v Swansea City (a) - 5/2/22

[Bbrovers2288]

Don’t want to hammer the lad but buckley needs to be better, can be as neat and tidy as you like but if your a midfielder that can’t shoot or score then your not going to the premier league 

[USABlue]

The dream was nice while it lasted but it is looking like normal service is resumed.  If we do not win against those pushing for promotion then we kiss it goodbye.  Some lovely crossing of the ball today delightful.  Wonderful heading practice for the Swans defenders.  Why does Buckley not know how to strike a ball with power.  Sad indication when the olayer that could have had a hat trick was our central defender. 

Not one Rothwell signature run today, looked to be protecting himself today.  He is not going to be good for us from here on out, he is looking out for himself.

Edited February 6, 2022 by USABlue

[Ghost7]

He seems to side foot most shots high and wide no matter the distance. Definitely a part of his game that needs drastic improvement and quickly. If he can figure that out he'll be some player...

[TheRoversReturn]

Feels like we've thrown away a great chance to real put a marker on this promotion challenge, move four points clear of third and force those behind us to get something from their games in hand to stay in touch. Instead, we threw away a glorious chance (with glorious chances) to really put down a marker. Suddenly, 1 win in 4 games means we're under pressure. One point from three away games in Hull, Luton and Swansea...that's not what is needed for a play-off spot, never mind the automatic places!

We're now going to watch Bournemouth and QPR overtake us. WBA have serial championship promotion specialist Steve Bruce who knows how to get out of this division more than any other manger (or at least...equal with Neil Warnock as they hold the record for four promotions from this league). Will we be able to turn this mini-slump around or will it see us instead battling instead for the 6th place...with a resurgent Middlesbrough and Forest??

Suddenly...Wednesday now feels like a must-win game. We need our best players starting again and we need to show that we're not just going to slide down the table while watching the likes of our next opponents overtake us. 

[AllRoverAsia]

Extended lowlights courtesy of Swansea.

That miss by Lenihan was appalling and on a par with Buckleys.

At their age I would have scored both with either foot. At 69 I can still kick a shot harder that Buckley, softie, the only time he tried to kick a hard shot he hurts his foot ......

What was ZeeF up to on their goal and where was the LWB? assuming ZeeF was the LB.

OH and someone get ZeeF to pull up his bloody socks, he looks like a scruff having a kickabout.

 

Edited February 6, 2022 by AllRoverAsia

[darrenrover]

22 hours ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

Let me know if you find it. We were down there on holiday years ago , pre sat nav, and we spent an hour trying to find Symonds Yat with no luck.

Just aside Monmouth Tyrone, split into East and West either side of the river......lovely spot. I'd recommend it.

[darrenrover]

14 hours ago, lraC said:

Pull off and get into a pub to watch it. No consolation, but better than missing it totally.

 

14 hours ago, Spartakfenni said:

You’re wrong M4 runs from east to west in South Wales. M6, M5, M4 is the quickest route from Blackburn except when there’s an accident.

You missed M50, joining M4 at Newport, apart from that you're spot on!.....J*B buy a bloody map book!

Footnote, me missed the first 20 minutes. When we arrived at the ground, 2 well known Rovers away followers were walking in the opposite direction. We asked where they were going?........."The bastards won't let us in because we've no Covid jab records with us"! Thankfully we all had.

Oh for a 'fox in the box' yesterday.......he'd have had a bagful!

[darrenrover]

14 hours ago, bluebruce said:

Sorry to hear it Darren. Are you just due to miss the start or the whole thing?

Missed first 20 minutes.

[Ossydave]

Well that was shite, again. We really haven't played well for a long time now, the Boro win papered over the cracks I'm afraid.

People in the pub cheered their red card, I signed, it was literally the worst thing that could happen. How the hell does a team that prides itself on counter attacks play against a team with no intent to attack? We have no plan B, period.

On a plus note Giles looks fantastic, if only we'd signed someone like Maja who scores on his debut to finish them balls in 😣

Enough doom and gloom though, I actually think we'll do OK against the better teams coming up as they will actually attack.

[Ozz]

We were far from convincing but if Buckley, Lenihan (twice) Wharton take their easy chances we would have been out of sight. The performance level is about what I would expect us us at the start of the season. 

 

[arbitro]

It's games like this we should be winning if we want success and we were dominant in all areas against a predictable Swansea. I was disappointed with the lack of a real press in the first half as we allowed Grimes far too much time on the ball. Second half had a much higher press and a bit more intensity in our play. I was surprised that Mowbray gave two players their debuts given his previous aforesaid quotes bedding players in and getting them used to the way we play. Personally I would have started Brereton and monitored his fatigue levels during the game. Buckley was perhaps the biggest disappointment on the night. I lost count of the number of times he was caught in possession as he wanted too many touches. I also thought the lack of quality in the final ball was poor, particularly the crosses.

