v WBA (h) - 23/10/2024

[Exiled_Rover]

1 hour ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

On another point I would have made the subs earlier. However Weimann and Siggy did next to nothing when they came on so different subs next time please.

Weimann had a hard shot blocked from close range (haven't seen the replay, so no idea if it was going in) and put in Dolan who tamely kicked it at the keeper.

Sigurdsson isn't the man to bring on for 10 minutes of chasing the ball - I feel sorry for the lad, he's been shafted by us really.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Just now, Exiled_Rover said:

Weimann had a hard shot blocked from close range (haven't seen the replay, so no idea if it was going in) and put in Dolan who tamely kicked it at the keeper.

Sigurdsson isn't the man to bring on for 10 minutes of chasing the ball - I feel sorry for the lad, he's been shafted by us really.

How’s he been shafted ?

[RoversTilliDie]

1 hour ago, sharpysharps86 said:

Not many Championship sides will win 6 in a row at home.

I'm pretty sure most Rovers fans would've taken 4 points from the last 2 games after losing 2 in a row before the break. It's just annoying that we have two very tough games next up.

I just wanted our 100% home record to continue, your right. W.B.A. were the best opposition we've met so far, it was excellent defending from both teams, that kept the score sheet blank.

[Exiled_Rover]

1 hour ago, Lancaster Rover said:

I was surprised by his inclusion with the game so tight. Yuki looked knackered but Cantwell seemed to have more in the tank, however I understand his minutes need to be managed to some degree at the moment. 

Siggy was Siggy when he came on, the more worrying aspect is that with each passing game Gueye looks further from the required standard. His pressing was non existent last night and was continually behind his man when he should be getting in front to hold the ball. At least 4 times in the last 10 he was stood behind his man, waiting for a pass, leading to us losing the ball, creating 4-2 situations in midfield and the press being completely bypassed. His efforts in the first few games are becoming a distant memory as at the moment I feel he offers nothing. 

He won multiple headers when he came on and caused their CB to have a panic attack with one long ball.

He's clearly our best #9 and should start every game, he's a nightmare to play against at this level.

[jim mk2]

2 minutes ago, Exiled_Rover said:

He won multiple headers when he came on and caused their CB to have a panic attack with one long ball. He's clearly our best #9 and should start every game, he's a nightmare to play against at this level.

Opposing teams won't be having nightmares about the number of goals he scores

[Exiled_Rover]

4 hours ago, magicalmortensleftpeg said:

A striker who didn’t manage to score?  Already got several of those.

I didn’t particularly notice him to be honest. WBA look a tidy team but no one player particularly stood out apart from their full back who couldn’t throw a ball properly.

He was bossed in the air by Hyam - I'll pass, thanks. 

[Exiled_Rover]

34 minutes ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

How’s he been shafted ?

He's never been played in his natural position and he doesn't have the physical attributes to play out wide. Similar to Markanday, really.

[Lancaster Rover]

21 minutes ago, Exiled_Rover said:

He won multiple headers when he came on and caused their CB to have a panic attack with one long ball.

He's clearly our best #9 and should start every game, he's a nightmare to play against at this level.

Clear difference of opinion on this one which is what makes this site worthwhile, I think he's absolutely miles off it. I don't believe he is a nightmare for good defenders, he's fairly easy to pop off when pressing and his first touch is like a sledgehammer, which undoes much of the physical attributes he brings.

Admittedly he did cause one panic attack but I felt that was more to do with the lad at centre half switching off rather than clever or purposeful running from Gueye.

Edited October 24 by Lancaster Rover

[sharpysharps86]

1 hour ago, roversfan99 said:

What you are quoting is him replying to me who has specifically clarified repeatedly that it is about results.

Its a ridiculous oversimplification to suggest that we nearly went down because of JDT's style too. For some context, 3 of our regular squad players last season are currently failing to get into the Bristol Rovers team, have been loaned to League 2 and sold to the German 3rd division.

My apologies, I didn't trace back to your post that Chaddy quoted from.

You're right, it wasn't just down to JDT's style of play, it was also down to his lack of ability to adapt to different situations. A proper manager / head coach who doesn't have Man City cash to throw at it would know to adapt to the strengths of his players, not just relentlessly try the same thing again and again with players that weren't good enough to play that style.

[Ghost7]

Sigurdsson should be getting more minutes. He's an intelligent player, good technique and can finish, albeit he is slow. I think he has the ability to kill a game off if the chance arises but he likely won't get that chance in 8 minutes of football.

[Lancaster Rover]

Sigurdsson is the best finisher in the team by a country mile, the problem seems to have been getting him in positions to make the most of that since around October 2023

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

10 minutes ago, Ghost7 said:

Sigurdsson should be getting more minutes. He's an intelligent player, good technique and can finish, albeit he is slow. I think he has the ability to kill a game off if the chance arises but he likely won't get that chance in 8 minutes of football.

