Reading v Rovers

[SBlue]

Just now, Ewood Ace said:

Then one should have played Saturday and one tonight. We simply don't have enough ability in attack to be without both of them.

Many ways to look at it. If we drop one of them and lose to Bristol City, the criticism remains.

Out of the two games I would have targeted Reading as “easier” for Armstrong/Brereton to make the difference.

TBH I’m starting to think that D&G are only particularly effective as a pair rather than individually anyway.

[Hasta]

Just now, chaddyrovers said:

I didn't expect Graham to play. He was shattered on Saturday after 75/80 mins so I never thought he would start. Dack I thought would start but Rich Sharpe was surprise he played on Saturday after the injury he picked up at Brentford. 

Armstrong, Brereton, Bell and Conway should have all scored. 

He was shattered on Saturday. Its Wednesday night now !!

Ridiculous decision to bench them which blunted our threat and contributed to us losing a game we dominated.

 

 

[SBlue]

Just now, AAK said:

So why not play rothwell from the start then, the only player capable of playing in a number 10 role, since he didn't think he could give Palmer enough game time? Instead of playing, well, who there? Nobody, we go with 3 defensive midfielders. Appalling selection.

4-3-3 wasn’t it? Thought the pressing and control of midfield was good.

Edited February 14, 2019 by S8 & Blue

[AAK]

1 minute ago, chaddyrovers said:

like I said @roversfan99 about Graham. 

Chaddy, shut up. Graham would have been better than brereton If he played with a pair of crutches FFS.

His other options, Samuel, nuttall and brereton, all his signings, aren't good enough.

[AAK]

Just now, S8 & Blue said:

4-3-3 wasn’t it? Thought the pressing and control of midfield was good.

We passed the ball around our own half. That was it. The only option we ever had, was if Armstrong was running about like a mad man. We had no wingers, well we never do, we had no creative midfielders and no number 10. Baffles me mate it really does.

[Hasta]

2 minutes ago, S8 & Blue said:

4-3-3 wasn’t it? Thought the pressing and control of midfield was good.

I thought the general play from Rovers until their box was good and the work rate to win the ball back ezceptional, albeit helped by a suicidal Reading strategy to play it out from the back when the players clearly aren't good enough.

Edited February 14, 2019 by Hasta

[chaddyrovers]

4 minutes ago, Hasta said:

I thought the general play from Rovers until their box was good and the work rate to win the ball back ezceptional, albeit helped by a suicidal Reading strategy to play it out from the back when the players clearly aren't good enough.

I agree mostly until we couldnt finish or final ball was poor

8 minutes ago, Hasta said:

He was shattered on Saturday. Its Wednesday night now !!

Ridiculous decision to bench them which blunted our threat and contributed to us losing a game we dominated.

 

 

Look at Mowbray's post match comments about Dack and Graham. There is your answer. 

[chaddyrovers]

"We're a bit bemused how we've lost that game." #Blackburn boss Tony Mowbray thought his side deserved more in their defeat to #Reading. #Rovers #BBCLancsSport #BBCFootball https://t.co/VLIizElNdN

[roversfan99]

13 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

like I said @roversfan99 about Graham. 

Even if they were both deemed unfit to start, which I dont really buy but anyway. Why is Rothwell not given a start, not 15 minutes? Why is Brereton out wide? Even assuming selection limitations, he didnt do the best from what he had.

Side note, why was Brereton standing waiting for a short corner at one point? 6 foot odd striker so little threat that he doesnt bother getting in the box.

[roversfan99]

Just now, chaddyrovers said:

"We're a bit bemused how we've lost that game." #Blackburn boss Tony Mowbray thought his side deserved more in their defeat to #Reading. #Rovers #BBCLancsSport #BBCFootball https://t.co/VLIizElNdN

Seems the common line at the moment. Look at the defence first Tony! 

[RevidgeBlue]

10 minutes ago, Hasta said:

He was shattered on Saturday. Its Wednesday night now !!

Ridiculous decision to bench them which blunted our threat and contributed to us losing a game we dominated.

