Academy & U21s

[Ossydave]

1 minute ago, chaddyrovers said:

 

2. Why not? Maybe some schools will take kids to watch the game. 

You're actually being serious too aren't ya? ?

[MarkBRFC]

Two posts in a row from Parson Blue criticising the club just shows you where we are at the minute.

[SkipDonoghue]

Well last night was just one of those nights, to many not at the levels they know they can produce

The 1st half Rovers were well on top without really producing many good opportunities, they played a little more direct than usual and picked up a lot of 2nd balls which kept them on the front foot

The 2nd half was totally different for some reason they started to try to play out from the back and added to the Germans high press and work rate out of possession this had a real detrimental affect on Rovers display, the Germans started to win a lot of 2nd balls and the 3 in the middle of the park (Mols Davenport and Butterworth even though he played as a 10 he still has responsibilities defensively and he didn't do them) couldn't grab the game back Barr tried JRC  in there at one point to try and get a foot hold but he would have been better served switching Butterworth and JRC rather than Mols as it affected the shape and narrowed Rovers even more 

Rovers never got the ball to the better creators 2nd half at all as they lost control of the middle of the park

Then the desire and work rate out of possession paid off for the Germans as Mols got caught on the ball not for the 1st time in a dangerous area and it was game over

There were a few who looked very frustrated figures towards the end with both Butterworth and JRC arguing with the linesman and referee and then getting involved off the ball with the Germans as it boiled over at the end, this summed up Rovers in a nutshell 2nd half, Frustrated, very frustrated

This Hertha side play in the German League 3rd division, they play mens football week in week out and that showed in the 2nd half they basically out manned Rovers and showed a little more nounce in certain areas

One thing I will add is this and I'm not basing this on last night this is over the last 7-8 games I've seen, 

Chapman needs sitting down and someone needs to explain to him that football is a team game and not about individuals, his desicion making is shocking, he takes the wrong option 99% of the time which for all the flicks and tricks makes him a very poor player in my eyes, and his game understanding is zero, for him to have any chance of making the 1st team he needs to make a lot of changes understand what's required from him defensively and sometimes do the simple thing, but I won't hold my breath and I can understand fully why Mowbray has said recently the things he has about Chapman

 

[Stuart]

10 hours ago, Madon said:

Chapman didn't have a great game, but like you say the service he was getting was awful, and it looked to me as though some players, inparticularly Butterworth, didn't want to pass to him. 

I thought their fans were great,  mega over reaction from the stewards. I was right infront of the scuffle with the female steward at the end, he didn't punch her at all. He had one foot over the advertising hoardings and she pushed him to get him off, he fell and caught her face slightly and then it caused a big hoo haa with the other stewards getting involved. 

Couldn't believe it when I walked out and there was a huge police presence, that must have cost a bloody fortune!!

I too get the impression that Butty doesn’t get on with Chapman. Thought the same after the Boro game. He needs to be careful about that but I hold our coaches responsible for poor recruitment, selection and use of Chapman. It is definitely impacting the U23 camp - especially if you add in Brereton.

He is never going to be the type of player Mowbray wants him to be. He’s an artist and Mowbray only wants soldiers.

I often wonder what would have happened if Mowbray had been here when Tugay was. I suspect he’d have been shipped out sharpish.

Last night, I was impressed with how much Samuel put himself about though - probably because Mowbray was in attendance.

As for the police, I was astonished at the numbers for such as small away following.

There was a German bloke who was taking selfies sat in the JWL owner seating area then moved down to sit behind the Rovers players in the dugout. Some Rovers fans near us must have spotted it because they were joking about him coming on in the 85th minute. He joked back “no, half time”.

We assumed he was part of the Hertha staff until our head steward rocked up and made him climb back over the railing. “You’ve been rumbled”. All very good natured, high fives, hugs and thumbs up. Unfortunately for him he followed through with his ‘joke’ and was frogmarched out of the ground.

The Hertha fans were very vocal but from the range we were at it all seemed good natured (see photo below) but looked like it could escalate. By the sounds of things it nearly did. The amount of police outside was a real surprise though. Especially given there was NO police presence in the ground. I imagine the stewards were managing the situation carefully to avoid it getting out of hand but they really should have been segregated given the numbers - which weren’t huge but of a demographic that suggested they were certainly not just families of Hertha players.

