v Watford (a) - 27/8/23

[AllRoverAsia]

He hit it with his right foot.

It will take me a while to gain full acceptance of that and that it was not just a trick of the light.

Edited August 27, 2023 by AllRoverAsia

[Atko's Engine]

Not read any other post, so here's my independent view.

What a superb performance and win. Gutsy, gritty, the perfect textbook away showing. To a man (perhaps bar Dolan, but even his effort was there) they were excellent, so proud. Despite the stats, we had 3 of the 4 clear chances in the match, but for a little more composure from SS and Moran it could've been more emphatic.

Back 5 (6 inc S Wharton) were immense.

The highlight of course was Hedges' goal. Sensational skill and thunderbolt finish, questionable keeping perhaps but even so.

I'm so pleased for him as he is much maligned by many on here, unfairly in my view overall. Same also for Pears, Travis & (to a lesser extent) Gally. Pears is underrated, and as for Trav he must be a nightmare for opponents, the crowd hated him. He must not be sold, & I'm sure won't be.

Well happy!!!

[NeilInBristol]

15 minutes ago, booth said:

Good to see Tomasson mentioning Steve Waggott in his post match interview. "This season we need to avoid relegation and develop the young players."

Got a link?

[Atko's Engine]

1 hour ago, DeeCee said:

Listened on talksport 2 looking forward to seeing Hedges goal 👍

You'll not be disappointed!!!

[bigbrandjohn]

3 minutes ago, AllRoverAsia said:

I'm going off to watch, hopefully, their further implosion.

That will take me near to BBD v Barca and on to the Oval.

“Lazy Sunday afternoon, got no mind to worry “🎶

[roversfan99]

Really satisfying victory, don't think the performance was particularly good but goals change games, had the result followed their dominance then this thread would be so much different, as it is, it goes down as a great away smash and grab and you need those in a season.

Thought Hyam was man of the match and back to his best, Carter was good too and Wharton did well when he came on. Brittain was hopeless last week but aside from one or two losses of concentration to let them in near the end, was much improved too and Rankin Costello was fine. 

In midfield, Travis again was a leader, dismissing nonsense about Tomasson being not a fan whilst Buckley sat at home. Adam Wharton had a mixed game, classy at times, sloppy at others. Szmodics didn't have the best game either.

In attack, worrying signs. We have been waiting for Dolan to push on for years and he is getting worse, absolutely woeful. Leonard is certainly not ready for Championship football yet either and really struggled. Hedges was good, he is a steady player and his goal was excellent. Sub wise, Gallagher for all of his faults is miles ahead of Leonard as you'd expect, Moran's cameo was mixed, but he has only been here a day, kept things safe and secure in the most part. 

Watford look exactly like a team who post relegation have let key attackers like Sarr and Pedro go. Pears had a couple of decent saves (one he made a meal of) but otherwise was pretty much a bystander as Watford missed the target.

[Mercer]

Fantastic result!

Super, super goal from Hedges.

Pears did what he needed to do, Hyam and Carter rock sold.

Wharton oozes class even though not one of his best games (still catching up on fitness), Travis more like it again though a bit surprised he seemed to be running out of steam mid second half.

Dolan -I'll drive this lad wherever he wants to go, oh so feckin woeful.  Moran, want to see more of, promising and has something.

JDT - Raos, Suhail - just back the feckin man; he's a gem and could get you back a big part of the money you've spunked away through, IMO, your naivete and incompetence.

As for Watford - they'll have a new manager by the time they play again.

[Exiled in Toronto Mk2]

Really enjoyed that. Pretty much flawless defending, some great counter-attacks, and the goal of the season that epitomised Arte et Labore.

Pears - very assured performance, two good saves and a crucial brave header in the first half that dealt with the only ball that undid us.

JRC - had his work cut out against their best player, did fine.

Carter/Hyam - both excellent. 

Brittain - upgrade on Pickering. Needs to be more choiceful on when he tries to beat his man in our half.

Wharton - fabulous vision and touches make up for occasional sloppiness.

Travis - Fabulous for the goal: wins it on our D when we are under the cosh and a few seconds later he’s almost through on goal.

Hedges - his best game for ages: provided a good outlet, involved in most of our good moves and a truly sublime goal having run 70 yards to get there.

