[Archived] Brighton At Home

[Mike Graham]

I thought Akpan had a decent game yesterday.

[EWOODACE1]

I find the Akpan hate on here baffling at times. It seems to be a recurring theme with whoever happens to be our holding midfielder. Akpan is by no means a great player but I think he's been one of Rovers more consistent players this season who has done the job he is tasked with adequately, he's certainly not disgraced himself and has scored a couple of important goals. One thing he has shown is willingness to work which is more than can be said for many of our so called 'better' players.

Couldn't agree more. He works his socks off and is one of few willing to try and make something happen

[Mike Graham]

I looked at Brown with a few minutes to go and he was pretty much covered in mud and out on his feet. He had scrapped and fought for every ball, kicked and been kicked and elbowed a few. I wish that some of our bigger, more talented players had done the same.

Agreed, Brown worked his socks off yesterday.

[Hullrover]

As every game passes that I have seen over the last two or three years (Saturday 3 o'clockers + the odd evening H &A in half terms), I remain convinced that this is an easy division to get out of if you have quick, hard working players + a couple that are better,usually in the spine of the team. The only teams to impress me have been Leicester, Watford, Burnley when they went up, Boro and Brentford. All those teams had a tremendous work ethic.

Actually, for the first few PL games, that was exactly what I saw from us and I was genuinely optimistic. We seemed to press hard and have a real sense of urgency. Unfortunately that seems to have disappeared again.Yesterday Brighton were no better than many other sides from 24th to about 4th. The gaps in our midfield amazed me, it is no wonder Rhodes is having a drought. We have to strengthen in this area. We need more players with proper engines who can run box to box.

I hope that PL puts out his best possible side against Newport, because we have the opportunity to have a decent cup run again, which at least will liven up the rest of this season , provided we can avoid getting dragged further towards the bottom of this average division. I am an eternal optimist, 3 or 4 decent players are all we need to compete with the best in the league. This will bring out the best of an otherwise moderate bunch who are not much different to the rest of the division.

[chaddyrovers]

I looked at Brown with a few minutes to go and he was pretty much covered in mud and out on his feet. He had scrapped and fought for every ball, kicked and been kicked and elbowed a few. I wish that some of our bigger, more talented players had done the same.

He worked his socks off. Not the most talented player but he works hard and gives his all.

One of 3 players who I felt worked their socks off.

[sharpysharps]

Being a footballer is a profession that the vast majority of supporters would love to have, these guys out there are making incredibly good money for doing their dream job. I'm just not sure that the players not liking the fans down at Ewood is a good enough reason for them to play like they don't particularly care.

It's a vicious cycle and it works both ways. You could say that the fans need to offer more support to certain players in this team, but generally at any football club if a player isn't pulling their weight then the fans call him out for it....it just so happens that we have a number of those players all at once.

I know that the atmosphere at Ewood is terrible these days and we seem to do better away from home, but at this stage the only way that is gonna change is if the players start to play like they care and if we manage to get 2 or 3 inspiring signings in the next 2 weeks before the window shuts.

[Mike E]

What needs to happen is supporters not booing (too general) but being clear. I feel that if we get another performance like that, a rousing rendition of 'You're not fit to wear the shirt' alongside 'PLs BWA' may give some more of a kick up the arse.

[JBiz]

What needs to happen is supporters not booing (too general) but being clear. I feel that if we get another performance like that, a rousing rendition of 'You're not fit to wear the shirt' alongside 'PLs BWA' may give some more of a kick up the arse.

How's about the manager sets us up, motivates the players and organises us to win?

I know it's a nouvelle principle, but other managers have got worse squads out of this league, Holloways Blackpool springing to mind.

PL needs to get the players working and scoring, then the fans will do what they always do.

[ABBEY]

I can't agree with that at all,I thought the crowd were incredibly tolerant of the garbage that was being served up yesterday, watching on with resigned silence with only a few half hearted boos when the team went off at half time and at the end.

At a lot of places the team would have been hung drawn and quartered by the crowd for playing like that.

it was not half hearted near me the players got it big time and they heard and saw it.

[JBiz]

it was not half hearted near me the players got it big time and they heard and saw it.

If they are gonna down tools, lump the same balls in the same way for 90 mins, what do they expect?

Fans are human- they pay to be entertained. If it's not good football, then it's results.

We are giving then literally nothing but pain atm.

[arbitro]

How's about the manager sets us up, motivates the players and organises us to win?

I know it's a nouvelle principle, but other managers have got worse squads out of this league, Holloways Blackpool springing to mind.

PL needs to get the players working and scoring, then the fans will do what they always do.