 

 

It was fairly forseeable we would be facing these kind of issues with Graham this season, the most ridiculous thing of all is that in the midst of all this we handed him a new contract!

[roversfan99]

Just now, RevidgeBlue said:

It was fairly forseeable we would be facing these kind of issues with Graham this season, the most ridiculous thing of all is that in the midst of all this we handed him a new contract!

Hes played 3 games a week a few times this season. Giving our player of the season so far an extra year was the easiest decision all year.

[RevidgeBlue]

"Player of the season?"

You're on a wind up surely.

[roversfan99]

Just now, RevidgeBlue said:

"Player of the season?"

You're on a wind up surely.

Not at all. With at times very limited service, his leading of the line added by a healthy goal contribution tally has been very impressive. You are seemingly on your own in thinking he isnt up to it.

[RevidgeBlue]

Just now, roversfan99 said:

Not at all. With at times very limited service, his leading of the line added by a healthy goal contribution tally has been very impressive. You are seemingly on your own in thinking he isnt up to it.

Each to their own but Im astounded anyone could think that. The guy can hardly move or get off the ground.

[roversfan99]

Just now, RevidgeBlue said:

Each to their own but Im astounded anyone could think that. The guy can hardly move or get off the ground.

Moved enough to score 11 goals which is a decent tally. And thats before his hold up play etc which is subjective but for me top drawer.

[Silas]

Anybody?!......How much injury time was on board?

I know in grand scheme of things there are bigger issues but it's bugging the hell out of me. 

[jim mk2]

Just back ....... bloody hell, that was hard to take.

Reading comfortably the worst side I've seen, won once since November 5, haven't scored 2 since the Second World War yet we still managed to gift them a win.

Rovers fans at the match very quiet. They've given up and lost heart, and I don't blame them

Reading fans couldn't believe their luck, they never expected to win.

One or two observations:

Brereton actually played well but for a big strapping lad he's soft as mush.  He'll never score many goals because he's not brave enough.

Travis had a good 1st half but got steadily worse.

Rothwell showed what the team desperately needs - pace and direct running

I do not enjoy watching this team. It's too easy to beat and at least 4 of tonight's starting XI aren't good enough for this division.

The club will go nowhere under Mowbray

 

 

[@roverseas]

Painful one to watch that, Rovers toothless up front and lacked balls to take a shot without the deadly duo of Dack and DG. Despite the 1st half blitz, we failed to really create anything of any value, and as its Championship football we got punished for not doing so, as Reading scored with the final flurry of the 1st half. Too little too late for Rovers in the 2nd half despite our rallying efforts we got caught out AGAIN! Still support Mowbray and his ethos, however we need numbers in the squad. Ship some 50-50's out (Williams, Conway, and the like) and add some depth. We need 2 strong center backs, wingers, strikers in the mold of Graham, but younger! Another Dack, and an experienced Keeper. Raya is good, but young! Competition breeds improvements, too many Rovers expect to wake up and walk into the team. Anywho, thoughts from the gaffa and more. 

 

[nathan_rovers1]

5 hours ago, Bbrovers2288 said:

End of season, bye Tony. For me. Too much of this kinda crap 

How much have you had to drink? 

 

[nathan_rovers1]

4 hours ago, Bbrovers2288 said:

Another yes another late goal conceded, leaving our best players to play boro which we probably won’t win, why not get the three tonight against a poorer team. There for the taking. 

Bye tony, tactically naive, poor signings, not sorted late goals conceded, seemingly a fitness issue. Trying to play players out of position. Defence has needed rectified since we sold hanley and hasn’t been. All in all. Iv has enough. Been building for a while but last straw now, I want him to go at the end of the season 

You are actually mental... How on earth can you even say you have had enough. Look at what that man has done for us. What on earth are you expecting us to achieve this year? Surely everyone expected mid table? 

Yes, it is frustrating to concede late goals and yes we lost against a poorer team. These things happen and guess what, if they didn't we'd be Barcelona.

Honestly, just get a grip. 

[Fraserkirky]

Too much to quote but some comments:

- I thought the time to rest Dack and Graham was on Saturday after the knocks at Brentford.