Always amazes me with the outside stewarding too. There is always a big fuss made about checking the bags of children (even last night) yet how often do we see flares brought in. All very easy to check the family stand but there is never any confrontation with the more stereotypical away football fan. More interested in making sure contraband food and drink isn’t brought in than worrying about pyrotechnics!

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

I agree regarding Chapman. He's got more latent ability and pace than McNeil at the Dingle Dome but McNeil has a football brain. That's the big difference, he knows when to stick and when to twist. If Chapman doesn't get his act together he'll just join the ranks of the might have beens.

[Guest]

Really glad everyone is starting to see what I’ve been saying about Chapman for a few months now.

[Stuart]

38 minutes ago, Parsonblue said:

Chaddy, it is impossible to defend the kick-off time for the Burnley game.  It's another kick in the teeth for supporters.  I can attend but friends who work can't attend.  If I had been working I wouldn't have been able to attend - despite going to games at this level home and away on a regular basis.

As someone who spent all their working life in education I would be amazed and shocked if any school thought of taking children out of school during a working day to watch a football match.  You really are losing touch with reality if you think any headteacher would court that sort of publicity!  

I'm afraid at the moment the club really doesn't help itself.  I'm quite sure if they could get away with it - but they can't because of the rules - they would play behind closed doors with no supporters.  Then they wonder why attendances are dropping.  You really couldn't make it up!

Completely agree.

I would definitely have gone to the Burnley game - I went to the final last season. But have been excluded from going by the club due to this ridiculous ko time.

There was no trouble at all last season either. The LFA managed segregation in their one-horse stand better than BRFC managed last night in a 30,000 seater stadium!

[chaddyrovers]

44 minutes ago, Parsonblue said:

Chaddy, it is impossible to defend the kick-off time for the Burnley game.  It's another kick in the teeth for supporters.  I can attend but friends who work can't attend.  If I had been working I wouldn't have been able to attend - despite going to games at this level home and away on a regular basis.

As someone who spent all their working life in education I would be amazed and shocked if any school thought of taking children out of school during a working day to watch a football match.  You really are losing touch with reality if you think any headteacher would court that sort of publicity!  

I'm afraid at the moment the club really doesn't help itself.  I'm quite sure if they could get away with it - but they can't because of the rules - they would play behind closed doors with no supporters.  Then they wonder why attendances are dropping.  You really couldn't make it up!

I didnt defend the kick off time. Yesterday kick off time and other personal issues meant I couldnt attend. 

 

[G Somerset Rover]

Just now, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

I agree regarding Chapman. He's got more latent ability and pace than McNeil at the Dingle Dome but McNeil has a football brain. That's the big difference, he knows when to stick and when to twist. If Chapman doesn't get his act together he'll just join the ranks of the might have beens.

Depends what you’re looking for. Chapman isn’t a crosser, where as that’s Perhaps McNeil’s biggest strength.

Agree with the rest though - Chapman sounds like he needs a king size rocket shoved up his arse.

Edited November 16, 2019 by Gavlar Somerset Rover!

[SkipDonoghue]

10 hours ago, Mercer said:

Poor stuff tonight.

IMO, not one single Rovers' player threatening our poor first team.

Rankin-Costello and Butterworth very disappointing.  For two twenty year olds, you seriously question if they have what it takes.

Service to Chapman was cr@p - no wonder he seems p1ssed off at times.  Showed what he can do towards the end on two occasions when he beat men in the box.  Mowbray needs to do one of two things - either give the lad a genuine chance or get rid.

Hertha looked more lively, more creative, more mobile and passed and moved much better.

As for their fans, saw nothing more than a tad boisterousness.  Overkill and waste of police resource at the end of the match.

