Next 6 Games (January 2019)

[Stuart]

As we find ourselves in our worst run of form under Mowbray, what is an acceptable return from the next 6 games (Max 18 pts)?

From my perspective:

West Brom (1pt)

This game is all about the Rovers manager and the performance he can get from his team, following a hugely disappointing run of 9 games. Show us that the fight is still there, show some mental strength not to crumble and get turned over. In our current form, a draw would be a good result but ship another 3 goals and lose, and the knives will be out again.

Target: 1 point is the realistic target going in, if we can keep it tight we could win by the odd goal. Last defeat was against Hull in early November but have also lost to Wigan in October. West Brom have been prone to wobbles away from home.

 

Millwall (3pts)

The fact they are playing Ipswich on NYD could make this a big six pointer for us.

Target: Definite 3 points required as a practise for any relegation fight. If we can’t get the necessary win then there is little hope if/when the pressure is really on in April/May.

 

Ipswich (3pts)

Rock bottom, ex-Rovers manager, grudge match and a bogey team.

Similar story to us with 1 win and 2 draws in the last 13 games. If we lose to Ipswich without a win in the previous two games then that will be the final straw for me as far as Mowbray is concerned.

Play Millwall and Rotherham first - so will want 3 or 4 points out of those two which would still see them remain bottom.

Target: Mandatory 3 points required. No excuses.

 

Hull City (1pt)

A resurgent Hull play Bolton, Sheff Wed, and Villa before us and could expect 6 maybe 7 points, and up to 40 by the time we play them

Target: a much tougher game than it should have been based on our own circumstances and form. 1 point required as a minimum. They have been in excellent on form but not unbeatable. Could be outsiders for the play-offs if they can keep up their momentum.

 

Brentford (3pts)

Draw specialists - nearly as much as Rovers were in the first 4 months of this season.

Play Norwich, Stoke, Rotherham, and Sheff Weds before us. So could be in similar form to Rovers going in.

Target: 3 points, another game to try to keep us from getting sucked into the mire.

 

Bristol City (1pt)

Play Stoke, Bolton, Forest, Boro and Swansea. Boro looks their toughest game. WDWDDDW since their last defeat (to Leeds) including draws with Norwich and Derby. But only just scraped past 9-man Rotherham 1-0.

Target: Need to get a draw but could well get better with the right approach.

 

There needs to be some momentum building in these fixtures. For me, no points from the next 3 games and he need to step aside, the job of saving us would be too big for him. Get 6 points, even 4 out of those first 9, and we carry on. Ipswich is a key game though. The following three games becomes a 4 from the back 9, minimum, and so on.

We need to get some consistency back so a good start is important, and a win against Ipswich is absolutely vital.

10pts minimum - 3 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses (41pts total), and midtable security is well within reach.

Any less than that and it could be a very uncomfortable couple of months for Mowbray - and Rovers fans.

Edited December 29, 2018 by Stuart

[G Somerset Rover]

Same as I said in another thread, Stuart in that he needs to win either the Millwall or Ipswich game otherwise he should be removed from his post or walk. That would be one win in 12 and simply inexcusable given the outlay he made in the summer.

Edited December 29, 2018 by Gavlar Somerset Rover!

[Gone to seed]

Feck it, it seems Sir Anthony of Mowbray has already lost the plot. Give him the heave ho, and get young Sean Dyche in as his replacement. (Typed with tongue in cheek)

[DE.]

2 minutes ago, Gavlar Somerset Rover! said:

Same as I said in another thread, Stuart in that he needs to win either the Millwall or Ipswich game otherwise he should be removed from his post or walk. That would be one win in 12 and simply inexcusable given the outlay he made in the summer.

Needs to win both for me, considering our recent form and assuming we'll get beaten by West Brom. Losing to either would be unacceptable at this point. 

[G Somerset Rover]

2 minutes ago, DE. said:

Needs to win both for me, considering our recent form and assuming we'll get beaten by West Brom. Losing to either would be unacceptable at this point. 

I’m being kind, DE given it’s the festive season! Certainly needs to win at least one - you can bet your bottom dollar though that the sane chain of thought is the opposite to what Blingy will be thinking. 

Edited December 29, 2018 by Gavlar Somerset Rover!

[MarkBRFC]

Are ipswich a bogey team? We have won 4 and drawn 1 in our last 5 against them at Ewood. We should be looking at winning that. Out of the others, between WBA-Brentford i'd be suprised if we got 6 points. I'm going into games now thinking we'll concede at least 2/3.

