[Archived] Preston

[BlooBoy]

Rhodes ...hang on ..we re talking about a striker thats scored 20 plus goals for six consecutive seasons!.....and will do again no problem

The problem isnt how to fit Rhodes into an up tempo blah blah side ..its how to get the other nine players to actually start chipping in regularly and the back five to start keeping clean sheets.

An up tempo side should create problems that Rhodes will exploit and in doing so score some goals from other positions in the process .

Sell Rhodes ? cmon lads get a grip ..lose 20 plus goals ?

[Ewooduknow]

I like idea of us moving for grabben to partner Rhodes. Could be a Marcus bent style masterstroke.

[grizfoot]

Unprecedented levels of enthusiasm rained down on this messageboard at the news that the football club might just have made it's first "proper" managerial appointment since Big Sam stepped out at Ewood holding aloft a blue and white scarf. The wave of optimism pre-game conjured up talk of three and four-nil's. I believe even the more stoic sections of supporters, not caught up with the giddy hysteria, fully expected us to go there and win.

From a supporter's point of view the first thing you look for when a new manager comes in is what's changed? what's stayed the same? In terms of the line-up there wasn't really any surprises, maybe the only slight dilemma was at right-back I was pleased to see Henley restored there and Marshall further forward. Our success up until January (and potentially beyond) is reliant upon Lambert trying to get the best out of the same group of players that have showed they are more than capable of putting in good performances but where far too often prone to inconsistency under the previous regime.

Early days yet so it is difficult to pin-point exactly what has changed and many would argue we may well have still played similarly and won this game under Bowyer, not a ridiculous statement if you consider we did win away at Leeds this season and Preston can be considered a similar quality of opponent. Maybe the thing that impressed me most was the substitutions and the timing of them. There seemed to be a clear purpose behind each one and just when Preston looked to be building some momentum after getting one back, Guthrie was brought on and we switched to a more defensive formation with Akpan sitting in front of the back four for extra protection with Guthrie/Evans playing in central midfield. Bringing Koita on for Rhodes was again the correct substitution at the time. Would Bowyer have done that? I'm not too sure but I think I'm right in saying this is the first-time Koita's been used in a lone-striker role. Rhodes will get the credit for scoring which proved to be the winner from the penalty-spot but I thought Koita was terrific when he came on and played a big part in us seeing out the game, so much so that he induced the Preston red-card. If he can stay fit and add a few goals to his game, he will be huge benefit to the team. Man of the match for me was Chris Taylor. I was worried when Lawrence went off injured, that it might affect us going forward. But if anything we looked improved going forward with Taylor on the pitch. His direct-style of dribbling had the Preston defence mesmerised and he very nearly set-up Rhodes for another goal on a couple of occasions. Hanley and Duffy continue to impress me at the back as well, whilst there is still the odd moment of less than perfect defending from the pair they have on the whole been very good for us this season and now look well on there where to forming a solid partnership at this level.

Great credit to all the Rovers fan who travelled over yesterday, one of the best atmospheres I've ever experienced at an away game, it makes such a huge difference when you can tell that everyone is fully behind the manager and the team. Maybe chants of promotion are a little premature, it was only Preston after all. But I can forgive everyone for getting a little carried, given now it appears we do at least have a manager who clearly demands respect. Whilst appearance isn't always everything I most say it was refreshing to see a manager who barks out instructions from the technical area after our line of previous hands-in-pockets incumbents.

[den]

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

No.

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.

you need to stop getting upset when comments are made about Rhodes, Gav and actually read and respond to the comments rather than put down the poster.

Getting Rhodes to score another 25 goals won't get us promoted Gav. It won't get us anywhere near promoted. We all know that. Lambert believes that we need to play at a higher tempo, get forward more quickly and be more positive for the whole game. He's right, that's the way to improve performances and results. Cac Rhodes fit in with that style of football? That's what Lambert has to work out. Not just Rhodes of course, but any of them. Who said Koita was good enough? A few people have said that his size and mobility dragged Preston around and gave them more to think about.

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.

Agree with a lot of that DMTP. Koita isn't the answer, but he did highlight what a difference having someone who can run a back four and drag a back four around makes.

[matt83]

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.

It's sampdoria's ground you're thinking of. Not sure what it's called though.

[Ewooduknow]

Rhodes is totally untouchable for some, just accept it.

[BlooBoy]

No.

you need to stop getting upset when comments are made about Rhodes, Gav and actually read and respond to the comments rather than put down the poster.

Getting Rhodes to score another 25 goals won't get us promoted Gav. It won't get us anywhere near promoted. We all know that. Lambert believes that we need to play at a higher tempo, get forward more quickly and be more positive for the whole game. He's right, that's the way to improve performances and results. Cac Rhodes fit in with that style of football? That's what Lambert has to work out. Not just Rhodes of course, but any of them. Who said Koita was good enough? A few people have said that his size and mobility dragged Preston around and gave them more to think about.

Agree with a lot of that DMTP. Koita isn't the answer, but he did highlight what a difference having someone who can run a back four and drag a back four around makes.

