[Archived] Rovers v Leicester City - Sat 22nd March KO - 3pm

[Doug]

Just back, really enjoyed the game. Thought we played some good stuff and thoroughly deserved at least a point.

Positives for me, Rhodes looks like he is developing his all round game, Rudy won almost every header, Evans and Conway dominated, Killy and Keane were excellent.

Negatives, Henley was shocking, Feeney looks poor and the poor turn out from Rovers fans.

Well done Rovers, can't wait to get Cairney back......and a Right Back!!

[arbitro]

Sorry its just a mess of random thoughts I tend to do it fresh in my mind on my walk up livesey branch road

Apparently Jordan Rhodes just bumped his car on the Car park, nothing drastic though!

By the way do we know if the ambulance with blues on entering Ewood at the end was for Henley

Was it one of the Leicester centre halves who bumped into him? Apparently the referee was close by but never saw anything.

The second half today was as good as I have seen this season at Ewood. Overall I thought a draw was the fair result with plenty of positives but for once these outweigh the negatives.

[darrenrover]

A thoroughly enjoyable game from my perspective, probably the best of my season.

I'm not a Williamson fan but thought partnered with Evans, he had a great game. What was noticeable was how much further up the pitch they both played, as opposed to the willowe partnership.

Evans for me was MOTM.

[rog of the rovers]

A really enjoyable game, great advertisement for Championship football.

My ratings

Robinson - 6 - Didnt have a lot to do, claimed crosses well, pity the best save of the match from him was about 30 seconds before they scored!

Henley - 4 - Very poor from him, could have been dragged off at 25 minutes. Too much too soon? I hope the injury isn't bad, but a spell away from the team may do him some good.

Kilgallon - 7 - Defended well and scored with a great header. Could, perhaps should have scored a second after the break.

Keane - 7 - Another accomplished performance from the youngster, coped well for the most part with Vardy. A couple of errors like letting the ball bounce and not putting his foot through the ball nearly cost us, but solid overall.

Spurr - 6 - Did ok, used his experience to keep Knockaert quiet. Still suspect at times though, poor play on the Leicester goal.

Feeney - 6 - Good in spells, seemed reluctant to take on his man and a little cagey in posession. He'll do til the end of the season. Would be surprised if he's here next year.

Williamson - 7 - Worked tirelessly in the middle, one of his better games in blue n white.

Evans - 7 - Like Williamson, worked very hard in the middle, didn't shirk any challenges, needs a run of games.

Conway - 8 - A great performance, bar the Leicester goal. Caused De Laet all sorts of problems, and his delivery is as good as anyone we've seen in recent years.

Gestede - 8 - Won every header, and against a big bullying centre half pairing. He's become a real asset.

Rhodes - 7 - Worked hard again, forced Schmeichel into a world class save, benefited from Gestede's aerial prowess.

Subs

Kane, Taylor, King - 6 - Tough to get up to pace in such a high tempo match. Kane had a great shot which was blocked, Taylor worked hard and King had a couple of good runs.

[Tom]

I forgot how bad the first half was until I just remembered the most interesting thing for 20 minutes was the movements of those 4 pigeons, at one point they were camped in our box for about 10 minutes, shows we weren't under much pressure and were comfy enough!

[DavidMailsTightPerm]

A thoroughly enjoyable game from my perspective, probably the best of my season.

I'm not a Williamson fan but thought partnered with Evans, he had a great game. What was noticeable was how much further up the pitch they both played, as opposed to the willowe partnership.

Evans for me was MOTM.

I am huge Evans fan - but far too many easy misplaced passes to make him MOM. Them playing farther up the pitch was nothing to do with the midfield - the defence (unusually) pushed right up to the half way line - compressing the play.

