Tony Mowbray Discussion

[Miker]

Might be controversial, but I don't think the team was playing that badly last season either. There was a sense of inevitability about every game last season where if something could go wrong it would. The number of long-term injuries we got to key players throughout the season was enough to kill squad morale, but we also had a crazy number of poor referee decisions go against us and we got punished almost immediately for every individual mistake.

This season it's not been like that at all. We've managed to retain a healthy, stable squad - Poveda aside, we haven't had any significant injuries in the squad. Against Birmingham yesterday, even though we were really comfortable there were some worrying moments like Rothwell's misplaced pass and the shot that hit the crossbar. Last season, 100% one of those would have resulted in a goal, but this season has been completely different. 

That said, the team has definitely stepped it up a level. Almost every player has improved in quality and confidence. The team have matured significantly and things have started to gel. It's just a pleasure watching them week in, week out. 

I don't think Mowbray is much of a tactician, but he seems like a great man manager and he's kept the team happy and motivated. That makes a massive difference in this league and I still think he can get us promoted. However, I'm not convinced that he can keep us in the PL if we get there. A team needs more than just good vibes in the PL and ultimately you either need top quality players or a more pragmatic manager to survive long term. 

[booth]

1 hour ago, Miker said:

Might be controversial, but I don't think the team was playing that badly last season either.

Second half of the season we were truly abysmal.

[tomphil]

5 hours ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

In his comments after yesterday’s game he was still bigging up the likes of Evans and Holtby etc and saying what a massive loss they were. That tells me he hasn’t learnt much.

That's why i fear a revert to type at some point, probably after a defeat or wobble the inevitable rotating and sitting back will start again. We've seen it before but we've never had a side as spectacular as this so if he drastically changes things again and we fall away there'll be hell to pay on here.

[simongarnerisgod]

i wondered what happened for mowbray to abandon his beloved possesion based team shape,it never worked but he stood by it for 3 seasons then suddenly changed it,maybe he came on here and took notice of what everyone was saying,base your team on it`s strengths🙂

[tomphil]

There was the talk that him and Venus had opposite views about how to play fueled by the Graham interview. Then at times last season he's slumped on the bench whilst Venus was on the touchline. That hasn't been the case this season so far so there might be something in that.

Imo this team is self motivating being all young lads with points to prove. So the dynamic has changed a bit just from that and we are seeing the benefits of fit young hungry players over more experienced but set in their ways journeymen.

[Officer Barbrady]

I appreciate that he has went out of his comfort zone a bit this season as far as his philosophies go and so far its paying dividends.

[Rogerb]

The difference is the defence can now be called a defence. Keep a clean sheet and you have at least a point.

[JacknOry]

17 hours ago, Wood26 said:

No I don’t expect to find people not backing him now. Which is my point. We have backed the manager the whole way, he deserves a statue alone for the league 1 promotion. The Mowbray out crew who we had to argue with weekly have vanished, I’m just interested to hear what they think now? Are they still wanting him out? Or are they seeing the bigger picture? I shouldn’t have to ask, but they gone quiet, so I have.

A statue? 

Jeezus. Statues should be for club legends. Dalgeish, Hughes, Souness all deserve one 100x more than TM and i probably wouldnt want any of them getting one. 

Edited December 19, 2021 by JacknOry

[booth]

1 hour ago, JacknOry said:

A statue? 

Jeezus. Statues should be for club legends. Dalgeish, Hughes, Souness all deserve one 100x more than TM and i probably wouldnt want any of them getting one. 

He'll be up there if he can get Rovers up to the PL amidst all the turmoil, not sure about a statue though.

I'd be happy for Dalglish to have a statue though. That man brought so much joy to my formative years, and amongst thousands of people at the homecoming as he was dashing by he decided to turn round and shake my hand, so he gets my vote.

[Ulrich]

Aye TM can have a statue, no problem there. As long as it is about 30m tall and gnome shaped. There's only one man who deserves memorising in that kind of manner and he already has a statue RIP Jack.

