[Archived] Rovers vs Wigan

[Pitty]

The biggest game we threw away this season was at home to Brighton 3-3, if we would have would have won 3-2 we would be in playoffs now.

If we can keep this team together and add 2 quality buys we should challenge for automatic next season.

[somersetrover]

It wasn't the Yeovil or Wednesday result that came back to haunt us, it was the Brighton game at home because them scoring that goal with 2 or 3 minutes left was a three point swing in the play off race.

[Mike Graham]

21 players in, in just over a year, played a very defensive central midfield most games - yet the clubs in this crap league scored 101 goals against us in 46 games. Finishing 8th wasn't great and I still think another manager with more nous and a better transfer/game plan would have got us at least into the playoffs.

Well said Den. We need a decent manager, not GB.

[broadsword]

Big drop in parachute payments coming up. We'll be getting into deeper and deeper waters financially. Appointing bowyer could've been the worst mistake venkys have made so far. Not the worst appointment but the worst decision. A better manager could've taken this squad a lot further. The window of opportunity could now have closed

[Stuart]

Big drop in parachute payments coming up. We'll be getting into deeper and deeper waters financially. Appointing bowyer could've been the worst mistake venkys have made so far. Not the worst appointment but the worst decision. A better manager could've taken this squad a lot further. The window of opportunity could now have closed

But the irony is that without Bowyer we wouldn't have this squad.

The problem isn't necessarily Bowyer but a combination of Bowyer, the mess he inherited, and lack of time available to rebuild at the pace he has needed.

[magicalmortensleftpeg]

Big drop in parachute payments coming up. We'll be getting into deeper and deeper waters financially. Appointing bowyer could've been the worst mistake venkys have made so far. Not the worst appointment but the worst decision. A better manager could've taken this squad a lot further. The window of opportunity could now have closed

But a different manager may not have bought Cairney, Conway, Evans, Gestede, Marshall, Spurr etc. Its been these transfers that have taken us to the brink of the play offs. Look at the side a year ago. It's miles better now.

[chaddyrovers]

we really don't know how another manager would have done with Rovers and what signings he would have made this season. would have a different manager have signed Cairney, Evans, Kilgallon, Conway, Marshall, Gestede, Spurr who have been very good signings made by Gary Bowyer?

with these signings Bowyer have taken us from the brink of relegation last season to this season be challenging for playoffs place. very good progress made this season.

I'm really shocked with Preston Blue and Den comments about Bowyer and they don't recognise the good progress made after the previous 3 seasons of turmoil that has happened before.

question to Preston Blue and Den, what were your expectations before the season started and why isn't Bowyer not the right manager for Rovers?

[JBiz]

Big drop in parachute payments coming up. We'll be getting into deeper and deeper waters financially. Appointing bowyer could've been the worst mistake venkys have made so far. Not the worst appointment but the worst decision. A better manager could've taken this squad a lot further. The window of opportunity could now have closed

This is simply laughable in my eyes. The only good thing Venkys have done since arriving is signing cheques and slinking into the background.

And as for the window of opportunity, that horse bolted some time ago when the Raos made "the worst decision they have made" when they sacked Allardyce.

It's damage limitation unfortunately and by half GBs managed to stop any rot and get us pointing in a better direction. As for the season, today's performance sums it up again. Unplayable first half then not as good. Inconsistent.

Hopefully more time on the grass will get this team consistent!

[LDRover]

Entertaining game today, we were superb attacking wise , especially in the first half.

No real gripes today, maybe the King Keane right hand side was weak but it's churlish to have too much of a pop.

Special word for Marcus Ollsen who was excellent throughout. I'd have had him out the door a month ago but the last couple of games have made me think he may have a future here.

Cairney is a class act but does drift in and out, Conway is a fantastic acquisition but the last word has to be on Gestede. The lad is simply unplayable when he's on his game. I'd go as far as to say that if he stays fit next season we go up.

[Pitty]

There is more chance of us losing Gestede than Rhodes. He is what the bottom half sides of the prem dream of, class in the air, strong and has a bit of pace. Where as Rhodes lacks pace and strength but deadly in front of goal. The ideal situation would be to keep both.

[Proudtobeblue&white]

Entertaining game today, we were superb attacking wise , especially in the first half.

No real gripes today, maybe the King Keane right hand side was weak but it's churlish to have too much of a pop.

Special word for Marcus Ollsen who was excellent throughout. I'd have had him out the door a month ago but the last couple of games have made me think he may have a future here.

Cairney is a class act but does drift in and out, Conway is a fantastic acquisition but the last word has to be on Gestede. The lad is simply unplayable when he's on his game. I'd go as far as to say that if he stays fit next season we go up.

Good post, if this team could stay fit, a la Dingles, for the first half of next season, we could be breaking scoring records. Defensively, not so good. Couple of good signings in this department, I'll be close to being excited!

