Bristol City vs Blackburn Rovers, Sunday 1st September, 1.30pm KO

[Oldgregg86]

52 minutes ago, booth said:

Should have built from the back. Spending £6m on Brereton was a luxury buy, the type of which should be reserved for promotion pushes. When January comes that's probably our budget blown.

Until we started losing one nil every week and we needed a proven goalscorer. 

[roversfan99]

Just now, chaddyrovers said:

If you really think Palmer had a good game. Then blimey. He was awful. 

So far I've been less than impress with him. 

After half time we were awful. Ive already but some much over the top reaction on social media by some Rovers fans. 

We need to play the ball on the ground and move them around, but Movement wasn't there, Armstrong didn't look fit to me, Palmer I've already discussed. 

Hopefully after the international break we will be stronger. 

We need to play to Brereton Strengths and Graham doesn't seem able to play 90 mins regular and he looked shattered second half. His legs are going quick

I wouldn't play Palmer from the start today and I said that last night. He is too much a show pony player for me, and I would have prefer Rothwell to him. 

I guess Armstrong play off Graham so he can run off Graham flick ons and headers. 

After half time we were awful. Ive already but some much over the top reaction on social media by some Rovers fans - you are missing the point. You've just admitted we were awful! People are just saying the same, judging an individual performance and result. They aren't saying we are doing really badly in general, that we need to sack the manager, anything like that. People are angry and disappointed after a very, very poor performance and a thrashing. Just like after the Brentford game, people were 100% complimentary. Youre bringing in the bigger picture when in judging an individual match, it is almost irrelevant.

We need to play to Brereton Strengths and Graham doesn't seem able to play 90 mins regular and he looked shattered second half. His legs are going quick - We didnt play to either of their strengths, but Graham looked fine to me, we had just conceded but he didnt look like he had to come off so soon.

I feel like you are focusing on Palmer too much. He wasnt great but he was out of position, and there were so many other bad performances, particularly Smallwood, Bennett, Armstrong, Lenihan and for his mistakes, Raya. Rothwell continued in his showing for the ball yet lacking end product performance.

I guess Armstrong play off Graham so he can run off Graham flick ons and headers - this didnt work at all. It worked more last season when Graham came deep and Armstrong ran diagonally in from the sides. When Armstrong was so good from wide last season, and considering Palmer is a natural number 10 just like Dack, it made no sense to switch their positions.

[perthblue02]

8 minutes ago, Bigdoggsteel said:

 

What's this about Dack? Haven't been online in a few days 

Well collating all the info (might have misinterpreted it ), Dack was at a rave in his mates garden dressed as a female dancer who Chaddy thought was a women ,doing squats whilst drinking Dandelion & Burdock? 

Edited September 2, 2018 by perthblue02

[Bigdoggsteel]

Just now, AAK said:

He was pictured at a party, its a nothing story pal. Agree with what you say about tale of two halves, happens nearly every week. 

One thing that really concerned me today is smallwood was put on free kicks and corners, one question, WHY? 

At a party? If he knew he wasn't playing today, that shouldn't be an issue. If we won, it wouldn't be. Why, are some moaning about it? 

Smallwood needs to be sit the next game out. When he isn't playing well, he is a liability. Seems inconsistent this season. 

 

[chaddyrovers]

4 minutes ago, Stuart said:

Very calm, Chris.

Nice that you’ve spoken to the players. Did you ask about how much they laughed at Dack having the craic last night? I bet they were all having a right old laugh about it in the dressing room after the game.

You still going on about Dack spending time with friends when he wasn't involved with the squad. 

Are you jealous cos you lived your life like a monk in your younger days but Dack enjoying himself when he not involved in the 1st team squad? 

If you got your way and @jim mk2 you would probably lock them all up in a house and only released them for training days and match days? Cos they aren't allow a social life cos they are footballers and not allow to socialise with friends when not involved in the 1st team squad. Look like you cant go out anymore Dack cos Stuart and Jim said you are forbidden from having a social life. Get a grip guys

[DavidMailsTightPerm]

Goals change matches - the unbelievable giving of a free kick that led to their equaliser - plus Armstrong missing a one on one with the keeper set the tone.

But all in all - we just didn't put it together today - can't put my finger on it. May be on my own - but didn't think they were 4-1 better.

Special mention for Smallwood - not certain how he keeps being picked - hopefully a reshuffle after the break. 

[Tony Rover]

21 minutes ago, K-Hod said:

Must admit, if anything can make me laugh after getting slapped 4-1, it’s when people say ‘the reaction is OTT as per usual’. 

What do we expect? For us to be cracking out the Cristal? 

