v Preston North End (h) - 10/11/23

[Gav]

59 minutes ago, Mercer said:

 

Think I'm right in thinking Benson is our set piece coach.  For feck's sake, is it little wonder we show such little imagination and score so few goals from set pieces.  Benson has never played professional football, started off in Carlisle's community program and is now not only our goalkeeping coach but also our set piece 'specialist'.   It simply beggars belief and, IMO, Benson should not be anywhere near such roles in a Championship club and is a man at least 100 fathoms out of his depth.

 

What has Benson, our goalkeeping coach, done to you Mercer? Run over your cat? 

You've been throwing this cr@p out for years now, you even got a few on the hook a while back until Kaminski credited him with pushing his career forward and his impact on Rayas career needs no introduction.

Now you THINK he's our set piece coach 🤣

Give over man, hope you're well by the way 👍

[simongarnerisgod]

1 minute ago, Gav said:

What has Benson, our goalkeeping coach, done to you Mercer? Run over your cat? 

You've been throwing this cr@p out for years now, you even got a few on the hook a while back until Kaminski credited him with pushing his career forward and his impact on Rayas career needs no introduction.

Now you THINK he's our set piece coach 🤣

Give over man, hope you're well by the way 👍

is mr clipboard,our goalkeeper master really the set piece coach🤒

[rigger]

11 minutes ago, Gav said:

What has Benson, our goalkeeping coach, done to you Mercer? Run over your cat? 

You've been throwing this cr@p out for years now, you even got a few on the hook a while back until Kaminski credited him with pushing his career forward and his impact on Rayas career needs no introduction.

Now you THINK he's our set piece coach 🤣

Give over man, hope you're well by the way 👍

Is Benson the set piece coach ? If not who is ?

[Mattyblue]

He was the set piece coach at one point, if they’ve actually recruited someone specifically for it yet I’ve no idea.

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/23545658.blackburn-rovers-searching-vital-backroom-team-appointment/

[roversfan99]

2 hours ago, Blue blood said:

There are two whopping issues with that list. 

Firstly is that they are all missed to some degree. Some more than others.  Hyam and JRC in particular are huge losses. But all would massively add to the squad if not the team. 

The other big issue is that they are all considered big losses and key personnel. Even a year or so ago, much less 2, the majority wouldn't have been missed in the same way. Half would have been squad players, some wouldn't have started that much. That we are in a situation where a poor back up keeper like Pears is missed, where Gally is the main striker, where Hedges 1 in 4 performances is considered a loss and he's likely a starter, where Carter (who I think is a decent player) is an experienced defender, shows a chronic lack of investment. It shows how much the squad is stagnating and regressing as time goes on. We're only heading one way with that trend. 

100%. Rankin Costello and Hyam are understandably big losses. Pickering is a steady player and Carter is a talented young defender too. The other 3 to varying degrees are to us now considered starters which is a sad indictment on the owners.

To have a decent injury list is as much down to having to repeatedly play the same players. It shouldn't be a case where with 7 out, you have a subs bench whereby none of the players on it are considered Championship quality. Most of the bench I suspect would never have come on yesterday in any circumstances. Our squad is far too thin, its not competitive.

The one outlier is obviously Ennis, a really curious situation. He was never a guaranteed success but he apparently did really well at a club who won League 1 with over 100 points. The only question marks seemed to be injury based, yet he has been injury free since before the last international break. He is never even considered for cameo appearances.  I can only assume that his general level of fitness is causing Tomasson to simply not consider him at all, even for 30 minutes, or 20 minutes. I guess he could have seen him and thought he isnt good enough but Leonard is not Championship ready yet he is always the one Tomasson turns to.

[speeeeeeedie]

Rovers have 3 main problems; no decent central striker, a recurring knack of conceding late goals., and little in the way of a strong physical presence 

Szmodics is keeping the team alive with his goals. If he had someone to share the goal load with Rovers would be in a playoff spot.

PNE's winner was the 11th conceded after the 75th minute. 

Unless new signings arrive in January Rovers will yoyo between 8th and 15th until the end of the season.

[chaddyrovers]

Totally gutted to lose this game in the 90 minute like we did. 

My thoughts on the game, I thought we played very well and created a number of good opportunities to score during the game. hit the bar twice in the first half and Szmodics should have scored another in the second half. Thought our attacking play was good and the passing we did was a good watch and we clearly have a style of play and a style that the players clearly understand it and we are seeing that on the pitch. I feel we are going in the right direction under JDT. Don't think we are that far away from a playoff place this season

Tronstad was my player of the match. 

Edited November 11, 2023 by chaddyrovers

[tomphil]

4 hours ago, martonrover said:

That's Mr La Dee Dah Gunner Broughton's job, and I suspect he's just grateful for his cushy job.

Aye and without a budget hes given Jon D the likes of Ennis and Tele who he clearly isn't impressed with but as far as Greg and the owners are concerned GB has ticked the boxes. Hes provided 2 youngish players for the development coach to improve and add value to.

That's the fly in the ointment now.

