[Archived] Previous Game: Bristol City Easter Monday

[Pedro]

All sounds very gutless. I expect us to go down, as we are where we are on merit and time is running out.  It's what I expected at the start of the season but I am still gutted and surprised at what a toothless bunch we are. I suppose that's what you get from a load of loanees with no affinity to the club. Sad times, it isn't over but without 100% effort, it soon will be.

[Gav]

Just now, RevidgeBlue said:

We all know they're not the greatest players in the world Gav me old mucker.

All I expect is they look like they give a **** esapecially so when faced with an absolutely vital game. If they don't I place part of the responsibility for that at the managers door.

You know I respect your views Rev, 

But Mowbray has been in the building a matter of weeks, similar to Lambert who you also took a dislike too also.

Anyone who manages people knows if you've got shi1t staff you've got sh1t staff, the only way to improve is to move them out and replace them, its as simple as that, football management is exactly the same.

The manager isn't the problem.

 

[Hasta]

Just now, RV Blue said:

Gav, you get every single thing wrong, you have the worst football knowledge I have ever seen. Did you go today? If you did, you will have seen that the way the manager set us up was embarrassing, and totally clueless. I said 10 minutes in that them scoring was only a matter of time, and lo and behold, they score minutes later. The team isn't any worse (or better) than the majority of teams in this division, the problem is that we've had 2 sh1t managers in charge. Do you really think we have a worse squad that Bristol City, because I definitely don't. They are safe now, we aren't.

On today's evidence, yes I do think man for man we were worse. They had a striker who was a handful and a midfield who could knock the ball around.

Whilst our formation was shocking and gave us no outlets to attack, it wasn't what made the majority of our players miscontrol the ball, keep passing to players in red or keep tonking it out for throw ins.

Guthrie simply has to start in that midfield. Graham is a massive loss as well purely because he has a bit of a footballing brain. You can't play Mahoney and Feeney as they are luxuries.

 

[Mike Graham]

Just now, Pedro said:

All sounds very gutless. I expect us to go down, as we are where we are on merit and time is running out.  It's what I expected at the start of the season but I am still gutted and surprised at what a toothless bunch we are. I suppose that's what you get from a load of loanees with no affinity to the club. Sad times, it isn't over but without 100% effort, it soon will be.

Yep.  Behind on points.  Behind on goal difference.  Only 3 games left.  The odds are against us.  Time to pray. 

[JHRover]

39 minutes ago, roverandout said:

Bristol city fan calling us a small club. Ha ha ha

One bloke seems amazed that there were 'only' 13k on including 1k away fans. Strange really because I can remember when we won at their place 5-3 in our second away game after relegation and there were only 14k on including 2k away fans.

Another lot like Brighton. Shiny new stadium and the gates fly up, but selective memory from many who forget very recent history with low gates.

[Parsonblue]

56 minutes ago, Suhail Slayer said:

awwww an unhappy clapper

still attending though

if you dont like it.... boycott

Walking away when things get tough is not for everyone.

[RevidgeBlue]

Just now, den said:

Yes, don't really disagree Rev, but a true pro wouldn't need any encouragement for these games. It's just another indication that they're not good enough IMO.

I would say its more a reflection of the fact they're not our players than a lack of ability den. Although you may be right over the course of a season. Nevertheless (and this is in reply to Gav as well) for a one off vital game given we were quite so poor and uninspired against Barnsley id have expected TM to have made sure the qsame thing didnt haooen twice. But it did.

[Tom]

39 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

We did mate. suggest you look at Mowbray post match comments on Rovers player. talk about the new system we play. Plus I have an excellent knowledge and experience of formations and tactics during my 25 years of watching football.

 

Glenn

do we still have messageboard gold in the new world?

Wait I've just remembered I am also an expert, Sam Allardyce once said so.

[RV Blue]

Just now, Hasta said:

On today's evidence, yes I do think man for man we were worse. They had a striker who was a handful and a midfield who could knock the ball around.

Whilst our formation was shocking and gave us no outlets to attack, it wasn't what made the majority of our players miscontrol the ball, keep passing to players in red or keep tonking it out for throw ins.

Guthrie simply has to start in that midfield. Graham is a massive loss as well purely because he has a bit of a footballing brain. You can't play Mahoney and Feeney as they are luxuries.

 

We have a couple of strikers who can be a handful, we also have a midfielder who can knock the ball about, however we don't have a manager competent enough to start them. Criminal.

