[Archived] Official: Paul Lambert Appointed Blackburn Rovers Manager

[EgyptianPete]

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.

Look at the end of this discussion on Jordan the one fact remains he will score goals, but you have to give him the chances the last two games i have seen this isn't happening now that is not his fault, that's the midfield/wingers, i will say again to get where we are in a short space what 5 matches is bloody great, if we can beat Reading sunday then the forrest result isn't too bad, remember these are the same players, give PL a chance to get some bodies in come January, i fully expect at least four, maybe two permanent and a couple of loans, i also expect whoever he brings in will be straight in the team.

Expectations have had a major if not meteoric lift since Paul Lambert and his team arrived, lets give him the chance and maybe once we can get a good midfield play maker or two Jordan will be back to his scoring best. I need to hear he scores when he wants.

[only2garners]

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.

Unfortunately as well as the ability to very occasionally pick out a good pass he also has an unerring ability to give away possession in the middle of the park. Exactly what we don't need.

[booth]

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/

I'd like to think Lambo is more intelligent than that and is being diplomatic for the sake of the team.

We'll see if Koita is in the first team in 12 months time.

[ABBEY]

Ian Rush? Who is he?

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

There's always one who has to milk it

[oldjamfan1]

There's always one who has to milk it

Pull the udder one mate

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

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

You're having a laugh there matey. There's no comparison at all. Rush was one of the best strikers I've ever seen. Rhodes is just a Championship level striker. Rush could run faster running backwards than Rhodes can forwards. He worked the opposition back four like Shearer did. A really top class finisher who always put in a shift.

[ChrisyG]

I'd like to think Lambo is more intelligent than that and is being diplomatic for the sake of the team.

We'll see if Koita is in the first team in 12 months time.

Possibly. I don't know about 12 months, but It will be interesting to see if he get's picked for the next game.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

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

Not really. It didn't really work out before. I thought he might make it in central midfield but he never took to the role. He seems to lack the desire and confidence to dominate the game that you need to play in that position. He had plenty of ability but eventually he went backwards in his contributions to the team.

[Amo]

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

Tom's more talented younger brother?

[Steve Kean's Hypnotoad]

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

Must admit for the first time on Monday my previously unwavering support of Rhodes started to waver. I've always supported the try-hards, as long as I rate the manager then I put my faith in him to decide whether someone is good enough to be on the pitch. So what I mostly judge players on is effort and attitude. Rhodes' attitude on Monday didn't stink, it was simply non-existent. He was never in the game from start to finish and this didn't anger him, frustrate him or spur him on one bit.

In terms of salary and price tag, he's our superstar. When Lambert took over and there was a section of his thread talking about whether Hanley should retain captaincy, I (and a few others) said what we really need is more leaders elsewhere. Well for me since Lambert took over he's found them in Duffy in spades and Akpan more and more. But he doesn't seem to be getting it at all from Rhodes. Can we send the bloke to live with Craig Bellamy or Paul Dickov for a while, 2 small lone strikers for Rovers who never gave defenders an easy ride regardless of service.

[booth]

Possibly. I don't know about 12 months, but It will be interesting to see if he get's picked for the next game.

It's obvious Lambert will want more complete players if he wants to win promotion so I'm imagining in January we may see a small clear out, then a larger one summer. I wouldn't be surprised if Koita and a few others disappear in the Jan transfer window either on loan, sold or paid off. If they do they will struggle to make the bench.

I think he'll be benched against Reading.

[beanie]

When Lowe is fit I hope they use him as a right back and add a creative midfielder and a striker or even two.

[tomphil]

Before Lowe is fit I hope they sign a decent right back and use Jason as the squad man he is or loan him out to a league one team to help shape him up a bit.

[JBiz]

Rhodes haters.

Who?

[beanie]

It all depends but I think we could use funds to strengthen elsewhere more and use him in full back where I never thought he was terrible. A specialist right back would be preferable but if funds are tight.

[rigger]

When Lowe is fit I hope they use him as a right back and add a creative midfielder and a striker or even two.

a lot of people are worried about getting a new right back. Once fitness levels are where they should be, why not play with three at the back, then you don't need a right back, end of problem.

[RevidgeBlue]

Who?

Abbey makes a fair point. I find it really strange that the knives are always out for Rhodes whenever he goes a couple of games without scoring whereas most of the rest of the squad have been basically crap for the last two seasons and have been basically carried by Rhodes (and Gestede) yet very little ever gets said about those other players individually.

All that said I do wonder if Rhodes has been told "Nothing personal and no reflection whatsoever on your ability but you're going to be sacrificed in January to boost the transfer kitty." I really hope that isn't the case.

[Mike E]

Abbey makes a fair point. I find it really strange that the knives are always out for Rhodes whenever he goes a couple of games without scoring whereas most of the rest of the squad have been basically crap for the last two seasons and have been basically carried by Rhodes (and Gestede) yet very little ever gets said about those other players individually.

All that said I do wonder if Rhodes has been told "Nothing personal and no reflection whatsoever on your ability but you're going to be sacrificed in January to boost the transfer kitty." I really hope that isn't the case.

In 7 weeks, he's scored once and it was a penalty vs Preston. I hope he finds his shooting boots, but he needs to muck in himself too.

When Rhodes cuts back, looks for the ball and gets involved he has a knack of creating his own chances or giving space for others to create chances.

When he plays as he has since probably Leeds away, he's as useless on the pitch as my dogs! And they died 3 years ago!

[JBiz]

Abbey makes a fair point.

I'll ask again, who?

Mike said he'd sell him in his opinion but I'd hardly call him a "Rhodes hater".

[Mike E]

I'll ask again, who?

Mike said he'd sell him in his opinion but I'd hardly call him a "Rhodes hater".

I even qualified THAT with 'based on recent form' I love the guy!

[Wing Wizard Windy Miller]

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.

The goals of Rhodes kept us out of League 1.

You've answered your own question ARA. It is because we have nobody in the side who can thread a ball through or get to the byline, therefore we can not play to Rhodes strength... And because we can't, he brings absolutely nothing to the party. We've seen small forwards like Bellamy, Speedie, Dickov all give defenders a torrid time by being niggly and at times down right nasty (I remember speedie lamping a cb off the ball at St James 's park). As well as chasing everything. Rhodes is too 'nice'. He can't help his lack of pace but he could and should have added a bit more to his game by now.

As it stands the team can't play to JRs strengths and he can't play to the teams.

It isn't Rhodes 'hate' - it is a team game at the end of the day and we need to put the most effective team we can out on the pitch.

IMO putting Rhodes on the bench for a game or two wouldn't be the end of the world.

[Wing Wizard Windy Miller]

Anyone else noticed that for all PL's praise of the teams' effort and application, the word 'quality' is never mentioned.

[47er]

When Lowe is fit I hope they use him as a right back and add a creative midfielder and a striker or even two.

Will Lowe ever be fit, it seems like years now?

[beanie]

Will Lowe ever be fit, it seems like years now?

Very true I'm not suggesting him for long term either just if funds are tight he could be an option to enable us to strengthen elsewhere.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Very true I'm not suggesting him for long term either just if funds are tight he could be an option to enable us to strengthen elsewhere.

As I remember it right back appeared to be his best position. It's so long ago now though.