[Archived] Gary Bowyer Discussion

[JBiz]

You really are a curiosity. I've seen some straw man arguments but that's up there with the best, with a bait-and-switch thrown in for good measure. Ridiculous is the certainly the best way to describe the words you are trying to put in my mouth.

By the way, you're is not just a pretentious way of saying your, it actually means something different.

In reports, assessments, important letters etc- ill proof read grammar spelling. When I'm typing on my phone to you, I'm not wasting any more time than I have already.

I'll leave it at that though. When replies get to grammar, you know the poster is scraping the barrel!

[Hasta]

Did we play ok yesterday. GB has bored the interest out of me enough to bother paying attention to it.

[West Yorks Rover]

Can't see it unless Madame catches him pi***** on one of her carpets during the next audience with, and decides he's not a very nice man

He'd blame it on the servant and Big Barry would be ordered to take him/her round the back and give them a good thrashing with

his big stick.

[Stuart]

I'll leave it at that though.

Your best post in ages.

Seriously though, you spend as much time posting personal comments as making points. The fact that I know you are capable of more just makes it all the more frustrating.

Stick to debating the points I make and not the points you'd like me to make so that you can 'win' an argument and we'll be fine.

[JBiz]

So that I can be clear and not accused of putting words in your mouth I will ask two questions;

1. Do you think the current manager has an agenda when selecting players, based on anything other than what he perceives as the best choice for the club?

2. Do you think that Jordan Rhodes is played in a way to inhibit his scoring opportunities rather than maximising them?

[AllRoverAsia]

Oh a quiz......................good

The answers are Yes and Yes.

[Stuart]

Better.

1. Do you think the current manager has an agenda when selecting players, based on anything other than what he perceives as the best choice for the club?

Nope. But first we have to agree that Bowyer does set up the team and tactics and that his choice of players is down to him and no-one else. It is therefore his responsibility.

Bowyer sets up teams which are narrow, frequently playing 'wrong-footed' wingers on their respective opposite flanks. This can only be designed for players to cut inside or to be more comfortable facing their own goal.

He plays long ball football when he doesn't have Gestede on the pitch and instead has players aim the ball at Rhodes. This is not Rhodes' game.

He plays on the break when he has no pace in the team. He seems to hope that Rhodes will somehow get forward onto balls when we break out when Rhodes does not have pace.

Bowyer subscribes to "defence is the best form of defence" mentality. He defends corners with every single player back defending. If the ball is cleared it comes straight back in again. We cannot break out fast enough.

He visibly "shuts up shop" when winning 1-0. Sometimes at 0-0 preferring to keep players behind the ball and using Rhodes as a wild card. But if Rhodes doesn't score for a couple of games he is criticised and there are calls for him to be dropped (or even sold).

He selects players who he favours - frequently dropping players who are on form. I suspect we will lose decent players like King and Duffy because of this policy. Maybe this is some kind of self-serving notion because his players have come from the ranks. Or maybe they are the best exponents of the Bowyer brand of football. Either way it is counterproductive and is holding us back.

I think Bowyer is doing his best, and his best isn't good enough. I'm sure there are those who disagree but that shouldn't result in name calling.

2. Do you think that Jordan Rhodes is played in a way to inhibit his scoring opportunities rather than maximising them?

Jordan Rhodes is a goal poacher. He knows exactly where the net is and will score time and time again. However, whether intended or not, he played in such a way that it does inhibit his scoring opportunities. What we need, in particular, is a general, an engine in midfield. Not one that ticks over all day like Lowe but one that can accelerate and manoeuvre and allow us to play the game more in the opponents half than our own and allow Rhodes more opportunity. Spearing and Tunnicliffe are/were about as close to that as we've had but Bowyer frequently doesn't/didn't play them. The team itself needs to be allowed to express itself more. The shackles are on far too much. Rhodes would benefit from a more attacking Rovers and we may even see a few others chip in with half a dozen - as is often seen in more successful championship teams. We have two goalscorers and the odd one or two from others because attacking football is not encouraged.

If I were to be cynical I'd say that Bowyer would be happier if Rhodes wasn't here. He is the only player not of his choosing and he does not know how to get the best out of him. An experienced manager would IMHO. I still maintain - even though you don't like it or agree - that Rhodes scores in spite of the way Bowyer sets up his teams and not because of it.

All that said, I do think that Bowyer is trying his best but the approach at all times is "must not lose" rather than "must win". Caution over passion. He is the antithesis of Tim Sherwood.

[imy9]

An interesting post Stuart.

Bowyer needs to identify a way to play and then get players to fit into that. At the moment we don't do anything particularly well. If for example you want to play counter attacking football, buy some fast wingers and a quick striker to fit into that.

[chaddyrovers]

An interesting post Stuart.

Bowyer needs to identify a way to play and then get players to fit into that. At the moment we don't do anything particularly well. If for example you want to play counter attacking football, buy some fast wingers and a quick striker to fit into that.

