Tony Mowbray Discussion

[Bigdoggsteel]

12 minutes ago, Sparks Rover said:

Not when everyone is fit.  He is another Toisin....not quite ready for the top of the premier league.  Saying that, looks like elliot might not be giving Tony a glowing report according to his tantrum last night.

Wouldn't look too much into that. He starts him every game. 

If Mowbray left, he could be pulled in January. I would say Liverpool are highly sensitive about how and where he plays. 

Liverpool still have issues with injuries definsively 

[JHRover]

Just noticed that Birmingham have lost their last two home games 4-1 against Middlesbrough and 4-0 against Derby. Very poor and unusual for a Karanka side who is traditionally defensively strong. 

They've actually lost their last 4 at home including Watford and Barnsley and going back further have lost 6 of their last 7 home games, the other a 0-0 draw with Millwall. 

They've scored 8 goals at home in 11 games.

If we don't win this he needs sacking. No ifs no buts no excuses.

[Bigdoggsteel]

2 minutes ago, JHRover said:

Just noticed that Birmingham have lost their last two home games 4-1 against Middlesbrough and 4-0 against Derby. Very poor and unusual for a Karanka side who is traditionally defensively strong. 

They've actually lost their last 4 at home including Watford and Barnsley and going back further have lost 6 of their last 7 home games, the other a 0-0 draw with Millwall. 

They've scored 8 goals at home in 11 games.

If we don't win this he needs sacking. No ifs no buts no excuses.

Here come rovers with their Christmas and New year goodwill......

[PeteJD13]

I was told by a someone last season who has pretty good links to the club mowbray was safe his job to walk away from. Even if we went back down he is safe owners like him. Thing is we'll beat brum have a little run get to 9th fall away again, then repeat this in feb/march/may

[Stuart]

13 hours ago, Mattyblue said:

10 years in and some of you still haven’t worked these owners out and think he will be under some pressure, that a ‘board’ will be discussing the alarming drop off in results. ‘His position is untenable’, ‘let’s give a new manager time to settle in’. A thread talking about replacements has been started.

Perfectly understandable, that’s how football works, especially in the Championship, however it just doesn’t here, and you are all going to be getting more and more wound up. I remember last season on a similar death spiral, a fan asked Waggott about TM’s position, he merely laughed.

The ire needs to be pointed at those that oversee this dysfunctional football club, alas they are now even more popular with the fanbase than TM at his peak.

Whet a state of affairs.

And yet, we are meant to believe that Mowbray is an honourable guy who would do the noble thing, having brought stability to the club. Y’know, fall on his sword and that.

There are very few options actually open to fans apart from to vent their spleen on forums and social media. We all know that there are people who monitor this site - amongst others.

Aside from airing our displeasure, what else can we do?

We can’t go to games and vent or even protest (“sack the board” style) and, even if we could, the superfans would be shooting down any dissenters as “not being real supporters”.

We don’t have the local newspaper on side. Heck, they don’t even ask any difficult questions.

There isn’t any embarrassment from within the football family. Mowbray will carry on unashamed, the players will go through the motions, the chief exec will carry on laughing. Behind the scenes BRFC will be the joke of football, the club where nobody cares how shit you are as long as you stay out of the bottom three - which is why there will be no shortage of applicants to replace Mowbray for the best job in the Championship.

The only realistic option is for fans to walk away, for the sake of their sanity and to stop endorsing this whole fucked up charade.

But in doing so we harm the very thing we all love.

In a staring contest between Venkys (with their ignorant arrogance) and zero season ticket holders (or let’s say sub-500, as an embarrassingly low number), would they back Mowbray/Waggott, replace them both, or walk away?

If we subscribe to the theory that they are still here for a reason (probably financial) then they would surely have to change the people running “their UK operation” rather than suffer the ignominy of being the worst supported club in the country.

It’s always in the hands of the people.

If they stick together and hold their nerve.

