v QPR (h) - 28/09/24

[M_B]

2 hours ago, roversfan99 said:

Really satisfying to win all 4 home games off the back of some valid question marks over Eustace who was unable to win a single home game last year. A very impressive start.

Thought it was a game of 2 halves today. First half we were poor, I was underwhelmed with the first 11 and we (not unexpectedly) were flat in attack. Hedges was really poor, Weimann struggled to get involved and Ohashi was again invisible, Dolan was the one bright spark but we didnt really create anything of note.

After the game changing red card, we did everything this week that we should have last week to capitalise on the man advantage. We from the start came out aggressively on the front foot, moved them around and created chances. Cantwell was a catalyst and looked much fitter with his class a level above anyone else. We got fortunate with their disallowed goal as it wasnt a foul on Batth but we deserved the win.

Travis again was good albeit getting needlessly involved in his usual antics, Tronstad was solid beside him and the defence (beside Batth's big and thankfully not costly mistake) gave Pears an easy day. 

I have felt this season that we have struggled with the balance of the 3 behind the striker which I put partly down to the lack of fitness of signings made especially towards the end of the window. Hopefully with fitness building, Hedges can be removed from the team as he isnt good enough. Cantwell has to be built around, and I also thought that Cozier Duberry showed flashes in his cameo of what he can give us that no one else in the squad can.

The striking position is a bit of a conundrum. After the initial excitement over a pair of unknown foreign signings, the jury is out as to which is better. Ohashi struggled again and was totally anonymous, lacking any physicality but we know that he can finish. Gueye was no better and needs to get off the mark.

We'll be arguing over the Stoke win again at this rate. 

[M_B]

Whoever does the music, you've got to play CCR pre game every home match now,it's the law😁

[Cherry Blue]

Cantwell was excellent. Could have scored, had assist in Baath goal, and his on-field conversation along with his enthusiasm gels both team and crowd. 

[BankEnd Rover]

Couldn’t make today, how did Duberry play? 

[RoverTheWorst]

10 minutes ago, BankEnd Rover said:

Couldn’t make today, how did Duberry play? 

Hi Ama Cozier, you played well 

[martonrover]

1 hour ago, aletheia said:

Good win and agree with all the comments on the positives on the field and off (imaginative recruitment on the usual peanuts). Mood is good all round.

So at the risk of being churlish/contradictory:-

Don’t buy this ‘we were rock solid at the back.’ They didn’t offer much. They could have scored very early on as Tyrone pointed out. Baath (or Hyam?) weak minded and dallying on the ball and should have been 2-1 which could well have made it a little more interesting. Why on earth they didn’t go long quickly when they got the turn-over is beyond me –they went nowhere trying to play out with only 10 men.

Trav was very good but so easily narked. Such a petulant foul for his booking because he had got a nudge off the ball a few seconds before. If I were playing him my players would be using the dark arts to get under his skin.

Ohashi was better than people are saying imo. One moment of pure class showed his ability/brain. He didn’t look interested near the byeline when chasing a ball then suddenly accelerated, cleverly knicking the ball off the defender and drawing the foul and yellow card. Can’t resist a player who bows to the pitch when he goes off.

I thought Gueye was a good Gally replacement in first few games. Not so sure now. Early days though and love his attitude.

We were pedestrian with that initial team (so were they) and it looked like it could be a 0-0. Would have been nice for Yuki to get that goal after a sublime through ball from Dolan. Trying to get it on his right foot and defender did well. JE seems to like that –solid, maybe somewhat dour early on (hence Hedges).  Works great if you then get a goal on the break. Tronstat and Trav give obvious solidity but neither score enough (yes I know today) and are no Cantwell/Wharton for creativity. Though Weimenn was a little disappointing today.

The sending off effectively ended their ambition and we had the freedom to stroke it around at will. We did it much better than against PNE who certainly offered a lot more with 10 than QPR did today.

Cantwell is a breath of fresh air for us but he did come on against 10 men and had the freedom and time to do his (creative) stuff at will. Let’s see against 11 in tighter situations.

Did I say a great win and well done lads? 😁

 

A good “devil’s advocate “ post.

Here’s how I see it.

What we are witnessing is the exact opposite of the type of fortune when a club is struggling at the wrong end of the table, (eg the sending off today).

There are, however, common denominators.

1/ You make your own luck.