[Tugay-is-God]

9 hours ago, Miker said:

Might be controversial, but I don't think the team was playing that badly last season either. There was a sense of inevitability about every game last season where if something could go wrong it would. The number of long-term injuries we got to key players throughout the season was enough to kill squad morale, but we also had a crazy number of poor referee decisions go against us and we got punished almost immediately for every individual mistake.

This season it's not been like that at all. We've managed to retain a healthy, stable squad - Poveda aside, we haven't had any significant injuries in the squad. Against Birmingham yesterday, even though we were really comfortable there were some worrying moments like Rothwell's misplaced pass and the shot that hit the crossbar. Last season, 100% one of those would have resulted in a goal, but this season has been completely different. 

That said, the team has definitely stepped it up a level. Almost every player has improved in quality and confidence. The team have matured significantly and things have started to gel. It's just a pleasure watching them week in, week out. 

I don't think Mowbray is much of a tactician, but he seems like a great man manager and he's kept the team happy and motivated. That makes a massive difference in this league and I still think he can get us promoted. However, I'm not convinced that he can keep us in the PL if we get there. A team needs more than just good vibes in the PL and ultimately you either need top quality players or a more pragmatic manager to survive long term. 

Never! We were awful from December-ish, before the full rot in terms of results had even set in.

[JacknOry]

8 hours ago, booth said:

He'll be up there if he can get Rovers up to the PL amidst all the turmoil, not sure about a statue though.

I'd be happy for Dalglish to have a statue though. That man brought so much joy to my formative years, and amongst thousands of people at the homecoming as he was dashing by he decided to turn round and shake my hand, so he gets my vote.

Yeah he would top the list.

[Miker]

6 hours ago, Tugay-is-God said:

Never! We were awful from December-ish, before the full rot in terms of results had even set in.

I think we were shambolic defensively when Braithwaite came into the back four and agree we were absolutely dreadful during that period. We started picking up steam again after that though with Dack returning and scoring 2 in 2 before being injured again. We deteriorated again after that injury and didn't recover until it was too late. I remember thinking that 1-0 loss at Brentford was the end of our season. Their only goal was from a non-penalty and then we weren't given a penalty of our own late on when Raya fouled Dack in the box. 

A lot of the games post-Braithwaite we were the better team but lost points due to stupid penalties or back passes given away. 

[LeftWinger]

Steve Kean once got some 'monumental' results at Rovers. I remember him using that word to describe us getting 'back to back clean sheets'.

Then I wondered when the last time Rovers won 5 games on the bounce without conceding a goal. As far as I can see, it was in 1980!!! Excellent work from the current team.

 

[tomphil]

Branthwaite just didn't fit our dreadful possession based style of play i think it was as simple as that. THB was better on the ball and more comfortable. Put Branthwaite in now he'd probably have looked ok.

[Admiral Nelsen]

8 hours ago, Miker said:

I think we were shambolic defensively when Braithwaite came into the back four and agree we were absolutely dreadful during that period. We started picking up steam again after that though with Dack returning and scoring 2 in 2 before being injured again. We deteriorated again after that injury and didn't recover until it was too late. I remember thinking that 1-0 loss at Brentford was the end of our season. Their only goal was from a non-penalty and then we weren't given a penalty of our own late on when Raya fouled Dack in the box. 

A lot of the games post-Braithwaite we were the better team but lost points due to stupid penalties or back passes given away. 

 

I know we were going through something of an injury crisis, but Branthwaite was the perfect example of the sort of Prem loan that you don't want. I.e. a player who has all the attributes for a good career but needs a spell of making mistakes so his parent club can feel the benefit.

 

A player who'll probably have a good career, but a few of the performances he put in for us were up there for some of the worst for a centre half in our recent history. Agree with @tomphil though that our possession game was partially responsible too. 

[lraC]

23 hours ago, booth said:

Second half of the season we were truly abysmal.

The biggest difference for me, was how we looked so vulnerable and not just at the back. I have always been a believer that we defend from the front and everyone has to be aware of their responsibility when we lose the ball. Last season, with the possession based game we were playing, we were just picked off on the counter, time after time and had gaping holes everywhere you looked.

