v Reading (h) - 15/3/23, 7:45pm

[chaddyrovers]

39 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Morton did pretty well I thought and his pass was excellent that led to a superb assist from Gallagher and finish from Hedges. Travis continued his good form and the defence aside from the odd bit of sloppiness was fine.

Thought Morton was good tonight

39 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Pears was shaky and perhaps could have got to the goal.

Shaky? Made some good saves tonightl

[garnersfags]

Ok, Morton was 'terrible', so who would you have played instead of him, as I assume you wouldn't select a player who you know is likely to be 'terrible'.

Buckley got the same amount of criticism not long ago, so who would you play instead of Buckley and Morton?

No doubt you will say Wharton, who is a year or 2 behind the other 2, and did not show any more consistency than JB or TM. 

Morton, like it or not, played a big part in what should have been a 4 - 1 victory, just as he did at Leicester. JDT doesn't want him to break forward, or thread every ball between the centre-backs. He does exactly what the manager wants, and he orchestrated, alongside the brilliant Travis, what should have been a comfortable victory. I also didn't feel like he allowed Reading many easy opportunities.

The criticism is not consistent with his performances, I really don't get the agenda against Buckley and Morton. They have guided us brilliantly to a top 6 finish, which would have been top 4 if their mates could finish  their numerous chances.

Many of us can see this, and celebrate it.

Am looking forward to the reasoned responses...

[Miller11]

4 minutes ago, garnersfags said:

Ok, Morton was 'terrible', so who would you have played instead of him, as I assume you wouldn't select a player who you know is likely to be 'terrible'.

Buckley got the same amount of criticism not long ago, so who would you play instead of Buckley and Morton?

No doubt you will say Wharton, who is a year or 2 behind the other 2, and did not show any more consistency than JB or TM. 

Morton, like it or not, played a big part in what should have been a 4 - 1 victory, just as he did at Leicester. JDT doesn't want him to break forward, or thread every ball between the centre-backs. He does exactly what the manager wants, and he orchestrated, alongside the brilliant Travis, what should have been a comfortable victory. I also didn't feel like he allowed Reading many easy opportunities.

The criticism is not consistent with his performances, I really don't get the agenda against Buckley and Morton. They have guided us brilliantly to a top 6 finish, which would have been top 4 if their mates could finish  their numerous chances.

Many of us can see this, and celebrate it.

Am looking forward to the reasoned responses...

I thought tonight was Morton’s best performance in a while. Not every pass came off, as you’d expect, but he was willing to get on the ball and generally used it well. I do have concerns over his willingness to do his bit defensively though.

[bigbrandjohn]

Maybe i am coming to this article late but you can see what he is trying to do. No stupid players. 
 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11865155/Jon-Dahl-Tomasson-tells-like-Blackburn-hunt-promotion-FA-Cup-glory.html

[norwichblue]

13 minutes ago, bigbrandjohn said:

Maybe i am coming to this article late but you can see what he is trying to do. No stupid players. 
 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11865155/Jon-Dahl-Tomasson-tells-like-Blackburn-hunt-promotion-FA-Cup-glory.html

The “Swedish coach” - more quality reporting by the Daily Fail

Edited March 15, 2023 by norwichblue

[Butty]

1 hour ago, Mercer said:

A Pinot Noir is terrific with a lamb curry!  Though started with a Guinness particularly after Captain Guinness romped in at 12/1 at Cheltenham!!

A terrific day, great win at Cheltenham, Rovers' win, bookies caned and super Indian and Pinot Noir. 

A place at 12/1 is hardly breaking the bank Merce but I’m sure you invested all your profit on the Blues tonight. Stick it all back on us to qualify on Sunday, believe 🙌🏻

Edited March 15, 2023 by Butty

[rigger]

My assessment of the game was, we were acceptable up to the Reading box, but inside the penalty area we were poor. A lot of sitters missed. Reading were really shit.

Edited March 15, 2023 by rigger

[bluebruce]

34 minutes ago, garnersfags said:

Buckley got the same amount of criticism not long ago, so who would you play instead of Buckley and Morton?

