[Archived] Rovers V Hull

[AHoyle90]

In a 4-4-2 diamond, you need full backs who relentlessly bomb forward to provide width, every time Conway and Lenhinan got the ball they had to come inside or back to the full back as there was nobody providing width.

Hull were a different class to us, but I still expecting a better showing than that

Lambert has got his work cut out, were miles away from being a top 6 team.

[1arC]

We are saving the 0-0 for Tuesday night.

If you'd seen it I think you'd have a more downbeat post. There was a lot to be concerned about today IMO and not just down to a few key men missing and good quality opposition. They were solid but ordinary and really it should have been a nil nil'er.

[LDRover]

There's a huge problem with the mentality of this group of players. We can talk about a lack of quality as much as we want but while we have so many that don't fancy it we're stuffed.

Said it before and I'll say it again, we need a couple of right hard bstards in that side.

[1arC]

There's a huge problem with the mentality of this group of players. We can talk about a lack of quality as much as we want but while we have so many that don't fancy it we're stuffed.

Said it before and I'll say it again, we need a couple of right hard bstards in that side.

Yeah probably a couple who would stick one on any team mate not giving 100%.

[A cup of beans]

The first half was reasonable, some nice footie from Rovers and we were as good as Hull.

The 2nd half was appalling, littered with mistakes and giving the ball away.

Perfect summation.

The subs and tactics baffled me.

Lambert ' s changes made us immeasurably worse.

[jim mk2]

In a 4-4-2 diamond, you need full backs who relentlessly bomb forward to provide width, every time Conway and Lenhinan got the ball they had to come inside or back to the full back as there was nobody providing width.

Hull were a different class to us, but I still expecting a better showing than that

Lambert has got his work cut out, were miles away from being a top 6 team.

You're right there.... we're a bottom 6 team and sinking fast.

[Mike Graham]

There's a huge problem with the mentality of this group of players. We can talk about a lack of quality as much as we want but while we have so many that don't fancy it we're stuffed.

Said it before and I'll say it again, we need a couple of right hard bstards in that side.

ANDY TODD. WE NEED AN ANDY TODD TODD TODD.

[jim mk2]

Seems to me we were OK first half but Bruce realised there was nothing to beat, told his players to raise their game at half time and we duly folded like a pack of cards. I know we were without key players but Lambert is responsible for the mentality of the group. This defeat is all down to him.

[Speedie Dived]

Pretty even first half, then we shot ourselves in the foot big time.

I am not for one second suggesting he should go, but i wonder if our lunatic owners are.

Ward looks better on the ball but think he cost us a goal today. Duffy is a league one centre half, not my cup of tea at all.

On reflection the changes cost us big time, but we have yet to play well at home under the manager. Worrying.

[tomphil]

We are saving the 0-0 for Tuesday night.

Some would say we'll take that

Can't understand today why he didn't move Marshall forward and put Henley on. Surely would have been more effective than Bennett. I hope him and Jackson don't turn out to be PL's Achilles heel in a Lowey/GB type way.

[AHoyle90]

At 1-0 down I was expecting Marshall to move forward, and Bennett or Henley to go right back, it was frustrating he stuck with that diamond, I never want to see it again.

Im glad Lambert has said it in plain terms in his post match comments we weren't good enough, Bowyer always glossed over poor displays, Lambert knows were not doing enough to earn points, he needs to turn the tide quickly or were in trouble, 2 big games coming up at home in the league.

[mustard]

Spurr not fit to wear the shirt. I'd terminate his contract tomorrow if we had adequate cover. I'd much rather see Henley playing at LB than have to see that lummox again. He gets worse by the game.

[RevidgeBlue]

I am not for one second suggesting he should go, but i wonder if our lunatic owners are.

Problem is a dream team of SAF, Mourinho and Guardiola would struggle to keep us up given our current striking options imo. A problem entirely of Lambert's making.

[sambo]

Spurr not fit to wear the shirt. I'd terminate his contract tomorrow if we had adequate cover. I'd much rather see Henley playing at LB than have to see that lummox again. He gets worse by the game.

Don't sugar-coat it, tell us how you really feel

[DE.]

Im glad Lambert has said it in plain terms in his post match comments we weren't good enough, Bowyer always glossed over poor displays, Lambert knows were not doing enough to earn points, he needs to turn the tide quickly or were in trouble, 2 big games coming up at home in the league.

Whilst I agree that Lambert being forthright and honest about our poor performances is a breath of fresh air, we need to see some proof that he can have a positive impact on our team's level of performance. He's bemoaned performances a lot recently, and yet they keep happening, which is even more concerning when five of his signings played a part today.

Even under Bowyer this season we had a few good performances, so we can't point to the Boro game or the Oxford match and call that proof of change. There needs to be a sustained period of decent form, and until that happens we can't say we're any further forward than when GB was in charge.

