v Sheffield Utd (h) - 2/11/2024

[roversfan99]

Has Hedges for example dipped in form? He has been consistently incapable of contributing in an attacking sense since he joined. He doesnt score or assist much, he isnt very quick, he isnt tricky, he doesnt really put in good deliveries, what does he offer? He turns 30 before the next season starts so is he suddenly going to burst into life?

Dolan is obviously younger but the question is, is he improving, can anyone see a player who is getting better? He gets you 4 or 5 goals a season, is that going to suddenly increase? Does he appear to be a player to be getting better as he gets older? He still regularly makes poor decisions just as often, does needless ineffective skills and doesnt really cause an impact in the final third. If anything, he has lost the explosiveness that caused a bit of excitement when he broke into the team, its crazy how often his lack of pace causes him to lose a foot race with another sluggish Championship bruiser of a CB.

The pair have always had a player in the team, whether its been Szmodics, Brereton or Armstrong to score the majority of the teams goals so it felt not as important how many they got. Now we have an absence of a goalscorer, they show no sign of being capable of doing their bit to cover that.

 

[roversfan99]

Eustace clearly is capable of making his sides difficult to break down, thats clearly where his strengths lie and our squad is devoid of attacking quality and excitement. But at the moment, the balance clearly isnt right because our recent run of 6 games has yielded only 4 points and only 2 goals. You cant just rely on being solid.

[ruggles1995]

well that was dire. Eustace getting it wrong again is a worry. Think I would be pointing the finger at him again. Tactics and team selection for me. I for the life of me do not understand passing the ball to hyam at every goal kick on to his left foot when he is not left footed!, we invite pressure and the oppo literally want the ball to go to hyam for the trigger to press. he he cant use his left and has no option to then pass to beck who he kills with a pass every time. even if by some magic we do manage to pass it out it gets to tronstad or travis who just pass it back! its madness at times, problem is its happening alot up and down the country with other clubs doing it. I dont get it. Either get a cb comfortable with the ball at his feet, or play buckley in cm to get on the ball to pass forward, or just play gueye and use his bloody strengths and get it up to him!

I dont think Gueye is much of  footballer but i do believe if you use him to his strengths which is long balls into him and get players off him he would look a lot more affective. People saying he doesn't win headers you are just saying that because you don't like him. He wins at least 50% of them. Anything that did go long to him when he came on he won half of them (I think 2 out of the 3 that did go long to him). As much as I blame Eustace for the lack of tactical direction, I do also sympathise with him the lack of real quality in this squad, but I do feel there is enough their to give a better performance than Saturday showed. Real worry is nobody can cross a football apart from float a ball in for a keeper to easily claim, or never beat the first man. We have zero pace apart from dubbery or duru(their either injured or never picked!). Yuki and Gueye struggle massively, I think both would benefit from a partner. Winger wise we are slow and poor. 

Dolan for all his hard work constantly loses possession, but so does hedges. Siggys always injured, JRC you just don't know what your going to get, atm its more useless than good for him. The lack of real quality and pace in the wide areas, is alarming and hurting us. Think we need to keep it simple and play off Geuye, and get players around him, old school style. 

[London blue]

6 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Has Hedges for example dipped in form? He has been consistently incapable of contributing in an attacking sense since he joined. He doesnt score or assist much, he isnt very quick, he isnt tricky, he doesnt really put in good deliveries, what does he offer? He turns 30 before the next season starts so is he suddenly going to burst into life?

Dolan is obviously younger but the question is, is he improving, can anyone see a player who is getting better? He gets you 4 or 5 goals a season, is that going to suddenly increase? Does he appear to be a player to be getting better as he gets older? He still regularly makes poor decisions just as often, does needless ineffective skills and doesnt really cause an impact in the final third. If anything, he has lost the explosiveness that caused a bit of excitement when he broke into the team, its crazy how often his lack of pace causes him to lose a foot race with another sluggish Championship bruiser of a CB.

The pair have always had a player in the team, whether its been Szmodics, Brereton or Armstrong to score the majority of the teams goals so it felt not as important how many they got. Now we have an absence of a goalscorer, they show no sign of being capable of doing their bit to cover that.

 

For me it's simple. Neither are good enough for a new deal. They're not awful players and Dolan may go on to be a decent one, but currently? Not for me.