2/ It’s a result and a table on a piece of paper (or I guess in a database these days). 
All the rest is immaterial.

3/ The better managers / head coaches get that extra few % out of players, and vice versa. 
 

I still think we will fall back a little, but this is a start we can only have dreamed of.

 

[Doogs]

Really enjoying going Rovers this season. Dare I say...We look a decent side..

[norwichblue]

5 minutes ago, Doogs said:

Really enjoying going Rovers this season. Dare I say...We look a decent side..

You’ve said it now. Relegation confirmed.

Love it when we win. What a start to the season.

3 points for us, dingles drop points, and nob end lose, a good Saturday.

Edited September 28 by norwichblue

[Herbie6590]

Don’t forget to vote for your BRFCS POTM supported by @RoversTrust

https://www.brfcs.com/magazine/football/match/1215915/blackburn-qpr?tab=voting

[arbitro]

I think Travis has probably been one of our best players so far but today was his fourth booking. He was clearly being targeted by several QPR players and eventually snapped for what I thought was a silly booking. 

[Bronzed A Donis]

A good win again. Very pleased to see Eustace learnt quickly from last week and we came out with purpose. 

We don't seem to get bullied anymore and team spirit seems really good. We're solid, but not spectacular which bodes well over 46 games, I don't get the feeling we'll have wild swings of form this season like previous years.

We're clearly in need of Cantwell getting match fit as we've now looked very laboured in attack for the last game and a half. Very pleased we have a lot of the Labore, a bit more Arte from somewhere and we won't be going away.

Lots of credit to Eustace, he's had a good summer and the feel good factor is back, time for some cheap ticket deals while the going is good.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

37 minutes ago, Doogs said:

Really enjoying going Rovers this season. Dare I say...We look a decent side..

We’ve got the beginnings of a real team not a collection of players.

[joey_big_nose]

48 minutes ago, arbitro said:

I think Travis has probably been one of our best players so far but today was his fourth booking. He was clearly being targeted by several QPR players and eventually snapped for what I thought was a silly booking. 

Thought it was interesting that Buckley got the captaincy when he came on. Seems like a big vote of confidence to me.

I wonder if Eustace's view is we'll be aggressive, take the bookings and rotate the squad when suspensions come in. To be honest the schedule is so ludicrous across the next few months players need to be rested anyway suspension or not.

[arbitro]

22 minutes ago, joey_big_nose said:

Thought it was interesting that Buckley got the captaincy when he came on. Seems like a big vote of confidence to me.

I wonder if Eustace's view is we'll be aggressive, take the bookings and rotate the squad when suspensions come in. To be honest the schedule is so ludicrous across the next few months players need to be rested anyway suspension or not.

We have eleven games in October and November which includes two international breaks. You make a good point about the possible forward thinking. We were talking today and didn't think we are picking up too many injuries this season. I do wonder if the lighter work load in training and the time off that Eustace gives them is a big factor here.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

39 minutes ago, joey_big_nose said:

Thought it was interesting that Buckley got the captaincy when he came on. Seems like a big vote of confidence to me.

I wonder if Eustace's view is we'll be aggressive, take the bookings and rotate the squad when suspensions come in. To be honest the schedule is so ludicrous across the next few months players need to be rested anyway suspension or not.

Maybe he’s trying to boost the lads confidence. Some of us know there’s a player, he just needs to show it when he gets the chance. Trav will be missing before too long, who’ll play there then Baker ? Or Buckley

[ElTwis]

First live game for us this season and we walked away happy with the performance but not getting carried away yet!

Dylan gives it his all but as ever his end product just isn't quite there, I can see why he keeps getting a start but also why we clearly aren't willing to pay him as much as he wants.

 

Cantwell is another level, he repeatedly was either playing passes or making moves that rhe rest of the team just didn't see. I had to educate my 9yo about a certain David Bentley on our way back to the car.

 

I thought Carter stepping into midfield in possession didn't quite work but with Baath and Hyam looking so good I'm not sure how we solve this. 

 

Gueye clearly loves playing football and is absolutely delighted to be a part of the team but we seemed to play to feet when he came on having played to head when Ohashi led the line. I'm sure there's a plan with that but this layman couldn't see it.