[Stuart]

9 minutes ago, Gavlar Somerset Rover! said:

Same as I said in another thread, Stuart in that he needs to win either the Millwall or Ipswich game otherwise he should be removed from his post or walk. That would be one win in 12 and simply inexcusable given the outlay he made in the summer.

I’m inclined to put the run of four top 4 games together as mitigation [for a bad run]. Over half a season, everyone has played each other once and we were 14th. My concern is that we are Ona downward trajectory. Three losses in a row - from now - and that’s that.

Edited December 29, 2018 by Stuart

[Ewood Ace]

If we are at our best then we could nick a point against West Brom but most likely a defeat, West Brom away is probably the last time we played well we were superb that day. The following 5 games are huge games they are all very winnable, a poor points return from them and we will be right in the midst of a relegation dog fight.

 

[Tom]

I actually think we’ll win the next game, a reaction is needed to ease the pressure 

[philipl]

Any wins will be very hard work with late heart attacks. Having said that I expect at least two wins from the Millwall, Ipswich, Hull and Brentford games and not ruling out winning all four.

I am conscious other fans are rating West Brom the best footballing side in the division and we are playing them at perfectly the wrong time. This will be a home hammering- going for 0-4.

 

[G Somerset Rover]

9 minutes ago, Tom said:

I actually think we’ll win the next game, a reaction is needed to ease the pressure 

We haven’t had a reaction - Sheff Weds aside - for 9 games. Can’t see it happening against the Baggies. Gayle will be licking his lips after watching Lenihan and Williams in recent weeks.

[philipl]

1 hour ago, Gavlar Somerset Rover! said:

We haven’t had a reaction - Sheff Weds aside - for 9 games. Can’t see it happening against the Baggies. Gayle will be licking his lips after watching Lenihan and Williams in recent weeks.

 That is not completely fair.

We had very encouraging reactions during minutes 0 to 70 against Brum, Boro, Norwich, Leeds and Sheffield United....

[Bigdoggsteel]

2 hours ago, Stuart said:

As we find ourselves in our worst run of form under Mowbray, what is an acceptable return from the next 6 games (Max 18 pts)?

From my perspective:

West Brom (1pt)

This game is all about the Rovers manager and the performance he can get from his team, following a hugely disappointing run of 9 games. Show us that the fight is still there, show some mental strength not to crumble and get turned over. In our current form, a draw would be a good result but ship another 3 goals and lose, and the knives will be out again.

Target: 1 point is the realistic target going in, if we can keep it tight we could win by the odd goal. Last defeat was against Hull in early November but have also lost to Wigan in October. West Brom have been prone to wobbles away from home.

 

Millwall (3pts)

The fact they are playing Ipswich on NYD could make this a big six pointer for us.

Target: Definite 3 points required as a practise for any relegation fight. If we can’t get the necessary win then there is little hope if/when the pressure is really on in April/May.

 

Ipswich (3pts)

Rock bottom, ex-Rovers manager, grudge match and a bogey team.

Similar story to us with 1 win and 2 draws in the last 13 games. If we lose to Ipswich without a win in the previous two games then that will be the final straw for me as far as Mowbray is concerned.

Play Millwall and Rotherham first - so will want 3 or 4 points out of those two which would still see them remain bottom.

Target: Mandatory 3 points required. No excuses.

 

Hull City (1pt)

A resurgent Hull play Bolton, Sheff Wed, and Villa before us and could expect 6 maybe 7 points, and up to 40 by the time we play them

Target: a much tougher game than it should have been based on our own circumstances and form. 1 point required as a minimum. They have been in excellent on form but not unbeatable. Could be outsiders for the play-offs if they can keep up their momentum.

 

Brentford (3pts)

Draw specialists - nearly as much as Rovers were in the first 4 months of this season.

Play Norwich, Stoke, Rotherham, and Sheff Weds before us. So could be in similar form to Rovers going in.

Target: 3 points, another game to try to keep us from getting sucked into the mire.

 

Bristol City (1pt)

Play Stoke, Bolton, Forest, Boro and Swansea. Boro looks their toughest game. WDWDDDW since their last defeat (to Leeds) including draws with Norwich and Derby. But only just scraped past 9-man Rotherham 1-0.

Target: Need to get a draw but could well get better with the right approach.

 

There needs to be some momentum building in these fixtures. For me, no points from the next 3 games and he need to step aside, the job of saving us would be too big for him. Get 6 points, even 4 out of those first 9, and we carry on. Ipswich is a key game though. The following three games becomes a 4 from the back 9, minimum, and so on.

We need to get some consistency back so a good start is important, and a win against Ipswich is absolutely vital.