- Evans doesn’t move with the ball at all, just stands there and passes it. Useless with the ball. Then to have two other players right next to him that are also useless with the ball is just madnesss.

- Love hearing the calls for a summer clear out! The deadwood everyone is talking about all just got new contracts.

- As usual the commentary on ifollow was bizarre. A Draw is no good for anyone??? I would have snapped your hand off before the game for a draw.

- Bet you Travis is a premature ejaculator. He blows his energy in the first 60 mins of every game. Totally dead on his feet tonight.

- Armstrong is a good weapon, he is a winger/inside forward in this system. Graham Or Brereton up top.

- Quality of our crossing is absolutely Horrific, and has been for years.

- Bell was bright second half and won a few tackles. Fouled for the first goal I thought but maybe a bit soft from him. Been begging for him to make runs like he did for his goal. 

- The problem is the system. Slow, ponderous and completely lacking of surprise or intelligence.

- Raya is a problem, where on earth was he going at that corner kick? Somebody get a hold of this lad for gods sake. “When you get it David, just fucking lamp it”

- Why did Conway not square it, after good play by Bell in the first half? He has made a career out just squaring it. Armstrong and BB where there for a tap in. Game just totally passed him by. 

- Something just doesn’t feel right in the squad. Was Dack proving a point by going so deep tonight?

- Brereton played well but is so awkward at times. Couple of really nice turns.

 

I have loved Tony Mowbray longer than anyone on here, being a Hibs fan also, but not sure he can take us forward. This season we will be a lot closer to the bottom than the top, that might be Tony’s ceiling.

 

Where now:

- Rothwell and Dack together please.

-You would think an appearance from the Starman would be coming soon

-Travis-Reed In the middle with Rothwell-Dack-Armstrong and Graham up top. 

-Get Nyambe in ASAP

-Give Leutwiller a shot

 

 

Edited February 14, 2019 by Fraserkirky

[Tugay's Right Foot]

hope the fog has cleared from my mind enough to pen this.

if it's curtains for this season, I would stick with Raya for developing youth. LB's a problem but we have to play the better of Bell and Delboy- would prefer Bell but someone needs to get on his laid-back, relaxed stance. If it's about developing youth, get one of our young LBs in (Jack Evans anyone?). For RB, Nyambe should play as he's the specialist rather than Bennett plus also the point about gaining experience, youth etc. For CBs, well, Wharton, Platt, Grayson all out on loan, Tyler's probably next in line.

Further up, I would think only one of Evans and Richie should be on the pitch-would prefer Evans slightly on his form this season. Travis, Reed for the other spot. For Dack, if he doesn't play, Rothwell should slot in. Conway should be our last resort and I do think we have JRC, Buckley etc. from U23s who we can test out. And ffs, if we are playing BB, at least let him have a go through the middle. He's pants at the flanks. Should test out Danny Butterworth if given a chance.

[Tugay's Right Foot]

been on the piss too much

I hope we don't get to see 5 straight losses after 5 wins. kicker

[Miker]

There’s always so much criticism slung Mowbray’s way after games like this, but I simply don’t get it. Be careful what you wish for, we already had that experience when people kept calling for Allardyce’s head and then we ended up with Kean.

Even if we were to get rid of Mowbray, there’s no guarantee that the next guy or even the next 5 guys will be any better. In the context of the last few years, we are in a good place right now. To get rid of a manager one season after promotion after very little investment is crazy. This season has been frustrating, and at this stage I’ve resigned to the fact that it’s all about consolidation and nothing more.

IMO we have a team full of potential, but very few players who are actually top-end Championship quality and certainly not Premier League quality. There is a core of young players that I think need to keep progressing this season and mature enough to push on next season. The likes of Raya, Lenihan, Nyambe, Travis, Reed, Rothwell, Armstrong, Dack and Brereton. Maybe even Bell.

Mowbray’s real test will come next season. He will have to delve into the transfer market and make the right recruitments to turn us into a real promotion contender and he will have to keep developing those young players as well. If there is no progress next season then I would consider parting ways and giving someone else a go.