[Archived] Gary Bowyer Discussion

[Mike E]

I think that for some posters to refer to Bowyer as 'an over-promoted nobody' is extremely unfair. As far as I can see he's, at worst, a solid championship manager. I would describe our club's 'natural position' as midtable championship.

Will he take us up? I don't know. This season is still a possibility.

A few games ago, I was firmly in the 'Bowyer Out' camp as I didn't feel he has it in him. Now I'm back in seeing how he does by the season's end. If he can pull off the playoffs or even if he comes up a couple of points short again, I MIGHT even be up for him carrying on into next season.

[ABBEY]

That's fickleness finest Mike lad

[Amo]

Abbey in full effect. Great post.

Parson, read this. We don't hate bowyer, we just think a better manager would get this squad promoted. Alas, I think there will be a few leaving this summer and the chance goes. If our clubs form over the last five years was put into a graph, it would be a downward flow with a little spike for the last 10 weeks of last season. Ultimately, we are going one way

You'll probably receive the standard response that Bowyer's the best we can hope for, rather than risk rolling the dice again. There might be some merit to that argument, but it doesn't mean we shouldn't question the manager's credentials and ability to perform the job required of him where necessary.

[gumboots]

That's fickleness finest Mike lad

It's looking at the evidence abs. For whatever reason, the team has looked better recently. I agree much of it is still sterile and dull as ditchwater to watch but for some reason the results have started coming. Long may it continue. I don't think I ever called vociferously for bowyer to go but I did think earlier we'd reached a point of someone else coming in couldn't really do much worse so perhaps it's time for a change. However, something has changed. The cup run and the confidence that comes from it? Players realising that they need to put a shift in for their own career prospects if nothing else. Media speculation about transfers meaning they've woken up again to the fact that they might get a move if they show well now. I don't know but whatever it is is bringing better results if not more exciting performances and I think bowyer deserves the rest of the season. After that, who knows

[Blackburn Ender]

Several weeks ago, when we had the poll to remove/keep Bowyer, I voted to keep him. Almost solely on the basis that I simply do not trust the Rao/Desai's and Shaw brigade to get the next appointment right.

With the results we've recently had and, more importantly, some of the performances, I feel Bowyer could yet become a promotion challenging manager for us.

But, as many have said, he does need to 'unleash the beast' a bit more and go at the opposition in a much more positive way.

This division is there for the taking for a side with the quality of players we obviously have, plus, two up top who can score freely and frighten defences.

With what's coming down from the Premiership there's nothing to fear next season should we, as is most probable, miss out on the play-offs this time.

Give Bowyer August to November to show he's learnt a few things and if we are not comfortably top six by December then he may well have run out of time.

[T J Hooker]

A bit harsh that Andy. I have to admit Parson sees positives where I do not but he has always maintained the line that turning the tanker round was a big job. I lost my patience after the two hiome defeats to Weds and Wolves where I thought we were going backwards.

The key is if Bowyer is still putting building blocks down.

Definite progress for me in the last few weeks in the number one problem area of defence, Baptiste, Kilgallon, and Henry are ahead of Duffy and Hanley and I trust GB has sussed this.

The progress of Henley and Olsson this season is a plus. Spearing in midfield is a good signing. Cairney playing a bit more central also the right move. Steele is an improvement at Goalie as well, so several step forwards from last season.

Just a lack of pace breaking from midfield to support up front worries me but fair do's to Parson he promoted patience and there are signs now. We are not up with Derby/Norwich/Boro or Bournemouth but we are nearer to the others pushing at the top.

taking them up at one end to lay down at the other isn't going to get anything built.

Here we go again , win a few meaningless end of season games and everyone gets excited !

Rhodes,Gestede and King will more than likely be plying their trades at pastures new , next season...

That means relegation candidates for the next campaign ......

players are just stepping it up now to impress potential suitors or gain new contracts, bowyer has little to do with it, why couldn't he get them performing like this week in week out when it mattered?(and why if winning is his priority does he always play his pals hanley and lowe whenever they are fit regardless of the fact we play twice as good when they aren't in the team?)

[47er]

Parson, surely one major reason for the inconsistency from week to week and the individual mistakes is the chopping and changing of the team? That, and playing players out of position?

Look at Burnley last season. Dyche knew his best team and played it all the time.

[thenodrog]

What does it say on his passport, Gordon.

Dunno, Scottish perhaps? He sounds Irish though.

[Stuart]

Dunno, Scottish perhaps? He sounds Irish though.

He's Northern Irish - so technically a UK national, although effectively a Brit.

[thenodrog]

He's Northern Irish - so technically a UK national, although effectively a Brit.

So I was correct first time after all? BUT you were referring specifically to ENGLISH managers! Not UK nationals and not Brits.

[Rover_Shaun]

I think that for some posters to refer to Bowyer as 'an over-promoted nobody' is extremely unfair. As far as I can see he's, at worst, a solid championship manager. I would describe our club's 'natural position' as midtable championship.

Will he take us up? I don't know. This season is still a possibility.

A few games ago, I was firmly in the 'Bowyer Out' camp as I didn't feel he has it in him. Now I'm back in seeing how he does by the season's end. If he can pull off the playoffs or even if he comes up a couple of points short again, I MIGHT even be up for him carrying on into next season.