But players need to buy into what the manager wants. I really don't think that some of our players have done this and it is showing in their performances and Lambert alluded to this in his Radio Lancashire interview. With such a small squad I think it's a catch 22 situation for Lambert. I'm sure he would like to jettison some of the current squad but for various reasons can't. Likewise he would like to bring some players in who will do what he wants.

[windymiller7]

Absolutely terrible yesterday. For me, the only ones to come out with any credit are Akpan and Brown. Neither are the most skillful but both put in a shift. Brown fully deserved his m.o.m. as has been said, his shirt was barely recognisable at the end. I've been the first to criticise him in the past but was praying he'd manage to bundle one over the line yesterday - I actually think the roof would've come off Ewood if he had.

On another note, Jackson gave a telling interview on radio rovers before the game. When asked if he was match fit he said " yeah,I'm fit, but not Paul Lambert fit". I think that probably says it all. The players have had it so easy for so long they don't like this new idea of having to graft in training.

[tomphil]

Tin hat ready.its poisonous down Ewood Park at minute and I think the players don't like the fans. There is no interaction whatsoever, we're on their backs for slightest thing, there is no encouragement whatsoever,no atmosphere whatsoever, and it's not a nice place to ply your trade. When a player scores they don't even look at the supporters in most cases. We've lost the players, regardless of any chuffing manager. Just my opinion. Reasons upon reasons and debates and explanations and theories can be explored into why things don't or are not working but this is the underlying problem I think. There's no support, just cardboard cutouts that groan and boo. The players look as depressed as this messageboard reads. When was last time players were smiling on pitch and enjoying playing? Probably when the supporters are smiling and screaming support.

Blame venkys, kean,berg,Appleton, bowyer, Lambert. That cloud has never dispersed since venkys turned up.

The cardboard cut outs are on the field. I think it's always been the case at Ewood and all the other town clubs around here that the players have to earn the fans support. Just turning up and being paid 10k+ pwk for going through the motions doesn't get hero worshipped around here like it might do in other places. Just the way it is when your playing in front of a lot of punters who graft shifts to take home £2/300 a week.

I think it was Allardyce who said you have to have the right characters to turn out week in week out and do the business at places like ours and Bolton etc.

[Tom]

How's about the manager sets us up, motivates the players and organises us to win?

I know it's a nouvelle principle, but other managers have got worse squads out of this league, Holloways Blackpool springing to mind.

PL needs to get the players working and scoring, then the fans will do what they always do.

Funny you never said this under Bowyer with a squad he set up.

[ABBEY]

slipped a long while since.

[47er]

Funny you never said this under Bowyer with a squad he set up.

You'll probably be told not to mention Bowyer anymore Tom,that's the past and we must move on. This is PL's team now.

And, further more he's really behind the new manager but.....

Just saving you the the trouble JB!

[JBiz]

Funny you never said this under Bowyer with a squad he set up.

Slightly different expectations Tom. GB was criticised and eventually replaced due to results. Extrapolate the last 5 games over a season and we'd be toast. I shouldn't have to go back and explain comments I've made in a different context when posting either.

As 47er rightly says, how is bringing it back to this anything but derailing threads?

[Tom]

Because I think you are being a tiny bit mischievous with the comments personally apologies if that isn't the case.

As it is Lambert will live and die by the results and probably end up sacked whilst the chancers we have playing for us will continue to collect a mega wage for doing nothing. (Damn I'm really developing a dislike for our players)

It's a sad reality but football sucks!

[DE.]

I'm still interested to know what caused a surge of optimism before yesterday's game on here. Where in the world did predictions of 3-0, etc, come from? I wouldn't bet on this lot scoring one goal, let alone three.

[G Somerset Rover]

Always amazes me, DE. Anyone predicting us to score 2+ needs to be whipped into a straight-jacket!

[chor808]

I'm still interested to know what caused a surge of optimism before yesterday's game on here. Where in the world did predictions of 3-0, etc, come from? I wouldn't bet on this lot scoring one goal, let alone three.

Well one came from me. I was wrong, again. There is nothing wrong with wishing and even expecting a win at home. It costs me a fortune to travel around and watch this lot the idea that one of them locked themselves in the toilet or sulked fills me with disgust.

I'll be at charleton next week at great expense again and as someone else said they would take a team of browns at this point. At least he tried.

[mustard]

Tin hat ready.its poisonous down Ewood Park at minute and I think the players don't like the fans. There is no interaction whatsoever, we're on their backs for slightest thing, there is no encouragement whatsoever,no atmosphere whatsoever, and it's not a nice place to ply your trade. When a player scores they don't even look at the supporters in most cases. We've lost the players, regardless of any chuffing manager. Just my opinion. Reasons upon reasons and debates and explanations and theories can be explored into why things don't or are not working but this is the underlying problem I think. There's no support, just cardboard cutouts that groan and boo. The players look as depressed as this messageboard reads. When was last time players were smiling on pitch and enjoying playing? Probably when the supporters are smiling and screaming support.