No doubt you will say Wharton, who is a year or 2 behind the other 2, and did not show any more consistency than JB or TM.

He really isn't. He's a year or two younger than them (well, 5 younger than Buckley and 2 younger than Morton), but I don't see him as behind them at all. If I were to base it purely on appearances for us this season, I'd say he's a year or 2 ahead of them frankly.

And he certainly showed more consistency, at least when I've seen him. Morton has been churning out shit performances for a good chunk of the season. Probably seen one fairly ineffective half from Wharton.

[roversfan99]

47 minutes ago, garnersfags said:

Ok, Morton was 'terrible', so who would you have played instead of him, as I assume you wouldn't select a player who you know is likely to be 'terrible'.

Buckley got the same amount of criticism not long ago, so who would you play instead of Buckley and Morton?

No doubt you will say Wharton, who is a year or 2 behind the other 2, and did not show any more consistency than JB or TM. 

Morton, like it or not, played a big part in what should have been a 4 - 1 victory, just as he did at Leicester. JDT doesn't want him to break forward, or thread every ball between the centre-backs. He does exactly what the manager wants, and he orchestrated, alongside the brilliant Travis, what should have been a comfortable victory. I also didn't feel like he allowed Reading many easy opportunities.

The criticism is not consistent with his performances, I really don't get the agenda against Buckley and Morton. They have guided us brilliantly to a top 6 finish, which would have been top 4 if their mates could finish  their numerous chances.

Many of us can see this, and celebrate it.

Am looking forward to the reasoned responses...

Wharton was good in basically every game he played in the league but Morton played well tonight. Great pass for the goal that maybe was overshadow by Gallagher's backheel.

Buckley and Morton have been poor more often than good this season and midfield has been our weakest area, but Buckley had picked up prior to injury. Maybe a mixture of the side in general starting to adapt to the way of playing and also the form of Travis.

50 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

Thought Morton was good tonight

Shaky? Made some good saves tonightl

Yeah I thought he shouldn't have been beaten for the goal, nearly was caught out in the first half with a shot down his throat and a couple of dodgy kicks and looked a bit nervy at 1-1. Nothing major and I didn't expect him to be generally so reliable (aided by some great defensive performances) in Kaminski's absence but we will be stronger when he returns.

Edited March 16, 2023 by roversfan99

[Guest]

Morton played well for me. He's the player who's asked to be brave and make something happen. He takes on that responsibility, that burden. The times it comes off, he doesn't get the praise. When it doesn't come off he gets a lot of stick. Toughest job in our team that role. Same happens to Buckley when he goes in. Adam Wharton still somewhat protected by his age and inexperience. I think Morton showcases a serious mental stability to handle the outside noise. He's not perfect but he's done okay tonight I think.

[47er]

19 minutes ago, rigger said:

My assessment of the game was, we were acceptable up to the Reading box, but inside the penalty area we were poor. A lot of sitters missed. Reading were really shit.

Been the story all season. Failure to get a striker in in 2 windows---unforgivable and cloud yet prove critical.

[roversfan99]

3 minutes ago, JoeH said:

Morton played well for me. He's the player who's asked to be brave and make something happen. He takes on that responsibility, that burden. The times it comes off, he doesn't get the praise. When it doesn't come off he gets a lot of stick. Toughest job in our team that role. Same happens to Buckley when he goes in. Adam Wharton still somewhat protected by his age and inexperience. I think Morton showcases a serious mental stability to handle the outside noise. He's not perfect but he's done okay tonight I think.

Wharton in his rare league starts really showed bravery and competence in that role too.

Is there much outside noise? I doubt he reads on here.

It is a difficult role, Buckley has often struggled with taking the ball on the half turn under pressure, same with Morton. The former improved greatly in the last month and Morton was good today so maybe they are getting used to it.

[Guest]

10 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Is there much outside noise?

