know that my team is at least going to try and win the game. Listened on radio Lancs... Commentator didn't paint a pretty picture to be honest.

[Neal]

Im naturally cautious but if we want to get into the play offs then single points are not enough PB. We need to go for broke from here on in. When Kendall was manager here there were only two points for a win.... a massive difference in emphasis now it's 3.

We've had our differences but i totally agree. I can imagine my posts coming across like I'm on the wind up or something but... My frustrations are based entirely on this point ^^^.

It's like banging your head against a brick wall! We're not in the playoffs! Realistically we're only playing for 1 playoff place... Why doesn't he just go for it? We've nothing to lose. This season is just sailing past us, waiting for players to come in, waiting for players to get back from injury, playing not to concede... I'm sat here thinking "what if?" but the majority of the Rovers faithful seem to be happy to be stuck in this dead space we're in right now, playing for nothing, no aspirations, no attacking emphasis... Just because we've previously had some garbage managers.

I understand Gary might be planning for the future and thats great but right now there is a SMALL chance we could take that playoff place and I'd have damn sight more respect for him if he grew a pair of balls and went for it. If we get beat trying to win games and going for broke then fine... At least can admire and respect him for that. What I can't respect is this distinct lack of faith and confidence shown in this group of underachieving players.

There are going to be people thinking... "a point away at Boro isn't a bad result" and you're right, it's not, BUT a point away at Boro is absolutely useless when teams above us and around us are picking up points. It's like we're stuck in an endless loop of another missed chance, another game coming up, more players that might be fit and another boring substandard performance (including our wins).

Change the record Gaz because this middle of the road Coldplay nonsense is doing my head in.

[Leonard Venkhater]

No I didn't go yesterday. Before the game I would have been happy with a draw as 'Borough are in decent form and playing at home.

Having said that it's disturbing to hear the same criticisms of the team coming from the guys who did go. There are posters on here who know how many beans make five regarding football and who's views I respect. They are true Rovers fans but they aren't blind. We do appear to be under performing most of the time and our approach to most games leaves a lot to be desired. I've written off any chance of the play-offs, not because the players aren't capable but because the club collectively appears not to be all that bothered one way or another.

We appear to be content to drift along like a rowing boat without oars. Unfortunately the football equivalent of the Niagra Falls is just around the bend !

This just about nails it for me. I do still find myself hoping that we can get a run together. There will come a time, when we are just going to have to go for broke. A bit like the secret of good comedy...timing!

[K-Hod]

We've had our differences but i totally agree. I can imagine my posts coming across like I'm on the wind up or something but... My frustrations are based entirely on this point ^^^.

It's like banging your head against a brick wall! We're not in the playoffs! Realistically we're only playing for 1 playoff place... Why doesn't he just go for it? We've nothing to lose. This season is just sailing past us, waiting for players to come in, waiting for players to get back from injury, playing not to concede... I'm sat here thinking "what if?" but the majority of the Rovers faithful seem to be happy to be stuck in this dead space we're in right now, playing for nothing, no aspirations, no attacking emphasis... Just because we've previously had some garbage managers.

I understand Gary might be planning for the future and thats great but right now there is a SMALL chance we could take that playoff place and I'd have damn sight more respect for him if he grew a pair of balls and went for it. If we get beat trying to win games and going for broke then fine... At least can admire and respect him for that. What I can't respect is this distinct lack of faith and confidence shown in this group of underachieving players.

There are going to be people thinking... "a point away at Boro isn't a bad result" and you're right, it's not, BUT a point away at Boro is absolutely useless when teams above us and around us are picking up points. It's like we're stuck in an endless loop of another missed chance, another game coming up, more players that might be fit and another boring substandard performance (including our wins).

Change the record Gaz because this middle of the road Coldplay nonsense is doing my head in.

Definitely agree with a lot of these comments. We could be doing so much better. All this talk of 'a playoff push' is just lip service if we don't actually attack.

[Leonard Venkhater]

We've had our differences but i totally agree. I can imagine my posts coming across like I'm on the wind up or something but... My frustrations are based entirely on this point ^^^.

It's like banging your head against a brick wall! We're not in the playoffs! Realistically we're only playing for 1 playoff place... Why doesn't he just go for it? We've nothing to lose. This season is just sailing past us, waiting for players to come in, waiting for players to get back from injury, playing not to concede... I'm sat here thinking "what if?" but the majority of the Rovers faithful seem to be happy to be stuck in this dead space we're in right now, playing for nothing, no aspirations, no attacking emphasis... Just because we've previously had some garbage managers.

I understand Gary might be planning for the future and thats great but right now there is a SMALL chance we could take that playoff place and I'd have damn sight more respect for him if he grew a pair of balls and went for it. If we get beat trying to win games and going for broke then fine... At least can admire and respect him for that. What I can't respect is this distinct lack of faith and confidence shown in this group of underachieving players.

There are going to be people thinking... "a point away at Boro isn't a bad result" and you're right, it's not, BUT a point away at Boro is absolutely useless when teams above us and around us are picking up points. It's like we're stuck in an endless loop of another missed chance, another game coming up, more players that might be fit and another boring substandard performance (including our wins).

