[Archived] Rovers v QPR - 8th April, KO: 7.45

[Proudtobeblue&white]

So why doesn't GB play Lowe at RB? Cos he's now got a Manure loaner who seemingly has to play, and of course tonight's result gives him every reason to play the same team Sat.....so it goes on.....well done tonight, been a long time since I enjoyed going, crowd 10,000 tops, never mind nearly 13,000!

[Stuart]

Sorry to distract from what was a really good game but I was asked!

8/10 for Bowyer tonight.

[Colt Seavers]

Williamson looked gutted when subbed. He must have wondered how lowe can breeze back in after weeks on the treatment table and get a full ninety.

Bowyer's comments regarding lowe after the game tell me that a hidden agenda is at play somewhere.

[rog of the rovers]

A very pleasing performance. As good as we've been this year and a mouth watering taste of what next season could bring.

QPR on the other hand were awful. Whilst we were excellent, they were lethargic, lacked drive and heart. A team full of players who looked liked they were on the beach already. Very much like us last season, brilliant on paper, but a mess on the pitch. Green and Dunne continued their run of poor games at Ewood.

My ratings

Robinson - 6, didn't have a great deal to do. Stunning save from a Morisson volley. Kicking a little suspect, but solid enough.

Keane - 7, another accomplished performance from the youngster. Would love to see him back next season. Handled Hoilett well.

Hanley - 6, a dodgy moment early on, but redeemed himself. Coped well with the long balls, but rarely tested.

Kilgallon - 7, solid performance, could have played with a cigar in his mouth.

Spurr - 7, kept Benayoun quiet, got forward and delivered some nice crosses. Got lucky with his goal, but a good strike nonetheless.

Cairney - 6, quietly went about his business. Worked hard for the team, some neat touches.

Lowe - 7, combative in midfield, had one of his better games.

Williamson - 7, another good performance, nullified Henry and Carroll. Kept things simple in possession, possibly his best game in the blue n white.

Conway - 9, what a signing he's proving to be. A handful all night, covered every blade of grass down each wing. Defended when he had to, stunning deliveries from free kicks and corners. Turning into the signing of the season.

Rhodes - 6, helped by Gestede's flick ons, but kept quiet. Dragged a couple of shots wide.

Gestede - 8, another vintage Rudy performance. A handful and so strong both on the ground and in the air. Wonderful strike, another fine signing.

Etuhu, Dunn and Varney - 6, all given a job to do, Varney should have done better when through on goal, but all helped solidify a fine victory.

[roversfan99]

I think Keane is arguably better at right back, he is very comfortable on the ball and good going forward.

Him, Williamson, Gestede, Spurr and Conway in particular impressed. Fair play to Bowyer.

[jim mk2]

A real battling display all over the pitch. Particular kudos for Cairney, Williamson, Conway, Spurr, Keane, Gestede, Hanley, Rhodes and Kilgallon. ot sacking.

Mentions the whole team but not Lowe. How stupid is this?

As it happens Lowe had a fine game and fully justified his recall.

A very pleasing win tonight and at a canter too. Rovers again within sight of the playoffs - those silly dropped points through the season so frustrating.

[somersetrover]

Very good performance from start to finish, that was the best performance at home since Bolton in August. The now defence looks very solid again with Keane at right back. Conway is such hard worker and never seems to have a bad game. Williamson was immense he is getting better each game. I was stunned that Lowe got straight back in just like last time when he was out, he was average tonight but sadly he will probably start on Saturday as he is Bowyer's blind spot. Rudy was unplayable as he always is. QPR were absolutely dreadful though and if they keep playing like that could easily lose all their remaining games and miss out on the play offs, they reminded me of us last year with a lot of overpaid has been who couldn't care less.

[Proudtobeblue&white]

I do still wonder though.....we bossed the game after Rudy's goal. If JR was injured, and Rudy knackered, late in the 2nd half, would have liked to see King on with some pace. Varney is lively, but we are thin when our two best strikers go off.....waste to bring Dunny on, did nowt!

We must remember Keane is on loan, I can't see them letting him go, especially if he keeps performing as he does, so RB a problem going forward!

[LDRover]

Williamson looked gutted when subbed. He must have wondered how lowe can breeze back in after weeks on the treatment table and get a full ninety.

Bowyer's comments regarding lowe after the game tell me that a hidden agenda is at play somewhere.

Yeah, I noticed that with Williamson. Maybe Bowyer wanted him to get an ovation all on his own??

[Tom]

After Varney came on for Rudy they had the most of the ball they had since the first five minutes and we got pegged back a bit

Etuhu looked decent enough but limped off so we won't see him again

[Leonard Venkhater]

Williamson looked gutted when subbed. He must have wondered how lowe can breeze back in after weeks on the treatment table and get a full ninety.

Bowyer's comments regarding lowe after the game tell me that a hidden agenda is at play somewhere.

I assumed he was just knackered. I thought he had a really good game... again.

Thoroughly enjoyed the game and some of our inter passing/tempo was the best I can remember for ages.

All this has got me curious whether any of the teams above us just happen to be playing each other in the next 5 games...I really should know better!!

