[Archived] Gary Bowyer Discussion

[Gav]

His gentle approach...

How do you know how he talks to them in the dressing room and training pitch?

Speculation is one thing, but just assuming that GB is "mr nice" without a shred of evidence, and then suggesting this is a place he needs to improve!

Realistically, I think that the hair dryer is well and truly a thing of the past. Footballers are a different breed these days, even second division players are likely to be millionaires.

I don't know how I'd motivate the squad, but you can guarantee many would switch off knowing they've still got a heated swimming pool to jump in with the mrs later on!

Bowyer was going to rip Bests head off at Rotherham last season, so its not all nicely nicely.

[tomphil]

Mate you only have to watch him on the touchline. Also in the modern game this reverse Phycology your alluding to of being nice in public and not behind the scenes is highly unlikely. The way he often goes on about the opposition before games screams his ultra cautious approach to matches. What's the point of saying the opposite in the dressing room, players aren't blind or deaf to what is said in public. He is what he is and he needs to be a bit more of a chunt in general.

[Gav]

Ooh you mean bugger

The bottom line in all of this is its a messageboard, I try not to take it to seriously.

Abbey probably dresses up in womens clothes when he post, Gordon in high heels, who knows, but the bottom line is I'd have absolutely no problem buying you a pint if I ever met you, I'd tell you you talk sh1t whilst you drink it, but thats important to remember when the going gets tough on here.

[Rover_Shaun]

Abbey? Doubtful (but thanks for the image). Gordon? Possibly, but only pre-1980's high heels from the good old days

Agreed. It's frustration on an unprecedented level Gav. None of us can affect the outcome which feeds the cycle

[den]

Blueboy! Let's look at the majority of Den's post which is very worrying rather than nit-picking one bit. It is clear from the statement Bowyer didn't plan or factor in FFP - pretty criminal don't you think? Doesn't suggest Bowyer is in touch with the situation all that well at all.

I agree a bit more flexibility to bring in players would've made a big difference in January but I doubt that there are huge fees flying about for those loans - Ince for example couldn't get in the Hull team and was rotting away on the sidelines, Lambert (who knows why) was ridiculously keen to get rid of Bent - doubt there'd be a fee involved in either of those examples.

However, as I said before, the biggest point - Bowyer does not get our situation. He wants time to install a plan, yet FFP and lack of promotion means that we didn't have time to build, especially over the time scale he wants us to. I think every Rovers fan knew that - that our manager didn't is a little bit worrying.

If Blueboy thinks it's been a problem only being able to bring in loans in January, while not having to sell anyone, then he's in for a shock in the coming months. We're about to see the culmination of the bad decisions over the last four years come to a head. Things are going to get tougher. Getting rid of a proper manager, selling a host of good players, replacing with inferior quality players, then appointing another coach because "he deserved a chance", - whatever that means - when it was our last realistic chance of avoiding the current situation and a transfer embargo, are killing us.

[Gav]

If Blueboy thinks it's been a problem only being able to bring in loans in January, while not having to sell anyone, then he's in for a shock in the coming months. We're about to see the culmination of the bad decisions over the last four years come to a head. Things are going to get tougher. Getting rid of a proper manager, selling a host of good players, replacing with inferior quality players, then appointing another coach because "he deserved a chance", - whatever that means - when it was our last realistic chance of avoiding the current situation and a transfer embargo, are killing us.

You make it sound like we had managers queuing up to take over at Ewood with pots of cash to land decent players den, we didn't, we're damaged goods, we probably deserve to mid table in the championship with Bowyer as manager.

[yoda]

You make it sound like we had managers queuing up to take over at Ewood with pots of cash to land decent players den, we didn't, we're damaged goods, we probably deserve to mid table in the championship with Bowyer as manager.

No, it's the Rao's that deserve that

[RibbleValleyRover]

Once again he is using the transfer embargo as an excuse for the managerial failures of this season and setting up his excuse for next season i.e. that the transfer embargo won't be lifted so we can't compete.

I look at the squads above us and there isn't this gulf that Bowyer believes there is, pound for pound we have just as much talent if not more as some of those teams fighting for promotion. Transfer fee isn't the only cost, wages also count and I strongly suspect that whilst we are a mid table club on the pitch we aren't mid table in terms of the total spend on squad salary.

The reality is that teams are above us because those teams are better managed.

[Gav]

No, it's the Rao's that deserve that

We're joined at the hip sadly Yoda, I wish that wasn't the case but it is.....

[yoda]

We're joined at the hip sadly Yoda, I wish that wasn't the case but it is.....

It won't always be the case

[den]

You make it sound like we had managers queuing up to take over at Ewood with pots of cash to land decent players den, we didn't, we're damaged goods, we probably deserve to mid table in the championship with Bowyer as manager.

I can only take your word for the fact no one else wanted the job Gav. Pretty poor argument really.

[phili]

I can only take your word for the fact no one else wanted the job Gav. Pretty poor argument really.