And come January 2016, sitting 15th, you'll once again be wondering why we wasted another 12 months on Gary Bowyer. Another 50 mill on the debt-o-meter too.

[Gav]

And come January 2016, sitting 15th, you'll once again be wondering why we wasted another 12 months on Gary Bowyer. Another 50 mill on the debt-o-meter too.

Great result for Dyche though Shaun

[Rover_Shaun]

Great result for Dyche though Shaun

Ask Paul

[barry_]

it makes me wonder why, when it has come to this time of the season, we start going on a winning run. Couldn't have anything to do with the fact that bowyer's contract is up for discussion. 'I gave it a good go'. Pathetic.

[DE.]

Probably more to do with the fact we're so far off the playoffs that there is no pressure on the players to perform, so with the mental shackles released the players actually DO give it a right good go as opposed to being stupidly cautious.

[martonrover]

Probably more to do with the fact we're so far off the playoffs that there is no pressure on the players to perform, so with the mental shackles released the players actually DO give it a right good go as opposed to being stupidly cautious.

and, more pertinently, Bowyer not being so stupidly cautious.

For the second season running we are winning dead rubbers with the prize all but gone and the pressure off.

Tomorrow night it's back on again to a certain extent, and even more so in subsequent games if we win.

When we got back in it last season, Bowyer 'protected a point' against Yeovil at home!

[Exiled in Toronto]

I'm not sure I understand this pressure / no pressure thing that is now proven fact on here. Our bad run started at the back end of last year, so why was the pressure in December that much more than in October or Feb/March??

[martonrover]

I'm not sure I understand this pressure / no pressure thing that is now proven fact on here. Our bad run started at the back end of last year, so why was the pressure in December that much more than in October or Feb/March??

Because that's when the wheat is separated from the chaff and the serious contenders start to emerge.

The shackles coming off when it's too late is Bowyer to a tee as far as I'm concerned.

Of course, I hope to be proved wrong in May ;-)

[thenodrog]

it makes me wonder why, when it has come to this time of the season, we start going on a winning run. Couldn't have anything to do with the fact that bowyer's contract is up for discussion. 'I gave it a good go'. Pathetic.

Dont be daft. He's not on the pitch is he? Also if he could have had this form from the start he would already have an improved offer on the table which he could reject and pick and choose from a number of clubs.

Think it through barry_.

[Exiled in Toronto]

Because that's when the wheat is separated from the chaff and the serious contenders start to emerge.

The shackles coming off when it's too late is Bowyer to a tee as far as I'm concerned.

Of course, I hope to be proved wrong in May ;-)

No it isn't. It's ludicrous to say that the December games are inherently more pressured than any other month. The top and bottom of the table start taking shape in October but there's been all sorts of changes in the table since then.

A more pertinent, and quantifiable criticism would be our record against the top 6/7, that's the issue imo.

[Athlete]

Probably more to do with the fact we're so far off the playoffs that there is no pressure on the players to perform, so with the mental shackles released the players actually DO give it a right good go as opposed to being stupidly cautious.

Even if we sneak the play offs we know the excuses if we fail.. Fixture pile up etc

[blueboy3333]

I'm not sure I understand this pressure / no pressure thing that is now proven fact on here. Our bad run started at the back end of last year, so why was the pressure in December that much more than in October or Feb/March??

don't go asking for logic from the braying 'Bowyer Out' mob, one of them posts something that is factually incorrect and then they all run with it till they're proved wrong. Then they make something else up...

The fact is we had an awful spell in December/January which included games we really should have won ( Bolton, Wigan, Sheff W) and it's going to cost us probably. Nothing to do with presuure and everything to do with a bad run of form, and in some cases bad luck and not finishing our chances. Of course there are outliers like the Blackpool game but overall we have been competetive in the vast majority of games we play.

[roverzee]

Even if we sneak the play offs we know the excuses if we fail.. Fixture pile up etc

Amazing. Putting words in Gary Bowyer's mouth for an eventuality which might (but probably won't) happen in 2 months time.

Can't you just stick to slagging off the interviews he's actually done?

[Athlete]

Amazing. Putting words in Gary Bowyer's mouth for an eventuality which might (but probably won't) happen in 2 months time.

Can't you just stick to slagging off the interviews he's actually done?

Ha ha... Thought one of the Rovers Fans would bite

TBH this squad should be play offs very least more than likely should of been challenging for automatic promotion but looks like that ship sailed and maybe our best chance of getting back up as I'd be very surprised to see JR and Rudy here next season

[DE.]

I'm not sure I understand this pressure / no pressure thing that is now proven fact on here. Our bad run started at the back end of last year, so why was the pressure in December that much more than in October or Feb/March??

You may not recall but as we entered December we were in and around the top 6 - I think we even reached the lofty heights of sixth place at one point. We were being talked up as genuine promotion candidates. Of course that shift in expectation from the crowd brings pressure. Much like last season, our players and management team couldn't handle it and we slipped away, until we were so far behind it once again became very unlikely we'd get anywhere near the playoffs.

I'm sure that, now there's almost no hope of us getting into the playoffs, our sudden run of good form is just a coincidence and nothing at all to do with the mental strength of the manager/players. But it does seem odd that every time we get near the goal we suddenly start falling short - whether it's Yeovil last season or Millwall/Blackpool this season.