[Bbrovers2288]

Difference when he walked away from Coventry was he knew that somebody else would take a stab at him for employment, I think he sees this job as his last and will cling on to it for as long as he can 

[Stuart]

7 hours ago, Mattyblue said:

Of course, as it is for every club. 

Just think it’s a bit of a curious juxtaposition that the very same people usually lauding the owners on said groups are also the ones sounding the alarm that the club couldn’t possibly appoint anyone better than Tony bloody Mowbray...

I’ve been banging this drum for ages Matty.

It’s a contradiction to say on the one hand Venky’s are the best owners we can ever hope for and then say that they can’t be trusted to appoint a manager better than they one the appointed.

Yet people do.

Their motivation? To be able to say they are the best kind of supporter. That they stick it out when others doubted. Because they want the morale high ground of the “I told you so” when things are going well.

They will also be the first people to say “his time was up” as soon as his departure is confirmed.

It is defeatism disguised as positivity!

[Stuart]

4 hours ago, DE. said:

I think there's a difference between losing the dressing room and the players feeling like they can pick and choose when they put the effort in. I'd say we're at the latter rather than the former, and have been for most of Mowbray's tenure. 

There have been plenty of times over the past couple of years when people have said TM has lost the dressing room. Inevitably soon after that we would go on another upswing in form, proving that not to be the case. I imagine it'll be the same this time. The players will go up a gear as and when they feel like they have pushed their luck as far as it can go. 

Much like the Bowyer years, the motivation simply isn't there to try and perform at 100% in every match. The manager doesn't instil that in the players, and I would argue doesn't recruit players with that mindset either. Everything at Ewood is far too comfortable for all involved.

Which I would argue is totally down to the rotation policy that has been installed by Mowbray. Dropping players regardless of their performances.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

1 hour ago, Bigdoggsteel said:

Here come rovers with their Christmas and New year goodwill......

A repeat of the Huddersfield performance and result would not surprise me in the slightest. Who's going to play in the back four ?

[rigger]

3 minutes ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

A repeat of the Huddersfield performance and result would not surprise me in the slightest. Who's going to play in the back four ?

Nyambe, Johnson, Lenihan, Downing.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

1 minute ago, rigger said:

Nyambe, Johnson, Lenihan, Downing.

Didn't Nyambe come off injured ?

[rigger]

9 minutes ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

Didn't Nyambe come off injured ?

Doesn't mean he is not fit for Saturday.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

5 minutes ago, rigger said:

Doesn't mean he is not fit for Saturday.

His history of similar injuries suggests it'll be a week or two. If he doesn't make it who then ? We haven't even got enough players to play 3 at the back with wing backs, unless we throw Carter in again. When's Magloire back from his pointless loan period.

[alcd]

2 hours ago, JHRover said:

Just noticed that Birmingham have lost their last two home games 4-1 against Middlesbrough and 4-0 against Derby. Very poor and unusual for a Karanka side who is traditionally defensively strong. 

They've actually lost their last 4 at home including Watford and Barnsley and going back further have lost 6 of their last 7 home games, the other a 0-0 draw with Millwall. 

They've scored 8 goals at home in 11 games.

If we don't win this he needs sacking. No ifs no buts no excuses.

We'll lose this one and he won't be sacked. 

[matt83]

53 minutes ago, Stuart said:

I’ve been banging this drum for ages Matty.

It’s a contradiction to say on the one hand Venky’s are the best owners we can ever hope for and then say that they can’t be trusted to appoint a manager better than they one the appointed.

Yet people do.

Their motivation? To be able to say they are the best kind of supporter. That they stick it out when others doubted. Because they want the morale high ground of the “I told you so” when things are going well.

They will also be the first people to say “his time was up” as soon as his departure is confirmed.

It is defeatism disguised as positivity!

My best mate optimises this. Slow to want any manager sacked then after any decision the club makes it’s the right decision. 