Leonard - not yet

Dolan - not ever

Edited August 27, 2023 by Exiled in Toronto Mk2

[Atko's Engine]

1 hour ago, simongarnerisgod said:

looking forwards to jdt`s smug interview,the dingles getting battered and celebrating 3 points,if pickering had`nt been a ****head last week we`de be in the top 6

No need for that. Celebrate the win, it's a team game.

[Atko's Engine]

1 hour ago, rovers11 said:

We were awful but what a fantastic result.

7 points from 4 games and we've not been able to get our best team out yet. Impressive.

We were not awful. Could've been better at times, but we were not awful.

[chaddyrovers]

no ratings on the match centre? 

[Leonard Venkhater]

9 minutes ago, bigbrandjohn said:

“Lazy Sunday afternoon, got no mind to worry “🎶

Got a big, fat Waggott, trying to break me...

Edited August 27, 2023 by Leonard Venkhater

[windymiller7]

Excellent result. Superb goal from Hedges. I'm a happy camper!

Loved the fact JDT used his interview on Sky to repeat what he said the other day. IMO it was him making sure the owners heard it - can imagine his thinking, they might not catch up online with BBC lancs, but there's a bloody good chance they'll be watching Sky! 

He also made me chuckle with his quip about it being nearly bedtime for half of the team! (ie i need some experienced players!) 😅

[JohnD]

15 minutes ago, philipl said:

Not even reading some of the comments on this thread has put a dampener on things.

Still absolutely buzzing after that win.

And Hedges' keepy uppy at full pace before smashing it in... 

Sublime

Right foot too 😱

[booth]

18 minutes ago, NeilInBristol said:

Got a link?

I watched it live, sorry. Someone else has posted a link to a Sky Sports interview on the previous page, don't know if it's the same interview on the pitch.

Edit... It's a clip from it. https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/12948954/jon-dahl-tomasson-blackburn-are-ambitious-but-realistic

Edited August 27, 2023 by booth

[chaddyrovers]

 

 

[Paul Mani]

Gritty performance. We did ok other than the course 20 mins of the second half.

Pears, Brittain, Hyam, Carter Hedges and Trav were excellent. Wharton showed glimpses of his unbelievable talent but was a little sloppy overall. Gally was good when he came on and Moran looks a tidy player too…

JRC, Dolan and Leonard nowhere near the required level.

Any of the media lot asked about Buckley??

Edited August 27, 2023 by Paul Mani

[NeilInBristol]

6 minutes ago, booth said:

I watched it live, sorry. Someone else has posted a link to a Sky Sports interview on the previous page, don't know if it's the same interview on the pitch.

Edit... It's a clip from it. https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/12948954/jon-dahl-tomasson-blackburn-are-ambitious-but-realistic

Cheers. Up the rovers. Great win

[Sweaty Gussets]

14 minutes ago, Leonard Venkhater said:

Got a big, fat Waggott, trying to break me...

wrong song!

[BankEnd Rover]

Just seen this pic on twitter…Speaks volumes of Dolan heading down the tunnel (may need to zoom in) whilst everyone else claps the away fans.

 

[Ricky]

We’re 2 points up on the same fixtures from last season 🙂 

[BankEnd Rover]

Edit - * better quality

[cesus]

Can only echo what I've said all season. I cannot ask anymore of the players or staff. They have an outstanding work ethic that I dare say most other clubs who have basket case owners could wish for. 

A message to the owners would be that JDT is their best hope of cutting ties with us. Some investment now could be the best thing they do to see the back of us.

[JohnD]

Rovers boss Jon Dahl Tomasson told BBC Radio Lancashire:

 

"I am delighted with the result and the performance. We knew coming to Watford with the quality players they have it could be difficult to dominate the game on the ball, as I normally want to do.

 

"We chose for great organisation with high discipline, you saw all my boys working hard. I think we defended really well and when you can keep a clean sheet, and I think Watford had only three shots on target, then the team have done a lot of good things.

 

"I think we could have scored a couple more goals but the resilience and the attitude and the discipline was excellent."

[Sweaty Gussets]

5 minutes ago, BankEnd Rover said:

Edit - * better quality

proves nothing. the lad had a bad game, no need for a witch hunt