Just drowning in Guinness, but that could be on a winning day too... 

[Mattyblue]

11 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

 

After half time we were awful. 

 

More over the top reactions on social media! 

[roversfan99]

3 minutes ago, blueboy3333 said:

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/16683495.bristol-city-4-blackburn-rovers-1-tony-mowbray-reaction/?ref=mac

Mogga's post-match musings

Feel like hes slightly re-creating history, by suggesting that the primary reason for the lack of discipline was us desperately chasing the game with lots of attackers.

That blatantly isnt true. For both the first 2 goals, when we wasnt chasing the game, the defence and general shape was equally disjointed, and the team was jittery throughout really.

Even when chasing it, we had a back 4 full of experience, and 2 holding midfielders, as well as Rothwell who has been putting in a shift. 

[Tom]

Dack being out last night isn’t a huge issue to me but I have to admit I find the frequency of it combined with his history a little concerning.

Hes been caught up in things before and wasn’t it only last year (during his time with us) he assaulted a policeman in Manchester?

Im sure it’s something Mowbray keeps a close eye on but I’m not 100% confident that there won’t be further incident.

Edited September 2, 2018 by Tom

[blueboy3333]

2 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

Look like you cant go out anymore Dack cos Stuart and Jim said you are forbidden from having a social life

OTT

[chaddyrovers]

2 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

 

We need to play to Brereton Strengths and Graham doesn't seem able to play 90 mins regular and he looked shattered second half. His legs are going quick - We didnt play to either of their strengths, but Graham looked fine to me, we had just conceded but he didnt look like he had to come off so soon.

I feel like you are focusing on Palmer too much. He wasnt great but he was out of position, and there were so many other bad performances, particularly Smallwood, Bennett, Armstrong, Lenihan and for his mistakes, Raya. Rothwell continued in his showing for the ball yet lacking end product performance.

I guess Armstrong play off Graham so he can run off Graham flick ons and headers - this didnt work at all. It worked more last season when Graham came deep and Armstrong ran diagonally in from the sides. When Armstrong was so good from wide last season, and considering Palmer is a natural number 10 just like Dack, it made no sense to switch their positions.

Graham always looks tired after 60 mins. 

I felt Rothwell did a lot more than Palmer who am I becoming not a fan off. I didn't think Raya was at fault for the 1st goal. 3rd Goal was appalling by everyone. 

WE can keep discussing Palmer playing in the 10 role but Ive already told you I wouldn't play him there. So we can keep debating it but I doubt either of us we change our mind. agree to disagree on it? 

[blueboy3333]

At least Burnley are losing.

[AAK]

10 minutes ago, Bigdoggsteel said:

At a party? If he knew he wasn't playing today, that shouldn't be an issue. If we won, it wouldn't be. Why, are some moaning about it? 

Smallwood needs to be sit the next game out. When he isn't playing well, he is a liability. Seems inconsistent this season. 

 

Agree on both points mate. Why smallwood is starting I don't know, but to put him on set pieces is bewildering. 

[Bigdoggsteel]

7 minutes ago, Tom said:

Dack being out last night isn’t a huge issue to me but I have to admit I find the frequency of it combined with his history a little concerning.

Hes been caught up in things before and wasn’t it only last year (during his time with us) he assaulted a policeman in Manchester?

Im sure it’s something Mowbray keeps a close eye on but I’m not 100% confident that there won’t be further incident.

What do you mean frequency? This is the first time he has put something like this up this season. 

We would have heard about it if there was another time. Or did I miss it? 

[AdamRochina]

after my bath, to see if i calmed down and nope still fuming about the performance and result,   thing is and the more i think about it, reading ipswich and millwall did breach our defense a few times with ease,  hull we were pretty solid and brentford on another day win 3 or 4-1 they missed some chances plus some great keeping.  we havent been strong defensively in hindsight all season, weve condecded 1 more goal then ipswich and reading who are both in the bottom three.  rodwell hasent played cb since he was a teen, and downing is untested at this level, so i fear for an injury to either lehihan or mulgrew, or a drop in form as it seems they might be having. we have no defensive cover 

[MarkBRFC71]

59 minutes ago, RevidgeBlue said:

Bit of a wake up call today, the key thing is how we react and whether we can go on another run.

Disagree with those criticising the £7m signing up front we needed strikers  AND at least one centre half for me and overloaded on midfielders instead.

Always thought that as a pairing Mulgrew and Lenihan are nowhere near as good as Individually they're cracked up to be, we've always conceded plenty of goals. Need a lot better from them in the coming months.