Well before Bowyer was appointed Tony Pulis enquired after the job when he was sacked from Stoke so at least one good manager we all would have liked.

[Riverside67]

You can be assured that the BFUS brigade would have been after Pulis so it would not have been unanimous.

Still believe we would be still in the Prem if Sam was still here and we would not be facing financial armageddon or FFP

RVR - totally agree with your view.

Bowyer has been too timid throughout his tenure . It is his main DNA component and characterises so much of his style both on an interpersonal level and his general approach to setting up for each game.

Who dares wins ................don't forget that

[West Yorks Rover]

Once again he is using the transfer embargo as an excuse for the managerial failures of this season and setting up his excuse for next season i.e. that the transfer embargo won't be lifted so we can't compete.

I look at the squads above us and there isn't this gulf that Bowyer believes there is, pound for pound we have just as much talent if not more as some of those teams fighting for promotion. Transfer fee isn't the only cost, wages also count and I strongly suspect that whilst we are a mid table club on the pitch we aren't mid table in terms of the total spend on squad salary.

The reality is that teams are above us because those teams are better managed.

Spot on !

Mick McCarthy springs to mind, hasn't he only spent £10k on transfer fees whilst he's been at Ipswich.

6th in the league, 3 points ahead of 7th with 3 games to go and 15 points clear of us.

Plus I believe the club was in a bit of a mess when he arrived, from what I remember reading anyway.

[Gav]

I can only take your word for the fact no one else wanted the job Gav. Pretty poor argument really.

Well I followed the news in the local press and media, where did you hear about better candidates that wanted job?

Well before Bowyer was appointed Tony Pulis enquired after the job when he was sacked from Stoke so at least one good manager we all would have liked.

That is simply not true.

[den]

Well I followed the news in the local press and media, where did you hear about better candidates that wanted job?

The owners just gave him the job Gav, they didn't look anywhere else, so I don't know which story you were following.

Apart from that, if no one else wants it, why've you decided to sack him?

You're not making sense mush.😀

[chaddyrovers]

Well before Bowyer was appointed Tony Pulis enquired after the job when he was sacked from Stoke so at least one good manager we all would have liked.

did Pulis Approach Rovers about the job? how sure are you about this?

[mustard]

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/rovers/news/12896376.Gary_Bowyer__Modern_football_____and_not_just_Blackburn_Rovers_____lacks_on_pitch_leaders/?ref=mac

"Don’t accept mediocre performances – we grew up in that. It was all about winning and the importance of it and you had to fight for everything in those days and that breeds the winners."

No one else find these comments rather comical considering our own manager places a hell of a lot more emphasis on not losing than he does on winning? And to not accept mediocre performances?!?! Jeez Gary, in that case you mustn't have accepted 90% of our games this season. Jeez.

[West Yorks Rover]

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/rovers/news/12896376.Gary_Bowyer__Modern_football_____and_not_just_Blackburn_Rovers_____lacks_on_pitch_leaders/?ref=mac

"Don’t accept mediocre performances – we grew up in that. It was all about winning and the importance of it and you had to fight for everything in those days and that breeds the winners."

No one else find these comments rather comical considering our own manager places a hell of a lot more emphasis on not losing than he does on winning? And to not accept mediocre performances?!?! Jeez Gary, in that case you mustn't have accepted 90% of our games this season. Jeez.

Panic stations, he's got to go to Pune soon and explain why we're nowhere near the top 6, and likely to have a worse points tally than last season.

[mustard]

I've been on Ewood three times this season and was misguided enough to believe that this forum was indicative of the mood amongst the support. However, the only moaning and groaning I heard on the BBE lower was during the Rotherham game which was bloody awful. Even then it wasn't reflective of the opprobrium towards Bowyer on here.

It has been pointed out that this forum has a relatively small number of regularly active posters. I would reckon that around 70% of the regulars are moaners which represents a tiny proportion of the 12/13k Ewood die hards. One of the most prominent bellyachers on here even revels in not going to games and turning his back on the club. Now he's purporting to being able to accurately gauge the mood of the fans having claimed to have spoken to an old timer from The JWS.

Thankfully, neither him or his disgruntled pal are accurately representative of those who have stuck by the club and have a comprehension of nuance.

I'm quite a chatty fella so I have ended up in conversations with fellow fans about Rovers all over the place (to the dismay of the missus who sometimes wants me to pay attention to her). Down at Ewood, at away days, in the Royal Oak, down Mill Hill football ground the other night. Mixed with quite a range of people, some younger than me, some much older and I'd say the vast majority have expressed their discontent with the poor football and results under Bowyer. Almost all of them have said the results haven't been good enough, they've said they're fed up with the hoofball, the lack of direction in the transfer market and the perseverance with the likes of Brown and Hanley has stumped a good few. I'd say pretty much every one acknowledged Bowyer doesn't know his best eleven, doesn't know what to do mid-game re tactics and subs and seemed to be taking us nowhere. Chap down Mill Hill the other night agreed the players look unfit and was baffled by the amount of niggles and the constant tinkering. He seemed pretty fed up but who isn't?