Well done to the Rovers fans who made the long trip down particularly those who endured a harrowing journey.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

In the cold light of day it’s becoming obvious that our only way of playing, counter attacking, doesn’t work if your opponents don’t give you the space to counter attack into. We have no plan “ B “. We were sloppy from the off last night in spite of having  an early chance. Our intensity was low and we were back to being second best to nearly every 50/50 ball again. I’m also not impressed with our discipline, or lack of it. Rothwell and Buckley’s bookings were poor as was JRC pushing the goalkeeper at a corner. Just plain stupid. Was I the only one embarrassed by Lenihan going down holding his face when he’d obviously got a boot in the chest ? I know other teams do these things but I don’t like to see Rovers players play acting.

On the subject of the referee, I thought he was overly fussy. Most of the yellow cards were for trivial incidents and first offences at that. Apart from Giles, who looked a good acquisition, the only plus point to emerge from last nights game was that we already have enough points to avoid relegation. I think any thoughts of promotion have taken a hammering over the last month. I’ve seen us play the last four games and I’ve seen us score one goal. That’s relegation form not promotion form.

[martonrover]

1 hour ago, Ozz said:

We were far from convincing but if Buckley, Lenihan (twice) Wharton take their easy chances we would have been out of sight. The performance level is about what I would expect us us at the start of the season. 

 

Unfortunately, it is no surprise they did not take their chances. That’s what happens when you send out a team without a likely / recognised goal scorer.

[BankEnd Rover]

Abit like the hull match…a loss isn’t bothering me like it usually would when we’re scrapping for mid table…it happens, we could & should of scored 2 or 3…I don’t believe in 10 men helps really, if anything if becomes more difficult to break teams down.

Buckley was very poor…Hedges did okay, Giles is a baller, they both need to start the next game IMO…With Diaz fully fit for forest, surely he will get on the end of a cross.

Lets be honest with ourselves, we’re not getting the automatics…I honestly still think it’s going to be very difficult to stay in the top 6…we will drop many more point from now till the end, got to full Ewood and win against the teams around us…remember they will all lose point aswell.

I predict a nervous, difficult remaining games, finishing 5th or 6th by 2 or 3 points.

 

[ben_the_beast]

Even though he often  gets pelters on here I'm certain we'd have had much more threat with Gallagher on the pitch today. Giles was delivering exactly what Gallagher has always needed. Quality delivery. Not always whipping it in but gently floating it into areas that can be attacked. 

I'm still pissed off about Lockyer from Luton. We were always going to be light with Diaz on international duty. And he took out our only other option.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

2 minutes ago, ben_the_beast said:

Even though he often  gets pelters on here I'm certain we'd have had much more threat with Gallagher on the pitch today. Giles was delivering exactly what Gallagher has always needed. Quality delivery. Not always whipping it in but gently floating it into areas that can be attacked. 

I'm still pissed off about Lockyer from Luton. We were always going to be light with Diaz on international duty. And he took out our only other option.

And got away with it.

[G Somerset Rover]

I still cannot believe that we started with a front 3 of Giles-Buckley-Hedges.

Damning indictment of our recruitment, and for a team going for promotion it simply isn’t good enough. We have huge issues putting the ball in the back of the net.

Edited February 6, 2022 by Gavlar Somerset Rover!

[Gav]

30 minutes ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

In the cold light of day it’s becoming obvious that our only way of playing, counter attacking, doesn’t work if your opponents don’t give you the space to counter attack into. We have no plan “ B “. We were sloppy from the off last night in spite of having  an early chance. Our intensity was low and we were back to being second best to nearly every 50/50 ball again. I’m also not impressed with our discipline, or lack of it. Rothwell and Buckley’s bookings were poor as was JRC pushing the goalkeeper at a corner. Just plain stupid. Was I the only one embarrassed by Lenihan going down holding his face when he’d obviously got a boot in the chest ? I know other teams do these things but I don’t like to see Rovers players play acting.

We could have and should have scored 4 yesterday Tyrone, away from home, but in the cold light of day we lost and thats the bottom line. We have a young squad, a threadbare squad, with players clearly suffering from the number of games played and new additions that will need time to settle in.

My hope is that if we are going to lose and draw a few, now is the time to do it, whilst the new additions bed in, whilst players come back from injury and with a bit of luck we'll stay in touch.

Its been a tremendous season so far, way beyond anyone's expectations (Ireland Rover aside) I just hope they can hold it together and reap the rewards Mowbray and this young side deserve. 

Onwards and upwards. 

[tomphil]

Should have got our noses in front early doors no doubt and if so we might have got another or two first half. Sadly getting into good positions doesn't translate into good finishing when you don't have real fire power on there.

He's made some good signings but with more options i do feel the old Mowbray is creeping right back into view with his get everybody on methods. Also his obsession with JRC is almost on a par with his Gallagher one, can't think why and we have too much reliance on Buckley in the dreaded false 9.  The lad is a good player and always involved but in that position he seems to think it's all about trying to make himself look good. Overdoing everything when so many simple passes are available with men forward. Just naivety i suppose but it's the managers job to sort that.