[Husky]

Just got back. I have to say that, that was probably the first proper game of football I've seen at Rovers this season................and dare I say it, even "enjoyable". Both teams could argue they could have won it; Leicester had quite a few chances - shooting just over the bar a couple of times, lots of balls flashing across our goal which on another day could have fallen for them, plus the comical hitting of the inside of the post. Though we weren't without our fair share - Rhodes bringing a good save from Kasper just after they'd scored, a header that hit the side netting, a 'mis-hit' shot that was saved low right hand of the goal and a header from Gestede that looked like it was cleared/blocked on the line.

Of course we were far from perfect - giving the ball away whilst passing across the midfield several times - which lead to some dangerous counter attacks and also they got in behind us far too easily at times. Though Leicester aren't brilliant themselves - the way that guy gave away a corner by kicking the ball back from the middle of the park was appalling - and ended up leading to our goal.

I agree with the MOTM - Conway had another good game and looks certainly top six championship material. I'd put Gestede as a close 2nd - worked pretty hard and also did some pretty decent defensive work when Leicester were pressing late on.

Injury jinx again - man down again (Henley this time) leading to the usual 7minutes plus injury time.

So we pretty much matched the run away Champions today - which is frustrating in itself as had we put in something close to this level of performance in other games we would have picked up more points and been in with a chance of the play-offs, and the 1-1 score-line would have been considered a good result. However it's a bit of a case of too little too late and let's see what happens next season.

Edit; Ref seemed like a good choice for Sunday league - let a lot of niggling and fouling go on - at first I couldn't work out whether Gestede was getting repeatedly fouled or he'd turned into a Heskey.

[bazza]

A really enjoyable game, great advertisement for Championship football.

My ratings

Robinson - 6 - Didnt have a lot to do, claimed crosses well, pity the best save of the match from him was about 30 seconds before they scored!

Henley - 4 - Very poor from him, could have been dragged off at 25 minutes. Too much too soon? I hope the injury isn't bad, but a spell away from the team may do him some good.

Kilgallon - 7 - Defended well and scored with a great header. Could, perhaps should have scored a second after the break.

Keane - 7 - Another accomplished performance from the youngster, coped well for the most part with Vardy. A couple of errors like letting the ball bounce and not putting his foot through the ball nearly cost us, but solid overall.

Spurr - 6 - Did ok, used his experience to keep Knockaert quiet. Still suspect at times though, poor play on the Leicester goal.

Feeney - 6 - Good in spells, seemed reluctant to take on his man and a little cagey in posession. He'll do til the end of the season. Would be surprised if he's here next year.

Williamson - 7 - Worked tirelessly in the middle, one of his better games in blue n white.

Evans - 7 - Like Williamson, worked very hard in the middle, didn't shirk any challenges, needs a run of games.

Conway - 8 - A great performance, bar the Leicester goal. Caused De Laet all sorts of problems, and his delivery is as good as anyone we've seen in recent years.

Gestede - 8 - Won every header, and against a big bullying centre half pairing. He's become a real asset.

Rhodes - 7 - Worked hard again, forced Schmeichel into a world class save, benefited from Gestede's aerial prowess.

Subs

Kane, Taylor, King - 6 - Tough to get up to pace in such a high tempo match. Kane had a great shot which was blocked, Taylor worked hard and King had a couple of good runs.

An excellent summary.

The Peter Jackson MOM was Conway. I was VERY impressed with Keane. This lad will make a great footballer. Can we have him on loan for all next season please.

Referee would prefer to see a broken leg than a bit of dissent or time-wasting........A shocking display.

[Mike Graham]

The most enjoyable game I have seen at Ewood for a long time.

Yes we rode our luck at times with the post and woeful finishing from Leicester helping us, how ever we were full of endeavour and effort and could have even snatched it.

Well done Rovers.

I am in London on Tuesday and Wednesday for business so will stop over and go to Watford away.

[OJRovers]

Huge opportunity next season with this squad SHOULD be challenging for play offs. Hopefully bowyer will improve too, but credit for getting some decent players in (at this level) in Killa, Marshall, Evans, Conway, Gestede, Cairney.

[Leonard Venkhater]

A game of two halves.