You can't judge players on one bad game, and it wasn't one bad game it was one bad half (2nd half) Butterworth and Rankin-Costello have had plenty of decent games to be allowed the odd poor performance, the reason they were so poor 2nd half was due to Rovers losing control of the middle of the park and players making poor decisions, them basically being starved of the ball, they start to go looking for the ball and it then leads to loss of shape and frustration and with frustration comes poor decision making so the cycle continues

Rankin-Costello I thought was average rather than poor he put some decent balls in especially in the 1st half which on another day might have been finished, he also was one of the few players who made their keeper make a save with a shot on target and there wasn't many granted

Butterworth, was below par without doubt, he is coming back from a long lay off though so it shouldn't be a surprise he isn't at full tilt yet, he does need to work on his defensive game though as if he's going to be lined up to play as a 10 he needs to understand that he has defensive duties which include making a 3 in the middle when needed and working harder out of possesion, free roles for Number 10s are a thing of the past

[Stuart]

Just now, JoeH said:

Really glad everyone is starting to see what I’ve been saying about Chapman for a few months now.

I wouldn’t be too glad. Whichever way you look at it it’s a failure not a success.

[Mashed Potatoes]

Just now, Stuart said:

I wouldn’t be too glad. Whichever way you look at it it’s a failure not a success.

It's sad but it's Chapman's failure not Tony Mowbray's

[Stuart]

Just now, Mashed Potatoes said:

It's sad but it's Chapman's failure not Tony Mowbray's

And Rothwell’s and Bell’s and Nyambe’s and Brereton’s and and Nuttall’s and Gallagher’s and Armstrong’s and Johnson’s and Hart’s and Gladwin’s and and and...

It’s never Tony’s fault.

[tomphil]

The PNE home fixture, the one last night and the Burnley game are yet again glaring examples of how some of those people down there just want as easy a life as possible.

They get paid the same regardless, football is supposed to be about the fans and the team but some at Rovers seem to think it's all about them and their colleagues.  I'd suggest that attitude runs from top to bottom in many cases including the management. But when you've absent owners and nobody with any affinity running the place this is what you'll get time and again.

Any Rovers v Burnley fixture is a marketing opportunity, it should be on Ewood or at the very least a more sensible kick off time wherever.

[Mashed Potatoes]

Just now, Stuart said:

And Rothwell’s and Bell’s and Nyambe’s and Brereton’s and and Nuttall’s and Gallagher’s and Armstrong’s and Johnson’s and Hart’s and Gladwin’s and and and...

It’s never Tony’s fault.

And Dack's ?

The point is that some people have been suggesting that Chapman would improve the first team and the fact he hasn't is in some strange way down to Mowbray whereas those who actually watch Chapman play confirm that he doesn't look good enough 

[Parsonblue]

Just now, Stuart said:

And Rothwell’s and Bell’s and Nyambe’s and Brereton’s and and Nuttall’s and Gallagher’s and Armstrong’s and Johnson’s and Hart’s and Gladwin’s and and and...

It’s never Tony’s fault.

Chapman, as a professional, must take responsibility for his own performance.  Surely professional pride, if nothing else, should dictate he makes more effort than at present.  If he's not going to make it here he must surely be looking to attract the attention of watching scouts.  Anyone watching him in recent months isn't going to be too impressed.

That's not a defence of the manager, but a young lad trying to make his way in the game must surely show more energy and enthusiasm than this lad does at present.

[tomphil]

Softened by an over generous 4 year contract maybe ?   Wouldn't be the first although it's probably more down to sulking at lack of first team action or homesickness.

[Stuart]

2 minutes ago, Mashed Potatoes said:

And Dack's ?

The point is that some people have been suggesting that Chapman would improve the first team and the fact he hasn't is in some strange way down to Mowbray whereas those who actually watch Chapman play confirm that he doesn't look good enough 

Mowbray will be dining out on that Dack signing til he retires. We spent just shy of £13m on Dack, Gallagher and Brereton so it has kind of netted that one success.

Chapman is his own worst enemy, yes, and Parson is tight here too. But once we signed Armstrong we should not have gone back in for Chapman anyway. He was a flair player before we signed him. Even at the time it seemed like a signing that was more about sentimental reasons than footballing ones.

[Tom]

Worrying about Chapman, he obviously doesn’t want to be playing in the under 23s but last night was a game with a bit of focus, at Ewood, decent opposition and it seems he couldn’t motivate himself for it.

After all the talk about him and his attitude he should be trying to prove people wrong not helping with the label 

[K-Hod]

8 hours ago, chaddyrovers said:

Some kids will be off if its a staff training day like my daughter had yesterday. 

Yes ideal for me. The game yesterday kick off time and date meant I couldnt attend the game. Sadly thats life

Well then, as long as you’re alright then, eh?