 

Overall, a better start than I dared hope for and who knows what the season holds 

[Neal]

Class today. I was speaking to some mates who thought we were poor in the first half but I think we all need to get used to how Eustace approaches games. He doesn't have us flying out of the traps, unorganised and leaving spaces to get hurt. Seemingly he wants us to set up, have structure, see where the weaknesses are and grow into games, unlike the mess he took over last season, I think a few of us need to remember that and not get too carried away. I personally thought we looked fine in the first half, structured, disciplined and organised, just the same as we did against Bristol and walked away with the same score line and another clean sheet.

 

I know after the Preston game we were all concerned about the lack of chances created but I think we all need to chill out a bit and trust in Eustace. The depth and creativity we have is so much better this season rather than simply trying to find Szmodics all the time, we have a lot more players with different ideas. To add to that we have a lot more graft off the ball aswell. Last season when we lost the ball it was pure panic stations but now we look calm, well drilled and get bodies behind the ball. Travis and Sonny cover really well in there and give us that added protection and it's really starting to show. I felt relaxed at half time that somehow from somewhere we would find the net. 

 

Seen a few comments talking about the forwards being poor. Both combined cost less than Gallagher and both individually already have done more than he did all last season. So many seasons we've had a main goal scorer and where has it gotten us? The teams that compete at this level have everyone pulling their weight and this season looks a lot more like that. That said, I think both Gueye and Ohashi will finish the season with a decent amount more goals than Gallagher. 

 

Danny Batth has really impressed me so far and I'm not just saying that because of the goal. He seems to have given us that much needed experience and calmness that we've been lacking. 

 

Special mention to Dolan, who after a poor display at Preston worked his feckin balls off like he always does and put in another good performance. Some of the comments about him on X are extremely harsh, embarrassing and brainless at times to be honest. He deserves his place in the team and we would miss him if he wasn't available. 

 

The subs looked great and we all got a sniff of how good Cantwell could be for us, that's really exciting. I also think that ACD will turn out to be a real live wire for us once he settles in and gets his chance. 

 

Another solid 7.5/10 performance. 

 

So many positives. Still unbeaten and another clean sheet. Big John Eustace is a proper manager folks, we should all think ourselves lucky this man is at the wheel. 

 

RTID!

Edited September 28 by Neal

[doctorryan]

5 hours ago, CambridgeRover said:

On our bench at this point last season we had Wahldest, Markanday, Garrett, Telalović, Edmonson, James Hill, Dolan and Rankin Costello 

This game we had. McFadzean, Cantwell, Gueye, Rankin-Costello, Balázs Tóth, Buckley, Cozier-Duberry, Duru, Baker 

Night and day 

Yeah, I think the only non-repeat player on the first list worthy of the second is Hill.

4 hours ago, Tom said:

Lovely results around us today and we stay in 3rd, Sunderland and West Brom lost and Burnley only drew 

 

4 hours ago, waynerovers said:

Great afternoon for us, everyone around us except Leeds dropping points. Who had us joint second after 7 games?

Wayne is right Tom; we're level with Sunderland on points, GD & goals scored.  If the season ended today we'd be in a pre-playoffs, neutral site, automatic promotion one-off gang.  Just 39 matches to go.........

Now let's get a road win & start October on top! 

[47er]

5 hours ago, M_B said:

It is incredible, we lost Szmodics and to a lesser extent Gallagher, spent next to nowt yet end up virtually a full bench stronger. 

 

Its a Venkys dream!

We'll never get any money out of them now!

[wilsdenrover]

33 minutes ago, doctorryan said:

Yeah, I think the only non-repeat player on the first list worthy of the second is Hill.

 

Wayne is right Tom; we're level with Sunderland on points, GD & goals scored.  If the season ended today we'd be in a pre-playoffs, neutral site, automatic promotion one-off gang.  Just 39 matches to go.........

Now let's get a road win & start October on top! 

Sunderland would finish above us on games won.

There are numerous other ‘tie breakers’ before an additional game would be needed.

[neophox]

Great win and long may it continue. Think we will grow in every game.

[SpaceBarSlam]

2 hours ago, joey_big_nose said:

Thought it was interesting that Buckley got the captaincy when he came on. Seems like a big vote of confidence to me.

I wonder if Eustace's view is we'll be aggressive, take the bookings and rotate the squad when suspensions come in. To be honest the schedule is so ludicrous across the next few months players need to be rested anyway suspension or not.

Bit of a kick in the teeth for Hyam, mind! Gone from being captain under JDT and then Eustace to behind Buckley (who can't even get a start) in the captaincy pecking order. 