[Pitty]

In fact I will go one step further, big Sam will have spunked in his pants watching Rudy the last four games ;-)

[Tom]

Was anyone else disappointed Keane didn't take one for the team and give McClean a good swift kick after the Hanley incident?

He has shown he has lost his head there was a chance to wind him up more but Keane seemed scared of him

[JAL]

Like den and PB definitely agree that Rovers need a quality manager.

Time to hire a winner at management level, now is the time if the club is to show ambition. Keep with Bowyer who keeps your Varney's, Willimason's, Eastwood's and Lowe and you'll soon find out that this club has no ambition despite signing one or two decent players.

The fitness levels, off the ball performances, along with the keeper coaching, leave a lot to be desired from team GB.

[den]

Am I missing something when you say we conceded 101 goals in 46 games. I thought it was 62

My apologies renrag. I was reading the espn tables and misread them.

[had.e.nuff]

There is more chance of us losing Gestede than Rhodes. He is what the bottom half sides of the prem dream of, class in the air, strong and has a bit of pace. Where as Rhodes lacks pace and strength but deadly in front of goal. The ideal situation would be to keep both.

Funny how one of the bottom sides let him go

[Pitty]

That's probably one of the reasons they went down?

[Tom]

I have no doubts that Gestede could do it at the top level

Not seen him be bossed by a centre half yet

[Pitty]

That's what I am saying, for a top level club he will have more of what is required for a target man. I hope we keep Rhodes and Rudy and go up.

[USABlue]

I do want Bowyer to leave in the Summer, I think he is responsible for us not getting in the playoffs.

I know what an arse, you know that Bowyer was responsible for us not getting relegated last season too. Get rid.

Fatigue playing it's part, but Robbo poor at getting down to that.

He's been making a good living being poor at getting down, being beat on his near post and flapping at crosses for years now but he is still streets ahead of what else we have.

[Riverside67]

To be honest I thought Gestede was bossed by the Yeovil Centre Backs. But everyone has an off day and he has turned out far better than expected as my Cardiff pals did not predict we had made a great signing at the time.

[dingles staying down 4ever]

Yesterday's game summed up the season perfectly. Good attacking with wing play in patches, poor defensively especially at right back, gave away silly goals, poor goalkeeping and Rovers players could not last 90 minutes

There have been positives this season but next season we need to sort out the joke of the defence if we are to progress.

Was it me or did anyone else notice that Bowyer still can't make a sub. When he took Evans off, he seemed to change his mind several times. He spoke to Taylor, stripped Feeney and finally decided on Lowe before making a change.

On the game itself, some of Rovers' football in the first half was a joy to watch but everytime Wigan attacked you sensed panic in our defence. With a good left winger, Ollson was good an a 12 month contract to see if he can sustain that form should be offered. King and Conway offer a contrast in styles which is good but both faded in the second half again. Hopefully thats the last of Feeney as he manages to acheive the impossible and frustrate more than King. Gestede was yet again immense.

Yet again when Lowe came on Rovers started to stand off players allowing Wigan to pass through midfield. We missed Evans' running. Taylor may have been a better option.

Finally why are still not putting players on post when defending corners. Yet again Wigan's first goal would have prevented if we had a player stationed on both posts?

To be honest I thought Gestede was bossed by the Yeovil Centre Backs. But everyone has an off day and he has turned out far better than expected as my Cardiff pals did not predict we had made a great signing at the time.

Agree. He didn't win as many in the air as he normally does but he still offered more than Rhodes or Varney would of. If Rovers had got the ball down and played to his feet I'm sure he'd of the got the better of them too.

[Doug]

Didn't show the Rhodes sitter on TV.

Can anyone who was sat closer than me explain what he did as it seemed he trapped the ball? It was a great cross and seemed easier to score.

[tomphil]

To be honest I thought Gestede was bossed by the Yeovil Centre Backs. But everyone has an off day and he has turned out far better than expected as my Cardiff pals did not predict we had made a great signing at the time.

Certain Championship bruisers will handle Rudy but most won't when he's on form, one step away from them and he leaps like a salmon. Possibly the best header in the div ? Hopefully he can maintain it and turn into a good all rounder but I hope it doesn't become our first or only option i.e bang it up to him every time if we're ever without Conway for a spell.

[Tom]

Didn't show the Rhodes sitter on TV.

Can anyone who was sat closer than me explain what he did as it seemed he trapped the ball? It was a great cross and seemed easier to score.

From where I was the ball was rolled across and he had an open net if he took it early but he took a touch then a weak shot and the keeper had time to set himself

He wasn't the only one to take an extra touch and lose a great chance, Conway did it first half and king second half in good positions but Rhodes chance was a shocker really.

Rudy also missed a good chance to bag his hattrick late on when he came closer to clearing the stand than scoring