Might help if you look up the meaning of empathy. Seems you’re struggling with a distinct lack of it, from where I’m sitting.

Edited November 16, 2019 by K-Hod

[JHRover]

The response by Rovers to the unexpected arrival of at least 50 Hertha fans last night sums up where we are at.

I saw absolutely no trouble from any of them except one bloke who lit a cigarette. They appeared to be good natured fans there for the experience who wanted to stand and sing watching their side play. We should be welcoming these people to Ewood and projecting a good image of Rovers to fans from overseas yet the opposite seems to have happened.

Seems the staff were all set for an easy night at the office with the regular 300 or so home fans causing no problems. Probably no anticipation at all that they would actually travel to watch their team all the way from Germany (note the non footballing mentality - they can't comprehend that fans would want to travel over land and sea to watch an u23 game.

Then the arrival of the Hertha contingent sent them into a tailspin. If standing was such a problem why not just open a differnet area of the ground and put them there?

Then a police escort away from the ground - why? Suppose it gives the cops something to do.

Just embarrassing but I get the impression that Rovers never really wanted the extra hassle of this competition anyway.

 

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

43 minutes ago, Stuart said:

Mowbray will be dining out on that Dack signing til he retires. We spent just shy of £13m on Dack, Gallagher and Brereton so it has kind of netted that one success.

Chapman is his own worst enemy, yes, and Parson is tight here too. But once we signed Armstrong we should not have gone back in for Chapman anyway. He was a flair player before we signed him. Even at the time it seemed like a signing that was more about sentimental reasons than footballing ones.

Maybe the succession of injuries is playing on his mind. i didn't think he seemed to lack enthusiasm prior to the injuries,

[Stuart]

17 minutes ago, JHRover said:

The response by Rovers to the unexpected arrival of at least 50 Hertha fans last night sums up where we are at.

I saw absolutely no trouble from any of them except one bloke who lit a cigarette. They appeared to be good natured fans there for the experience who wanted to stand and sing watching their side play. We should be welcoming these people to Ewood and projecting a good image of Rovers to fans from overseas yet the opposite seems to have happened.

Seems the staff were all set for an easy night at the office with the regular 300 or so home fans causing no problems. Probably no anticipation at all that they would actually travel to watch their team all the way from Germany (note the non footballing mentality - they can't comprehend that fans would want to travel over land and sea to watch an u23 game.

Then the arrival of the Hertha contingent sent them into a tailspin. If standing was such a problem why not just open a differnet area of the ground and put them there?

Then a police escort away from the ground - why? Suppose it gives the cops something to do.

Just embarrassing but I get the impression that Rovers never really wanted the extra hassle of this competition anyway.

 

I did wonder where the police were going to escort them to...? The train station presumably?

[Stuart]

17 minutes ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

Maybe the succession of injuries is playing on his mind. i didn't think he seemed to lack enthusiasm prior to the injuries,

Prior to his injuries he was playing in League One.

[arbitro]

13 minutes ago, JHRover said:

The response by Rovers to the unexpected arrival of at least 50 Hertha fans last night sums up where we are at.

I saw absolutely no trouble from any of them except one bloke who lit a cigarette. They appeared to be good natured fans there for the experience who wanted to stand and sing watching their side play. We should be welcoming these people to Ewood and projecting a good image of Rovers to fans from overseas yet the opposite seems to have happened.

Seems the staff were all set for an easy night at the office with the regular 300 or so home fans causing no problems. Probably no anticipation at all that they would actually travel to watch their team all the way from Germany (note the non footballing mentality - they can't comprehend that fans would want to travel over land and sea to watch an u23 game.

Then the arrival of the Hertha contingent sent them into a tailspin. If standing was such a problem why not just open a differnet area of the ground and put them there?

Then a police escort away from the ground - why? Suppose it gives the cops something to do.

Just embarrassing but I get the impression that Rovers never really wanted the extra hassle of this competition anyway.

 

If they were staying locally I'm certain that the local hotels and bars welcomed them with open arms. Rovers do their upmost to make them unwelcome.

I'm looking forward to January when hopefully the security at Ewood is consistent and makes the Nobbers sit down. And their 'searches' actually find something illicit rather than searching my eight year old granddaughters backpack making her feel like she is doing something wrong.