Change the record Gaz because this middle of the road Coldplay nonsense is doing my head in.

I really like this comment in so many ways. It completely sums up by boredom with the the team on the pitch.

It resonates on a personal level because my last employers used Coldplay as musical background for a promotional film...I don't work for them anymore and I could claim Coldplay , as constructive dismissal....but I am no Steve Kean!

As for the endless loop of another missed chance etc,it is like having to sit through endless repeats of Waiting for Godot, when you were hoping to watch Breaking Bad...

[Mike E]

I wasn't at the game but would like to make a general point.

People keep going on about bad tactics (and I've been frustrated at Ewood many times this season), but could it not be that because this team has still only had a few months together, GB is using this time to experiment and gauge what various players can do in a game situation? Let's not forget that 'Gestede on the right' worked quite well against Leeds away.

[tomphil]

Really? Playing gestede wide right and leaving Jr at centre forward is just craziness.

Really? That tomphil said Lowe was awful.

That Tomphil said he was listening to the commentary and recieving texts from the game and that was the feedback although he wasn't the only one. People who were there might have a different opinion.

[K-Hod]

I really like this comment in so many ways. It completely sums up by boredom with the the team on the pitch.

It resonates on a personal level because my last employers used Coldplay as musical background for a promotional film...I don't work for them anymore and I could claim Coldplay , as constructive dismissal....but I am no Steve Kean!

As for the endless loop of another missed chance etc,it is like having to sit through endless repeats of Waiting for Godot, when you were hoping to watch Breaking Bad...

Hadn't made the Coldplay connection (few too many sherbets last night), but man alive they're grim!!

[tomphil]

I wasn't at the game but would like to make a general point.

People keep going on about bad tactics (and I've been frustrated at Ewood many times this season), but could it not be that because this team has still only had a few months together, GB is using this time to experiment and gauge what various players can do in a game situation? Let's not forget that 'Gestede on the right' worked quite well against Leeds away.

A quote from a bloke last night who was there said "whatever players are started and whatever the formation the tactics seem to be the same" . We stand off from front to back from the off and are lightweight so teams go at us.

[Neal]

I could claim Coldplay , as constructive dismissal....but I am no Steve Kean!

As for the endless loop of another missed chance etc,it is like having to sit through endless repeats of Waiting for Godot, when you were hoping to watch Breaking Bad...

[Blue blood]

We've had our differences but i totally agree. I can imagine my posts coming across like I'm on the wind up or something but... My frustrations are based entirely on this point ^^^.

It's like banging your head against a brick wall! We're not in the playoffs! Realistically we're only playing for 1 playoff place... Why doesn't he just go for it? We've nothing to lose. This season is just sailing past us, waiting for players to come in, waiting for players to get back from injury, playing not to concede... I'm sat here thinking "what if?" but the majority of the Rovers faithful seem to be happy to be stuck in this dead space we're in right now, playing for nothing, no aspirations, no attacking emphasis... Just because we've previously had some garbage managers.

I understand Gary might be planning for the future and thats great but right now there is a SMALL chance we could take that playoff place and I'd have damn sight more respect for him if he grew a pair of balls and went for it. If we get beat trying to win games and going for broke then fine... At least can admire and respect him for that. What I can't respect is this distinct lack of faith and confidence shown in this group of underachieving players.

There are going to be people thinking... "a point away at Boro isn't a bad result" and you're right, it's not, BUT a point away at Boro is absolutely useless when teams above us and around us are picking up points. It's like we're stuck in an endless loop of another missed chance, another game coming up, more players that might be fit and another boring substandard performance (including our wins).

Change the record Gaz because this middle of the road Coldplay nonsense is doing my head in.

Spot. On.

And IF it is promotion or bust this becomes even more so the case. I'm guessing it can't be because we're showing no urgency to get to the playoffs whatsoever.

Yes we're in a much better position than previous years and hampered by the previous 3/4. But I do feel we're hiding behind that a lot. We've missed a heck of a lot of chances, where a change of tactics or personnel would have most likely made a huge impact on the results we've had. Yes, hindsight is a wonderful thing, but not when it's the same mistakes over and over again.

A good solid point regardless today, but I do worry a bit about the manner in which we got it. Seemed like we should have been dead and buried at half time and wouldn't have had any complaints had we gone in a goal or two behind. This negativity in so many games really makes me worry.

No problem with 4-4-2 or 4-5-1 - after all the top 3 teams are getting away with 4-4-2. The big concern is tactics and team. If it's 4-4-2 then Dunny included in there as well is madness. Also without Evans it's a big ask on Lowe. And sitting back so much has cost us points or nearly cost us on numerous occasions. I don't mind Bowyer learning, and his inexperience must be taken into account, but it seems to be the same mistakes week in week out which is very worrying - no idea of his best team, and sitting back far too much.

This may well have been the season of what might have been.

Edit - Tophil summed up one of the main things I was worried about far more succinctly than I managed!

[K-Hod]

It's not so much about formations as the best players in their correct positions and showing attacking intent!