Blame venkys, kean,berg,Appleton, bowyer, Lambert. That cloud has never dispersed since venkys turned up.

Interesting post. I don't necessarily agree with it but you raise some good points.

I also don't think the players like the fans. However, I believe it's due to the sense of entitlement from this current bunch, not due to the fans themselves. Despite the wages they earn and the fact we fans have to fork out for trips and some of us have to wake up at ungodly hours to attend games, I get the impression some of the players think we should be happy with whatever tripe they choose to serve up. There appears to be some disparity between what is acceptable to us (and Lambert) and what is acceptable to them.

Got this impression of attitude problems for quite some time. In fact, I'd say Rhodes is one of the only true professionals in the team and he is certainly the only player who claps the fans after every single game.

[DE.]

Well one came from me. I was wrong, again. There is nothing wrong with wishing and even expecting a win at home. It costs me a fortune to travel around and watch this lot the idea that one of them locked themselves in the toilet or sulked fills me with disgust.

I'll be at charleton next week at great expense again and as someone else said they would take a team of browns at this point. At least he tried.

Absolutely chief, credit to you. I wasn't having a go, just genuinely curious what it is that made so many people predict comfortable wins considering the players we have the the run of form we've been on. I could understand a 1-0 or even a 2-1 prediction, but 2-0/3-0, with this team? I highly doubt we'll see a result like that for the rest of this season. Possibly if we're playing a really poor team and they have somebody sent off, as with Bristol City at the start of Lambert's reign, but otherwise this group don't have the balls to win a match by more than a single goal. Just scoring one goal is a monumental task for our players, let alone any more.

If Rhodes doesn't score next week, you have to wonder whether he'll ever score for us again! Similarly, anything other than a win next week will point to either the players having completely crumbled under the expectation of better or a significant portion of the players having chosen to down tools in protest at being asked to go beyond their comfort zones.

Either way I'm not expecting any more than a 1-0 or 2-1 in our favour.

[chor808]

Absolutely chief, credit to you. I wasn't having a go, just genuinely curious what it is that made so many people predict comfortable wins considering the players we have the the run of form we've been on. I could understand a 1-0 or even a 2-1 prediction, but 2-0/3-0, with this team? I highly doubt we'll see a result like that for the rest of this season. Possibly if we're playing a really poor team and they have somebody sent off, as with Bristol City at the start of Lambert's reign, but otherwise this group don't have the balls to win a match by more than a single goal. Just scoring one goal is a monumental task for our players, let alone any more.

If Rhodes doesn't score next week, you have to wonder whether he'll ever score for us again! Similarly, anything other than a win next week will point to either the players having completely crumbled under the expectation of better or a significant portion of the players having chosen to down tools in protest at being asked to go beyond their comfort zones.

Either way I'm not expecting any more than a 1-0 or 2-1 in our favour.

What we should be able to predict is that they give 100% every match and act like a professional. Anyway I won't be predicting 3-0 for tomorrow's game, next week you never know.

[bob fleming]

Tin hat ready.its poisonous down Ewood Park at minute and I think the players don't like the fans. There is no interaction whatsoever, we're on their backs for slightest thing, there is no encouragement whatsoever,no atmosphere whatsoever, and it's not a nice place to ply your trade. When a player scores they don't even look at the supporters in most cases. We've lost the players, regardless of any chuffing manager. Just my opinion. Reasons upon reasons and debates and explanations and theories can be explored into why things don't or are not working but this is the underlying problem I think. There's no support, just cardboard cutouts that groan and boo. The players look as depressed as this messageboard reads. When was last time players were smiling on pitch and enjoying playing? Probably when the supporters are smiling and screaming support.

Blame venkys, kean,berg,Appleton, bowyer, Lambert. That cloud has never dispersed since venkys turned up.

The poor darlings! If they don't like it hand in a transfer request, go somewhere else.

They've won 6 times in 26 attempts, they don't appear to be bothered. I'm not sure that there are many clubs fans who would be too pleased with that paltry return, only one way to find out I guess, do one.

They are capable of working much harder - Ipswich at home springs to mind where they harried / closed down and outworked them for 90 minutes. Massive mistake that - they showed that they can do it when they want to.

They clearer have a phobia of the top 6 - hence the inability to put back to back performances together. Perhaps their thinking is that promotion would mean they have to leave the Brockhall Social Club / Retirement Home?

Either way things need to change. I'd stick all bar 4 or 5 on the transfer list to be honest.