v West Bromwich Albion (H) - 05/08/2023

[cesus]

I work shifts and miss a number of games so I try to follow somebody summarising the action on twitter for those games. I actually have always rated Rich Sharpes summarising as he is far more honest than the official Rovers output. Now he has left the LT does anybody know who to follow for live updates of the match action?

[Neal]

Would be feeling more confident about this if he could find a way to get Britain and JRC playing at the same time. Also a way for Bucky and Wharton to play in midfield. Be very interesting to see if our captain is missing 👀

[Ossydave]

Seems like I'm in a minority, but can't wait to get going now.

Circumstances are far from ideal but I'll always get that first game buzz regardless.

The first few games are always a bit all over the show in terms of results and after 5 games there's usually an obscure team top of the league that have no chance of winning it. I'm going for Birmingham this season.

I know ticketing is a bit different these days with print at home etc but I was in the club shop yesterday lunchtime and there wasn't a single person there buying tickets so not expecting a big opening day crowd 🙁 anyone know how many the baggies have sold?

[Mattyblue]

Not sure what they’ve sold, you’d think c2k?

Ground looks ok on the planner, BEnd lower will be pretty much full by KO, JW looks fairly well populated.

We had around 13k home fans on for the first game last season, so considering we’ve sold similar STs this time, I imagine we’ll see something similar (though there was a bit of a buzz in the run up last summer, that seemed to dissipate this summer around a month ago for some reason).

Though it’s the usual story, it’s hard to get ‘big crowds’ with only 8.5/9k ST holders as your base to work from.

Edited August 4, 2023 by Mattyblue

[alexanders]

I am so raring to go! Really looking forward to tomorrow! 
I actually think our squad looks very good. Versatile, hungry and local lads 🥰

 

up the Rovers! 

[Lancaster Rover]

6 hours ago, Neal said:

Would be feeling more confident about this if he could find a way to get Britain and JRC playing at the same time. Also a way for Bucky and Wharton to play in midfield. Be very interesting to see if our captain is missing 👀

I totally agree with this, Brittain is one of the best ‘proper’ RB’s in the league. He was massively hampered by injury last year so I don’t think we got to see him at full tilt. The game early on against WBA when it was about 36 degrees he was incredible. 
 

I’d like to see JRC pushed into that Hesges role, would provide defensive strength higher up on the right and give him license to roam. That extra defensive cover might also allow Buckley and Wharton to play in the same team. Buckley and Tronstad at the base of 5 man midfield. 

[Dan]

11 minutes ago, Lancaster Rover said:

I totally agree with this, Brittain is one of the best ‘proper’ RB’s in the league. He was massively hampered by injury last year so I don’t think we got to see him at full tilt. The game early on against WBA when it was about 36 degrees he was incredible. 
 

I’d like to see JRC pushed into that Hesges role, would provide defensive strength higher up on the right and give him license to roam. That extra defensive cover might also allow Buckley and Wharton to play in the same team. Buckley and Tronstad at the base of 5 man midfield. 

I’m unsure about JRC in midfield; I think he’s having a lot of success because of his hybrid role. When we attack he’s like an extra man popping up everywhere. It must be difficult to play against. 
 

Amazing to think he’s one of the first on the team sheet now. It’s almost as big a turnaround as BB to BBD was! 

[Lancaster Rover]

I agree there are definite question marks over him playing higher up, my worry is that he can only get away with the hybrid role so long before teams work it out. If they leave a man high and wide at all times it could easily totally remove JRC’s ability to roam. 

[Colt Seavers]

I've watched JRC  for years. He was never played defensively, and defending was never really part of his game. He would be best deployed, in my opinion, in a roving forward role. He is best ghosting around and arriving late. Always reminds me of David Platt. 

Him and Brittain on the right would be really interesting to see.