Last night:

“The squad isn’t good as you’re making out. Top half fine. Trust me he’s moved his own goalposts there. Agreed, need a massive improvement. Tony probably isn’t the man to improve us but enjoyed it from the horror show of Coyle. Not that he’d criticise at the time. Maybe we do need a change which is sad because I think he’s done so much good.”

This morning renewed faith: 

“Missing our best players. You talk about him he’s ruining the club. If it wasn’t for him we’d probably be in league one.”

One of the true disciples to be sure. But if Mowbray were to be sacked tomorrow, the club in their infinite wisdom, would be right. Frustrating mindset. But takes all sorts. 

Edited December 30, 2020 by matt83

[Stuart]

1 minute ago, matt83 said:

My best mate optimises this. Slow to want any manager sacked then after any decision the club makes it’s the right decision. 

Last night:

“The squad isn’t good as you’re making out. Top half fine. Trust me he’s moved his own goalposts there. Agreed, need a massive improvement. Tony probably isn’t the man to improve us but enjoyed it from the horror show of Coyle. Not that he’d criticise at the time. Maybe we do need a change which is sad because it think he’s done so much good.”

This morning renewed faith: 

“Missing our best players. You talk about him he’s ruining the club. If it wasn’t for him we’d probably be in league one.”

One of the true disciples to be sure. But if Mowbray were to be sacked tomorrow, the club in their infinite wisdom, would be right. Frustrating mindset. But takes all sorts. 

Frustrating isn’t it? I’m here for Blackburn Rovers. Not for any manager or any player.

It looks to me like Mowbray has peaked at midtable - regardless of the players we’ve had available and the ones we’ve bought and sold. Are we the only club that has had injuries?

The question is: is that peak enough for Blackburn Rovers and for how long?

[Leonard Venkhater]

39 minutes ago, Stuart said:

Frustrating isn’t it? I’m here for Blackburn Rovers. Not for any manager or any player.

It looks to me like Mowbray has peaked at midtable - regardless of the players we’ve had available and the ones we’ve bought and sold. Are we the only club that has had injuries?

The question is: is that peak enough for Blackburn Rovers and for how long?

And the context is that this peak has been good enough for some, ever since they arrived in 2012.

[TheRoversReturn]

9 hours ago, Sparks Rover said:

I think its exciting getting a new manager.  It would be now because we do have a decent team.   Normally a change of manager means the new manager has a load of shit to get rid of, its slightly different here and I think a good manager in quickly and a couple of good centre halves, we could sniff around top 6.  With this guy, no chance.

Exactly.

Potting the manager would be the only exciting thing around Rovers recently. We've had mid-table regression with boring backwards and sideways for too long.

Without it, this season is already done and dusted. Waste of time even following the games, we'll finish round about where we are now, well away from the playoffs or relegation spots.

[TheRoversReturn]

6 hours ago, roversfan99 said:

I dont see why suggestions that hes lost the dressing room need to be made to be honest. I personally dont see that but managers are always judged on results and his arent good enough to suggest any signs of improvement and thats enough for me to know that he needs to be removed.

True.

Who cares if he's lost the dressing room or not? To be honest, if they are all behind him and then that's the crap they serve up then it's more damning than anything else, to be honest!

[TheRoversReturn]

2 hours ago, Stuart said:

And yet, we are meant to believe that Mowbray is an honourable guy who would do the noble thing, having brought stability to the club. Y’know, fall on his sword and that.

He's not likely to fall on his sword, nor does that have a bearing on whether he is honourable or not. Which person on here would walk away from their job to become unemployed when they are under contract and their employers are pleased with the job they are doing?

We might want him to leave, but that doesn't make him dishonourable, in fact us wanting a guy to be sacked is the least honourable part of this scenario. Fans just want the best for their football team, it's ultimately a selfish desire. Any talk of honour or fans booing or falling on swords or TM being a nice guy is all utterly irrelevant. This isn't Ethics 101 class. Steve Kean was different, that was all just shady and weird. They're all just living their life, doing their job, not breaking any laws. 

It's not personal, it's just (the football) business. 

