Academy & U21s

[RTM08]

Might be for the best for O'Riordan honestly. Him not playing means he can't be tainted with the stink that comes off of this squad at the moment, I would expect to see more of him next seasons, especially if we go down. 

[arbitro]

A really entertaining match tonight at Ewood as the under 21's came back from two goals to draw and for long periods in the second half looked like we were going to win. Sheron played three centre backs with in Whitehall, Gamble and Batty but it was the wing backs who really excelled. Cirino and Duru were great examples of how to play that position and the forward runs they consistently made were a real strong point for us tonight. I have said for a few months now that Duru has been excellent for six months and in my view he should at the very least be in the first team match day squad. 

These games are free for season ticket holders and in the past I have just scanned my season card and gone in as I would for a first team match. Tonight everyone had to go to the ticket office, show your season card and get given a paper ticket. In light of the reasons for the farcical Digital Day and the EFL Environmental Award how does that make any sense. Another day in the crazy world of Blackburn Rovers.

[chaddyrovers]

49 minutes ago, arbitro said:

A really entertaining match tonight at Ewood as the under 21's came back from two goals to draw and for long periods in the second half looked like we were going to win. Sheron played three centre backs with in Whitehall, Gamble and Batty but it was the wing backs who really excelled. Cirino and Duru were great examples of how to play that position and the forward runs they consistently made were a real strong point for us tonight. I have said for a few months now that Duru has been excellent for six months and in my view he should at the very least be in the first team match day squad. 

Was Eustace there watching the game? 

49 minutes ago, arbitro said:

These games are free for season ticket holders and in the past I have just scanned my season card and gone in as I would for a first team match. Tonight everyone had to go to the ticket office, show your season card and get given a paper ticket. In light of the reasons for the farcical Digital Day and the EFL Environmental Award how does that make any sense. Another day in the crazy world of Blackburn Rovers.

100% agree

[riverholmes]

Nice to see Lenni Cirino get a chance after his long injury layoff and absence of 18 months - and 80 mins on his comeback is something.

Edit: Watching highlights, it looks like there were a lot of chances for both sides. Rovers defence didn’t look too convincing, albeit against a strong side.

Also, Harrison Wood up front looked very involved and took his goal well. 

Edited April 23, 2024 by riverholmes

[Southside Rover]

Batty at CB even in a 3 doesn't seem to make sense? Doesn't suit his game at all. How did he get on?

[arbitro]

6 hours ago, Southside Rover said:

Batty at CB even in a 3 doesn't seem to make sense? Doesn't suit his game at all. How did he get on?

He did well. He still got forward on the left side when he could but was disciplined in his defending. Cirino though was predominantly forwards in a proper conventional wing back role so most of the time Batty was in a defensive three rather than the rigid five Eustace plays.

[arbitro]

8 hours ago, chaddyrovers said:

Was Eustace there watching the game? 

100% agree

I didn't see him. Benson was though.

[Exiled_Rover]

18 hours ago, Penwortham Blue said:

A friend of mine who is a big Newport County fan and very knowledgeable, sent me a text when we had signed O’Riordan saying he was a very good player. Obviously, we have barely seen him in a Blue and white shirt yet but he has certainly picked him as one for the future.

He looked big and athletic the one time we did see him - like Carter. 

Obviously he can't get in ahead of Carter, Hyam and S. Wharton, but you'd at least think he'd be getting games for the U21s. Strange one. 

[Exiled_Rover]

12 hours ago, chaddyrovers said:

Yes we did, but JDT wanted more centre backs so he could go 3 at the back. 

We signed 3 CBs in January and JDT ran us out in a 4-2-3-1 against QPR....

[rigger]

11 hours ago, Southside Rover said:

Batty at CB even in a 3 doesn't seem to make sense? Doesn't suit his game at all. How did he get on?

Batty used the simple out-ball to the wing-back very well, his speed and aggression means he can cover the full-back position,  from the left sided center-back position if the left wing back has pushed forward. I think I still prefer Batty as a left wing-back.

[chaddyrovers]

On 23/04/2024 at 09:40, Exiled_Rover said:

We signed 3 CBs in January and JDT ran us out in a 4-2-3-1 against QPR....

agreed. I think 4-2-3-1 formation is our best formation with 5-2-3 formation being our second formation

[Armchair supporter supremo]

A lot of chatter about Finneran being snapped up by a prem or german club... 

I honestly don't see the fkin point of spending millions developing players for years if the most promising players can just walk away for nothing or at best give us a season before getting sold? And we just end up keeping the very average 3rd/4th rate(at best) players.

 

It used to be a great thing in the past seeing young players get into the first team and give us a good few years at least before leaving

[Rochdale_rover]

This is all well and good be we do the same to teams lower in the ladder

 

We took tyjon from my local team Rochdale.

 

We should just have them on the bench giving minutes here and there instead of playing shit loanees

 

[chaddyrovers]

 

 

[arbitro]

Our under 21's got smashed 4-0 by Sunderland. The performance was poor, lacking in energy and intensity from what is normally an industrious group of players. Sunderland could have indeed won by more and only Leo Duru comes out with any credit although he fell below his recent standards. The next few days will be interesting for some of these players as contracts expire.

[simongarnerisgod]

where is o`riordan??????????our signing from crewe

[chaddyrovers]

4 minutes ago, simongarnerisgod said:

where is o`riordan??????????our signing from crewe

he warmed up with Rovers first team before yesterday game

[bluebruce]

2 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

he warmed up with Rovers first team before yesterday game

Not sure why that stopped him playing in the u21s.

[simongarnerisgod]

7 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

he warmed up with Rovers first team before yesterday game

can`t believe he was`nt on the bench and koumetio was,does eustace not rate him????

[chaddyrovers]

15 minutes ago, bluebruce said:

Not sure why that stopped him playing in the u21s.

never said it would

[Roverthechimp]

1 hour ago, simongarnerisgod said:

can`t believe he was`nt on the bench and koumetio was,does eustace not rate him????

Probably told not to play him as the deal is structured so that every appearance means that we have to send 50p and a tin of spam to Crewe…

[bluebruce]

1 hour ago, chaddyrovers said:

never said it would

Never said you said it would. Point is if he is fit enough to warm up with the first team but didn't play, he really should be in the u21s the next day. Not going to develop just doing training and warm ups.

[roversfan99]

Especially when Koumetio is on the bench. His only contribution was a sub appearance in the cup where he seemed unfamiliar with a football.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Just now, roversfan99 said:

Especially when Koumetio is on the bench. His only contribution was a sub appearance in the cup where he seemed unfamiliar with a football.

I thought he did ok after a very shaky first 10 minutes. Has he been seen since ?

[roversfan99]

3 minutes ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

I thought he did ok after a very shaky first 10 minutes. Has he been seen since ?

No, thankfully.

I wonder how many first team signings weve made who havent played a senior minute.