[Archived] Official: Paul Lambert Appointed Blackburn Rovers Manager

[philipl]

So 11 points out of 15 with the inherited squad and our three most dangerous players (Rhodes, Marshall and Conway) by common agreement not at their best.

Plus the Keystone Cops defense having its lucky moments but achieving 4 out of 5 clean sheets under Lambert and generally looking very solid.

On this basis we are on target to get the 60 out of 90 points which had to be Lambert's objective to get into the play-offs. Having said that, there is a club that has come out of the pack now with a great run- Ipswich. So I think we have to measure ourselves against the dingles in terms of where we need to get out points total to.

Of course we are likely to see a net 2 point slippage from the play-offs after last night but we did have two weeks' of results which were very kind to us.

Incidentally, we are today as many points from automatic promotion (12) as we are from relegation...

[JAL]

ame="JAL" post="1596025" timestamp="1450133728"]

I really dont care tbh about Varney

We have moved on from that IMO and instead of looking back on the past why not look forward to an exciting era under Lambert.

You were championing Bowyer and the scouting system thought I'd ask you for some more to back it up. As for your comment on Paul Lambert bringing in a couple of players early Jan have these players already been lined up regardless of who Blackburn Rovers manager might have been.

[K-Hod]

You were championing Bowyer and the scouting system thought I'd ask you for some more to back it up. As for your comment on Paul Lambert bringing in a couple of players early Jan have these players already been lined up regardless of who Blackburn Rovers manager might have been.

Please stop talking in riddles! If you know something to be true, then don't be shy!

[JAL]

Please stop talking in riddles! If you know something to be true, then don't be shy!

Just asking

[AllRoverAsia]

EDIT

[chaddyrovers]

You were championing Bowyer and the scouting system thought I'd ask you for some more to back it up. As for your comment on Paul Lambert bringing in a couple of players early Jan have these players already been lined up regardless of who Blackburn Rovers manager might have been.

Lambert will be choosing the players. We have brought in experience proven manager. I would imagine Lambert will be making a shortlist of players he will want to bring into the club.

Lambert HAS already said that we are short in certain areas in the squad and said he will bring in players in January.

[Jimmy612]

I criticised the manager and the team after Friday but to their credit it was a much better performance last night than the Rotherham debacle. Typical of football we had less to show for it. Rovers were more energetic and more urgent than I have seen them for some time. We needed to score whilst we were on top as it was always clear that Forest would play a typical away game and once the first 10 minutes of sparring was over they settled down to stifle us and retain the option of giving it a go in the second. All credit to Lambert for the changes to the line up because Koita and Guthrie had excellent games. Koita in particular provided a real physical presence up front, won almost every header that he went for and showed us what we have been missing since Gestede left. He well deserved his MoM award. Akpan was right up there too and with the two centre halves dominant we had control over the middle of the park.

I am left with the feeling that if Lambert had preferred Lawrence over Rhodes we could have had all 3 points. In direct comparison to Koita Rhodes was awful again all night. Appeared disinterested to me. Certainly the ball wasn't in the box too often but a striker has to contribute much more to the team effort than plodding around aimlessly and waiting for tap ins on the six yard line. Goodness only knows what the great man here for the night and sitting in the Directors box for 70 mins thought of that performance. One thing Shearer could never have levelled at him even on the rare occasions when his goals weren't flowing was lack of effort for the cause.

[AllRoverAsia]

I see Rhodes hate is the flavour of the week and invading a few threads. Goldfish.

[Tom]

I see Rhodes hate is the flavour of the week and invading a few threads. Goldfish.

Rhodes hate?

Were you at the game last night? I've seen him play 180 minutes this week and barely make an effort for anything that isn't directly at him.

Lack of service? Maybe but he's not done nearly enough

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

I criticised the manager and the team after Friday but to their credit it was a much better performance last night than the Rotherham debacle. Typical of football we had less to show for it. Rovers were more energetic and more urgent than I have seen them for some time. We needed to score whilst we were on top as it was always clear that Forest would play a typical away game and once the first 10 minutes of sparring was over they settled down to stifle us and retain the option of giving it a go in the second. All credit to Lambert for the changes to the line up because Koita and Guthrie had excellent games. Koita in particular provided a real physical presence up front, won almost every header that he went for and showed us what we have been missing since Gestede left. He well deserved his MoM award. Akpan was right up there too and with the two centre halves dominant we had control over the middle of the park.

I am left with the feeling that if Lambert had preferred Lawrence over Rhodes we could have had all 3 points. In direct comparison to Koita Rhodes was awful again all night. Appeared disinterested to me. Certainly the ball wasn't in the box too often but a striker has to contribute much more to the team effort than plodding around aimlessly and waiting for tap ins on the six yard line. Goodness only knows what the great man here for the night and sitting in the Directors box for 70 mins thought of that performance. One thing Shearer could never have levelled at him even on the rare occasions when his goals weren't flowing was lack of effort for the cause.

Even when things weren't going his way and he wasn't seeing much of the ball Shearer was always making life difficult for defenders off the ball. How hard is to put yourself about a bit ? You never know you may get lucky.

[den]

Even when things weren't going his way and he wasn't seeing much of the ball Shearer was always making life difficult for defenders off the ball. How hard is to put yourself about a bit ? You never know you may get lucky.