Despite the goals coming in the first, it was dire stuff before the break. Not sure we deserved to equalise but it was very welcome.

After the break we spent a lot of time in their half. Leicester should have gone 2-1 up after rounding the keeper and hitting the post with the goal begging (albeit from a narrowish angle) - a ball across the box would have been a tap in. That aside we had plenty of chances and could have done much better. For once Bowyer's half time team talk did the trick (I'm assuming he did the talking) and it was a much more enjoyable, if goalless, second half.

Bowyer will be ruing the calamaty for their opener - and I wish he'd stop calling his players by their nicknames - but all in all a good result against the probable Champions. Although doing Bumley a favour does stick in the craw a little.

P2 W1 D1 L0 F5 A3 P4

Again. It is getting to be a real pattern.I wonder how many in our goals against column fall into this category. It is so frustrating.If we could just eliminate 90% of the real gifts, it would give us half a chance. It must be quite soul destroying for the team to see this happening so often.

[Amo]

Any coincidence that the team apparently looked more assured without Lowe in the side? Honest question.

[Tom]

Possibly, we looked as unassured as ever until we got a break before half time to be fair.

[Waggy76]

Huge opportunity next season with this squad SHOULD be challenging for play offs. Hopefully bowyer will improve too, but credit for getting some decent players in (at this level) in Killa, Marshall, Evans, Conway, Gestede, Cairney.

You are right but we need a new manager first ...

[Proudtobeblue&white]

One of those games where had they scored their second, and they did miss a couple of sitters, they would have been out of sight. But we did ride our luck, and got the goal.

For once, having drawn level at a good time, we came out second half and actually took it to them. Something we haven't really done too often.

Conway is a bundle of energy, Rudy did win most of his headers, JR was let down by the work experience guy in the yellow top.

Williamson was good, except for an appalling cross field pass second half that could have cost us the game.

But I agree, as good a game as we've seen all season.

Do wish he'd brought King on earlier.......enjoyed today, and haven't said that for a while!

[joey_big_nose]

Funny how people see very different games. To be be honest I thought Conway and the centrebacks had very good games, and Rudy was outstanding in the air, otherwise we were average apart from Rhodes who was poor and Henley who was atrocious, and Williamson who I will get to. Very open game, could have finished 4 all. Surprised to see people praising Williamson who I thought was slow in posession and completely devoid of ideas, passing backwards all the time, and a couple oft imes putting us under huge pressure through misplaced back passes. I do think we have a nucleus of a good young team, very much looking forward to the day when we see Conway, Marshall, Cairney and Evans in the same midfield. Also we need to convert Lowe to a rightback. Kilgallon seems a significant upgrade on Dann imo. Keane I would love to keep. Rhodes to be completely honest, despite the quality of his movement and finishing is someone we need to look at. He got a huge amount of the ball today, mainly through Gestedes quality in the air, but he did so little with it... He limits our play.... We either need to focus on him and build othe side around him or move on... At the moment he is a bystander if marked properly.

Decent result, more to do starting at Watford.

[hi-jaq]

Watched it on the old t'interweb as my Saturday league teams game was called off 5 mins before kick off...

Robinson, looked a little suspect at times... better than Eastwood and Kean put together, the central defence need someone to organise and you can hear him over the crowd when their in full voice!!!

Defensively, Kilgallon and Keane were solid (is Keane really only 18... what a player he could be!!!)...

Our fullbacks let us down, Henley was terrible, what happened to that young kid who burst into the first team away at Man U a couple of years back???

Spurr was OK, but offers little gong forward, gets caught out of position at times.

Williamson had the best game I've seen play in a blue and white shirt... Looks composed in possession and copes well under pressure, passing was all too sideways though...

Lots of energy from Evans, thought his passing was all too sideways too... for the first time in a long time, the central midfield didn't look out of its depth.

