Tony Mowbray Discussion

[MarkBRFC]

I think we're very much at a cross road again as a club, going into this summer gives me a very familiar feeling of the summer of 2015.

Remember the optimism of the opening game of that season against Cardiff, a decent crowd on and on paper a side that looked like it could challenge. We stumbled a bit before finally spending around two weeks in the top 6 around November time, before an awful Christmas period and an inconsistent second half of the season, which was masked by a good FA Cup run. That side had Rhodes & Gestede scoring 20 goals each, King, Cairney, Marshall & Conway as other attacking outlets, along with a back four including Hanley, Duffy & Baptiste, with an ex England GK behind them. We ended up finishing 9th and 11 points off the play offs. Bowyers time was clearly up, but we held on and soon enough FFP bit, Gestede & Cairney were sold on, to be replaced by Danny Guthrie & Nathan Delfounso, downhill for the next two years followed by a relegation. 

I can see things going the same way this summer unfortunately.

Edited July 6, 2020 by MarkBRFC

[RevidgeBlue]

54 minutes ago, davulsukur said:

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/18562931.not-level---mowbray-rovers-fading-play-off-hopes/

Mowbray saying we aren't at the level of play-offs/automatic promotion, i mean he's right.

Sounds like the aim was just to build on a higher placed finish than last seasons 15th place to make it to the top 10.

"We’re Blackburn Rovers, hopefully around the top 10 this year, but last year, 16th."

He also apparently knows why we are inconsistent.

“It’s frustrating, but I know the reasons. I’ve been in the game a long time and I know where we are as a club."

Well he's nearly right, we finished 15th..........

Strewth, we're struggling if he can't even remember where we finished last season and he thinks 70 points normally secures a play off berth.

[RevidgeBlue]

Also

"We're plodding around at the middle of the table right now but I feel that since promotion from League 1 that we've moved beyond plodding around the middle of the table."

Classic! 

How can the players fail to be inspired?

[rigger]

I just look at the facts 5 points from the last 21 available, with 1 reasonable performance out of 7

[davulsukur]

17 minutes ago, RevidgeBlue said:

Well he's nearly right, we finished 15th..........

Strewth, we're struggling if he can't even remember where we finished last season and he thinks 70 points normally secures a play off berth.

What are we on now 56 points, with 5 to play?

Looks like we will fall short of the 70 point target set by Mogga at the start. 3 tough games next leaving Luton, who have already beaten us this season) and Reading (who we did beat earlier this season)

I reckon we'll get a max of 61 points in total, putting us just 1 point above last seasons tally. 

I guess technically, it's still progress ?

Edited July 6, 2020 by davulsukur

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

It's the football on display most of the time that does my head in. Dull, uninspiring, unimaginative, boring, tedious, gutless, I could fill a page with similar adjectives but they would all equally apply to the manager as well. For me football is there to get your blood racing and your heart pounding, it's to send you home with excitement coursing through your body. At the moment it's more likely to send you to sleep. Do they not realise they're supposed to be part of the " entertainment Industry " ?

[tomphil]

56 minutes ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

It's the football on display most of the time that does my head in. Dull, uninspiring, unimaginative, boring, tedious, gutless, I could fill a page with similar adjectives but they would all equally apply to the manager as well. For me football is there to get your blood racing and your heart pounding, it's to send you home with excitement coursing through your body. At the moment it's more likely to send you to sleep. Do they not realise they're supposed to be part of the " entertainment Industry " ?

When we keep going on long winless runs anyway i don't see why he's so risk averse to just having a go. The last 3 games sums it all up for me.

He says we probably aren't at that top 6 level yet and he's right but neither are Preston and a host of other clubs but somebody will take those spots. I'd ask is he at that level himself in terms of ambition and balls ?

It doesn't look like it and on another note i'm sure a 12 million injection over 2 summers would transform a few into being there. 

All you ask as a fan is that he and they fight tooth and nail for the prize when it's in touching distance.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

43 minutes ago, tomphil said:

When we keep going on long winless runs anyway i don't see why he's so risk averse to just having a go. The last 3 games sums it all up for me.

He says we probably aren't at that top 6 level yet and he's right but neither are Preston and a host of other clubs but somebody will take those spots. I'd ask is he at that level himself in terms of ambition and balls ?

It doesn't look like it and on another note i'm sure a 12 million injection over 2 summers would transform a few into being there. 

All you ask as a fan is that he and they fight tooth and nail for the prize when it's in touching distance.

The way we allowed Wigan to walk away with the number 1 spot when we got promoted spoke volumes for me. Chances like that come along once or twice a generation if you're lucky.

I'm coming around to the conclusion that the " Chicken Chokers " end game is to demoralise and reduce the fan base to such a point that they can wrap the club up and there won't be enough people left to make a fuss. Look at Bury.

Edited July 6, 2020 by Tyrone Shoelaces

[RoversClitheroe]

Really excited for tomorrow's game where Walton hits long balls up to Armstrong all game.

[tomphil]

1 hour ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

The way we allowed Wigan to walk away with the number 1 spot when we got promoted spoke volumes for me. Chances like that come along once or twice a generation if you're lucky.

