[Archived] Preston

[Gav]

Spoke to many Preston fans yesterday, not 1 of them had a good word to say about Shaw from either a football or personal perspective.

In fact some of the stuff was pretty damning and not for a public forum.

[bob fleming]

Parked in a school car park, £3 not bad, but the lady told us the St Gregory's Social Club generally didn't have any problem with away fans. We walked in and it was full of their lot, so safe to say I kept my jacket zipped up

It wasn't mate. If you went in the front (I.e. Turned right once in the side door) there were loads of Rovers. 50/50 I'd suggest. A group of Blues sat next to us even won the pre match 50 quid raffle which complemented the 3 points nicely I'd suggest!

Good of them to let us in by the way. Not a hint of trouble either when we left for the match at 2.20 - just as it should be.

[LDRover]

Been lacking in pace for a long long time up front, unfortunately there doesn't seem to be that many players knocking about who have the pace AND quality we need. My best shout that I could think of and i have been saying his name for some time now... Lewis Grabban. Not really getting a chance at Norwich, quick and physical and can finish at this level... Could we afford him? That's another question.

Grabban and Rhodes for me could easily be best partnership in this league.

Good shout that Neal. Pacey, physical and proven at this level. We're lacking an 'out ball' when we're under the cosh, he'd give us that option.

[chaddyrovers]

Yesterday was a bit on an eye opener sat amongst the PNE fans. This continued after the match on the way out and on the walk back to the car. Grayson was getting some slating. Terms like 'long ball merchant', 'out of his depth', 'clueless' and these were some of the polite ones ! The guy has just got them promoted and to be honest, I thought they played some pretty good stuff yesterday, especially in the first half and down their left hand side.

Of more interest to Rovers' fans were some of the comments made about Lambert. They think we've got a winner and we will be right up there in the mix come the end of the season. I did sense more than a degree of envy and fear and they still look upon Rovers as a 'bigger' club despite the nonsense that was spouted by some of the PNE lot on here pre match.

I was very surprise by Preston long ball tactics considering who was playing up front for that type of tactic. Garner and Doyle aren't that type of strikers for that tactic.

Some Preston fans haven't been happy with Grayson for a long time

Been lacking in pace for a long long time up front, unfortunately there doesn't seem to be that many players knocking about who have the pace AND quality we need. My best shout that I could think of and i have been saying his name for some time now... Lewis Grabban. Not really getting a chance at Norwich, quick and physical and can finish at this level... Could we afford him? That's another question.

Grabban and Rhodes for me could easily be best partnership in this league.

I totally agree with your suggestion there.

I think Lambert will look for a pacey winger in January aswell

[SoldierMo]

Anyone who went to the game yesterday how was Rhodes performance?was he instructed to do anything different than under GB?

[Neal]

Anyone who went to the game yesterday how was Rhodes performance?was he instructed to do anything different than under GB?

Typical Rhodes really, worked hard, didn't effect the game too much... Scored.

[Amo]

You and several others were a banger of the drum saying that there is enough quality in this team to go up.

When we had the likes of Gestede, Cairney and King, yes. It was absolutely pathetic that Bowyer couldn't at least get us into the playoffs with those players at his disposal. Admittedly, he signed them, but that's only half the battle.

This season, I haven't banged that particular drum, as you so put it. We haven't replaced the players that we've lost and been restricted by the embargo. However, there was still plenty of room for improvement under Bowyer, which is where the new manager comes in. I'm expecting a midtable finish, but if Lambert's able to pull a few strings in January... who knows?

[den]

Anyone who went to the game yesterday how was Rhodes performance?was he instructed to do anything different than under GB?

Well he scored if that's what you mean. Other than that the words Rhodes and performance don't really go together.

Lambert rightly wants the game played at a higher tempo. You can raise the tempo by slicker passing, but you also need players who can actually do that. Having pace in the team is also a pre requisite of a higher tempo game and that's also going to be a problem for the manager. It's going to be a riddle for Lambert, - how to play at a higher tempo for the entire game, while fitting Rhodes into the side. We looked far more dangerous when Koita replaced Rhodes - even though Koita lacked that bit of quality, - but then again, that could have had something to do with Preston tiring.

[DavidMailsTightPerm]

Well he scored if that's what you mean. Other than that the words Rhodes and performance don't really go together.