[RV Blue]

Just now, Tom said:

Glenn

do we still have messageboard gold in the new world?

He's like a comedy character.

[RevidgeBlue]

7 minutes ago, Stuart said:

Let's have it right. I was against Mowbray on hearing of his appointment. Right now we are still favourites for relegation 15 or so games later. A 'complete about turn' is again not true. He has been a positive influence. I was merely against the quite incredible assertion that TM is our worst manager since Kean.

Mowbray is coming to the end of his career. He will be the master to Dunn's apprentice. He's had a go with Oldham. He's cut his teeth with the U23s although I'm more inclined to credit Johnson. He's cutting his teeth now with a wise old manager and probably gaining great experience. I'm far from pleased with the idea but you never know. If Dunn was to prove to have something about him and learn from his mistakes and his tuition then he could be a good 'un. I guess the days of us picking up young managers who have served their time were over before they really began and had more failures than successes. A homegrown manager who cares about the club? Let's not rule it out completely just because he's happy to eat Venkys chicken and patronise us into getting real...

Good post. I like Dunny as a person and would love nothing more than to see him succeed as manager here. I wouldn't have thought he was management material, but That's just my opinion and I've nothing to back it up. Would love to be proved wrong.

[Cherry Blue]

Just now, RV Blue said:

We have a couple of strikers who can be a handful, we also have a midfielder who can knock the ball about, however we don't have a manager competent enough to start them. Criminal.

I'd rather leave it to TM and Dunny and hope they can dig out a few points that will get us above the line. Pointless having a dig at management with only few games remaining. Lets not forget they didn't get us into this mess but have come in and have to manage players we have. 

[RevidgeBlue]

Just now, Tom said:

Glenn

do we still have messageboard gold in the new world?

After 46 years of watching the game man and boy and as a dedicated student of and deep thinker about the game I obviously prefer the old 1-3-1-2-1-1-2 formation myself.

[Hasta]

Just now, RV Blue said:

We have a couple of strikers who can be a handful, we also have a midfielder who can knock the ball about, however we don't have a manager competent enough to start them. Criminal.

Did these un-named starlets start in the pathetic defeat to Barnsley?

[Parsonblue]

I thought the tactics in the first half and team selection were wrong today.  Today we definitely started with three at the back but all too often ended up with five in a line at the back as both wing backs were pushed back.  The midfield two were overrun, Mahoney and Feeney non-existent and Gallagher left isolated.  The changes at half-time, in truth, didn't make much difference until the last twenty minutes.  But for Raya - who was excellent - and some dreadful finishing, Bristol should have been out of sight.   Bennett, is the one player who can consistently deliver dangerous balls into the box and yet gets moved around into different positions whilst Mahoney and Feeney continue to struggle to make a decent cross.  Zola leaving is a real blow but in truth, Birmingham are three points to the good and nothing I saw today suggests are capable of winning another game - hopefully I'm wrong.  Although I thought the manager got it wrong today I don't attach any blame to him for our situation.  He was parachuted in when the game was virtually up and we needed a miracle considering the remaining fixtures.  We all know the blame rests in India, but they aren't going anywhere so if this club is to survive it will have to do so despite the owners not because of them.  It's why I, and many others keep going, if we didn't they could shut the thing down and have done with it.  The only folk who care about the club are it's supporters who will be here long after the Indians have left.

[Gav]

Just now, RevidgeBlue said:

I would say its more a reflection of the fact they're not our players than a lack of ability den. Although you may be right over the course of a season. Nevertheless (and this is in reply to Gav as well) for a one off vital game given we were quite so poor and uninspired against Barnsley id have expected TM to have made sure the qsame thing didnt haooen twice. But it did.

You only need look at whats happened over the past 3/4 seasons:

First it was Bowyers fault, then it was Lamberts fault, then Coyles and now Mowbrays.......

When in fact its always been the players fault, with maybe a bit of Coyle thrown in, they're absolute rubbish in the main and no amount of motivation and b0llocking will change that.

Lower league journeymen, other teams cast offs and thats why we're probably going down.

I

[Athlete]

Just now, Hasta said:

Did these un-named starlets start in the pathetic defeat to Barnsley?

