[Archived] Leeds away on Saturday

[Stuart]

Always impressed when I've seen Raya playing for the U21s. He looked like a seasoned pro playing amongst kids 12 months ago, a bit like Phil Jones used to. He should really be starting next season as no 2 at Ewood and get one of the other two's 10k+ per week off the books.

I can see where you are coming from. Raya is highly rated and might just be the real deal but it's rare that a goalkeeper is ready in his twenties, let alone his teens.

The idea of Eastwood and Raya as #1 and #2 illustrates just how far we have fallen. Fans being happy with that shows how far expectations have been lowered.

If we value him so highly, Raya should be on loan to a decent League One outfit on a callback arrangement so that he is getting the experience he needs. Sitting on a Championship first team bench too soon could stunt his development but also make him think he's made it already.

It's different for outfield players and they can have a bigger impact at an early age. I'm hoping to see Mahoney get a run out as our League season peters out.

[tomphil]

I can see where you are coming from. Raya is highly rated and might just be the real deal but it's rare that a goalkeeper is ready in his twenties, let alone his teens.

The idea of Eastwood and Raya as #1 and #2 illustrates just how far we have fallen. Fans being happy with that shows how far expectations have been lowered.

If we value him so highly, Raya should be on loan to a decent League One outfit on a callback arrangement so that he is getting the experience he needs. Sitting on a Championship first team bench too soon could stunt his development but also make him think he's made it already.

It's different for outfield players and they can have a bigger impact at an early age. I'm hoping to see Mahoney get a run out as our League season peters out.

Good points but aside from the cup match I think I'd give him a run in the league this season and see if he's really up to it, I think he is but I suppose we only have to look at Keane to see how it can go pear shaped. A loan at a team where he's going to start is probably the best way but I was thinking about the cost cutting as well that may fall upon us. It's an area to save a few £ without sacrificing a good player.

[ABBEY]

Oh ok, fair enough. It's just that a few weeks ago you said your brother would be over from Brisbane for the Liverpool replay, in reply to me saying I couldnt make it from Adelaide. When I asked you how he could afford that you seemed to backtrack and say he had extended a Christmas visit (before the extended replay date)

Don't you remember that? Fair enough if you don't. You do post a hell of a lot. Or has one of us misunderstood?

I said he was coming over for a break and you mentioned christmas. Think you misunderstood somehow to be fair. He is over and stopping now til Saturday now so he can attend the match.

[Stuart]

Good points but aside from the cup match I think I'd give him a run in the league this season and see if he's really up to it, I think he is but I suppose we only have to look at Keane to see how it can go pear shaped. A loan at a team where he's going to start is probably the best way but I was thinking about the cost cutting as well that may fall upon us. It's an area to save a few £ without sacrificing a good player.

For me, if we can't afford to pay Steele and Eastwood, and loan Raya, then it's time to pack up our stumps and call it a day.

[chris_h]

I said he was coming over for a break and you mentioned christmas. Think you misunderstood somehow to be fair. He is over and stopping now til Saturday now so he can attend the match.

Right ;-)

[the original david brent]

Surprisingly we are 2nd in the championship form guide after yesterday's results. Wouldn't have expected that, particularly with back to back home defeats

[Andyblue2]

When we have nowt to play for GB comes into his own, when we need a win at home to sheff wed to get up in play offs, bottle it.

[Neil Weaver]

Can someone who was at the game comment on how young Raya did perform in goal?

It might have been a bit quieter where PB was, didn't hear him talking to the defence. Solid enough and didn't look out of place at all. Didn't have a great deal to do was my over-riding impression.

On another note, first impressions and all that but like the look of the new Taylor - how long is it since we had someone who looks to run at opponents (OK, Dunny, in his rare appearances).

[donnermeat]

Dunny just looks to win penalties when he plays I've noticed!

[Mike E]

It might have been a bit quieter where PB was, didn't hear him talking to the defence. Solid enough and didn't look out of place at all. Didn't have a great deal to do was my over-riding impression.

On another note, first impressions and all that but like the look of the new Taylor - how long is it since we had someone who looks to run at opponents (OK, Dunny, in his rare appearances).

King, Marshall, Conway, Olsson...Quite a few current players

On Raya, I'd sooner loan him out (callback option) and go into next season with Eastwood and Steele. Playing Raya (while saving an 'established player' place and wages, could knacker his confidence.

He needs a good run with a side in L1 or 2 imo. Look at how O'Sullivan showed progression with each move, as did most of our academy guys.

A bad few games in the championship for us could ruin him. He needs to build slowly rather than have us promote him based on a good season 3 leagues below.