Lambert rightly wants the game played at a higher tempo. You can raise the tempo by slicker passing, but you also need players who can actually do that. Having pace in the team is also a pre requisite of a higher tempo game and that's also going to be a problem for the manager. It's going to be a riddle for Lambert, - how to play at a higher tempo for the entire game, while fitting Rhodes into the side. We looked far more dangerous when Koita replaced Rhodes - even though Koita lacked that bit of quality, - but then again, that could have had something to do with Preston tiring.

If he can solve the Rhodes "puzzle" he will get us promoted. As you say Koita looked more dangerous than Rhodes (as you rightly say possibly because Preston were tiring) - but given a chance who would you back to score ? This is the issue with Rhodes - when the team is playing well, keeping a high line and retaining the ball he is essential to finish off the chances we create. When our backs are against the wall - his general lack of pace and strength are never going to help us retain the ball or force teams to play a little deeper - but again any limited chances we get you would back him to score. IMO losing Lawrence was a blow yesterday - when Preston were throwing caution to the wind and pushing up in the second half his pace would have made a huge difference.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Well he scored if that's what you mean. Other than that the words Rhodes and performance don't really go together.

Lambert rightly wants the game played at a higher tempo. You can raise the tempo by slicker passing, but you also need players who can actually do that. Having pace in the team is also a pre requisite of a higher tempo game and that's also going to be a problem for the manager. It's going to be a riddle for Lambert, - how to play at a higher tempo for the entire game, while fitting Rhodes into the side. We looked far more dangerous when Koita replaced Rhodes - even though Koita lacked that bit of quality, - but then again, that could have had something to do with Preston tiring.

Could you have seen Rhodes having the strength and power to draw those two bookings out of that Preston numpty ?

[Gav]

Well he scored if that's what you mean. Other than that the words Rhodes and performance don't really go together.

Lambert rightly wants the game played at a higher tempo. You can raise the tempo by slicker passing, but you also need players who can actually do that. Having pace in the team is also a pre requisite of a higher tempo game and that's also going to be a problem for the manager. It's going to be a riddle for Lambert, - how to play at a higher tempo for the entire game, while fitting Rhodes into the side. We looked far more dangerous when Koita replaced Rhodes - even though Koita lacked that bit of quality, - but then again, that could have had something to do with Preston tiring.

Think we must have been at different games, Rhodes ran and chased everything, had little no service all game and at this level you don't score goals if you don't get any service.

As for Koita, he fell over the ball, almost blocked a Guthrie chance himself and was generally useless. He's going to have to improve drastically if he's going to make it here.

You need to get over this Rhodes bashing den its clouding your judgement.

[oldjamfan1]

I thoroughly enjoyed yesterday. The game has been adequately covered by other posters but I would like to just mention the policing arrangements. I cam down from Scotland on the train and went in the pub next to the station (called, innovatively, 'The Station'). The chap on the door told us that we could relax, enjoy a few pints and a nice lunch, and he would come and give us a shout when the free bus came to take us to the game. I explained that we were Rovers fans and he said "I know". Turns out that the Station and the Old Vic pubs were full of Rovers fans and we all got a free bus trip to the game under police escort, and back again afterwards. Absolutely brilliant idea. The police were mainly Blackburn and Darwen bobbies, the atmosphere on the buses was really friendly and showed just how local derbies could be handled, with a little thought. The contrast between yesterday and the Burnley away game was marked. Well done Lancashire Constabulary!!!

[Pedro]

The key (between now and when we can buy) is getting Rhodes and Koita playing together. One, when given a foot of space, can tuck them away for fun, the other is direct, strong and creates space and problems. Potentially such a fruitful and exciting partnership.

[Speedie Dived]

Think we must have been at different games, Rhodes ran and chased everything, had little no service all game and at this level you don't score goals if you don't get any service.

As for Koita, he fell over the ball, almost blocked a Guthrie chance himself and was generally useless. He's going to have to improve drastically if he's going to make it here.

You need to get over this Rhodes bashing den its clouding your judgement.

Koita was next to useless when he came on. Nearly cost us defensively as well.

The Guthrie 'chance' shows Koita doesn't really have a strikers mindset, he ran two defenders to Guthrie, should have gone the other way. Basic stuff.

[Guest]

Koita was next to useless when he came on. Nearly cost us defensively as well.

He looks clumsy on the ball at times, but he won us a couple of free-kicks just when we needed them.

[Speedie Dived]

He looks clumsy on the ball at times, but he won us a couple of free-kicks just when we needed them.