Agree entirely on Mulgrew & Lenihan.  A lot of people seem to forget that they were our CB partnership for a good chunk of the relegation season.  They looked good last year but let’s not forget that was at a lower level, Mulgrew is another year older and both are susceptible to injury.  To not bring in someone to challenge or replace them in case of loss of form or injury - especially when they are not a proven Championship CB pairing by any means - was a huge mistake for me.

Edited September 2, 2018 by MarkBRFC71

[Stuart]

11 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

You still going on about Dack spending time with friends when he wasn't involved with the squad. 

Are you jealous cos you lived your life like a monk in your younger days but Dack enjoying himself when he not involved in the 1st team squad? 

If you got your way and @jim mk2 you would probably lock them all up in a house and only released them for training days and match days? Cos they aren't allow a social life cos they are footballers and not allow to socialise with friends when not involved in the 1st team squad. Look like you cant go out anymore Dack cos Stuart and Jim said you are forbidden from having a social life. Get a grip guys

Another one in a great mood. Personally I’m still gutted about today’s result so forgive me for not sharing in your delight.

Amazing that some posters are like pigs in shit because of some being disappointed about a professional player letting his team mates down.

One more thing though. Next time you go bleating about how you are bullied so that your guardian angels have to step in and defend your honour, I want you to remember this post.

[Roverthechimp]

15 minutes ago, blueboy3333 said:

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/16683495.bristol-city-4-blackburn-rovers-1-tony-mowbray-reaction/?ref=mac

Mogga's post-match musings

Think he is being political tbh. A reasonable return to the championship all in all and going off in the media prior to the break would risk morale. Think he will be bollocking them when they return to training

[Husky]

1 hour ago, SIMON GARNERS 194 said:

Been quite a while since we had a proper pasting and as Stuart says,something wrong with the body language today...just not what we expect from a Mowbray side.

I think this is part of the shock. No matter how bad we've been in recent years we have rarely taken a pasting. We've almost always managed to stay in the game to some degree. But we were completely out of this one today as soon as the 2nd went in.

[Tom]

Just now, Bigdoggsteel said:

What do you mean frequency? This is the first time he has put something like this up this season. 

We would have heard about it if there was another time. Or did I miss it? 

I know he was out in Manchester the night before he played in a pre season friendly, I have relatives that bumped into him in a few bars.

Hes often pictured with his Mrs in bars and clubs.

[Bigdoggsteel]

Just now, Tom said:

I know he was out in Manchester the night before he played in a pre season friendly, I have relatives that bumped into him in a few bars.

Hes often pictured with his Mrs in bars and clubs.

Is he? I don't see it. We will have to set up a separate thread to monitor his nights out

[AdamRochina]

Just now, Tom said:

I know he was out in Manchester the night before he played in a pre season friendly, I have relatives that bumped into him in a few bars.

Hes often pictured with his Mrs in bars and clubs.

hes also spotted in alot of fast food places, his metabolism must be amazing

[roversfan99]

13 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

Graham always looks tired after 60 mins. 

I felt Rothwell did a lot more than Palmer who am I becoming not a fan off. I didn't think Raya was at fault for the 1st goal. 3rd Goal was appalling by everyone. 

WE can keep discussing Palmer playing in the 10 role but Ive already told you I wouldn't play him there. So we can keep debating it but I doubt either of us we change our mind. agree to disagree on it? 

Graham looks tired after 1 minute but he continues to be effective. I think he could have played longer personally, and deserved to stay on over basically everyone else in an attacking sense.

Golden rule from free kicks so close is that the keeper shouldnt be beaten at his side. If it goes over the wall and back down then fair enough. He was also beaten at his near post midweek, and has not cut out basic themes from his game, such as when he rushes out, he clears the ball back into play rather than into the stands, and he often parries shots straight back into the danger zone, as he did v Reading. He also often looks for the quick ball on the counter when he gets it, something which at times he is very good at, but he needs to learn WHEN to do it, at times he needs to keep it and slow things down. All of these are hallmarks of a keeper with excellent reflexes, who is young and raw, but has so many flaws that continue to cost us. I would hope that him and the goalkeeping coach can look at ironing these things out as they are basic.

Palmer is a number 10 though, so surely amidst your criticism, you will acknowledge that he deserves a pop in his best position, his natural position, where he played so well for Huddersfield in their promotions season, before writing him off?

In general, do you agree that the fact that all of Graham, Brereton, Armstrong, Dack, Palmer and Rothwell want to play centrally is a concern, in terms of who to play wide? And that Bennett was again below par from a wide position, offering nothing at all going forward.

Edited September 2, 2018 by roversfan99

[West Yorks Rover]

Dingles 0-2 now at least that cheered me up a bit.