[tomphil]

Spurr not fit to wear the shirt. I'd terminate his contract tomorrow if we had adequate cover. I'd much rather see Henley playing at LB than have to see that lummox again. He gets worse by the game.

I said recently that Spurr has been struggling at this level now and today just confirmed that. He's rarely let us down in the past but this season he's been mostly pants and it's time to drop down a division or two. Asking him to try and get forward in the system we play is plain stupid from Lambert. Olsson was perfect for that system but Spurr just isn't.

[RoverCanada]

While a game like that is obviously a downer, considering the high we were all on the weekend before let's try to keep some perspective... We shouldn't expect/accept having no points at home, but Hull is in 1st for a reason... and we were without Hanley, Graham, and Akpan all of sudden... part excuses, part reality, no?

Yes, our lack of league wins is concerning as hell, and playing like that the rest of the year could make relegation a reality, but...

The bottom 6 teams' goal differential:

-2

-17

-21

-19

-30

-22

As frustrating as this year has been, one of those numbers is not like the others... We're tied for 16th in GD...

We've also got 2 games in hand (remember everyone assuming our game in hand vs Middlesbrough wouldn't result in any points...?).

[thegrumpyman]

Just watched highlights on sky and Ward has totally misjudged that first goal and then missed a sitter from a corner to level it... disappointing.

[TBTF]

Is Gary Bowyer still in charge ? That today was right out of his scrapbook, what's with all the stupid messing around with the team?

Hull will never get an easier 3 points than that, I wasn't impressed with them or their fans but they didn't have to get out of second gear. If ever there was a team lacking motivation and desire and just going through the motions to collect their wages that was Rovers today.

@#/? poor stuff but and now lacking the only man who so often pulled us out the mire. Anybody who doesn't think we missed just even having Rhodes on the pitch today needs his bumps feeling. A moment of clarity about the situation for me came when league 1 reject Jackson was replaced by Elliot flippin Bennett. We are still a team going backwards.

If today was a glimpse into the future then I'm very concerned. Apart from the first half hour v Forest I've seen nothing at all on the pitch at Ewood yet to back up all this managers talk.

Agree Tomphil .He still has it all to prove for me. All this talk of exciting the crowd and better shape now than we were at start of the window is utter crap. Why is our club in permanent denial??

We have for years and years had a recognised goal scorer in our team whether it was Yakubu, RSC, Bellamy, Rhodes, McCarthy etc etc . Now I cannot see anyone capable of getting more than the odd one.

Lose on Tuesday and this is extremely concerning.There is just nothing about us. First time I have seen Watt but first time up I was hardly impressed yet to listen to Lambert you would think we had signed Henrik Larsson.

This Club is without any structure or momentum on or off the pitch and the sleepwalk towards oblivion continues.

[Amo]

I said recently that Spurr has been struggling at this level now and today just confirmed that. He's rarely let us down in the past but this season he's been mostly pants and it's time to drop down a division or two. Asking him to try and get forward in the system we play is plain stupid from Lambert. Olsson was perfect for that system but Spurr just isn't.

Why aren't we playing Henley there?

[Stuart]

Think there's too much unnecessary doom and gloom.

Well, I genuinely think I have now heard it all: MM giving lectures on pessimism.

What constitutes necessary doom and gloom?

[tomphil]

Agree Tomphil .He still has it all to prove for me. All this talk of exciting the crowd and better shape now than we were at start of the window is utter crap. Why is our club in permanent denial??

We have for years and years had a recognised goal scorer in our team whether it was Yakubu, RSC, Bellamy, Rhodes, McCarthy etc etc . Now I cannot see anyone capable of getting more than the odd one.

Lose on Tuesday and this is extremely concerning.There is just nothing about us. First time I have seen Watt but first time up I was hardly impressed yet to listen to Lambert you would think we had signed Henrik Larsson.

This Club is without any structure or momentum on or off the pitch and the sleepwalk towards oblivion continues.

Watt seems to put himself about but from what I've seen there is no way he's an actual better player than Rhodes in terms of all around game. Still that's what a lot on here wanted, a striker who runs about a lot but give me one who stands still and scores 20 any day of the week.

I like some of the stuff Lambert comes out with but he does seem to struggle to implement it on the pitch via his players. He was tactically badly undone today. If you lose your key men for the system you prefer then you need to alter it, he didn't and it played into the hands of Fathead and co.

[JAL]

Thought PL would have subbed Lenihan first as he looked lost offering nothing going forwards for the team.

[tomphil]

Why aren't we playing Henley there?

It's worth a shout I suppose although not something I'd do. He definitely should have been on today though and allowed Marshall to go forwards. Poor stuff.

[bluebruce]

Marshall forgetting to hold the back line is nothing to do with the opposition. Playing so narrow with Spurr on the left seems a bit stupid to me. Olsson would suit that far more.

Let's play Olsson there then.