Also surely yesterday against 10 men the logical thing to do was just move Rothwell forwards to have a run at them instead of plonking him basically in defense. 

A bad day at the office but credit Swansea they did a number and got their tactics spot on but this kind of thing will happen more often now. Teams know what to expect from us and it's up to those on the sides to apply a bit more nous they were back to being slumped in the dugout again yesterday with hands on heads. Looks of not knowing what to do other than just chuck people on for the sake of it.

Such a pity Dack isn't fully fit but yesterday as many many more it called for a proper number 9 on there or even Ayala in the box. The could have crossed from both sides all night long but would not have scored.

Wednesday is now even bigger than it already was and the lads need all the backing that can be mustered so get off your arses and get down there.

Edited February 6, 2022 by tomphil

[cesus]

There is a clear blueprint to have success against us and it is to sit deep and give us the ball. Charging deep runs from Rothwell and Khadra become impossible, and getting it out wide whipping balls in is only effective when our centre halves are in the box.

Them going down to 10 yesterday killed us, we just ended up playing from a standing position and everybody getting in each others way. Khadra and Giles being on the same side was absolutely pointless as they were both there to play the final ball. It all just looked so disorganised, highlighted by 4 players trying to take a throw with 10 minutes to go.

As a few others have said playing better teams who will attack may actually be the best thing for us in the upcoming games. 

[Wheelton Blue]

25 minutes ago, tomphil said:

Should have got our noses in front early doors no doubt and if so we might have got another or two first half. Sadly getting into good positions doesn't translate into good finishing when you don't have real fire power on there.

He's made some good signings but with more options i do feel the old Mowbray is creeping right back into view with his get everybody on methods. Also his obsession with JRC is almost on a par with his Gallagher one, can't think why and we have too much reliance on Buckley in the dreaded false 9.  The lad is a good player and always involved but in that position he seems to think it's all about trying to make himself look good. Overdoing everything when so many simple passes are available with men forward. Just naivety i suppose but it's the managers job to sort that.

Also surely yesterday against 10 men the logical thing to do was just move Rothwell forwards to have a run at them instead of plonking him basically in defense. 

A bad day at the office but credit Swansea they did a number and got their tactics spot on but this kind of thing will happen more often now. Teams know what to expect from us and it's up to those on the sides to apply a bit more nous they were back to being slumped in the dugout again yesterday with hands on heads. Looks of not knowing what to do other than just chuck people on for the sake of it.

Such a pity Dack isn't fully fit but yesterday as many many more it called for a proper number 9 on there or even Ayala in the box. The could have crossed from both sides all night long but would not have scored.

Wednesday is now even bigger than it already was and the lads need all the backing that can be mustered so get off your arses and get down there.

Your mention of sticking Ayala up front was the same thought I had. In lieu of other options, we could have stuck him up front for 20 minutes to try and get on the end of one of Giles' crosses - it couldn't have made things any worse and was worth a shot to nick a goal.

On Buckley, he's such a good player to watch at times. The lad can't shoot with any conviction though, what my Dad used to call 'powder puff'. If we ended up in a penalty shoot out and he was up for taking one, I'd have no confidence in him. Someone playing in that 'false 9' role needs to be able to score a few & he just doesn't have that ability.

There's still all to play for though.

Edited February 6, 2022 by Wheelton Blue

[den]

1 hour ago, arbitro said:

It's games like this we should be winning if we want success and we were dominant in all areas against a predictable Swansea. I was disappointed with the lack of a real press in the first half as we allowed Grimes far too much time on the ball. Second half had a much higher press and a bit more intensity in our play. I was surprised that Mowbray gave two players their debuts given his previous aforesaid quotes bedding players in and getting them used to the way we play. Personally I would have started Brereton and monitored his fatigue levels during the game. Buckley was perhaps the biggest disappointment on the night. I lost count of the number of times he was caught in possession as he wanted too many touches. I also thought the lack of quality in the final ball was poor, particularly the crosses.

Well done to the Rovers fans who made the long trip down particularly those who endured a harrowing journey.

Brereton might have won us that game, if he’d started Arbitro. Start of game the Swans we’re all over the place defensively and he could have taken advantage of the room they afforded us. Once they got in front and went down to ten, the game didn’t suit Breo at all.

[cesus]

2 minutes ago, den said:

Brereton might have won us that game, if he’d started Arbitro. Start of game the Swans we’re all over the place defensively and he could have taken advantage of the room they afforded us. Once they got in front and went down to ten, the game didn’t suit Breo at all.

Agree with the point about the Swans defence, it shows a flaw in us not playing an out and out striker when their defence can give the ball away 35 yards from their goal on multiple occasions and they aren't punished.

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

Just got to hope this is not the start of the infamous 'death spiral™'...not wanted in our position.

Sigh

[dallydally]

1 minute ago, SIMON GARNERS 194 said:

Just got to hope this is not the start of the infamous 'death spiral™'...not wanted in our position.

Sigh

I think it probably is! Need to bounce back on Wednesday after 1 point from a possible 6