The most pleasing aspect of this season run, since the Fulham game, is everyone suddenly seems to be aware of this and we are snapping at the heels of players to win the ball back.

No team flukes 5 clean sheets in a row, clearly this is now the mentality and despite the 7 in one game, conceding 9 in the last 8 speaks volumes. If Mowbray has drilled this into the squad fair play, as we haven't looked as solid as this, in over a decade.

[Officer Barbrady]

I know some may still be on the fence with TM due to past season's implosions or what have you, but really can't argue with the way he has this team playing right now. Absolute joy to watch as a fan, and I can't wait to see us again which is good to say as tbh in last couple season's I dreaded to see us play lol.

 

Edited December 20, 2021 by Officer Barbrady

[Spartakfenni]

24 minutes ago, Admiral Nelsen said:

 

I know we were going through something of an injury crisis, but Branthwaite was the perfect example of the sort of Prem loan that you don't want. I.e. a player who has all the attributes for a good career but needs a spell of making mistakes so his parent club can feel the benefit.

 

A player who'll probably have a good career, but a few of the performances he put in for us were up there for some of the worst for a centre half in our recent history. Agree with @tomphil though that our possession game was partially responsible too. 

Van Hecke is the same, his big mistake in the Fulham game really cost us, but thankfully he’s learned from his mistake. Probably the missed game time allowed the coaching staff to really work on him. He’ll go back a better player than he arrived. That’s the frustrating part, as Carter has looked good when he’s played, and proved last seasons loan at Brentford did him good. He now needs to go to a lower Championship team for that next step up. Someone from Swansea downwards in the league.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

7 minutes ago, Spartakfenni said:

Van Hecke is the same, his big mistake in the Fulham game really cost us, but thankfully he’s learned from his mistake. Probably the missed game time allowed the coaching staff to really work on him. He’ll go back a better player than he arrived. That’s the frustrating part, as Carter has looked good when he’s played, and proved last seasons loan at Brentford did him good. He now needs to go to a lower Championship team for that next step up. Someone from Swansea downwards in the league.

If we’re going to continue with the 3 centre half system we can’t afford to loan Carter out. He’s needed in case of injury or suspension.

[Officer Barbrady]

2 minutes ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

If we’re going to continue with the 3 centre half system we can’t afford to loan Carter out. He’s needed in case of injury or suspension.

Agree 100%.

I think some fans think our squad depth is stronger than it actually is overall.

[Sparks Rover]

6 minutes ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

If we’re going to continue with the 3 centre half system we can’t afford to loan Carter out. He’s needed in case of injury or suspension.

Carter ain't good enough to play in a 3.  In my opinion his technical ability isn't good enough and I don't think he has the pace.  I'd ship him out and look for a replacement if we want to be serious about promotion.  

[simongarnerisgod]

12 minutes ago, Sparks Rover said:

Carter ain't good enough to play in a 3.  In my opinion his technical ability isn't good enough and I don't think he has the pace.  I'd ship him out and look for a replacement if we want to be serious about promotion.  

 thats harsh imo,whenever he`s played at the back this year,he`s looked fine,he`s a bit dodgy at right back but thats because he`s out of position,it`s magliore who needs shipping out not carter

[rigger]

28 minutes ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

If we’re going to continue with the 3 centre half system we can’t afford to loan Carter out. He’s needed in case of injury or suspension.

From U23 appearances, Pratt looks as good as Carter.

[Admiral Nelsen]

18 minutes ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

If we’re going to continue with the 3 centre half system we can’t afford to loan Carter out. He’s needed in case of injury or suspension.

 

I don't think this is a straightforward call, personally. At the moment he's clearly 5th in the pecking order, arguably 6th if Mowbray would play Johnson in the middle of a back three (we can argue whether he should do or not, but he's showed signs against Posh that he would favour that option).

 

He's just turned 22, and I think it's vital for the player to have a decent number of games under his belt before he enters his mid 20s. I accept it's a bit of a risk though - maybe if we get an extra right back in January & keep Nyambe, then that could provide extra defensive cover there too.