I'm coming around to the conclusion that the " Chicken Chokers " end game is to demoralise and reduce the fan base to such a point that they can wrap the club up and there won't be enough people left to make a fuss. Look at Bury.

Said it half a dozen times before but if going into these last few games Mowbrays arse was on the line they'd have all come out fighting on the front foot. It's a good bet we'd have taken 3 to 9 points we've seen it before but we always see too much of is the tepid stuff we even saw it fighting relegation.

There was no pressure on them after the lockdown just a case of lets go all guns blazing to win as many as we can and see were we end up. What we've seen since we caught Bristol cold is akin to pre season stuff, tap it about and get as many involved as possible.  Really got me angry that more than anything Mowbray says or even his persistence with the nonsense with Gallagher.

Actions speak louder than words and what we've seen speaks volumes about the lack of urgency running through the whole camp.

[chaddyrovers]

Sounds like he going nowhere and Venkys are happy with him. 

[tomphil]

That lad is the clubs new spin doctor methinks.

[Mattyblue]

‘The Venky’s’, an actual journalist ?‍♂️

[Sparks Rover]

1 hour ago, chaddyrovers said:

Sounds like he going nowhere and Venkys are happy with him. 

Im not happy with him Chaddy, are you?

[Ewood Ace]

1 hour ago, chaddyrovers said:

Sounds like he going nowhere and Venkys are happy with him. 

Mowbray's own personal target was 70 points and he is going to fall short of that. He seems to be teflon and must have the easiest job in football. Seemingly no pressure on him, brings his mate in as CEO, gives contracts to all his favourites and spins the clueless uninterested owners a few line of how rosy everything is. It honestly does seem like he has the job for as long as he wants it and he knows it.

Edited July 6, 2020 by Ewood Ace

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

1 minute ago, Ewood Ace said:

Mowbray's own personal target was 70 points and he is going to fall short of that. He seems to be teflon and must have the easiest job in football. Seemingly no pressure on him, brings his mate in as CEO, gives contracts to all his favourites and spins the clueless uninterested owners and few line of how rosy everything is. It honestly does seem like he has the job for as long as he wants it and he knows it.

It's even better now they're playing behind closed doors. There isn't a  possibility of a " Mowbray Out " chant anymore.

[JHRover]

Its just depressing when reading Mowbray's comments.

I could accept the rubbish performances and missing the play offs and even the manager having another chance next season if he was going to come out fighting and promise a new approach, ruthless action to change it, acceptance that it is last chance saloon time.

But his latest comments are just awful. Basically incremental improvements are great, a dollop of 'making players better' to appeal to the money men, I work hard, I make people better. Talking again about this style of play which he obsesses over despite it being meaningless if we get put away by sides like Barnsley. I'm not interested in 'dominating'. Why can't he just focus on sorting the shambles of a defence out? Back at 2+ goals against per game now.

It is also quite clear from the comments that he is sending veiled messages to India and hasn't actually spoken to the owners directly.

'I'll be waiting on a call and seeing what their expectation is and what they want to do'

This has to be one of the more disturbing comments I have heard from Mowbray. Remarkably similar to the stuff Lambert used to come out with when he was waiting on answers from India but only got silence. 

[Mashed Potatoes]

23 minutes ago, JHRover said:

Its just depressing when reading Mowbray's comments.

I could accept the rubbish performances and missing the play offs and even the manager having another chance next season if he was going to come out fighting and promise a new approach, ruthless action to change it, acceptance that it is last chance saloon time.

But his latest comments are just awful. Basically incremental improvements are great, a dollop of 'making players better' to appeal to the money men, I work hard, I make people better. Talking again about this style of play which he obsesses over despite it being meaningless if we get put away by sides like Barnsley. I'm not interested in 'dominating'. Why can't he just focus on sorting the shambles of a defence out? Back at 2+ goals against per game now.

It is also quite clear from the comments that he is sending veiled messages to India and hasn't actually spoken to the owners directly.

'I'll be waiting on a call and seeing what their expectation is and what they want to do'

This has to be one of the more disturbing comments I have heard from Mowbray. Remarkably similar to the stuff Lambert used to come out with when he was waiting on answers from India but only got silence. 

However you rate TM the concluding points in your post show how difficult it is going to be for anyone who gets the top job - so much so it will deter the better people.

[tomphil]

1 hour ago, Ewood Ace said:

Mowbray's own personal target was 70 points and he is going to fall short of that. He seems to be teflon and must have the easiest job in football. Seemingly no pressure on him, brings his mate in as CEO, gives contracts to all his favourites and spins the clueless uninterested owners a few line of how rosy everything is. It honestly does seem like he has the job for as long as he wants it and he knows it.

One of the best jobs in football he seems to get whatever he asks for.

It's about time they asked for a proper stab at the top 6 in the not too distant future.

[roversfan99]

3 hours ago, chaddyrovers said:

Sounds like he going nowhere and Venkys are happy with him. 