Surely Hedges' decent wage and a small/reasonable fee for Dolan could go some way to securing one or two direct, fast runners. We've tried getting a tune out of these two for so long, it's not working. Surely there's someone in the club capable of some critical thinking and imagination.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

9 hours ago, USABlue said:

We are not very good.  We have too many players who are either, dumb, techically limited and both.  A keeper who is.....well I am lost for words.  TBF to him thiugh he did keep the score line decent but what was he thinking, again, with the 2nd goal.  What the hell has happened to JRC it's one cock uo after another with him.  I was excited about Big. Mac when he landed but now he looks like he might struggle in League 2.  This to me looks like the beginning of a JDT esque slide we just look that bad.  We look really bad.  Boring and bad. Might take me another day or two to calm down   Not knocking the kad but Dolan had a moment when he reminded me of Meccy he did two 360's in open space for no apparent reason.  We lose the ball a lot and easily Cantwell has to be wondering what the hell he has done cos he is a cut above.  Funnily enough it is since his break thru that our results and more worryingly performances have dropped off.

Your thought about Cantwell crossed my mind yesterday. He’s been increasingly influential as a player yet at the same time our performances have tanked ! Is there a connection ? 

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

14 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Has Hedges for example dipped in form? He has been consistently incapable of contributing in an attacking sense since he joined. He doesnt score or assist much, he isnt very quick, he isnt tricky, he doesnt really put in good deliveries, what does he offer? He turns 30 before the next season starts so is he suddenly going to burst into life?

Dolan is obviously younger but the question is, is he improving, can anyone see a player who is getting better? He gets you 4 or 5 goals a season, is that going to suddenly increase? Does he appear to be a player to be getting better as he gets older? He still regularly makes poor decisions just as often, does needless ineffective skills and doesnt really cause an impact in the final third. If anything, he has lost the explosiveness that caused a bit of excitement when he broke into the team, its crazy how often his lack of pace causes him to lose a foot race with another sluggish Championship bruiser of a CB.

The pair have always had a player in the team, whether its been Szmodics, Brereton or Armstrong to score the majority of the teams goals so it felt not as important how many they got. Now we have an absence of a goalscorer, they show no sign of being capable of doing their bit to cover that.

 

I’ve never understood what whoever signed Hedges actually thought we would be getting. A deeply average player as far as I can see.

[K-Hod]

46 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

Like I said previously we are going a sticky patch atm but overall in the league we are 7th. One win and we go on good run. Who knows. 

Point against a West Brom team is a shit results 

On the Boring point. I'm not bothered about that but I didn't find the previous 3 games before Sheffield United game boring. It's about picking points and Eustace won't go over attacking too early in games. He takes pragmatic approach which is right way with this squad. 

 

Yes I would give Dolan a new 3 contract. Hedges probably a 1 year contract. Both still have qualities but both have dipped in form

We aren't doing that at the moment though tbf.

[chaddyrovers]

16 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Has Hedges for example dipped in form? He has been consistently incapable of contributing in an attacking sense since he joined. He doesnt score or assist much, he isnt very quick, he isnt tricky, he doesnt really put in good deliveries, what does he offer? He turns 30 before the next season starts so is he suddenly going to burst into life?

Dolan is obviously younger but the question is, is he improving, can anyone see a player who is getting better? He gets you 4 or 5 goals a season, is that going to suddenly increase? Does he appear to be a player to be getting better as he gets older? He still regularly makes poor decisions just as often, does needless ineffective skills and doesnt really cause an impact in the final third. If anything, he has lost the explosiveness that caused a bit of excitement when he broke into the team, its crazy how often his lack of pace causes him to lose a foot race with another sluggish Championship bruiser of a CB.

You don't agree with given either a new contract. Which is fine and we know your views on both players. 

Dolan has lost his pace and explosiveness cos of injuries and he has baulk up. 

What figures are you expecting from both in terms of goals and assists? 

14 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Eustace clearly is capable of making his sides difficult to break down, thats clearly where his strengths lie and our squad is devoid of attacking quality and excitement. But at the moment, the balance clearly isnt right because our recent run of 6 games has yielded only 4 points and only 2 goals. You cant just rely on being solid.

Yet we are still 7th despite being in sticky patch. You only focus on what you want instead of looking at the bigger position. 