Fact is, a lot of us fans have stuck by the club but that doesn't mean we have to be pleased with the direction we are heading. Of course Bowyer is just a symptom of the Venky's infestation of the club, but until the lunes go the only thing that can realistically change and have an impact on the direction this club is moving (in the short term at least) is the manager and I'd suggest that many are coming to realise one of the first steps to moving forward is to employ someone capable of bringing the best out of this squad. Of course one day we'd love to see the hierarchy of the club restored from the circus act it no doubt is, but until then things need to change on the pitch to help at least give us a platform to build off of. I know this board seems like the go-to place to have a moan about Rovers but I'd argue that it represents the fan-base pretty proportionately. I'd imagine only a small percentage of fans think performances and results have been up to par this season, which explains the number of times boos have resonated round Ewood at the final whistle. If you get the chance, come down to Ewood before the end of the season, or send someone in your stead and ask supporters around the ground what they think of the football and how they think Bowyer is doing. I'd imagine you'd receive a lot more negative feedback than you would positive.

[Stuart]

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/rovers/news/12896376.Gary_Bowyer__Modern_football_____and_not_just_Blackburn_Rovers_____lacks_on_pitch_leaders/?ref=mac

"Dont accept mediocre performances we grew up in that. It was all about winning and the importance of it and you had to fight for everything in those days and that breeds the winners."

No one else find these comments rather comical considering our own manager places a hell of a lot more emphasis on not losing than he does on winning? And to not accept mediocre performances?!?! Jeez Gary, in that case you mustn't have accepted 90% of our games this season. Jeez.

Insulting, patronising, absurd.

Fans treated like idiots in order to send sound bites to Pune.

[mustard]

I think there has been a plan in place for the past couple of seasons. Spending as little as possible to bring in decent youngish players - Marshall, Cairney, Gestede, Duffy - and back them up with more experienced players on frees or loans - Varney, Baptiste, Brown, Kilgallon, Conway. At the same time we have begun to make changes to the Academy to try to improve the quality of players brought into the club in the first place.

It's all well and good setting up this long-term plan for rebuilding but the reality is we need to go up asap or else such positive changes to the academy will all be in vain. Premier League academy and facilities are not sustainable for a mid-table Championship side.

Wasn't Marshall over £1m? Hardly small change for a club already grossly in debt at that point. Cairney, Gestede and Duffy combined must have been over a million as well. All on decent wages, one would assume, too.

£1mill for Marshall, £1.2mill for Duffy (incl add-ons). Cairney £500k wasn't it? Gestede and Conway approx £300k each. Bowyer has spent around £3mill since he's been in charge (as well as countless loans). You wouldn't think so from what he says however.

[perthblue02]

Panic stations, he's got to go to Pune soon and explain why we're nowhere near the top 6, and likely to have a worse points tally than last season.

Lets hope he's better than Kean at hiding the pressies from Indian customs

[JBiz]

£1mill for Marshall, £1.2mill for Duffy (incl add-ons). Cairney £500k wasn't it? Gestede and Conway approx £300k each. Bowyer has spent around £3mill since he's been in charge (as well as countless loans). You wouldn't think so from what he says however.

Since he took over he's spent -1.5m. That was going off transfer market prices at some point earlier this year. We've sold olsson, Formica, Dann, Rochina etc for more than we've spent.

Imagine we'd have had the money we've used for pay offs in the past 2 years? So frustrating but yet not worth ignoring as the transfer embargo is partially a result of it.

[mustard]

Since he took over he's spent -1.5m. That was going off transfer market prices at some point earlier this year. We've sold olsson, Formica, Dann, Rochina etc for more than we've spent.

Imagine we'd have had the money we've used for pay offs in the past 2 years? So frustrating but yet not worth ignoring as the transfer embargo is partially a result of it.

Of course we've brought in more than we've spent but the fees on incoming players surely exceeds £1.5mill. The Duffy fee alone was reportedly £1.5mill including add ons (something like £300k up front). Marshall was 100% £1mill+ alone and the Cairney, Conway and Gestede transfers reportedly add up to £1mill. I don't think Steele was a freebie either. Plus a number of free transfers on £10k per week a piece and countless loans that no doubt cost in wages (think Dabo, Feeney, Taylor etc). I think Bowyer has been backed pretty well. Previous summer and before he was praising the owners for investing in whoever he wanted to get, only now FFP has kicked in and he's failed to meet his set targets (he has always said the squad was capable of pushing for play-offs) has he blamed our lack of funds and remarked on the spending powers of other teams.

EDIT: and yes, the money wasted by Kean etc is unforgivable and seriously hindered our capabilities of getting out of this division. I would argue that Bowyer has been well backed in comparison to the likes of McCarthy at Ipswich.