10pts minimum - 3 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses (41pts total), and midtable security is well within reach.

Any less than that and it could be a very uncomfortable couple of months for Mowbray - and Rovers fans.

I think that's more than a fair expectance of points. The way the league is a run like that or better could leave us around the play offs. 

[AllRoverAsia]

We will lose to WBA and Millwall and in the Cup, then carry that form and results into our league campaign.

If Dack's agent is any use Dack will be gone in January.

I refuse to forcast any further, it could be just to grim.

[philipl]

2 hours ago, AllRoverAsia said:

We will lose to WBA and Millwall and in the Cup, then carry that form and results into our league campaign.

If Dack's agent is any use Dack will be gone in January.

I refuse to forcast any further, it could be just to grim.

Yes that is a very reasonable scenario but as I point out, if games finished after 70 minutes, we would have deservedly taken 7 points and be unbeaten against half the top ten this month.

The problem we have is easily fixable with the right recruitment at the back in January.

[47er]

8 hours ago, philipl said:

 That is not completely fair.

We had very encouraging reactions during minutes 0 to 70 against Brum, Boro, Norwich, Leeds and Sheffield United....

Its minutes 70 to 90 that are a problem for us!

I don't want to think about the next 6 games, the way things are going we'll be relegation candidates by then.

[jim mk2]

Expecting 3 points at Millwall is a big call - in all my decades of going to the Den I've only seen us gain 1 point there.

I think Stuart's far too optimistic with his hopes for these fixtures.

I'd go LLDDDL 

[47er]

Just now, philipl said:

Yes that is a very reasonable scenario but as I point out, if games finished after 70 minutes, we would have deservedly taken 7 points and be unbeaten against half the top ten this month.

The problem we have is easily fixable with the right recruitment at the back in January.

If so, it was easily fixable in July but we didn't do it. Plenty of posters pointed out how we needed strengthening at full-back and centre-back. TM didn't agree, what makes you think he will this time round? 

[philipl]

2 minutes ago, jim mk2 said:

Expecting 3 points at Millwall is a big call - in all my decades of going to the Den I've only seen us gain 1 point there.

I think Stuart's far too optimistic with his hopes for these fixtures.

I'd go LLDDDL 

I have seen at least two Rovers wins there.

[47er]

2 minutes ago, jim mk2 said:

Expecting 3 points at Millwall is a big call - in all my decades of going to the Den I've only seen us gain 1 point there.

I think Stuart's far too optimistic with his hopes for these fixtures.

I'd go LLDDDL 

We won 4-1 in the promotion year 1991-2 at the old Den.

[jim mk2]

1 minute ago, philipl said:

I have seen at least two Rovers wins there.

Not been to every single match at the Den but I certainly can't remember seeing a win there. I'm planning to go on January 12 - perhaps I should stay away. 

Edited December 30, 2018 by jim mk2

[danger19_80]

1 hour ago, jim mk2 said:

Not been to every single match at the Den but I certainly can't remember seeing a win there. I'm planning to go on January 12 - perhaps I should stay away. 

I remember Jordan Rhodes getting us a winner there to stave off the relegation fears during the disastrous Kean/Berg/Appleton first season back in the Championship back end of 2012/13.

[arbitro]

In the recent past they had Shittu sent off against us and we went two up. And then the crowd became more hostile than usual and our players melted and Millwall quickly scored two goals and could have won it. It's no place for shrinking violets and we simply have too many of them.

[JHRover]

2 hours ago, philipl said:

Yes that is a very reasonable scenario but as I point out, if games finished after 70 minutes, we would have deservedly taken 7 points and be unbeaten against half the top ten this month.

The problem we have is easily fixable with the right recruitment at the back in January.

The problems we have are a result of failing to recruit properly last summer, along with the team not being fit enough and not knowing how to see games through. 

I'm of the belief that merely signing a few more players in January isn't going to be a magic wand that sorts all our problems out. 

The stuff we're witnessing at the moment goes way above and beyond personnel. It is fitness, mentality, game management - all not what they should be. The manager needs to inject it quickly or vacate his position for someone who will do.

[blueboy3333]

WBA - tough game against the league's highest scorers who have won their last 4 away (to bottom half teams). draw

Millwall - They are very good at home (1 defeat in their last 8). lose

Ipswich - Win. 

Hull - draw at best

Brentford - lose. We haven't won in 7 games away from home and have conceded 18 goals.

Bruistol City -They are a decent team away from home so we'll be looking at another point.

 

6 points would be a decent return considering our current form and the form of the teams we are playing.