You'd be surprised how much players look at social media and forums. Even just the general feeling in the ground and the anticipation when he picks up the ball. It's his role to be the one who picks it up off the back four and make something happen.

[Silas]

19 minutes ago, JoeH said:

Morton played well for me. He's the player who's asked to be brave and make something happen. 

Tbf I had a bit of a moment tonight.

When he chipped that awful ball into the keeper's hands. 

Just looked a mile off. But then I'm thinking 25% off that pass and it could be a pearler.🤔

And I moan about the constant sideways and backwards cycle- "Just give it crack going forwards, even if only 50% come off, it's better than this crap!"

So I can see what you're saying.

Just frustrating as fans watching him go through the process in such an important season. Through the development he's making the mistakes with us. And we're all tense as hell! 

[Wing Wizard Windy Miller]

21 minutes ago, JoeH said:

Morton played well for me. He's the player who's asked to be brave and make something happen. He takes on that responsibility, that burden. The times it comes off, he doesn't get the praise. When it doesn't come off he gets a lot of stick. Toughest job in our team that role. Same happens to Buckley when he goes in. Adam Wharton still somewhat protected by his age and inexperience. I think Morton showcases a serious mental stability to handle the outside noise. He's not perfect but he's done okay tonight I think.

The problem wth Morton is he doesn't influence the game enough.  He has 2 assists  and no goals in 30 odd appearances.  That's pretty poor for a creative midfielder.  His tackling is weak and he's also cost us 2/3 goals with stray passes/dallying on the ball. 

 

Not sure how accurate the data is but Adam Wharton has 1 goal and 2 assists in 14 appearaces.  Also struggled with the physical  side at times though.  

For me, especially as he is our player, Morton doesn't deserve to be ahead of Wharton.  

 

Such a shame we fecked up the Obrien signing...

[roversfan99]

49 minutes ago, JoeH said:

You'd be surprised how much players look at social media and forums. Even just the general feeling in the ground and the anticipation when he picks up the ball. It's his role to be the one who picks it up off the back four and make something happen.

We don't know how much they do and especially how much if at all Morton does but if they do, its counterproductive for them to be doing so. In the ground, there may be a bit of anxiety in general when we pass it in defensive areas but if he sees that as a burden at a half full Ewood then he will struggle going forward to do it at the top level.

It is his role but it is a specialist role and one that he has not had an entirely successful season doing, he like Buckley (for Morton, his first proper season and for Buckley the first in that role) has often struggled picking the ball up in dangerous areas. It takes spacial awareness, knowing who is around you, taking the ball in tight areas on the turn and moving it as quick as possible.

[roversfan99]

42 minutes ago, Wing Wizard Windy Miller said:

The problem wth Morton is he doesn't influence the game enough.  He has 2 assists  and no goals in 30 odd appearances.  That's pretty poor for a creative midfielder.  His tackling is weak and he's also cost us 2/3 goals with stray passes/dallying on the ball. 

 

Not sure how accurate the data is but Adam Wharton has 1 goal and 2 assists in 14 appearaces.  Also struggled with the physical  side at times though.  

For me, especially as he is our player, Morton doesn't deserve to be ahead of Wharton.  

 

Such a shame we fecked up the Obrien signing...

I would agree in rating Wharton higher but that role isn't one where goals and assists should be used to judge. Wharton did also score his goal playing in a free role off 2 strikers against Birmingham and played the same role against Boro away so that skews that comparison.

Agreed on the O'Brien comment and with such an inexperienced set of midfielders it could cost us.

Him being on loan is irrelevant at this stage, the focus is on this season and it does perhaps at times exaggerate the criticism he gets unfairly.

He has cost us (notably Wigan away) dallying in front of the back 4 and Buckley has also cost us in similar situations, it is a risky way of playing although tactically we seem less at risk in that area as we have developed.

[lraC]

3 hours ago, Miller11 said:

I thought tonight was Morton’s best performance in a while. Not every pass came off, as you’d expect, but he was willing to get on the ball and generally used it well. I do have concerns over his willingness to do his bit defensively though.

