[Archived] Gary Bowyer Discussion

[JBiz]

But it's so blatantly untrue it's treating the fans as idiots. He either looks totally deluded, treating the fans with contempt or manipulating what he says for India. Worst of all is that it looks like it is intended as PR to Pune (i'd suggest is) but regardless of motive at the very least it looks like he's justifying his position to Venkeys. What's does that remind you of? Does that make you think the club is in good hands.

In short he looks deluded or devious because the comments or reasoning are so far from reality.

Bowyer says new guidelines this year have required league matches called off because of the FA Cup to be played in the following midweek, as was the case with Rovers’ Championship fixtures against Derby, Cardiff and Bolton.

“I think it’s certainly something that they’ve got to look at because not only does the Premier League go on longer, but we play more games in the league,” said the Rovers boss.

He also thinks it is not necessary for the Football League season to finish on May 2, a full three weeks before the end of the Premier League.

“This year I think more than any, when you’ve had a cup run you then have to play that league game, if it’s got called off, straight after in midweek.

“Whereas before you’ve been able to slot it in when you feel free.

“That’s not been allowed this season from my understanding, so that’s certainly played a part in it.

“You want to encourage teams to have a cup run like we had.

“You don’t want to give teams any encouragement not to field strong teams in the cup.”

Rovers have seen Rudy Gestede, Craig Conway, David Dunn, Chris Taylor, Josh King, Alex Baptiste, Doneil Henry, Grant Hanley, Shane Duffy and Jason Lowe all sidelined through injury in recent weeks.

Bowyer says Rovers have also assessed their own procedures to see if they can do anything different to prevent injuries.

“The medical team that we have here and the sports science team, Chris Neville goes away with England every international break so that shows you the standard we have here,” he said.

“Obviously everyone takes it personally so we’ve certainly studied what we’ve done and sometimes you just have to put your hands up and say it’s one of those things. Injuries are part and parcel of football.

“Unfortunately for us it all seems to have happened roughly around the same time.

“I think the fixture list with the way it’s set out sometimes doesn’t help the players.

“I think we played four games in one month then you’re playing seven or maybe eight in another month.

“It’s been the load on the players that has caused the problem towards the back end of the season.”

Rovers will be aiming to extend their unbeaten run away from home to eight games at Birmingham tonight and Bowyer said after Saturday’s draw at Reading that Gestede and Conway could be fit to feature at St Andrew’s.

Scan results have revealed that Baptiste will be out for two weeks with a hamstring problem.

“It’s not as bad as first feared,” the manager said.

“We think he’ll be a couple of weeks but it’s not a completely bad one, so hopefully we might be able to get him back in before the end of the season.”

Maybe I only have this version - but I can't see this part which is supposed to make me think "VENKY PROPAGANDA!"

I agree with him in terms of what he says regarding the difference in rules - Some teams will be put off fielding teams for the cup if they have important league fixtures. Like he also reminds us, we have a decent sport science team - its not as if this is an area the owners have skimped on.

As I said before - it's very much just standard manager talk. GB has his style - I don't find it particularly interesting but there is nothing heinous like the "who does that remind me of" comment suggests.

[OJRovers]

“You don’t want to give teams any encouragement not to field strong teams in the cup.”

Unbelievable.

How many changes did Bowyer make for the Charlton cup game? 6 or 7 wasn't it?

Ironically, his second-string turned out to be better than his first XI eg King, Henley, Killa.

[roverzee]

The thing is the BRFCC hate mob go after Bowyer after every single interview he gives, whatever he happens to have said.

Or he could stop doing interviews and the same posters would crucify him for not communicating with the fans.

I don't know when it will stop, perhaps people will get bored and find a new hobby ... because in all likelihood Bowyer will still be the manager in 365 days time, and if every press conference reported in the LT generates 4 pages of bile across multiple topics then you might as well shut this thing down.

[West Yorks Rover]

But it's so blatantly untrue it's treating the fans as idiots. He either looks totally deluded, treating the fans with contempt or manipulating what he says for India. Worst of all is that it looks like it is intended as PR to Pune (i'd suggest is) but regardless of motive at the very least it looks like he's justifying his position to Venkeys. What's does that remind you of? Does that make you think the club is in good hands.

In short he looks deluded or devious because the comments or reasoning are so far from reality.