Edited August 4, 2023 by Colt Seavers

[OsloRover]

Given our lack of attacking options I would also look to play JRC further up the field. Scott is fit isn't he?
The Phillips transfer is a blow, I was counting on him to step up and replace Ayala. Not sure what backup we have at centre back now, not much probably.

                        Pears

Carter - Hyam - Wharton S - Pickering

      Travis - Tronstad - Szmodics

JRC                                         Dolan

                  Leonard

 

Rovers to win 2-0 against a toothless WBA. JRC brace. 
Me to scramble for a stream given my rovers video pass will no doubt be worthless this season again.

[Lancaster Rover]

15 minutes ago, Colt Seavers said:

I've watched JRC  for years. He was never played defensively, and defending was never really part of his game. He would be best deployed, in my opinion, in a roving forward role. He is best ghosting around and arriving late. Always reminds me of David Platt. 

Him and Brittain on the right would be really interesting to see.

That’s the way I see, I think JRC has done reasonably well defensively, but he’s clearly not a natural defender and unless we/he are committed to him becoming a defender I think over time teams will look to target his (relative) weaknesses.

midfield has to be the long term answer for me. Wharton, Buckley and JRC in midfield protected by Tronstad would be an excellent prospect, no lack of creativity there. 

I’m looking forward to Buckley getting an injury/suspension free season under JDT, he clearly didn’t understand what was required at the start of last season but seemed to be coming into until his suspension and then injury. He could be a huge asset for us if used wisely alongside a defensive foil. 

[JBiz]

First time this morning, actually excited about a couple of beers in the EWMC and a match!

I predict it will take approximately 10 minutes of self defeating keep ball around our own box before I go back to hating every other second at Ewood!

[Colt Seavers]

Quote from the Daily Mail this morning:

"All eyes are on Blackburn amid fears of a looming crisis at Ewood Park forcing them to sell players and casting doubt on the future of manager Jon Dahl Tomasson.

They are not alone. West Bromwich, who travel to Blackburn for their opener, is a club with fans locked in dispute with absentee owners".

 

0-0 it is then...

Edited August 4, 2023 by Colt Seavers

[chaddyrovers]

looking forward to the game and can't wait for the season to start

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

Strange feeling this..not much anticipation really,very subdued and apathetic feeling surrounding the Club atm.

That will reflect in the atmosphere come kick off.

[Mattyblue]

Yep, there was a real buzz this time last year. 

Though it’s a results business, get a win and all is right with the world… but of course the opposite is also true!
 

[MarkBRFC]

Something fairly small but have the squad numbers for this season been published yet?

[OsloRover]

Lot of media pundits predicting a draw. Sky sports being who they are prediction 1-2.

Edited August 4, 2023 by OsloRover
sp

[Polky]

[Lancaster Rover]

53 minutes ago, MarkBRFC said:

Something fairly small but have the squad numbers for this season been published yet?

Seem to have but Siggy, Ennis and Tronstad without numbers. Looking at which numbers remain I think Tronstad will be 6 and Siggy 11. Anyones guess for Ennis

[Wheelton Blue]

From what I've seen pre-season, our inability to score goals has obviously only worsened.

I'm going 1-2 for this game, putting all the more pressure on Broughton to get a striker or two through the door pronto.

[chaddyrovers]

West Brom are without Maja, Dike and Diangana are unavailable but Sarmiento will travel. 

1 hour ago, MarkBRFC said:

Something fairly small but have the squad numbers for this season been published yet?

Have been announced 

 

Pears 1, Tronstad 6, Sigurdsson 7, Ennis 14. 

Edited August 4, 2023 by chaddyrovers

[booth]

18 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

West Brom are without Maja, Dike and Diangana are unavailable but Sarmiento will travel. 

will be announce today 

https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2023/august/04/the-numbers-game-/

Edited August 4, 2023 by booth

[Mattyblue]

1 Aynsley Pears

😩

[booth]

2 minutes ago, Mattyblue said:

1 Aynsley Pears

😩

13 Wahlstedt