Absolutely. He has been frustrating at times, but his performance last night was at least 7/10. Happy to see him starting again and like other players, dropping him, might have given him time to reflect and get his act together. 

[chaddyrovers]

42 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Yeah I thought he shouldn't have been beaten for the goal, nearly was caught out in the first half with a shot down his throat and a couple of dodgy kicks and looked a bit nervy at 1-1. Nothing major and I didn't expect him to be generally so reliable (aided by some great defensive performances) in Kaminski's absence but we will be stronger when he returns.

I thought the first half shot moved in the air and on their goal I would like to see back to see what Pears's view was. He made a really good save in the second half. 

I would stick with Pears to be honest with Kaminski is fit. His shirt to lose now

[oozy]

6 hours ago, superniko said:

That 5 point gap to Norwich feels even better knowing their next 3 are Stoke (A), Sheff Utd (H) then Rovers (A). 
No gimmes in there and they go to Boro away at Easter too 

Was looking at their fixture lists, and both Norwich and WBA have really difficult run-ins.

Edited March 16, 2023 by oozy

[Ossydave]

6 hours ago, Miller11 said:

I thought tonight was Morton’s best performance in a while. Not every pass came off, as you’d expect, but he was willing to get on the ball and generally used it well. I do have concerns over his willingness to do his bit defensively though.

Exactly this. 

A midfielder should never be backing out of challenges and I'm afraid he does. He's also guilty of losing the ball and not busting a gut to win it back which really annoys me, other players within the team do! Follow their lead.

He still deserves credit for last night though, albeit against a very weak opposition.

[Ossydave]

On Adam Wharton, he clearly had a disagreement with JDT a while back. I'm getting the impression he's had his bollocking and is being eased back into the fold now though. Still can't get my head round him going to watch City when we were playing but no point dwelling on it, he's a young lad who will do stupid shit and learn life lessons.

He looked much happier last night and the lads went straight to him to celebrate the 2nd goal which was good to see, he looked buzzing like all other Rovers fans.

JDT is no soft touch, that side of him is clear. Cheeky chappy and smiles on camera, ruthless behind the scenes, whilst still being well liked (I think?) amongst the players. I don't like keep referring back to our previous manager but he clearly had favourites, certain players were going on that team sheet even if they'd dropped multiple howlers the previous game. Is that beneficial particularly in a play off push? Or is it better to keep players on their toes, which seems to be the JDT approach. I bet Dolan, after dropping to the bench last night, will work his bollocks off that bit extra in training now leading up to the next game. It's a great approach to management and again something I will give JDT huge credit for. A different (better) mindset in this squad now this season, sulking will not be tolerated.

[philipl]

Watch the replay of that first half shot- there was late bend and dip which needed great reactions and iron muscles to keep it out. Obviously Pears didn't get as fortunate with the goal and shouldn't have been beaten where he was diving from but again look where it bounced and how hard it was struck. The Italian kid is a loanee from Chelsea.

Adam Wharton had been found out to an extent after that explosive start and hopefully is doing great work with the physio and video analysis. He will be a fabulous player.

As will Tyler Morton whom we forget is physically very slight yet is mostly holding his own in the bear pit that is the Championship midfield. You don't get a 5 year contract from Klop if you are not a bit special and in his quiet way he is showing he is if you care to look.

 

[Roverthechimp]

Zinedine Gallagher (zz Sam? 🤣) - sublime backheel 

[SamTheShrew]

6 hours ago, bigbrandjohn said:

Maybe i am coming to this article late but you can see what he is trying to do. No stupid players. 
 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11865155/Jon-Dahl-Tomasson-tells-like-Blackburn-hunt-promotion-FA-Cup-glory.html

As much as I shudder reading a Mail article, and whip myself afterwards for my sins, that’s a good read.

compare the approach about the SAS and Dalglish to what Mowbray said about them ‘not being here anymore’. Amazing how the same point can be relayed positively into get the fans dreaming again.

We must get to Wembley this year. I must get to Wembley this year.

all hail JDT.