He wont be going anywhere, but not because of the reasons outlined by an amateur journalist echoing a false narrative that Venkys (or the Venkys) are following a linear progression and are genuinely interested in what is going on and can see what Mowbray is doing. He will stay because we of course are not doing disastrously, he has done well over the course of his time but mainly that he has his mate as CEO and is very forthcoming in flying to India when needed and putting up with their strange ways. The reason that their expectations havent changed throughout the season is because they arent invested enough emotionally in the first place. I am unsure how Mowbray thinks we are on target, his target was 70 points if I recall correctly where as now even beating last seasons 60 point tally is in the balance.

I think a perfect example of a very confused and illogical attempt to progress us tactically can be perfectly shown post lockdown. I actually do see some sense in making us more possession but the way he has tried to do it is bizarre. If a false 9 and inside forwards based 4-3-3 is the way he has always seen us playing, then why would he bring it in 9 games from the end of the season and after a 3 month break. It hasnt worked and like with 3 at the back he instantly reverts back and gives up on it, until 6 months down the line when he will probably try it again. On Saturday, he reverted back to his strange comfort blanket of having Gallagher on the wing, as if thats always a safe bet.

I suppose a late run of wins (or losses) could put a different slant on the season but again with numerous games to spare we have nothing to play for. The recruitment in the summer was (Waggott touched upon this in one of the fans forum things I believe) that signing Johnson, Downing etc was done to try and help out a young squad and give it some experience and know how. This was also meant to be Breretons breakthrough season! I just reflect on this season as it comes to a close and look towards next and I dont see how we have pushed on. The main thing has been Armstrongs progression but ultimately we have swapped that with Graham coming to the end.

One thing I would add is that for those keen to point out Venkys and the likelihood of them appointing someone ridiculous, it is for me a bit of an avoidance of the matter at hand. "I don't have anything constructive to defend the manager, err we could get Phil Brown" isnt a defence.

[Mashed Potatoes]

2 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

He wont be going anywhere, but not because of the reasons outlined by an amateur journalist echoing a false narrative that Venkys (or the Venkys) are following a linear progression and are genuinely interested in what is going on and can see what Mowbray is doing. He will stay because we of course are not doing disastrously, he has done well over the course of his time but mainly that he has his mate as CEO and is very forthcoming in flying to India when needed and putting up with their strange ways. The reason that their expectations havent changed throughout the season is because they arent invested enough emotionally in the first place. I am unsure how Mowbray thinks we are on target, his target was 70 points if I recall correctly where as now even beating last seasons 60 point tally is in the balance.

I think a perfect example of a very confused and illogical attempt to progress us tactically can be perfectly shown post lockdown. I actually do see some sense in making us more possession but the way he has tried to do it is bizarre. If a false 9 and inside forwards based 4-3-3 is the way he has always seen us playing, then why would he bring it in 9 games from the end of the season and after a 3 month break. It hasnt worked and like with 3 at the back he instantly reverts back and gives up on it, until 6 months down the line when he will probably try it again. On Saturday, he reverted back to his strange comfort blanket of having Gallagher on the wing, as if thats always a safe bet.

I suppose a late run of wins (or losses) could put a different slant on the season but again with numerous games to spare we have nothing to play for. The recruitment in the summer was (Waggott touched upon this in one of the fans forum things I believe) that signing Johnson, Downing etc was done to try and help out a young squad and give it some experience and know how. This was also meant to be Breretons breakthrough season! I just reflect on this season as it comes to a close and look towards next and I dont see how we have pushed on. The main thing has been Armstrongs progression but ultimately we have swapped that with Graham coming to the end.

One thing I would add is that for those keen to point out Venkys and the likelihood of them appointing someone ridiculous, it is for me a bit of an avoidance of the matter at hand. "I don't have anything constructive to defend the manager, err we could get Phil Brown" isnt a defence.

Phil Brown, like Owen Coyle before him, is the future - even for those in denial.

[roversfan99]

1 minute ago, Mashed Potatoes said:

Phil Brown, like Owen Coyle before him, is the future - even for those in denial.

Youve literally just plucked a random name out of the air and now are consistently using it as a primary argument.

Do you think that for a normal club in the same situation as us, that you would allow Mowbray to continue or make a change?

 

[Mashed Potatoes]

Just now, roversfan99 said:

Youve literally just plucked a random name out of the air and now are consistently using it as a primary argument.

Do you think that for a normal club in the same situation as us, that you would allow Mowbray to continue or make a change?

 

The obvious reply which I will give you is that in 2020 Rovers are not normal.

Brown spent 12 to 14 months in Pune - ticks the boxes Coyle ticked.

[roversfan99]

Just now, Mashed Potatoes said:

The obvious reply which I will give you is that in 2020 Rovers are not normal.

Brown spent 12 to 14 months in Pune - ticks the boxes Coyle ticked.

You are quite clearly solely of the purpose to wind up and antagonize so I will stop there.

[tomphil]

11 minutes ago, Mashed Potatoes said:

Phil Brown, like Owen Coyle before him, is the future - even for those in denial.

Phil Brown is too old they prefer the younger end.

Mowbray was far and away the most experienced they've gone for after realising their gambles on younger ones was misguided. He was only about 52 Brown is 61.

Not happening but keep scaremongering it suits you.