Why not build around the sure fire thing we re actually guaranteed.?

Good sides can carry certain players,more goals from elsewhere would certainly help.

To drop Rhodes with the team we ve got just how exactly are the goals going to come from ?

Rhodes is totally untouchable for some, just accept it.

And does his record not say anything different with the players around him ..?

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

http://www.google.co.uk/search?ie=UTF-8&source=android-browser&hl=en-GB&q=sampdoria+ground&gfe_rd=cr&ei=AvlRVumbPKOCiAavkoHQBQ#gfe_rd=cr&imgrc=Q7kAKv7Qt6oL6M%3A

Nothing like it!

[K-Hod]

Rhodes isn't the best man as an outlet for backs to the wall defending, but then where he lets us down there, everyone else lets us down by not helping out with enough goals ;-)

[Ewooduknow]

http://www.google.co.uk/search?ie=UTF-8&source=android-browser&hl=en-GB&q=sampdoria+ground&gfe_rd=cr&ei=AvlRVumbPKOCiAavkoHQBQ#gfe_rd=cr&imgrc=Q7kAKv7Qt6oL6M%3A

Nothing like it!

A bit like it..

[Speedie Dived]

Why not build around the sure fire thing we re actually guaranteed.?

Good sides can carry certain players,more goals from elsewhere would certainly help.

To drop Rhodes with the team we ve got just how exactly are the goals going to come from ?

And does his record not say anything different with the players around him ..?

You are missing the point. We need a centre forward who can run the channels and hold the ball up as much as we need one that can score 20 goals.

Ultimately it's about the team. It's not about one player scoring X goals. If I was to say to you we sold Rhodes and bought 3 players in and became a better team would you take that?

[Ewooduknow]

Why not build around the sure fire thing we re actually guaranteed.?

Good sides can carry certain players,more goals from elsewhere would certainly help.

To drop Rhodes with the team we ve got just how exactly are the goals going to come from ?

And does his record not say anything different with the players around him ..?

As I say, I just accept it.

You are missing the point. We need a centre forward who can run the channels and hold the ball up as much as we need one that can score 20 goals.

Ultimately it's about the team. It's not about one player scoring X goals. If I was to say to you we sold Rhodes and bought 3 players in and became a better team would you take that?

I would.

[BlooBoy]

You are missing the point. We need a centre forward who can run the channels and hold the ball up as much as we need one that can score 20 goals.

Ultimately it's about the team. It's not about one player scoring X goals. If I was to say to you we sold Rhodes and bought 3 players in and became a better team would you take that?

And still guarantee goals ..? ...hey... big call

[K-Hod]

Where are we getting these 3 team players that chip in with JR's goals on free transfers??

Everyone else needs to chip in with more goals, it's farcical that our one goalscorer's faults are being scrutinised, yet everyone else gets away Scott free!! It's a funny old game.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Nobody's talking about dropping him at present are they ? What some people are speculating is that if another £12 million offer came in for him should we take it ? I can't see us coming up with a system that suits his goal poacher style of play any time soon. How many other teams play that way today ?

To get the best out of him he needs to play off another top striker who will be a bit more physical. That means going to 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1 or 3-5-2 system. Which ever way you go do we have the players for any of these systems ? I think central midfield is always the fly in the ointment unless we can strengthen it significantly.

Maybe 3-5-2 with Hanley- Duffy- Kilgallon at the back.

Marshall-Evans-Lawrence-Akpan-Conway in midfield.

Rhodes- Koita up front.

I'm sure Lambert will be trying all sorts of formations in training.

[Steve Kean's Hypnotoad]

Disagree with people commenting on the game just as long as it's both positive and negative. People care and it's a release for the tension. Commenting on the game is all part of being a football fan.

Akpan did three ridiculously bad things yesterday, the first two were not commented on around me, the third he got some grief.

The 'instructions' you listed above will happen at every ground in the country and at every level. It's part of being a fan to me.

Well I suppose it depends who you're sat around but more often than not now at Rovers there's a number of idiots around me who rarely if ever offer a positive comment. And their negative comments consist of either constantly instructing the players on what they should do (which is frankly embarrassing, like listening to a 4 year old instructing a university professor) or slinging vicious insults and expletives at their own players. I'm sure once upon a time words like "d***head", "****house", "t*****" etc were reserved for opposition players and the referee. Now there seems to be plenty of fans about who sling them at their own players at almost every mistake.

On Match of the Day last night I saw Costa squander 2 chances from about 8 yards out, there was a momentary groan and then I visibly saw Chelsea fans behind the net clapping the effort. Bloody hell there'd be nothing of the sort at Rovers these days. A 10 second tirade of abuse from a bunch of numpties who couldn't play even semi-professional football if their lives depended on it is more like it. I honestly despair sometimes, its moronic and depressing listening to these idiots slate our team at the slightest sign we're not dominating the game, and then enthusiastically join in with "Rovers till I die" 10 seconds later.