For what it's worth, I think Hyam has had a decent start to the season and their #12 was in his pocket today, but he doesn't quite have the edge of a captain. 

[roversfan99]

1 hour ago, Neal said:

Class today. I was speaking to some mates who thought we were poor in the first half but I think we all need to get used to how Eustace approaches games. He doesn't have us flying out of the traps, unorganised and leaving spaces to get hurt. Seemingly he wants us to set up, have structure, see where the weaknesses are and grow into games, unlike the mess he took over last season, I think a few of us need to remember that and not get too carried away. I personally thought we looked fine in the first half, structured, disciplined and organised, just the same as we did against Bristol and walked away with the same score line and another clean sheet.

 

I know after the Preston game we were all concerned about the lack of chances created but I think we all need to chill out a bit and trust in Eustace. The depth and creativity we have is so much better this season rather than simply trying to find Szmodics all the time, we have a lot more players with different ideas. To add to that we have a lot more graft off the ball aswell. Last season when we lost the ball it was pure panic stations but now we look calm, well drilled and get bodies behind the ball. Travis and Sonny cover really well in there and give us that added protection and it's really starting to show. I felt relaxed at half time that somehow from somewhere we would find the net. 

 

Seen a few comments talking about the forwards being poor. Both combined cost less than Gallagher and both individually already have done more than he did all last season. So many seasons we've had a main goal scorer and where has it gotten us? The teams that compete at this level have everyone pulling their weight and this season looks a lot more like that. That said, I think both Gueye and Ohashi will finish the season with a decent amount more goals than Gallagher. 

 

Danny Batth has really impressed me so far and I'm not just saying that because of the goal. He seems to have given us that much needed experience and calmness that we've been lacking. 

 

Special mention to Dolan, who after a poor display at Preston worked his feckin balls off like he always does and put in another good performance. Some of the comments about him on X are extremely harsh, embarrassing and brainless at times to be honest. He deserves his place in the team and we would miss him if he wasn't available. 

 

The subs looked great and we all got a sniff of how good Cantwell could be for us, that's really exciting. I also think that ACD will turn out to be a real live wire for us once he settles in and gets his chance. 

 

Another solid 7.5/10 performance. 

 

So many positives. Still unbeaten and another clean sheet. Big John Eustace is a proper manager folks, we should all think ourselves lucky this man is at the wheel. 

 

RTID!

The benchmark for any strikers cant be Gallagher last season. He is a below average Championship striker but he has a particularly bad, injury ravaged season in which he only scored 3 goals. Baring in mind we nearly went down and had a player who scored 27 playing off the striker, we need much, much better than that. 

Of course, there have been signs from both that the pair can be assets, but questioning them is fair. It is early days for both, and we are figuring them both out after initial excitement that we had signed 2 strikers from abroad as our first 2 signings having had to wait ages to sign anyone.

Ohashi has many question marks in terms of his general play. He is quite slow, he isnt strong and in the main he struggles to make any impact on games, especially in the last 2. That being said, he has already shown that he is an excellent finisher and someone with clever movement around the penalty box, if he maintains anything close to the goalscoring record he currently has, then the rest pales into insignificance. He struggled today and wasted a big chance.

Gueye in his first 2 games, showing promise when he wasnt fully fit with his general play, and it felt like he would only push on as the games went on. The idiotic red card at Burnley and subsequent sub appearances have prevented that, and there are question marks (and these were backed up by comments from an expert in the Belgian league) about a lack of composure and being wasteful in front of goal. 

Early days with both, and certainly there is enough signs with both that they can be useful. I think the question marks are how good they can be, but the benchmark cannot be scoring 3 goals (Ohashi has already beaten that) and spending much of the season injured. And I think both didnt do particularly well today.

[roversfan99]

Im not convinced that Eustace particularly rates Buckley. He tends to only be given token cameos when games are won.

It would be interesting to see when Travis inevitably is banned whether Buckley would firstly come in, as I suspect Baker and JRC would be more likely. And if he did, who would be captain. Letting him keep the armband for 15 minutes rather than passing it on might be clever man management to appease him, knowing he probably will need him at some point.

[SpaceBarSlam]

How Buckley has managed to get the most passionately sung fan song (after Yuki, maybe) is genuinely baffling to me. Must be the luck of having a three-syllable name!