v Portsmouth (h) - 15/1/2025

[RevidgeBlue]

2 minutes ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

He’s certainly worse than Ohashi

I'm not sure, apart from his little burst at the start of the season I think Ohashi has looked really ineffective.

Leonard gets into goalscoring positions the other 2 don't.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

1 hour ago, RevidgeBlue said:

I'm not sure, apart from his little burst at the start of the season I think Ohashi has looked really ineffective.

Leonard gets into goalscoring positions the other 2 don't.

Ohashi is a lot more mobile and more of a threat to our opponents defence.

[chaddyrovers]

5 hours ago, roversfan99 said:

Probably not, certainly not than Gueye. Ohashi I would put ahead of him even though he hasnt been setting the world alight.

I also think for Leonard's sake, he needs a loan to get regular game time. He certainly isnt ready for where we are supposedly aiming. Ideally, sign a good striker ASAP, maybe keep Leonard until the end of the window at which point Ohashi wont be far off, and loan him to League 1.

Isn't ready? Based on what? 

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

12 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

Isn't ready? Based on what? 

How many goals has he scored versus how many really good chances has he had ? He misses too many at the moment. He needs to go somewhere were he can bang a few in and regain a bit of confidence in front of goal.

[chaddyrovers]

25 minutes ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

How many goals has he scored versus how many really good chances has he had ? He misses too many at the moment. He needs to go somewhere were he can bang a few in and regain a bit of confidence in front of goal.

Don't have these stats Tyrone but no I wouldn't loan him out but used him in the run-in. 

He didn't miss against Sunderland did he? Great finish. He gets in the right area. 

What a good successful goals to chances? 

[DeeCee]

In an ideal world HL should be loaned out to L1 but unless by some miracle we sign another couple of forwards he has to stay here and will probably get on the field in a quite a few games.

[Bronzed A Donis]

1 hour ago, chaddyrovers said:

Isn't ready? Based on what? 

I think your being a bit unfair to be putting so much expectation and pressure on Leonard.

In a functioning club he wouldn't be here and starting as he's not a starting  Championship quality forward...yet. It's only because we haven't invested.

He's only 21 and may well develop, he should be given that chance to develop, instead he's being asked to play as a play off chasing teams main forward because the players brought in are not good enough or unavailable. In a team that's creating so little , it's not ideal for his self belief. Some time playing 90 minutes every week and scoring is what he needs now.

Would he be a starter at any other Championship side?

It's kind of moot anyway, he probably has to start as the other options are equally as poor/knackered tomorrow. We all hope he does well and scores a bagful starting tommorrow. I just think we'll be lucky to get 5 goals out of him between now and May.

 

*Cue a shearer-esque performance tomorrow.

[roversfan99]

1 hour ago, chaddyrovers said:

Isn't ready? Based on what? 

Based on his performances. And my eyes.

I dont think that hes ready to be playing regular Championship football. Certainly not a reasonable amount of game time for a club supposedly fighting for a play off place.

He is very raw, he has had injury problems and missed a lot of football, he needs a loan in League 1 to get some regular football. It is also as others have said not fair on him to expect so much so soon.

Im guessing youd have a new striker, Ohashi, Gueye and Leonard all in the squad for the rest of the season.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

28 minutes ago, Bronzed A Donis said:

I think your being a bit unfair to be putting so much expectation and pressure on Leonard.

In a functioning club he wouldn't be here and starting as he's not a starting  Championship quality forward...yet. It's only because we haven't invested.

He's only 21 and may well develop, he should be given that chance to develop, instead he's being asked to play as a play off chasing teams main forward because the players brought in are not good enough or unavailable. In a team that's creating so little , it's not ideal for his self belief. Some time playing 90 minutes every week and scoring is what he needs now.

Would he be a starter at any other Championship side?

It's kind of moot anyway, he probably has to start as the other options are equally as poor/knackered tomorrow. We all hope he does well and scores a bagful starting tommorrow. I just think we'll be lucky to get 5 goals out of him between now and May.

 

*Cue a shearer-esque performance tomorrow.

We need one for sure. We can’t afford another “ Hull” performance.