[matt83]

With the brown debate and our worst strikers its tough to judge who's the worst of the worst. If it's relative to expectations Kevin Davis takes some beating as does dahlin, if it's relative to cost grabbi is up there, relative to the league in then ashley ward was a donkey but tried hard, relative to wage dwight yorke. Then any number of questionable ones for us like Duncan shearer, Benjani, livingstone, franny Jeffers, nonda to many to remember then even recent ones like dj Campbell, best, varney.

As for brown I don't think he's the worst by any means he is just another in a long line of iffy strikers. I think he does the very bare minimum in terms of link up play expected of a professional but ultimately he is a striker who doesn't score or at least hasn't for us in his 15 ish games which is a massive worry should we lose Rhodes and gestede in the summer.

[Waggy76]

Campbell must be one of the worst alongside such talents has McKinnon and O Mara .....

The frenchmen baldy sjgned was pretty putrid too ...

[thenodrog]

Remember that piece of action like yesterday. We scored an equally spectacular second goal in the same game.

Tugay volley direct from a Pedersen corner?

They were goals worthy of a World Cup final but they came at Ewood against an ordinary Fulham in front of 16000 fans.

They compiled a set of top Premier League volleyed goals on Sky today. As expected Tugay's and Peds were not amongst them.

[Tom]

They compiled a set of top Premier League volleyed goals on Sky today. As expected Tugay's and Peds were not amongst them.

Had Pedersen in particular been wearing a United shirt that goal would still be shown today

As amazing as Tugays was for me Pedersens was perhaps the best goal I've seen a Rovers player score in person

[Stuart]

They compiled a set of top Premier League volleyed goals on Sky today. As expected Tugay's and Peds were not amongst them.

The Premier League has a short term memory of about 10 years - about double the average football fan.

[ABBEY]

10 seconds for a certain one on here

[bazza]

Both those goals against Fulham were superb but Tugay's was the best IMO because of the accuracy of the corner kick by Peds.

Whilst Kuqi's cross was a good cross, Ped's corner was deliberately aimed at Tugay and fell just right for him to volley the perfect volley.

Those are the times you just love watching football and it all seems worthwhile.

[thenodrog]

Both those goals against Fulham were superb but Tugay's was the best IMO because of the accuracy of the corner kick by Peds.

Whilst Kuqi's cross was a good cross, Ped's corner was deliberately aimed at Tugay and fell just right for him to volley the perfect volley.

Those are the times you just love watching football and it all seems worthwhile.

Here lets have our own....

[47er]

Great to see those again Theno! There was another one from Pedersen at Ewood I'm trying to place.

There was a first time cross from the right-wing (can't remember who) and Pedersen had to really stretch to volley it into the top left-hand corner.

It seemed impossible that he could have reached it, his left foot seemed to be as high as the cross-bar.

Anyone remember who that was against? Or did I dream it?

We gave Pedersen some stick at times but my word did he leave us with some memories. Sadly he will never live down that header against Chelsea!

[meerkat]

Not sure if it's been posted, but highlghts of the game from sky:

http://www1.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/9790533/leeds-0-3-blackburn

[Neil Weaver]

Here lets have our own....

That bloody Robinson, always useless against long distance shots.

[tomphil]

Great to see those again Theno! There was another one from Pedersen at Ewood I'm trying to place.

There was a first time cross from the right-wing (can't remember who) and Pedersen had to really stretch to volley it into the top left-hand corner.

It seemed impossible that he could have reached it, his left foot seemed to be as high as the cross-bar.

Anyone remember who that was against? Or did I dream it?

We gave Pedersen some stick at times but my word did he leave us with some memories. Sadly he will never live down that header against Chelsea!

Towards the BBE ? Was that not v Fulham as well, seem to recall it. Don't forget a Tugay pearler at home to Reading similar to the Spurs one. Quality we may never see again.

[Waggy76]

Tugay scored a pearler at Southampton , 1st season back up !

[donnermeat]

Scored a cracker at Birmingham also, though it wasn't a volley, if memory serves. And Basle! Remember that match being on Eurosport, and as soon as I got home from the match we rewatched it back, but first skipped straight to the Tugay goal to watch over and over. The commentator screamed his named as he struck it. Gives me goosebumps.

Sorry I'm getting a little excited here.

[Tom]

Pedersens still the best for me, running onto it and just unstoppable, Tugays was mesmerising as well but not in the top corner and should have been stopped by the man on the line.

Pedersen scored a cracking volley away at Wigan as well but not close to those two.

Other than those Shearers chip in the 7-1 v Norwich and his Hattrick goal against QPR when he nearly broke the bar are other favourites