Where would you play him though ? I don’t think he can play up front on his own, he’s not physical enough. He can’t play out wide because he’s too slow. Ideally he could play off Gueye, but we don’t play that way, and if we did Yuki would be a better bet because he’s quicker and braver. When he does get on he needs to show a bit more enthusiasm than he did last night.  A strange signing for me.

 

Edited October 24 by Tyrone Shoelaces

[RoversTilliDie]

38 minutes ago, Exiled_Rover said:

He won multiple headers when he came on and caused their CB to have a panic attack with one long ball.

He's clearly our best #9 and should start every game, he's a nightmare to play against at this level.

We look more dangerous on the break with Gueye playing, a big 6 footer who causes problems. Ohashi looked at bit jaded.

[Torgeir]

2 hours ago, DaveyB said:

The best manager I ever played for used to drum into us the importance of looking after the ball because "playing without the ball is much more demanding, both physically and mentally."
We seem happy to just let the other team have the ball, sit deep and look to break on the transition - nothing wrong with that per se, but it will be taking a lot out of our players and I think that showed last night in the last 10 minutes when our players looked out on their feet and WBA had us under the cosh a bit.

If last night's game had gone on for another 10 minutes I'm fairly certain that we would have ended up conceding - and when the games start to come thick and fast with midweek games every week I think it might end up costing us, unless the manager is willing to rotate the squad a bit more

This is a fact, especially away. But if you look at stats from last night we had around 49% possession so I think they were tired too but definitely had the better subs. We also don't really have an outlet with pace these days, the closest being Hedges, so teams aren't too afraid to press us high up on the pitch because they know full well we won't outpace their defenders. 

[DE.]

58 minutes ago, Ghost7 said:

Sigurdsson should be getting more minutes. He's an intelligent player, good technique and can finish, albeit he is slow. I think he has the ability to kill a game off if the chance arises but he likely won't get that chance in 8 minutes of football.

Problem is he's had his chance plenty of times before and rarely shows up when he's a regular starter. Not too dissimilar to Dolan in this regard, except Dolan will actually chase and harry even if he's having a poor game. Siggy is a total luxury player and we aren't strong enough as a team to afford playing with 10 men for 80 minutes of each match, on the off chance every so often Siggy might actually do something useful (appreciate you didn't mention starting him, but I've certainly seen it suggested elsewhere). When he leaves at the end of the season (or January), frankly, little of value will be lost and we'll continue just fine without him. It's a shame as I had high hopes for Siggy, but the work ethic isn't there and it's the one thing you arguably need most in this league to be truly effective.

In regards to the game, OK result, little more to say. Performances are still a concern but if we keep picking up points then I won't complain. Our sudden lack of goal threat should be flagged as a real worry though - we've only scored 2 goals in our last 4 matches. Fortunately in the last two we've kept the back door shut, and two clean sheets is great, but it's worrying how our goals have dried up so rapidly. 

 

Edited October 24 by DE.

[London blue]

3 hours ago, RoversTilliDie said:

There goalkeeper had to keep jumping up and down to keep warm, because he had hardly anything to do for 90 minutes. We should have given him something to do with a few shots on target. We had one golden opportunity, but instead of shooting for goal, we chose to pass, and the chance was gone. I thought Trondstat had a good game, and Cantwell.

Dolan had a great chance that he fluffed.

[dingles staying down 4ever]

1 hour ago, RoversTilliDie said:

Our throw ins last night was schoolboy stuff. How many foul throw ins did we give away, 2-3.

I maybe wrong but it one foul throw per side both given by the same linesman. If linesman were to watch throws more carefully then there would be 10 given in every match.

The linesman on the Riverside last night never watched a single player take a throw. His eyes were on the players in the playing area so didn't notice feet over the line, one foot in the air or the 20 yard encrouchment down the line by the tallest full back I think Ive ever seen.

[simongarnerisgod]

yoshi also had a great chance,dolan should really have put his foot through the ball,tbh,despite our ultra cautious approach,we created just as much as west brom and did`nt look like getting cut open at any point,it`s a hard watch though,but if it gets results thats what we`ll have to put with

 

[roversfan99]

2 hours ago, chaddyrovers said:

Just seeking clarification given your borefest comments and the fact that both teams are very well organised and understand their roles by their head coach. It was always going to be tight close game

He provides more than adequate cover for Beck. 

Also he roams into those areas from the left creating more problems for opposition instead of being out numbered in there by 2 defensive midfielder

JDT didn't want to adapt and change tactics. His plan was Plan A. When we went through a difficult spell he had no answer to him. Eustace has different plans for different games and his man management is very different 

So what subs would you have differently and when? 

Cantwell doesnt provide adequate cover, its half arsed and he was fortunate not to concede a penalty.

I know that it was a game that was closely fought between two well organised teams and the players may well know their roles. As often is the case with games managed by Eustace, it wasnt the most pleasing on the eye. The main reason for that is our lack of spark (beside Cantwell) and speed in attack which is obviously not his fault. 