Absolutely correct, if Steve Kean came out with this cr*p we'd be making banners and wearing T-shirts.

I'd say definitely devious and more than him behind today's comments, it's the "self-preservation society"

down Ewood way.

[JBiz]

“You don’t want to give teams any encouragement not to field strong teams in the cup.”

Unbelievable.

How many changes did Bowyer make for the Charlton cup game? 6 or 7 wasn't it?

Ironically, his second-string turned out to be better than his first XI eg King, Henley, Killa.

I thought we only changed the line up after injuries?

To me - he picked a team and it won. It is a comment based on the FACT that league money and places overrides cup - specifically when it involves replays and moving games. Using that to have a little kick at a team selection months ago show the depths that many will go to to find something to "chew on".

[mustard]

I thought we only changed the line up after injuries?

To me - he picked a team and it won. It is a comment based on the FACT that league money and places overrides cup - specifically when it involves replays and moving games. Using that to have a little kick at a team selection months ago show the depths that many will go to to find something to "chew on".

I just don't know why he continues moaning about such trivial matters. He makes out that fixture congestion has sorely affected us and us alone. Considering how much he chops and changes, I really don't think it's made one iota of difference. Imo it's insulting to the fans to read his drivel every day. If Kean was saying it, we would call BS, so why not with Bowyer?

As for injuries and fitness, I'm not calling "conspiracy theory" but do I think the players look unfit? Yes. Do I think they have looked unfit for the last few seasons? Yes. Rhodes, Marshall, Conway, Cairney, Hanley etc. They all seem to have bulked up and look stronger but certainly at the expense of mobility and the increase in the amount of little niggles over the last two seasons is surely no coincidence. Is this down to the individuals? Do they not care enough to keep themselves in great fitness? I don't know. It really seems like there is something wrong to me. I have no idea what goes on down at Brockhall but on a number of occasions this season I have thought we look slower and more sluggish than our opponents. Not only in tactics and the way we play, but in the case of individuals. As I said, I'm not trying to stir the pot, just adding my opinion on what I see.

I'd be intrigued to know if others think the same as I?

[Blue blood]

Maybe I only have this version - but I can't see this part which is supposed to make me think "VENKY PROPAGANDA!"

I agree with him in terms of what he says regarding the difference in rules - Some teams will be put off fielding teams for the cup if they have important league fixtures. Like he also reminds us, we have a decent sport science team - its not as if this is an area the owners have skimped on.

As I said before - it's very much just standard manager talk. GB has his style - I don't find it particularly interesting but there is nothing heinous like the "who does that remind me of" comment suggests.

2 reasons. And thanks for the civilized response - no bowyerhater, bowyerlovein (not saying you do, just appreciate rational discussion.)

1) It's clearly put out there as a reason we've done badly. That's the gist of the article- the cup has taken it's toll. It's a piece excusing our poor performance. Why do we need it? Not quite the kick on with the league, use it as a springboard. Also if it were a one off it'd be one thing but there seems a lot of this kind of article, and loads of excuses in every post match comments. It's wearing thin.

2) It's what it doesn't say. And what he doesn't say is all I said before - the weaker/alternate teams he put out for the cup, the rotation in the squad, being crap way before the extra games kicked in, not to mention more premier league players go away on international duty (although I grant you a fair number of championship players do) as well as having european games to play. Point is it's not a balanced or fair article, and totally ignores a lot of facts which negate his excuses. And that's before we talk about how the team actually played in the games he mentioned - it's not factoring in where he got tactics and selection wrong;he's basically as usual, passing the buck.

Like many articles the resounding message and tone is "Not my fault". Fair play if you genuinely don't see that, and maybe without it in every other soundbite I'd be more charitable. As it is though it really seems like we've hit excuse central, which is as disappointing as the rest of the season.

[roverandout]

Didn't Bristol city win a cup this season and they are still top of the league with a likely smaller squad, bowyer bunkum

[Rover_Shaun]

Personally I din't get the impression that his comments aren't pre-meditated spin. He's just a bit naive and dim.