[chaddyrovers]

3 minutes ago, K-Hod said:

We aren't doing that at the moment though tbf.

I did say we are sticky patch atm but overall in the league we are 7th. 

 

[Mattyblue]

8th.

[RoversTilliDie]

On 03/11/2024 at 10:10, JHRover said:

It's no use at all bemoaning the parachute payment system when we've brought in more through selling prized assets over the last few windows.

That money should have delivered a legacy and long term benefit to Blackburn Rovers in the form of capital investment in players and infrastructure. Better than getting parachute cash in some ways as it doesn't get used up on paying off Premier League era contracts and wages.

Instead the owners have used it to pay their bills and help them get around their self-created mess in India.

Their choice. Our problem. Could have been all so very different. They could have reinvested some of it. They decided not to. 

Get rid of the useless Venkys, and see Blackburn Rovers rise in the ranks.

[RoversTilliDie]

16 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

I did say we are sticky patch atm but overall in the league we are 7th. 

 

If we play like we did last Saturday, for the rest of the season, overall we'll be relegated. 98 minutes, and not a single shot on target.

[roversfan99]

21 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

You don't agree with given either a new contract. Which is fine and we know your views on both players. 

Dolan has lost his pace and explosiveness cos of injuries and he has baulk up. 

What figures are you expecting from both in terms of goals and assists? 

Yet we are still 7th despite being in sticky patch. You only focus on what you want instead of looking at the bigger position. 

What do they provide that makes you so keen to keep them? 

[roversfan99]

33 minutes ago, London blue said:

For me it's simple. Neither are good enough for a new deal. They're not awful players and Dolan may go on to be a decent one, but currently? Not for me.

Surely Hedges' decent wage and a small/reasonable fee for Dolan could go some way to securing one or two direct, fast runners. We've tried getting a tune out of these two for so long, it's not working. Surely there's someone in the club capable of some critical thinking and imagination.

Indeed. I get that money is always tight and recruitment as a result is made difficult, so maybe people would argue its better the devil you know. But the whole attack needs a makeover. The likes of Hedges and Dolan havent needed to contribute regularly when we had the goalscorers I mentioned, now we dont we need far more from them than they are capable of contributing.

With Dolan, if we saw signs of improvement considering his age then it would be an easy decision to make. If anything, he appears to have regressed. I wonder if it was his decision or the clubs decision for him to bulk up and lose any explosiveness and pace he once had?

Maybe it would be better for Dolan too to have a fresh start.

[arbitro]

Sheffield United should be a template for us. They haven't spent a great deal of money, have a pragmatic manager and play an effective style of football for the Championship. I look at them and think would Dolan, Brittain, Hyam or Hedges get anywhere near their team. The answer to me is no and whilst we have weak characters as first team regulars we will tread water. I do think Eustace could deliver this given some money (but the realists know this isn't going to happen).

[Hasta]

45 minutes ago, ruggles1995 said:

I dont think Gueye is much of  footballer but i do believe if you use him to his strengths which is long balls into him and get players off him he would look a lot more affective. People saying he doesn't win headers you are just saying that because you don't like him. He wins at least 50% of them. Anything that did go long to him when he came on he won half of them (I think 2 out of the 3 that did go long to him).

If you watch Keiffer Moore performance and watch Gueye's cameo you see a huge difference in target men. Moore didn't just win headers. He also  directs them into the path of a team-mate. When long balls come up to Gueye, he can win them but often they flick on or get knocked down to no-one. As I mentioned above, there are three crosses in injury time - one he doesn't really go for, the other the keeper just comes and claims it easily from him and the third and final one he should really be favourite for but the shorter defender does enough to get it away.

As much as I would love to see him knock it down like he did for Weimann at Burnley, that touch has been few and far between. Admittedly Sheff United probably have a very good defensive line. If he started against a bottom half team and we put more balls into the air it would be interesting to see how he did. Against Derby on the opening day he looked a right handful. But he's featured in 12 Championship games now and he is looking progressively worse each time. The longest he's played in a game is 65 minutes so Eustace clearly knows he isn't getting a great tune out of him.  

It's nothing to do with not liking him as a person, but I dont particularly like what I've seen as I footballer. However I'd love him to become Rudy Mk2.