Feeney... errrrm... offered little, some good running... but didn't seem like he wanted to get into the game as much as Conway, I can only think of one cross into the box from him that had any quality... oh... apart from the long throw that won the corner, that led to our equaliser!!!

Conway, works his socks off... got the march on De Laet and you could see him growing in confidence as the game wore on, some great crosses and very rarely lost possession in their half, looks a good un!!!

Gestede put himself about, won nearly every header and looked to have the bit between his teeth... He and Rhodes aren't on the same frequency at all though... and Rhodes couldn't hold up play if his life depended on it... I wonder if given time they will strike up a good partnership, remember Heskey, the most unselfish striker ever... if Gestede can be slightly better with the ball at his feet and Rhodes can make the right runs... maybe, just maybe it would work!!!???

Bowyer... well, it seems he managed to motivate the players at half time (shame that it was 3 games too late!!!!)... they did OK first half, but really gave it some at points in the second half, which was pleasing to see. Still waited too long to make a change, I'd have swapped one of the centre midfielders for Dunn perhaps... if we'd have been a bit more incisive around their box in the latter stages maybe we'd have nicked it... good call with King, but that was too late, maybe a little earlier would have give him chance to assert himself on the game.

All in all, a fair result... I think we should have had a penalty at the end... didn't see a replay, but what I saw initially it looked like a foul... but the ref gave nothing today, some blatant fouls we're completely ignored, shocking display from him.

Under normal circumstances I'm sure all of us would have taken a point before kick off... but I feel slightly disappointed not to have won, as we had enough chances and played well enough.

COYB!!!

[Proudtobeblue&white]

Eddie Ilderton is apparently a referee.......remember that name, he will go far.......he was at Ewood today. I hope he goes far and never comes back, awful performance.

[Mike Graham]

I agree with the chaps above.

A good Rovers performance and plenty of effort. However Rhodes was very very poor.....his first touch is consistently appalling.

All Rhodes needs are some basic ball control skills and he may make a very good footballer.

But.....overall some good stuff from the players. Well done although Rhodes needs to get his finger out of his a^^e.

[gumboots]

Didn't help his performance when he ended up at one point in the right back position though

[Stuart]

I agree with the chaps above.

A good Rovers performance and plenty of effort. However Rhodes was very very poor.....his first touch is consistently appalling.

All Rhodes needs are some basic ball control skills and he may make a very good footballer.

But.....overall some good stuff from the players. Well done although Rhodes needs to get his finger out of his a^^e.

Always amazed that he gets so much stick from the fans.

A few times today, he harried and closed down players, came out wide only to have no-one to pass to because none of his team mates ever take a gamble into the space he has left. He tries his best to do the ugly stuff - because that's what Rovers fans prefer - and criticised for it.

He is never a captain by any stretch but for some reason whenever he doesn't score the knives are out.

Didn't help his performance when he ended up at one point in the right back position though

You must be mistaken gumboots. Rhodes never covers that much ground. He's far too useless.

[LDRover]

My only criticism of Rhodes today would be that he went to ground too easily. I'd like to see the penalty shout in injury time again because he'd turned the defender and had a shot one on one with the keeper, it didn't make sense to dive so maybe he was caught?

[Tom]

I would say Gestede does twice the running which is fair enough if thats the instructions

The throwing himself to the ground stuff today was frustrating though almost Kalinicesque

He won us the game last week though we are all allowed off days

LD - I think he was fouled at the end but it was a bit boy who cried wolf by then

[Proudtobeblue&white]

My only criticism of Rhodes today would be that he went to ground too easily. I'd like to see the penalty shout in injury time again because he'd turned the defender and had a shot one on one with the keeper, it didn't make sense to dive so maybe he was caught?

He could have his leg broke in the turn, but halfwit ref would have booked him for time wasting!

[gumboots]

I too am always amazed at how much stick he gets. Today he got the treatment from Leicester and stood up fairly well considering the ref gave him so little protection. He always tries to make himself available and whatever else you may accuse him of I don't think laziness is one of them.