You also have been very keen to criticise JDT since he has left after staunchly defending his style until the day he left, on which you were very angry and sad.

[roversfan99]

1 hour ago, sharpysharps86 said:

My apologies, I didn't trace back to your post that Chaddy quoted from.

You're right, it wasn't just down to JDT's style of play, it was also down to his lack of ability to adapt to different situations. A proper manager / head coach who doesn't have Man City cash to throw at it would know to adapt to the strengths of his players, not just relentlessly try the same thing again and again with players that weren't good enough to play that style.

His main issue was the squad at his disposal. Its very difficult to be competitive at this level when you have a squad like we had.

That being said, I did raise a concern during last season that he was sticking with a style that was exposing us more than was necessary. The results we got when Eustace came in didnt particularly improve though last season.

[Exiled_Rover]

1 hour ago, RoversTilliDie said:

We look more dangerous on the break with Gueye playing, a big 6 footer who causes problems. Ohashi looked at bit jaded.

Ohashi is similar to Leonard (although Leonard has a better touch and pass) - sub 6', not very quick, but a willing runner. They both need to play #10 (although I'd always have Cantwell here) or out wide off Gueye. Neither has the physical attributes to trouble a good CB, but their movement is good.

[Exiled_Rover]

1 hour ago, Torgeir said:

This is a fact, especially away. But if you look at stats from last night we had around 49% possession so I think they were tired too but definitely had the better subs. We also don't really have an outlet with pace these days, the closest being Hedges, so teams aren't too afraid to press us high up on the pitch because they know full well we won't outpace their defenders. 

WBA's CBs were sat on our halfway line from the 10 minute mark. It usually takes the opposition 20 minute to work out we've got no ability to hit them over the top.

[bluebruce]

17 hours ago, Bethnal said:

Yeah, bang on. Cantwell’s best work will be done in the middle. Either shunt Dolan out wide or switch him out. He can’t deliver consistently.

We don't have a single attacker who can. Except Cantwell, who has frankly only played a few games.

[Exiled_Rover]

4 hours ago, RoversTilliDie said:

There goalkeeper had to keep jumping up and down to keep warm, because he had hardly anything to do for 90 minutes. We should have given him something to do with a few shots on target. We had one golden opportunity, but instead of shooting for goal, we chose to pass, and the chance was gone. I thought Trondstat had a good game, and Cantwell.

He wasn't getting to either of JRC's shots if they were on target and realistically Ohashi should have buried his chance.

[Groundhog]

Feel like I'm in the minority but I really enjoyed last night. I quite enjoy seeing two evenly matched teams try and outwit each other and enjoyed the battles all over the pitch. I prefer this pragmatic approach by Eustace, he'd done his homework, I like seeing us match up to the opposition, rather than gallantly losing 1-3, totally fine by me. Yes, they had chances, but so did we. We kept Maja quiet until we tired, a player who was once courted by us - if he was in a Rovers shirt last night we'd be moaning about his performance.

West Brom are a top 6 side, some say top 4, and that fact we matched them for 80mins is to be commended, only their better squad depth was the difference towards the end. 

If anything it just makes me more frustrated by the results at Plymouth and especially the Coventry game, and more frustrated again by the ownership, but that's a given...

I wasn't even bothered by the passing out from the back, I can see why we do it - the margins are so tight nowadays with the way opposition teams press, and it does work. What doesn't work was the constant hoof up to Dolan in the second half, that was driving me crackers, but who else can we aim at once Hedges has gone off and Gueye on the bench? I wish we had another option up front with height and strength, and not just the pace of Amari CD to look forward to. January? Oh yeah, sorry...

My main concern is that we don't have anyone who can run beyond against the well set up sides, I think it's due to the lack of pace, our build up play is slow, when we quicken it we look the real thing, but 80% of the time we are playing safe and not going for the first time pass out of midfield, mainly down to the abilities of the squad. It takes confidence to ping a 30 yard diagonal on your second touch. We can't get in behind as we allow teams to drop back into position and set themselves on every attack. 

I thought bringing on Brittain to help JRC was a good move, but did wonder whether there was a little bit attacking intent in it too, hoping he'd cross it to Maktar, but we never got a chance, both on too late. I'd love to see us try 15 mins of sustained crossing to Gueye just to see what he could do.

I thought the Blackburn End were fantastic in the second half for the good 25 min spell, and I feel the fans do appreciate the grit and effort the team are putting in. Whoever booed in the Riverside at the full time whistle and at every square pass needs to give their head a wobble - we've been in the championship long enough to know it's an attritional slog and not every game can be full of wondrous attacking play, the good teams behave the same. At least the team are fighting and scrapping for every ball, we are annoying to play against, and I like that.

I do get a feeling that Eustace and his team are seeing the season as a whole and managing our limited resources well, there will be bumps and we're not always going to get it right with our lack of depth, but I trust him.

 

Edited October 24 by Groundhog