Well that was the only useful thing he did, get fouled.

He will not be here next year, don't get attached to him.

[mick]

I was recently back and watched the Derby and Burnley games. Rhodes is profligate in front of goal. He must have had at least 8 clear cut scoring opportunities and squandered them.

I discussed this fact with friends who accompanied me and they said it's the reason he isn't playing in the PL.

The next time a team offers 12 million pounds, Rovers should take it.

Just to keep on topic. Well done the Rovers. Three points away is a great start for PL.

[Ewooduknow]

I was recently back and watched the Derby and Burnley games. Rhodes is profligate in front of goal. He must have had at least 8 clear cut scoring opportunities and squandered them.

I discussed this fact with friends who accompanied me and they said it's the reason he isn't playing in the PL.

The next time a team offers 12 million pounds, Rovers should take it.

Just to keep on topic. Well done the Rovers. Three points away is a great start for PL.

If there's one thing Rhodes can do, its finish.

[Gav]

Does anyone else think that deepdale looks like it should be in a theme park somewhere with a roller coaster going between those floodlights?

Then again with those clowns to the left of us why not just dump a cover over the top and the circus is in town.

[mick]

It certainly wasn't apparent in the games that I saw. Several of the opportunities were clear cut. A striker worth his salt bags them.

The Burnley game was a disgrace for him. It would have flattered the Clarets if they had lost

4-1! It was largely Rhodes' fault that Rivers lost.

[Ewooduknow]

Does anyone else think that deepdale looks like it should be in a theme park somewhere with a roller coaster going between those floodlights?

Then again with those clowns to the left us why not just dump a cover over the top and the circus is in town.

Deepdale is a scaled down attempt at copying the stadio del alpi ain't it?

Edit- nope not the del alpi. There is defiantly an Italian ground its based on though. Can't remember which one.

[Speedie Dived]

It certainly wasn't apparent in the games that I saw. Several of the opportunities were clear cut. A striker worth his salt bags them.

The Burnley game was a disgrace for him. It would have flattered the Clarets if they had lost

4-1! It was largely Rhodes' fault that Rivers lost.

He missed a few chances in a few games but when you look at his record over his time here it's very impressive. Finishing is one thing he doesn't have to worry about.

[the original david brent]

I still think Koita could do a job. He did win us a couple of free kicks.

However there was one occasion where Steele launched the ball forward, Koita climbed above the centre half, did a perfect cushion header........ straight to their left back! Best defensive header all game! It actually set them up for an attack.

On a separate note, it goes to show a derby game can be policed without this draconian 'bubble' arrangement. After a couple of lunchtime pints in the bay horse at osbaldeston (which incidentally has some really good Rovers memorabilia on the walls of the sports room), we went to the Lonsdale Social Club in Fulwood. Good atmosphere, not an ounce of trouble.

[McClarky]

I thoroughly enjoyed yesterday. The game has been adequately covered by other posters but I would like to just mention the policing arrangements. I cam down from Scotland on the train and went in the pub next to the station (called, innovatively, 'The Station'). The chap on the door told us that we could relax, enjoy a few pints and a nice lunch, and he would come and give us a shout when the free bus came to take us to the game. I explained that we were Rovers fans and he said "I know". Turns out that the Station and the Old Vic pubs were full of Rovers fans and we all got a free bus trip to the game under police escort, and back again afterwards. Absolutely brilliant idea. The police were mainly Blackburn and Darwen bobbies, the atmosphere on the buses was really friendly and showed just how local derbies could be handled, with a little thought. The contrast between yesterday and the Burnley away game was marked. Well done Lancashire Constabulary!!!

i thought it was good as well. . We chose to get away from station and ended up in the Black Bull. Mainly our lot in there with a couple of cops occasionally walking through. We also went in a pub nearer the ground before and after the game. It was fairly mixed in there but no bad atmosphere at all. Just shows that don't have to treat football fans like criminals. Would be good if this was acknowledged by the authorities.

[Stuart]

I was recently back and watched the Derby and Burnley games. Rhodes is profligate in front of goal. He must have had at least 8 clear cut scoring opportunities and squandered them.

I discussed this fact with friends who accompanied me and they said it's the reason he isn't playing in the PL.

The next time a team offers 12 million pounds, Rovers should take it.

Just to keep on topic. Well done the Rovers. Three points away is a great start for PL.

Slating Rhodes for misses is nothing short of churlish.

Like slating Ferguson for losing matches.