[neophox]

For being hos first season at Rovers moving half the globe Ohashi has done well so far. Better than Szmodics in his first season.

[B16Rover]

14 minutes ago, neophox said:

For being hos first season at Rovers moving half the globe Ohashi has done well so far. Better than Szmodics in his first season.

Plus the fact he's played a Japanese season since January 

[J*B]

9 hours ago, RevidgeBlue said:

It's about time Cantwell started earning his money. He's been worse than useless recently.

Very hard for a number 10 to be effective without a good number 9. What I’d give to sign a 28 year old Danny Graham. 

[Andy]

Agreed, some are being far too harsh on Cantwell at the moment.
How can we expect him to soar like an eagle when he's surrounded by pigeons?

And I also think there's a player in Leonard also; getting into those positions and having the knack to be there for the chances is a skill that not many players have.

Once he converts a few, I genuinely think he'll be a decent goalscorer.

[BankEnd Rover]

Watford 1-1 so a decent result for us.

Really need to capitalise on it.

[neophox]

Marlon Pack suspended for Pompey.

[neophox]

To be fair Gueye looked lively when he came on at Boro but Gueyes best coming on with about 25 mins to play giving his all and harassing the opponents with his energy..... Think Leonard will start up front but maybe Eustace has an other view.

[Tom]

Home against a bottom 3 side, in the transfer window, perfect time for Leonard to be starting and to take his chance, Gueye to be introduced from the bench.

Main decision for me would be who plays with Tronstad - and it wouldn’t be Buckley if I was picking. 
 

3-0 with goals from Leonard, Cantwell and ACDC 

Wouldn’t a routine home win be lovely 

Edited January 14 by Tom

[chaddyrovers]

3 hours ago, roversfan99 said:

Based on his performances. And my eyes.

Ok. 

3 hours ago, roversfan99 said:

I dont think that hes ready to be playing regular Championship football. Certainly not a reasonable amount of game time for a club supposedly fighting for a play off place.

We have agree to disagree here

3 hours ago, roversfan99 said:

He is very raw, he has had injury problems and missed a lot of football, he needs a loan in League 1 to get some regular football. It is also as others have said not fair on him to expect so much so soon.

Who is expect so much so soon? It's people who are expecting far too much off too early. Not myself 

3 hours ago, roversfan99 said:

Im guessing youd have a new striker, Ohashi, Gueye and Leonard all in the squad for the rest of the season.

I said that this morning and stand by. Just to clarify no I wouldn't loan him out either. 

[chaddyrovers]

Rovers to win 3 nil. Goals from Leonard, Dolan and Cantwell 

[Colt Seavers]

I think Weimann might get the nod as centre forward tomorrow.  He looks to be our most instinctive finisher. 

Big opportunity for Buckley tomorrow...

[Paul Mani]

19 hours ago, RevidgeBlue said:

It's about time Cantwell started earning his money. He's been worse than useless recently.

Interesting post from @joey_big_nose about playing Cantwell deeper.

For weeks now I’ve been watching Cantwell and I don’t think he’s a #10. He looks better in deeper areas and impacts the game more. He is the guy who ‘assists the assist’. I don’t think he has the killer instinct in terms of a pass or a shot to play so high.

A midfield three of JRC, Sonny and Cantwell could work. 

 

[Ossydave]

Cantwell will become more effective once Leonard and Gueye learn to stay onside as well. Lack of ability and experience are one thing but that's pretty damn basic. Really limits the offensive outlets when they're straying offside far too often.

[RoversTilliDie]

We need to get back on track, after a disappointing Christmas period. We're far from convincing in the strike force department at the moment, scraping 1-0 wins now and again. Let's not take Portsmouth lightly, they'll be after the points. 

[RoversTilliDie]

How about starting with Leonard and Weiman upfront.

[Tom]

1 hour ago, Ossydave said:

Cantwell will become more effective once Leonard and Gueye learn to stay onside as well. Lack of ability and experience are one thing but that's pretty damn basic. Really limits the offensive outlets when they're straying offside far too often.

He needs to heed that himself though, recently, maybe against Burnley he was lazily offside when he didn’t need to be before squaring it to Gueye who was in a great position to finish. 
 

All he had to do was stay onside at it was a goal