[West Yorks Rover]

Williamson looked gutted when subbed. He must have wondered how lowe can breeze back in after weeks on the treatment table and get a full ninety.

Bowyer's comments regarding lowe after the game tell me that a hidden agenda is at play somewhere.

Has anyone met Jason's dad, does he look like him ?

[Proudtobeblue&white]

After Varney came on for Rudy they had the most of the ball they had since the first five minutes and we got pegged back a bit

Etuhu looked decent enough but limped off so we won't see him again

Ten grand a touch....class

[patrickvalery]

I used to think that but in the space of two minutes, we saw how to play full back (Keane intercepting the pass, laying it off and overlapping Cairney into the space) and how not too (identical situation, Lowe simply stood still in full combat pose and watched the ball all the way onto the boot of the opposition from 2 metres away and was passengeresque).

Not for me, PV.

Cheers Stuart. As i say, i haven't seen anything of tonights match so to comment would be disrespectful to those, like yourself, who attended. I just fancy him at RB far more than in the middle. I think he has the raw materials to do a job there. But, again, i would have to accept that the opinion of those who watch him week in week out is far more accurate than my own.

[Leonard Venkhater]

Mentions the whole team but not Lowe. How stupid is this?

As it happens Lowe had a fine game and fully justified his recall.

A very pleasing win tonight and at a canter too. Rovers again within sight of the playoffs - those silly dropped points through the season so frustrating.

Read above and think Chattox, Demdyke, Nutter et al!

[Mike E]

I assumed he was just knackered. I thought he had a really good game... again.

Thoroughly enjoyed the game and some of our inter passing/tempo was the best I can remember for ages.

All this has got me curious whether any of the teams above us just happen to be playing each other in the next 5 games...I really should know better!!

What's the difference between passing and interpassing?

For me, that was 7s all-round, with an 8 for Spurr and 9s for Gestede, Williamson and Craigo Conwayo.

[Stuart]

Mentions the whole team but not Lowe. How stupid is this?

As it happens Lowe had a fine game and fully justified his recall.

Opinion stated as fact.

You remind me of someone but surely banned posters are NOT meant to generate new accounts to circumvent a ban?

[Proudtobeblue&white]

What's the difference between passing and interpassing?

Dingles do the latter!

[somersetrover]

Williamson looked gutted when subbed. He must have wondered how lowe can breeze back in after weeks on the treatment table and get a full ninety.

Bowyer's comments regarding lowe after the game tell me that a hidden agenda is at play somewhere.

I thought that about Williamson as well but not only due to the fact that Lowe is just back from injury but also because Williamson had a far better game than Lowe. I find it hard to believe that Bowyer (who with his signings has shown that he clearly has a good eye for a player) continues to pick Lowe.

[Leonard Venkhater]

What's the difference between passing and interpassing?

Point taken, Sir,...I meant the quick interchanges rather than just accuracy....(?)

Dingles do the latter!

All the way to the Premier League, apparently

[Tom]

Ten grand a touch....class

So what should he do? came on made a couple of really good blocks and interceptions

He can only play the games he's selected in, not his fault he was offered a wage higher than most of his teammates fair play to him

[Proudtobeblue&white]

Point taken, Sir,...I meant the quick interchanges rather than just accuracy....(?)

All the way to the Premier League, apparently

It was a breeding comment, nowt to do with footy

[scotchrover]

Good win! I couldn't get to the game on Saturday but the Defence seemed a lot more solid tonight. Conway was a real threat going forward again, and Gestede was excellent in the air.

I also felt QPR looked like they'd run out of ideas going forward, and gave a true masterclass in how to pass it sideways (made our midfielders look average at doing it!).

The next five are all winnable, including Wigan who aren't in the best run of form. Hope I'm wrong, but I can see the wheels coming off again on Saturday.

Also, as I wasn't there on Saturday, I nearly spat my drink out when Etuhu came on.

[Proudtobeblue&white]

So what should he do? came on made a couple of really good blocks and interceptions

He can only play the games he's selected in, not his fault he was offered a wage higher than most of his teammates fair play to him

Just irony, he seemed to go off limping.....he's a professional footballer & has played very few games for us, he's fit enough to come off the bench, so is he fit in the first place. He'd had his hair done for his appearance. Don't get us started on his wage........happened in a far darker time...

[Roversider]

Very good display from a Rovers team who are beginning to fit together. Lowe allowed Williamson to get forward so I'm not sure he deserves some of the stick he has received.

Bringing Varney and Dunn on meant that we had some fresh legs to chase down QPR defenders - all the team needed to defend as a unit from the front to back and they did that pretty effectively.

Gestede was immense but there was a mass of energy on the pitch wearing Blue and White as opposed to the overpaid Dennis the Menace dressed QPR. Conway has been a great addition. Would love to sign Keane but I think he is destined to return to Old Trafford.

Credit to Bowyer and the coaching staff, we now look solid again and just might chase the sixth spot. It's a tough one as there are so many clubs after it. I just hope QPR crash and burn, they look like we did at our overpaid worst.