 

[chaddyrovers]

20 minutes ago, RoversTilliDie said:

If we play like we did last Saturday, for the rest of the season, overall we'll be relegated. 98 minutes, and not a single shot on target.

It's was one game against a team likely to be top 2 at the end of the season. People seem to lost that prospective in this. 

18 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

What do they provide that makes you so keen to keep them? 

How about answing my question what do you expect from both in terms of goals and assist? 

You know what both provided the team. I want to keep both and you dont. I like Dolan work rate, pressing ability, etc. He needs to improve his final pass quality but he is 22/23 years old. People forget that. Hedges is steady player, experience and quality in the final third. 

[Ghost7]

Dolan is playing way too much mens football due to a steady lack of investment in this squad over the past 3 - 4 years. That's my assessment on things. Crap player but not his fault he's starting every week.

[ruggles1995]

2 hours ago, Hasta said:

If you watch Keiffer Moore performance and watch Gueye's cameo you see a huge difference in target men. Moore didn't just win headers. He also  directs them into the path of a team-mate. When long balls come up to Gueye, he can win them but often they flick on or get knocked down to no-one. As I mentioned above, there are three crosses in injury time - one he doesn't really go for, the other the keeper just comes and claims it easily from him and the third and final one he should really be favourite for but the shorter defender does enough to get it away.

As much as I would love to see him knock it down like he did for Weimann at Burnley, that touch has been few and far between. Admittedly Sheff United probably have a very good defensive line. If he started against a bottom half team and we put more balls into the air it would be interesting to see how he did. Against Derby on the opening day he looked a right handful. But he's featured in 12 Championship games now and he is looking progressively worse each time. The longest he's played in a game is 65 minutes so Eustace clearly knows he isn't getting a great tune out of him.  

It's nothing to do with not liking him as a person, but I dont particularly like what I've seen as I footballer. However I'd love him to become Rudy Mk2.

 

difference is they have players capable of picking out Moore. Gueye has to run at least 10 yards to meet any crosses or even kicks from pears. If a keepers claiming crosses usually thats because the cross is floated and comfortable to come and claim, as they punch most these days. Its a lot easier for a keeper to come and collect a cross thats floated than it is for a striker to have to go and get. Look at Isaaks goal for newcastle at the weekend, great header put on a plate from a great cross, the speed and accuracy of a delivery does the work, the strikers just got to direct it. Gueyes having to run and  jump through keepers and defenders to get anything on it. Thats not his fault, yes you have to go and attack the delivery but you need a delivery with some quality half the time. Gueye also won 2 flick ons from pears saturday, but when weimans your strike partner who has zero pace to run for it..... 

Hes a complete different option to have, and like you say when hes knocking it down and nobody's their, thats for Eustace to get sorted, if players are over 10 yards away or don't have the pace to meet it, thats something Eustace needs to sort out. Hes a different alternative to other few options we do have, and they need to find a way for it to work at times. 

If we had good crosses in the box with no striker on the end of it not being their or not attacking it, id be pointing fingers at Gueye. But IMO we aren't playing\capable to play to his strengths. I agree with you hes a horrible footballer to watch, but his strengths are meant to be physical and aerial, and until we even try to use those strengths or have the ammunition to do so, il give him the benefit of the doubt until I see him get a chance. I do agree with your comment on the 3rd chance though, seemed like he should of done more with that, apart from that, the other crosses are poor and your asking him to have to run through defenders and keepers every time. If he starts he only ever gets 60 mins. Not easy making an impact when you come on and the ball spends 10 minutes in your own 6 yard box down the other end. 

The transfer windows now starting to look pretty poor, crying out for pace, we dont have any (dubbery the exception but need more than 1 option). Wingers with quality, we dont seem to have any, a goalscorer, they got 2 in was a little n large option which arent proving to be of much worth right now. Deffo needs some new recruits in Jan. Think its worth getting injury prone siggy off the books and use his wages. 

[speeeeeeedie]

On 03/11/2024 at 09:31, roversfan99 said:

I presume that is sarcasm.

You predicted a win, we lost without having a shot on target (we have had 4 in 3 games I read) or putting up a fight, but you arent disappointed?