[tomphil]

We haven't exactly had a horrendous season for injuries as someone mentioned. Most have been the usual knocks and niggles and odd games out which happen to every team and we have had a fair sized squad to cover these. Duffy aside which happened into the second half of the season anyway we've got away without bad injuries to key players. In the middle 3rd of the season when we hit the poor form most of the key players were available and involved. Chopping and changing was made not involving any injuries and regardless of form, results and individual performances. indeed when he left it alone for 3 games we won two of them and unluckily lost the one inbetween. Tinkerman for various reasons, end of. Only in recent weeks when the season was more or less lost has the real injury issues come to a head.

Not sure about any dodgy theories but I definitely don't think they came into the season as fit and drilled as they should have been. The managers demeanour is one of being laid back, just the way he is but i've no doubt that rubs off on the training ground. I said it in the summer that these lot need drilling into fitness and organisation like an army unit. Was hoping it would happen last summer as I thought players and manager had the bit between their teeth for this season. The first 2 games showed me all I needed to know, nothing had changed and nothing will because it just isn't this guys philosophy.

[RibbleValleyRover]

Absolute guff that the transfer embargo has been the main reason for this seasons under-performance, sure it hasn't helped but it's such a small factor. Pound for pound there are teams in this league that have done better in this league on a way smaller budget. The congested fixture excuse is also rubbish.

[ABBEY]

http://www.rovers.co.uk/stats/player-stats/

not a hard schedule..

[Exiled in Toronto]

No-one could've made a success of Blackpool. Are you seriously trying to equate what Blackpool have gone through with what's happening at Rovers and trying to make a sarcastic point that Bowyer's better than we all think?

In which case, if Bowyer had been parachuted into Bloomfield Road (or, for that matter, Wigan or Millwall), they'd be doing much better no, right? Mid-table, correct?

Well pardon me, but that doesn't wash with me. Bowyer, despite everything, has been allowed to bring in who he wants, he's not really had to sell anyone halfway decent except Dann. If anything, we've performed worse this year than we did last.

If, as many suspect, one or both of Rhodes/Gestede is on their way this summer, then we will really be in the stook, unless Bowyer can sign a 20 goal a season striker for free or on loan. Somehow, I really very much doubt that.

Actually my point was in reference to the last four years on this messageboard where no club in the history of football has gone through such wanton destruction as have we. But now I learn there's plenty of clubs so much more badly run that we cant possibly compare ourselves to them. Which is it? Are we run ok-ish but with a poor manager or run terribly and the manager has done ok?

2 reasons. And thanks for the civilized response - no bowyerhater, bowyerlovein (not saying you do, just appreciate rational discussion.)

1) It's clearly put out there as a reason we've done badly. That's the gist of the article- the cup has taken it's toll. It's a piece excusing our poor performance. Why do we need it? Not quite the kick on with the league, use it as a springboard. Also if it were a one off it'd be one thing but there seems a lot of this kind of article, and loads of excuses in every post match comments. It's wearing thin.

2) It's what it doesn't say. And what he doesn't say is all I said before - the weaker/alternate teams he put out for the cup, the rotation in the squad, being crap way before the extra games kicked in, not to mention more premier league players go away on international duty (although I grant you a fair number of championship players do) as well as having european games to play. Point is it's not a balanced or fair article, and totally ignores a lot of facts which negate his excuses. And that's before we talk about how the team actually played in the games he mentioned - it's not factoring in where he got tactics and selection wrong;he's basically as usual, passing the buck.

Like many articles the resounding message and tone is "Not my fault". Fair play if you genuinely don't see that, and maybe without it in every other soundbite I'd be more charitable. As it is though it really seems like we've hit excuse central, which is as disappointing as the rest of the season.

I agree with what you are saying. Using the cup, injuries and FFP as excuses for not getting in the top six are poor. We lost it in Nov/Dec/Jan when none of those applied. He's doing what most people who miss their targets do - bigging up any possible extenuating circumstances - but it's Shaw's and Venky's job to call him on it. As if.

[LDRover]

Is by saying "improve on and off the pitch even further" suggesting there's been some kind of improvement on it this season?

Dear me.

[Hasta]

Come on everyone stop knocking Bowyer. Don't forget many people have assured us this season wasn't about promotion. It's next season that Gary's magic will really shine through and the promotion push be ignited.

I cant wait to renew my season ticket to witness it. Just slightly worried about the excuses appearing on here about the impending exits this summer. Don't know why as we knew these would probably happen this close season anyway but we were told this season was never s**t or bust.