Rovers ran around for twenty minutes today against a Bristol side who should of put us out of sight 

[Athlete]

14 minutes ago, Parsonblue said:

I thought the tactics in the first half and team selection were wrong today.  Today we definitely started with three at the back but all too often ended up with five in a line at the back as both wing backs were pushed back.  The midfield two were overrun, Mahoney and Feeney non-existent and Gallagher left isolated.  The changes at half-time, in truth, didn't make much difference until the last twenty minutes.  But for Raya - who was excellent - and some dreadful finishing, Bristol should have been out of sight.   Bennett, is the one player who can consistently deliver dangerous balls into the box and yet gets moved around into different positions whilst Mahoney and Feeney continue to struggle to make a decent cross.  Zola leaving is a real blow but in truth, Birmingham are three points to the good and nothing I saw today suggests are capable of winning another game - hopefully I'm wrong.  Although I thought the manager got it wrong today I don't attach any blame to him for our situation.  He was parachuted in when the game was virtually up and we needed a miracle considering the remaining fixtures.  We all know the blame rests in India, but they aren't going anywhere so if this club is to survive it will have to do so despite the owners not because of them.  It's why I, and many others keep going, if we didn't they could shut the thing down and have done with it.  The only folk who care about the club are it's supporters who will be here long after the Indians have left.

Are you on drugs.. He's not even the manager 

Even if we stay up we'll be downgraded and on a collision course to league one next season whilst the likes of Senior will have taken their cut 

[RV Blue]

Just now, Hasta said:

Did these un-named starlets start in the pathetic defeat to Barnsley?

Not in a formation that plays to their strengths. Guthrie (who was inexplicably brought off at half time) needs Bennett and someone else next to him, he can't play in a 2. And let's not forget that Bristol City lost 5-0 at Preston the other week, and when we should have beaten them. They are no better than us.

[blueboy3333]

Just now, Parsonblue said:

I thought the tactics in the first half and team selection were wrong today.  Today we definitely started with three at the back but all too often ended up with five in a line at the back as both wing backs were pushed back.  The midfield two were overrun, Mahoney and Feeney non-existent and Gallagher left isolated.  The changes at half-time, in truth, didn't make much difference until the last twenty minutes.  But for Raya - who was excellent - and some dreadful finishing, Bristol should have been out of sight.   Bennett, is the one player who can consistently deliver dangerous balls into the box and yet gets moved around into different positions whilst Mahoney and Feeney continue to struggle to make a decent cross.  Zola leaving is a real blow but in truth, Birmingham are three points to the good and nothing I saw today suggests are capable of winning another game - hopefully I'm wrong.  Although I thought the manager got it wrong today I don't attach any blame to him for our situation.  He was parachuted in when the game was virtually up and we needed a miracle considering the remaining fixtures.  We all know the blame rests in India, but they aren't going anywhere so if this club is to survive it will have to do so despite the owners not because of them.  It's why I, and many others keep going, if we didn't they could shut the thing down and have done with it.  The only folk who care about the club are it's supporters who will be here long after the Indians have left.

Good post. Mowbray got it massively wrong today, but overall he's not to blame for where we are.  That award goes to Venky's, garnished with with a lot of Coyle, Kean and SEM. Criminal.

I worry what the future holds though. Relegation will be devastating to every facet of the club...with or without the Lunes. I just hope it pushes them towards the exit.

[Rover_Shaun]

I think you need to read it again Athelete.

[RevidgeBlue]

Just now, Parsonblue said:

I thought the tactics in the first half and team selection were wrong today.  Today we definitely started with three at the back but all too often ended up with five in a line at the back as both wing backs were pushed back.  The midfield two were overrun, Mahoney and Feeney non-existent and Gallagher left isolated.  The changes at half-time, in truth, didn't make much difference until the last twenty minutes.  But for Raya - who was excellent - and some dreadful finishing, Bristol should have been out of sight.   Bennett, is the one player who can consistently deliver dangerous balls into the box and yet gets moved around into different positions whilst Mahoney and Feeney continue to struggle to make a decent cross.  Zola leaving is a real blow but in truth, Birmingham are three points to the good and nothing I saw today suggests are capable of winning another game - hopefully I'm wrong.  Although I thought the manager got it wrong today I don't attach any blame to him for our situation.  He was parachuted in when the game was virtually up and we needed a miracle considering the remaining fixtures.  We all know the blame rests in India, but they aren't going anywhere so if this club is to survive it will have to do so despite the owners not because of them.  It's why I, and many others keep going, if we didn't they could shut the thing down and have done with it.  The only folk who care about the club are it's supporters who will be here long after the Indians have left.

No real blame attaches to Mowbray if /when we go down Parson but I wouldnt agree at all we needed a "miracle" to stay up when TM was appointed.