Edited November 11, 2023 by tomphil

[chaddyrovers]

5 hours ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

If we weren’t prepared to play Ennis last night, even as a sub, when are we going to play him ?

Would Ennis have change the game? JDT didn't want to take Szmodics off to bring him or Telalovic on so how would he come on after Leonard come on? 

4 hours ago, Waggy76 said:

There's every chance he will take us down to League One !

Rubbish. 

2 hours ago, Mercer said:

I have posted consistently in JDT's reign, including last night, that we need at least one, and preferably two, nasty hard bastards in our team.  We are too nice and the opposition know it and bully us.  Potts sent Moran flying into the hoardings early in the game and I'm pretty sure with an Andy Todd in our team he wouldn't have done or at least he wouldn't have gone on to commit other offences in the game and continue to wind Rovers' players and supporters up as he did.  Travis isn't the 'hard man' he likes to think he is and I think a eunuch would show more hardness.

Potts isn't a hard man either. 

2 hours ago, Mercer said:

Think I'm right in thinking Benson is our set piece coach.  For feck's sake, is it little wonder we show such little imagination and score so few goals from set pieces.  Benson has never played professional football, started off in Carlisle's community program and is now not only our goalkeeping coach but also our set piece 'specialist'.   It simply beggars belief and, IMO, Benson should not be anywhere near such roles in a Championship club and is a man at least 100 fathoms out of his depth.

yet again, If Benson was so poor at his job he wouldn't be on JDT's coaching staff. Also I would assume that JDT is happy with our set pieces being short corners. Otherwise it wouldn't happen

[Mattyblue]

1 minute ago, chaddyrovers said:

Also I would assume that JDT is happy with our set pieces being short corners. Otherwise it wouldn't happen

You don’t say!

Though this place is to put across your opinion, not regurgitating the manager’s.

[AllRoverAsia]

"Potts isn't a hard man either"

That may well be true and actually makes us softer.

The club knew we needed a specialist set piece coach over a year ago when they started advertising for one. They must be out of stock.

Edited November 11, 2023 by AllRoverAsia

[roversfan99]

I understand why short corners are our preference to an extent, we have a small team.

But they are pretty much always short, even if its near the end and we are desperate. And they arent well worked. So that is on the manager.

[jim mk2]

Potts is big, strong and fast. I'd like him in the Rovers team. In fact, there's a number of Preston players who would improve ours just for their physicality. It's been said many times before, but we're soft.  

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

3 hours ago, BigBar said:

I'd say Garrett when Wharton was knackered and not having much of an influence to freshen things up.

I suppose another question is how often has the manager made decisive substitution that have swung the game in our favour. It hasn't happen too often if ever that I can recall. It's the same gear and style no matter the opposition, score, game, competition which I think is quite frustrating.

Garrett was the obvious one.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

13 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

Would Ennis have change the game? JDT didn't want to take Szmodics off to bring him or Telalovic on so how would he come on after Leonard come on? 

Rubbish. 

Potts isn't a hard man either. 

yet again, If Benson was so poor at his job he wouldn't be on JDT's coaching staff. Also I would assume that JDT is happy with our set pieces being short corners. Otherwise it wouldn't happen

Why didn’t Ennis come on instead of Leonard ?

[Penwortham Blue]

4 hours ago, simongarnerisgod said:

it`s disapointing at times but id`e rather watch jdt`s rovers than mowbrays,you actually look forward to games now compared to mowbrays tenure

The football is on a different level and I really do think that JDT is a top coach. However, when watching my team, I would always take a horrible win over entertainment.

[chaddyrovers]

9 minutes ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

Why didn’t Ennis come on instead of Leonard ?

cos JDT wanted Leonard movement on instead. Would you have bought Ennis on instead and if so why? 

[Penwortham Blue]

22 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

cos JDT wanted Leonard movement on instead. Would you have bought Ennis on instead and if so why? 

Because we clearly needed some physicality and a plan B.

[Penwortham Blue]

3 hours ago, Mercer said:

:Reading today's posts there are two common concensuses:

• We are too nice
• Our set plays are crap

I have posted consistently in JDT's reign, including last night, that we need at least one, and preferably two, nasty hard bastards in our team.  We are too nice and the opposition know it and bully us.  Potts sent Moran flying into the hoardings early in the game and I'm pretty sure with an Andy Todd in our team he wouldn't have done or at least he wouldn't have gone on to commit other offences in the game and continue to wind Rovers' players and supporters up as he did.  Travis isn't the 'hard man' he likes to think he is and I think a eunuch would show more hardness.

Think I'm right in thinking Benson is our set piece coach.  For feck's sake, is it little wonder we show such little imagination and score so few goals from set pieces.  Benson has never played professional football, started off in Carlisle's community program and is now not only our goalkeeping coach but also our set piece 'specialist'.   It simply beggars belief and, IMO, Benson should not be anywhere near such roles in a Championship club and is a man at least 100 fathoms out of his depth.

 

We have needed a Sam Morsy type for a very long time.

[roversfan99]

28 minutes ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

Why didn’t Ennis come on instead of Leonard ?