COYB

[ABBEY]

I don't see facts as excuses. Too many seem too keen to knock anything and everything about the club, the manager, the players etc. etc. FFP has had a major impact on us over the second half of the season. Not only are we not allowed to spend money on players, we are limited with regard to bringing players in on loan. The result has been players having to play with injuries at times simply because we are short of numbers. The injury situation has been the worst for many a long year - certainly if the Clarets had had a similar injury list last season they wouldn't now be in the Premier League. Many fans actually sympathise with the manager and believe that under the circumstances he has done a pretty decent job. It's about rebuilding the club from the ground up and the changes made at the Academy with Eric at the helm, Brian Carey taking over the Under-18's and Billy Barr the Under-16's have all been moves in the right direction in my opinion. Anyway, off to Brum now to see if we can continue our improved away form.

The Embargo is down to idiots that own and run the club. ....every fan on here knew about it and all of sudden it's now an excuse ? What a load of rubbish and balony by anyone using the embargo as an excuse ...bad owners , bad high managers here and negative boring tactics are the reason !!

#venkysout

[Athlete]

I don't see facts as excuses. Too many seem too keen to knock anything and everything about the club, the manager, the players etc. etc. FFP has had a major impact on us over the second half of the season. Not only are we not allowed to spend money on players, we are limited with regard to bringing players in on loan. The result has been players having to play with injuries at times simply because we are short of numbers. The injury situation has been the worst for many a long year - certainly if the Clarets had had a similar injury list last season they wouldn't now be in the Premier League. Many fans actually sympathise with the manager and believe that under the circumstances he has done a pretty decent job. It's about rebuilding the club from the ground up and the changes made at the Academy with Eric at the helm, Brian Carey taking over the Under-18's and Billy Barr the Under-16's have all been moves in the right direction in my opinion. Anyway, off to Brum now to see if we can continue our improved away form.

PB your defending the undefendable...

The table isn't lying.. GB is

[broadsword]

Actually my point was in reference to the last four years on this messageboard where no club in the history of football has gone through such wanton destruction as have we. But now I learn there's plenty of clubs so much more badly run that we cant possibly compare ourselves to them. Which is it? Are we run ok-ish but with a poor manager or run terribly and the manager has done ok?

f.

if we were run ok ish then we would never have been relegated, surely.

Maybe I go over the top because I'm frustrated. I do see your point, but I feel the answerIis more sophisticated than you wouldhave Iit

[Exiled in Toronto]

if we were run ok ish then we would never have been relegated, surely.

Maybe I go over the top because I'm frustrated. I do see your point, but I feel the answerIis more sophisticated than you wouldhave Iit

Actually I think we were relegated primarily because of having a terrible and evil manager, surely Sam would've kept us up no matter how the club was run.

I agree I'm over-simplifying but only to highlight the maddening lack of logic and consistency of posts. For example, Millwall's only crime seems to have been employing an experienced manager who knows how to get out of this division, a distinction he still holds!

[broadsword]

And who appointed him? Our owners who are running the club ... badly.

how many well run clubs have been under a transfer embargo?

Would you say the manager is doing a good job?

[Exiled in Toronto]

And who appointed him? Our owners who are running the club ... badly.

how many well run clubs have been under a transfer embargo?

Would you say the manager is doing a good job?

Blackpool, Millwall and Wigan haven't, but I understand they are run much worse than us, incomparably so.

No, I think he's a bit rubbish, Saxton MK II

[broadsword]

You really must stop this sarcasm business, it can't be doing you any good

[Exiled in Toronto]

Au contraire, it's the only way to take this messageboard these days, although I do appreciate it goes against the angry about everything all the time house rule

[LDRover]

Come on everyone stop knocking Bowyer. Don't forget many people have assured us this season wasn't about promotion. It's next season that Gary's magic will really shine through and the promotion push be ignited.

I cant wait to renew my season ticket to witness it. Just slightly worried about the excuses appearing on here about the impending exits this summer. Don't know why as we knew these would probably happen this close season anyway but we were told this season was never s**t or bust.

COYB

Nice post pal.

On a related note my wife has always had a problem with the term 'sh1t or bust', why would you want either she says.

I suppose she has a point.

[broadsword]

People normally use sarcasm as a passive aggressive response, so I guess you're angry too.