If he'd had the desired effect on the players he had adequate time to keep us up. It looks like he's going to come up just short which isn't his fault but I haven't seen much in the way we've performed since be took over (as opposed to bare results) to suggest he can lead us to success long term.

[JHRover]

Mowbray's arrival came far too late. Unfortunately owing to the lack of time and games remaining when he got the job, it meant that there was little or no margin for error. Had Coyle still been in place now we would be below Wigan and would be down, either mathematically or all but gone. As it is Mowbray has managed to get us into a situation where with 3 games to go we have a chance, so for that alone I think he has done reasonably well. Also having lost 3 out of 12 is decent. The dreadful stuff has been limited - first hour today, Barnsley, first half at Reading. Other than that we've done ok. Over a season those brief spells of rubbish would probably equate to mid-table or top half, but over 12 games when in the position Mowbray inherited it has meant we have been unable to clamber out of trouble.

I don't think we'll do it because I don't think these players have it in them to pull off a couple of wins that we will probably need to get us over the line and I think that when facing down the barrel of the bottom 3 Birmingham/Forest will pull a result out of the bag. Of course I hope I'm wrong but I've expected relegation all season and watched a side that has never occupied a position higher than 20th. 

Mowbray got it wrong today. First hour was nothing short of pitiful. We got out of jail by virtue of the draw and other teams losing above us. We'll probably need a couple of wins from our last 3. 

I'm more calm about our situation than i would usually be in such circumstances. I fully expect relegation, I have mentally prepared myself since last June so it won't come as a shock. If it is avoided then wonderful, if not then it will be the culmination of decisions made from above, the most recent and most damaging was leaving Coyle in place until late February when any other club would have jettisoned him within minutes of Boxing Day at Barnsley at the very latest.

[Mike Graham]

Just now, Parsonblue said:

I thought the tactics in the first half and team selection were wrong today.  Today we definitely started with three at the back but all too often ended up with five in a line at the back as both wing backs were pushed back.  The midfield two were overrun, Mahoney and Feeney non-existent and Gallagher left isolated.  The changes at half-time, in truth, didn't make much difference until the last twenty minutes.  But for Raya - who was excellent - and some dreadful finishing, Bristol should have been out of sight.   Bennett, is the one player who can consistently deliver dangerous balls into the box and yet gets moved around into different positions whilst Mahoney and Feeney continue to struggle to make a decent cross.  Zola leaving is a real blow but in truth, Birmingham are three points to the good and nothing I saw today suggests are capable of winning another game - hopefully I'm wrong.  Although I thought the manager got it wrong today I don't attach any blame to him for our situation.  He was parachuted in when the game was virtually up and we needed a miracle considering the remaining fixtures.  We all know the blame rests in India, but they aren't going anywhere so if this club is to survive it will have to do so despite the owners not because of them.  It's why I, and many others keep going, if we didn't they could shut the thing down and have done with it.  The only folk who care about the club are it's supporters who will be here long after the Indians have left.

Fair enough comment PB.  Difficult to disagree with any of that.   Sad times.

[Oldgregg86]

well what to say after that. for 60 minutes we where pathetic. i thought bristol where well organised and kept the ball well and where quick to close down. they had a game plan, looked structurally, tactically and positionally  well drilled for what was a big game towards deciding where both teams may or may not be plying their trade next season. for an hour rovers struggled to get out of their own half. raya put in another solid performance and his distribution has improved dramatically. he also made an incredible save in the second half and thoroughly deserves to keep his place for the run in. emnes made the difference when he came on always showing for the ball when others went hiding. the last 20 minutes showed that bristol where there for the taking if mowbray had been braver and the players would have played with the confidence they showed towards the end. the usual lack of invention, grit and shot shy performance i am becoming accustomed to down at ewood these days. my last point is jason lowe, aka captain fantastic and man of the match. im personally not a fan and fail to see what he offers or contributes that any run of the mill battling midfielder couldn't offer but he does get singled out for more stick than others that is unwarranted at times. saying that we hadn't had a shot on target and bristol where dominating the game. towards the end of the half CAPTAIN jason had the chance to have a shot around the edge of the box but chose to pass it sideways to a team mate who was immediately under pressure.  a captain shouldn't be opting out and playing safe especially in these circumstances. he should of lead by example, played with no fear and had a shot. it might seem small and trivial but these small actions sum up and epitomise everything wrong with the team. if the captain cant take responsibility and lead by example then who will in a time we need heroes and warriors. i just dont have the answers