Youve always been keen to stress that if a big goalscorer goes, others will all chip in to help out. Do you genuinely see crap like Dolan/Hedges helping to make up the Szmodics loss? And how many goals do you see Gueye getting, a man who doesnt look like he has ever seen a football before?

We agree that football is all about results. Eustace football is boring but if it is effective, it doesnt matter. At the moment we have taken 4 points from 6 games scoring 2 goals so it isnt even effective. Have you enjoyed watching us lately?

I personally think that the main reason why we are so dull and offer zero threat, as much as Eustace's tactics do play a part, is down to the quality of players. Hedges, crap, Dolan, crap, Weimann, past it, Gueye, laughable, Ohashi has at least chipped in with 4 goals but in general he looks off the pace. We have very few goals in our side and very little excitement (only Cantwell) or pace. But you think they are good and want to start dishing out new deals.

Travis must also shoulder some responsibility. He rarely scores or assists. Tronstad can be excused as he plays a deeper role. 

[roversfan99]

46 minutes ago, speeeeeeedie said:

Travis must also shoulder some responsibility. He rarely scores or assists. Tronstad can be excused as he plays a deeper role. 

Travis should look to score more goals but there is naturally more onus on players in the final third to contribute more.

I dont get why Baker has never been used in his correct position. He does have a track record of scoring from range yet Eustace seems to prefer Buckley who tends to be a waste of a sub.

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

6 hours ago, RoversTilliDie said:

Get rid of the useless Venkys, and see Blackburn Rovers rise in the ranks.

So much damage done on and off the field of play..that lot leaving will be welcomed but what state they leave us in is another matter.Will possibly take decades to recover.

Utter b'stards!

[KentExile]

Pears in team of the week for 2 different stats sites. 

Whilst I don't think he was awful at the weekend, surely there were a few better performing keepers who didn't concede 2 goals?

Edited November 4 by KentExile

[Hasta]

5 hours ago, ruggles1995 said:

difference is they have players capable of picking out Moore. Gueye has to run at least 10 yards to meet any crosses or even kicks from pears. If a keepers claiming crosses usually thats because the cross is floated and comfortable to come and claim, as they punch most these days. Its a lot easier for a keeper to come and collect a cross thats floated than it is for a striker to have to go and get. Look at Isaaks goal for newcastle at the weekend, great header put on a plate from a great cross, the speed and accuracy of a delivery does the work, the strikers just got to direct it. Gueyes having to run and  jump through keepers and defenders to get anything on it. Thats not his fault, yes you have to go and attack the delivery but you need a delivery with some quality half the time. Gueye also won 2 flick ons from pears saturday, but when weimans your strike partner who has zero pace to run for it..... 

Hes a complete different option to have, and like you say when hes knocking it down and nobody's their, thats for Eustace to get sorted, if players are over 10 yards away or don't have the pace to meet it, thats something Eustace needs to sort out. Hes a different alternative to other few options we do have, and they need to find a way for it to work at times. 

If we had good crosses in the box with no striker on the end of it not being their or not attacking it, id be pointing fingers at Gueye. But IMO we aren't playing\capable to play to his strengths. I agree with you hes a horrible footballer to watch, but his strengths are meant to be physical and aerial, and until we even try to use those strengths or have the ammunition to do so, il give him the benefit of the doubt until I see him get a chance. I do agree with your comment on the 3rd chance though, seemed like he should of done more with that, apart from that, the other crosses are poor and your asking him to have to run through defenders and keepers every time. If he starts he only ever gets 60 mins. Not easy making an impact when you come on and the ball spends 10 minutes in your own 6 yard box down the other end. 

The transfer windows now starting to look pretty poor, crying out for pace, we dont have any (dubbery the exception but need more than 1 option). Wingers with quality, we dont seem to have any, a goalscorer, they got 2 in was a little n large option which arent proving to be of much worth right now. Deffo needs some new recruits in Jan. Think its worth getting injury prone siggy off the books and use his wages. 

Fair points. 
 

I think I just wanted to point out it’s not a dislike of the guy why he’s getting criticism. It is actually wholly based on his performances. 

We could play to his strengths more and find out if he does look any better, although if we aren’t going to do that then again you do wonder if the recruitment team have different visions to how we should be playing when targeting signings than Eustace. 

[LDRover]

Has anyone seen Gueye and Michelle Obama in the same room????