It's not just his lack of application, - he doesn't have the pace, power or technique to play that role Tyrone. Nor is it a blip in form, some fans recognised that years ago. Parsonblue's match reports regularly mentioned how isolated or ineffective he was. Last night, second half in particular we were crying out for someone to get hold of the ball up front so we could regain a bit of possession, or a bit of control in the game. Koita - who J*B referred to as a total donkey - did more to unsettle Forest than our £8m man could. Too many fans are blinded by his goals, as to how he adveresely affects team performances. If people didnt see that last night, they never will. Bowyer knew it, Lambert has said it and the Scotland management know it.

[K-Hod]

If Lambert has already improved other players, it's safe to say he's capable of doing that with Rhodes as well. There's time yet. I wouldn't say fans are blinded to Rhodes because of his goals, I'd just say it's a good job he has scored as many as he has since he's been here.

82 goals in 155 goals for the club would suggest that overall he's positively affected team performances more than he hasn't though.

[AllRoverAsia]

Rhodes hate?

Were you at the game last night? I've seen him play 180 minutes this week and barely make an effort for anything that isn't directly at him.

Lack of service? Maybe but he's not done nearly enough

I saw it live here on TV all the way through and got to bed at 5 am. That qualifies me to comment as far as I'm concerned and that's all that matters to me.

I don't really know what is expected of an out and out goal poacher other than trying to get into position to attempt on goal. The fact is we have no one currently in the squad capable of playing through ball to feet. The occasional cross which Forest stopped quite well last night. Long hoofball to Rhodes is as much use as a chocolate fire-guard.

I think he is miss-used now as he was later on under Bowyer but tbf there is not a lot any manager can do given the current squad. If Lambert wants to keep Rhodes then he must play to his strengths and build the team accordingly. If not then sell him and reinvest - we will not get another 20+ goal a season player without spending decent money. It's an interesting dilemma for Lambert to solve.

I did actually say somewhere else on this MB that I was surprised how slow Rhodes was last night - so my view is not just one way.

Kranky at Boro must be a bit of a tit offering all that cash for him. Bruce too. Oh well what do they know.

If Lambert has already improved other players, it's safe to say he's capable of doing that with Rhodes as well. There's time yet. I wouldn't say fans are blinded to Rhodes because of his goals, I'd just say it's a good job he has scored as many as he has since he's been here.

82 goals in 155 goals for the club would suggest that overall he's positively affected team performances more than he hasn't though.

The goals of Rhodes kept us out of League 1.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

It's not just his lack of application, - he doesn't have the pace, power or technique to play that role Tyrone. Nor is it a blip in form, some fans recognised that years ago. Parsonblue's match reports regularly mentioned how isolated or ineffective he was. Last night, second half in particular we were crying out for someone to get hold of the ball up front so we could regain a bit of possession, or a bit of control in the game. Koita - who J*B referred to as a total donkey - did more to unsettle Forest than our £8m man could. Too many fans are blinded by his goals, as to how he adveresely affects team performances. If people didnt see that last night, they never will. Bowyer knew it, Lambert has said it and the Scotland management know it.

You're preaching to the converted here Den. I agree with all of that. I was really surprised the first time I saw Rhodes play live by his lack of both pace and physical presence. He's got a cool head in the penalty area without a doubt and he can finish but the rest of his game is pretty limited. I just can't see how we can build a team around him to play to his strengths with our limited funds. I think the days of accommodating goal poachers are over. When teams play one up front and five in midfield the two up front and four in midfield teams stand a chance of getting over run in midfield and you can't play him up front on his own.

Solutions - play him up front with Shearer - Ripley and Wilcox on the wings and Tugay in midfield is what he needs but we all know that's not going to happen.

[JBiz]

The goals of Rhodes kept us out of League 1.

You make a great point about making chances but then say this!

As many have seen from recent games, a Jordan Rhodes starved of chances is as useless as Ade Akinbiyi on crutches.

His confidence to score will come when he finds the net again, but a header from one side and a ball across the box from Olsson isn't enough. The knock downs and striker or number 10 interplay needs to improve. Not just who's with him, his own contribution is also in question.

He achieved 20+ goals in his other seasons because we made chances for him. Whilst we might be more solid under PL, we are yet to create a plethora of clear cut chances for him.

It's not hard to see how any team who did that against everybody would be likely top or near. I strongly believe PL is the man to get us there.

[beanie]

We need someone in the middle with the ability to slide the ball through to him centrally. At the min we are a bit one dimensional.

[T J Hooker]

There's this young player called Tim Cairney.......

[JHRover]

There's this young player called Tim Cairney.......

Might be worth a bid in January then. The way Fulham are going and with a rumoured embargo coming up they might be willing to do business.

[booth]

Rhodes wasn't great but I'm amazed at the people reinforcing this by saying Koita played well.

[AggyBlue]

Rhodes wasn't great but I'm amazed at the people reinforcing this by saying Koita played well.

At least he looked like he was trying and not just going through the motions

[AllRoverAsia]

At least he looked like he was trying and not just going through the motions

I am happy to let Lambert be the Judge of that.

[ChrisyG]

Rhodes wasn't great but I'm amazed at the people reinforcing this by saying Koita played well.

Lambo thought he played well and he knows about football.

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/14147243.Paul_Lambert_impressed_by__handful__Fode_Koita_on_his_first_start_for_Blackburn_Rovers_boss/

[T J Hooker]

I cant believe that after 4 years people are still questioning rhodes ability, you get the ball to him in halve a yard of space in the penalty box and he's likely to score, thats what he's all about nothing more, nothing less, anything else is a bonus and at hes not going tp change much.

[ABBEY]

Ian Rush would have been hounded out by the Rhodes haters.

[oldjamfan1]

Ian Rush would have been hounded out by the Rhodes haters.

Ian Rush? Who is he?

(younger posters won't understand this one.....)