And more so. If Ennis is not considered even a potential option off the bench, with our main striker injured and the only 2 viable options in Tomassons mind being a false 9 or a young lad who is not yet Championship ready, then what is the point in him being here? When will he be considered?

He is a 24 year old who impressed for the League 1 Champions, the Telalovic one is more clear cut because hes been playing in such a low standard league, its more obvious why he isnt good enough. Ennis hasnt been injured now for 2 months. The pecking order is clearly Gallagher, false 9, (usually Dolan) Leonard and only then Ennis. He only had a sniff when obviously Gallagher and also Leonard were out and even then, it was brief sub cameos. There has to be something more to the situation. He isnt injured, he wont get match fit ever if he doesnt play at all.

Is it purely that Tomasson thinks he doesnt have the quality? That would be a big call considering the general lack of quality of the other options ahead of him, I dont think for example that Leonard could play a big role in a team that wins League 1 with over 100 points. Or is it more likely something else? Has he (maybe somewhat justifiably having been signed under false pretences) spat his dummy out? Or is it another fitness thing, maybe carrying too much weight? And why arent the local journalists asking about him? So strange.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

29 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

cos JDT wanted Leonard movement on instead. Would you have bought Ennis on instead and if so why? 

To give us a bit of size at both ends of the pitch, plus some hold up play in their half. If he can’t do that why did we sign him ?

[Bbrovers2288]

The top 6 is fast getting away from us, got to admit I’m more looking down at the bottom than top however.

we are 11 points from 3rd bottom at the moment but that can quickly be eaten up.

its not going to be a vintage season anyway

[martonrover]

1 minute ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

To give us a bit of size at both ends of the pitch, plus some hold up play in their half. If he can’t do that why did we sign him ?

Seems that Gregg fancied him but JDT doesn't.

Maybe Ennis will get more of a look in when a plodder / "yes" man takes over as head coach.

[Mercer]

2 hours ago, Gav said:

What has Benson, our goalkeeping coach, done to you Mercer? Run over your cat? 

You've been throwing this cr@p out for years now, you even got a few on the hook a while back until Kaminski credited him with pushing his career forward and his impact on Rayas career needs no introduction.

Now you THINK he's our set piece coach 🤣

Give over man, hope you're well by the way 👍

I just don't rate the guy Gav.  A goalie coach is a really specialised area where I think it's vital to have garnered the know how and experience by having played at a decent level yourself - Benson has never played professional football.  I once spoke with Bobby Mimms at an event about the role of a goalie coach and it was fascinating to hear the level of detail and know how involved.  When Raya was here, it seemed to me there was a lack of respect for Benson in the pre match and half time routines.  Think two big factors in Raya wanting away were the way Mowbray scapegoated him and also his desire to work with a better goalie coach (the Spanish bloke at Brentford was a big draw).  I am really struggling to think of a goalie coach at PL and Championship level who hasn't played the game themselves at a good level?

As for set pieces, see the article in Mattyblue's post - I certainly knew I hadn't dreamt it!

Can't grumble thanks but the body seems to creak and groan a bit more on a regular basis - hope you are well!

 

2 hours ago, Mattyblue said:

He was the set piece coach at one point, if they’ve actually recruited someone specifically for it yet I’ve no idea.

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/23545658.blackburn-rovers-searching-vital-backroom-team-appointment/

 

1 hour ago, chaddyrovers said:

Potts isn't a hard man either. 

yet again, If Benson was so poor at his job he wouldn't be on JDT's coaching staff. Also I would assume that JDT is happy with our set pieces being short corners. Otherwise it wouldn't happen

Potts might not be a hard man, I didn't saw he was.  Whether he's a hard man or not, he certainly bullied us in a way that is unacceptable and worrying.  The likes of Jim Brannigan, Glen Keeley, Gary Flitcroft, Andy Todd etc would have had him in the Riverside in no time.

As for Benson, and Lowe for that matter, to me, it is one of sporting life's great mysteries how these two remain in post at Ewood.  I would suggest it's outside JDT's remit - didn't we 'lose' two potential new managers before JDT was appointed because Waggott / Pasha insisted Benson and Lowe remained in place?  I've heard gossip / rumour about their respective abilities, or otherwise, as coaches and it's not complimentary; whether the gossip / rumour is correct or not, I know what I see with my own eyes and I've seen Lowe in 'action' at Brockhall, Academy matches and with the first team and I think it's fair to say, that IMO, he's one of the least charismatic and dynamic and uninspiring coaches I've come across.  It might be that I have got it all wrong and these two guys are coaching geniuses, somehow, I don't think I'm wrong!

Edited November 11, 2023 by Mercer

[DE.]

Potts was just barging a few people around and putting in some solid tackles, it's not like he was squaring up to players and scything them down. If the referee had booked him early on when he blatantly barged Moran into the advertising boards, as he should have, it would have stopped. The leniency of the ref allowed Preston to bully us as they knew they had plenty of leeway. We obviously need to be able to stand up to that, but the ref played a big part in letting Preston play the way they did last night.