If it is all fans these days then I guess fan culture has just evolved that way. Maybe increased player wages has fuelled an attitude of envy and a sense that footballers aren't real people and so are there to be abused. But then sometimes I do think our fans are worse than most for it, which I used to put down to being spoilt by the Jack Walker days but after 5 years of garbage I thought that sense of entitlement might have gone by now. Preston were about 7th/8th in the form table going into the match yesterday, they'd won 2 and drawn 4 of their last 6 games, conceding 0. And they were at home. A draw would have been a good result, so if we're 2-1 up with 20 minutes to go and they're piling on the pressure, so flippin what? We're still doing well! It should have been a wall of noise that last 20 minutes but the way the fans seemed to turn on the team after Garner's goal was very disappointing.

[yoda]

Where's nobbers when you need some one to ridicule

[BlooBoy]

The problem is the midfield and always has been.

Been too soft whilst defending albeit under instructions from our former manager that its ok to try and keep keep ball in our half til we lose it and invite pressure on ourselves whilst being 20 yard away from our two/one upfield player and expect them to do miracles when they do get the odd ball.

We lost Gestede and everyone was bemoaning his loss of goals ..sell Rhodes ..will take something special to replace.

[Speedie Dived]

Where are we getting these 3 team players that chip in with JR's goals on free transfers??

Everyone else needs to chip in with more goals, it's farcical that our one goalscorer's faults are being scrutinised, yet everyone else gets away Scott free!! It's a funny old game.

Oh never sell if we can't replace. That's stupid.

Every player is analysed equally in my eyes. If we can sell anyone and replace them with a better player I would do it. As long as it improves the team/squad.

[K-Hod]

Well I suppose it depends who you're sat around but more often than not now at Rovers there's a number of idiots around me who rarely if ever offer a positive comment. And their negative comments consist of either constantly instructing the players on what they should do (which is frankly embarrassing, like listening to a 4 year old instructing a university professor) or slinging vicious insults and expletives at their own players. I'm sure once upon a time words like "d***head", "****house", "t*****" etc were reserved for opposition players and the referee. Now there seems to be plenty of fans about who sling them at their own players at almost every mistake.

On Match of the Day last night I saw Costa squander 2 chances from about 8 yards out, there was a momentary groan and then I visibly saw Chelsea fans behind the net clapping the effort. Bloody hell there'd be nothing of the sort at Rovers these days. A 10 second tirade of abuse from a bunch of numpties who couldn't play even semi-professional football if their lives depended on it is more like it. I honestly despair sometimes, its moronic and depressing listening to these idiots slate our team at the slightest sign we're not dominating the game, and then enthusiastically join in with "Rovers till I die" 10 seconds later.

If it is all fans these days then I guess fan culture has just evolved that way. Maybe increased player wages has fuelled an attitude of envy and a sense that footballers aren't real people and so are there to be abused. But then sometimes I do think our fans are worse than most for it, which I used to put down to being spoilt by the Jack Walker days but after 5 years of garbage I thought that sense of entitlement might have gone by now. Preston were about 7th/8th in the form table going into the match yesterday, they'd won 2 and drawn 4 of their last 6 games, conceding 0. And they were at home. A draw would have been a good result, so if we're 2-1 up with 20 minutes to go and they're piling on the pressure, so flippin what? We're still doing well! It should have been a wall of noise that last 20 minutes but the way the fans seemed to turn on the team after Garner's goal was very disappointing.

Would you like some lemon SKH? Don't think you're quite bitter enough ;-)

[bob fleming]

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.

Is is the Stadio Capanno da Giardino?

[Speedie Dived]

The problem is the midfield and always has been.

Been too soft whilst defending albeit under instructions from our former manager that its ok to try and keep keep ball in our half til we lose it and invite pressure on ourselves whilst being 20 yard away from our two/one upfield player and expect them to do miracles when they do get the odd ball.

We lost Gestede and everyone was bemoaning his loss of goals ..sell Rhodes ..will take something special to replace.

See here lies a myth with our midfield. Rhodes is a superb finisher but I can probably count on one hand the amount of times he has created a goal for himself. Rudy made one for Rhodes so who has?

Since joining us 9 teams have been promoted out of the league, they didn't have Rhodes. I love the guy but he is not the be all and end all.

If we come out of the embargo in Jan and Venkys hand over 5 million and someone offered 12 for Rhodes, suddenly you have a decent amount to improve the team vastly.

[Dunnfc]

Is is the Stadio Capanno da Giardino?

The original plans for the re-developed stadium were inspired by the Luigi Ferraris Stadium in Genoa, Italy. (wikipedia)

[Ewooduknow]

The problem with earning £40,000 a week is if you perform anything less than superhuman-like, you leave yourself open to criticism. It is a small price to pay though for living such a privileged lifestyle, ain't it..?

[DavidMailsTightPerm]

The Rhodes thing has been done to death - with rights and wrongs on both sides of the argument. As I said before - solving the Rhodes conundrum will be key to how successful Lampert is at Rovers - sell and reinvest or build the team and playing style around him - who would be a manager.