I think the way Bowyer wants to play is with a target man striker with a pacey striker or 4-5-1 formation with a target man type of striker and 2 pacey wingers.

[Andyblue2]

I think the way Bowyer wants to play is with a target man striker with a pacey striker or 4-5-1 formation with a target man type of striker and 2 pacey wingers.

Then why let Josh Kings contract run down? Everyone could see from his performances in the cup with Rudy being the target man, that there is something to work on there. But he's not played him much at all during the last couple of seasons when really he should have been developing his potential .

[ABBEY]

An interesting post Stuart.

Bowyer needs to identify a way to play and then get players to fit into that. At the moment we don't do anything particularly well. If for example you want to play counter attacking football, buy some fast wingers and a quick striker to fit into that.

He has a way though .. Negative and boring

[chaddyrovers]

Then why let Josh Kings contract run down? Everyone could see from his performances in the cup with Rudy being the target man, that there is something to work on there. But he's not played him much at all during the last couple of seasons when really he should have been developing his potential .

What can you do if King doesn't want to sign a new contract?

I agree Andy that the King and Gestede partnership has potential.

Plus King is very injury prone

[Rover_Shaun]

Then why let Josh Kings contract run down?

If having a pacy forward man is his preferred option then why has King been overlooked to the point where he'd rather leave than be ignored?

[roversfan99]

I think the way Bowyer wants to play is with a target man striker with a pacey striker or 4-5-1 formation with a target man type of striker and 2 pacey wingers.

What is this based on? He has signed Marshall, Conway and Taylor as wingers, and often plays Cairney there who he also signed, if he wants 2 pacy wingers, why does he sign ones that aren't that fast?

His style in the main is to have 2 defensive midfielders, 2 wide players who are quite slow and like to cut inside and 2 strikers, neither of whom link with the midfield.

[tomphil]

What is this based on? He has signed Marshall, Conway and Taylor as wingers, and often plays Cairney there who he also signed, if he wants 2 pacy wingers, why does he sign ones that aren't that fast?

His style in the main is to have 2 defensive midfielders, 2 wide players who are quite slow and like to cut inside and 2 strikers, neither of whom link with the midfield.

Bingo ! His style is to sign players who he might rate and they become available and then try to accommodate them in the team in a very basic bog standard set up. He seems to have no real strategy nor style of football into which he can sign players and mould them into A TEAM. Until he identifies a style that either best suits what we have or trades players to get the ones to best fit the way he sets up then we'll always flounder along.

[Andyblue2]

What can you do if King doesn't want to sign a new contract?

Bowyers actions over the last couple of seasons have lead to king not wanting to stay. You trying to suggest otherwise? Some don't like him, but I think he fits the bill for his versatility in the wing or up front. International centre forward, young....mistified as to why he's not been developed which leads me to believe that Bowyer just floats from one formation to another with no real favour and no real plan.

[thenodrog]

Has numb nuts gone yet?

ott. Now my opinion is still open about Gb but that (recurring) churlish post shows you and the people who 'liked' it up in a very poor light.

This club is on a downward curve no matter who is in the managers chair, it could quite easily become precipitous. No doubt you'll all be happy then. Poor.

[Tom]

It's a recurring joke he posts it after every game.

I think it's fair to say many of us think the manager should be replaced at the end of the season but it's also fair to say Preston knows he hasn't gone yet

[BRFC1995]

Has numb nuts gone yet?

Waiting for primary school pe teacher position to come up, simply never a professional football club manager with his "right good go" nonsense and everything else about how he carries/presents himself and his lack of personality about as suited to a professional position as miliband would be to prime minister.

[thenodrog]

You didn't go to the Swansea match

He wasn't alone was he? Lots of Walkerspoilt, dyed in the wool, rovers till I die types found something better to do didn't they? Same with the Stoke game too. Funny how they all trapped up for the Lpool match eh? Maybe they are jinxes and the club would be better if the malicious moaning gits stayed away eh Abbey?

[thenodrog]

If anyone is a fitting captain it's Killa.

His distribution is absolutely dreadful.

[47er]

What can you do if King doesn't want to sign a new contract?

I agree Andy that the King and Gestede partnership has potential.

Plus King is very injury prone

For God's sake Chaddy! He doesn't want to sign a new contract because Bowyer rarely picks him, and, given that he currently plays for his country, thinks he deserves better.

[thenodrog]

We're set up not to lose, as opposed to set up to win. There's quite a big difference.

Indeed. Just as we were under Hughes and Allardyce.

[thenodrog]

All that said, I do think that Bowyer is trying his best but the approach at all times is "must not lose" rather than "must win". Caution over passion. He is the antithesis of Tim Sherwood.

Bit early to be singing praises to Tim Sherwood isn't it Stuart? That post might easily bite you on the arse

[Stuart]

Bit early to be singing praises to Tim Sherwood isn't it Stuart? That post might easily bite you on the arse

You mean like your golfing ones?