[JHRover]

I want a job like Mowbray has.

I try to imagine a situation where my employer invites me to a meeting, gives me a 3 year contract on very good wages, sends me off to the other side of the world to get on with it and has no interest in my performance or attainment of targets.

I'm able to run things exactly as I want to even if it doesn't make sense or work and get to carry on even if loads of customers actively disapprove of me and my performance. 

All the while the supporters/customers are expected to 'like it or lump it' and get asked to pay more for the privilege whilst I can cart on regardless because I'm better than my predecessor from 4 years ago.

It isn't the real world. It isn't acceptable of a way of operating in any line of work, let alone managing a professional football club employing hundreds of people and taking money off tens of thousands to operate.

 

[Sparks Rover]

4 minutes ago, JHRover said:

I want a job like Mowbray has.

I try to imagine a situation where my employer invites me to a meeting, gives me a 3 year contract on very good wages, sends me off to the other side of the world to get on with it and has no interest in my performance or attainment of targets.

I'm able to run things exactly as I want to even if it doesn't make sense or work and get to carry on even if loads of customers actively disapprove of me and my performance. 

All the while the supporters/customers are expected to 'like it or lump it' and get asked to pay more for the privilege whilst I can cart on regardless because I'm better than my predecessor from 4 years ago.

It isn't the real world. It isn't acceptable of a way of operating in any line of work, let alone managing a professional football club employing hundreds of people and taking money off tens of thousands to operate.

 

Aye, and not to mention his immediate superior is his mate who he virtually gave the job to.

The only time Balaji and his mates will get proper involved is if/when we get to the premier league.   Then the whole thing changes and Mowbray knows it.  He will be gone, three quarters of the playing staff will go too.  Turkeys don't vote for Christmas from my experience.   Middle of the road is old Tony and he's feckin good at sticking to it.  

[jim mk2]

2 hours ago, matt83 said:

One of the true disciples to be sure. But if Mowbray were to be sacked tomorrow, the club in their infinite wisdom, would be right. Frustrating mindset. But takes all sorts. 

Chaddy? 

[matt83]

2 hours ago, Stuart said:

Frustrating isn’t it? I’m here for Blackburn Rovers. Not for any manager or any player.

It looks to me like Mowbray has peaked at midtable - regardless of the players we’ve had available and the ones we’ve bought and sold. Are we the only club that has had injuries?

The question is: is that peak enough for Blackburn Rovers and for how long?

 

Very frustrating. This is unprecedented in that for the likes of me, thee and others we want what’s best for Blackburn Rovers only. However, there seems to be a Scientology-esque cult following for Mowbray. I can’t explain it. 

Perhaps for any rovers fan 20 years old or younger this will provably be the best they can remember. My heart bleeds for them, truly, and I understand why they think this is all somehow acceptable. They’ve seen nothing but shite. But there’s old duffs who buy into this. This is unacceptable. 

We’ve seen Rovers as champions of the country, etc, and my old man saw an era of Clayton and Douglas, but even in the barren years we had a proper football club. We aren’t anymore. Pre Venkys when came across opposition fans from Man U, liverpool who used to say they’re a better club I used to proudly say no you’re not you might have a better team but you 100% are not a better club. That’s gone. What’s left. 

 

[Sparks Rover]

Just been looking back at our goals against under Mowbray.  You need to be letting in between  35-45 across the season according to the previous 5 years.

Our last 2 seasons we have let in 65 and 64 goals, and what's more, 65 is the number we let in when relegated three years ago...Mowbray has always let in 64/65 goals and this can't get us promoted.  Ironically,  the season before the relegation we only let in 46 before TM.....

He's a liability.

You get some promoted teams who score less than teams in mid-table some seasons, but never can you get promoted by letting in more than 45 goals.  Norwich scored 85 goals a few years ago and finished mid table.

It's a fact, Mowbray cannot get us promoted.⚽️

 

Edited December 31, 2020 by Sparks Rover