v Portsmouth (h) - 15/1/2025

[only2garners]

1 hour ago, roverblue said:

Think you are being too quick to judge his ability to be a starter personally, he has shown more than enough to be starting over players like Hedges.

The issue I have with ACD is that he has yet to learn not to try and beat players in his own half. Once in the opposition half and with some space to run he has been very effective but he still wants to play the same way defensively. He was a bit better in that respect last night than he has been in other games, notably at Millwall, so maybe he is learning.

Whilst Buckley had a mixed game (as did most of the team in truth), for me he played the pass of the night in the first few seconds. From the kick-off he stepped to one side and curled a ball to Hedges who passed it on to Weimann who almost took it into the penalty box.

[Dreams of 1995]

1 hour ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

Sometimes he’s surprising deft withe ball at his feet and he can play a nice short pass. Unlike the one Hedges gave Beck in the first half.

Glad I'm not the only one who thinks this Tyrone. A lot of talk about how Gueye is awful with his feet...I don't see it. He isn't the most technical player in our team but awful is a stretch

It's another game that Gueye has changed. We looked blunt in attack before that, When Gueye enters the pitch, the defenders have to think about something differently. Weimann wants to get in front of the defender for crosses, whereas Gueye is happy to have that ball lofted and he'll attack it wherever the centre half is

Is it a stretch to say Gueye wins us the three points? Maybe. We were much better than Pompey and would have probably found a goal elsewhere but I'm going to give it to Gueye. Just like against Sheffield Wednesday and the last minute equaliser for Leeds (it was Gueye's assist) - that is 7 pts that Gueye has come on and contributed heavily to in a month. I'm sure there will be more going back that I have forgot

Overall thought it was a scrappy game to be honest. They are as poor a side we have played this season. 3 pts in the bag and a 3-0 home win is exactly what this fixture deserved.

Owen Beck and Callum Brittain are fantastic on either side. I think Beck is my favourite player though. What a signing he has proved to be

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

9 minutes ago, Dreams of 1995 said:

Glad I'm not the only one who thinks this Tyrone. A lot of talk about how Gueye is awful with his feet...I don't see it. He isn't the most technical player in our team but awful is a stretch

It's another game that Gueye has changed. We looked blunt in attack before that, When Gueye enters the pitch, the defenders have to think about something differently. Weimann wants to get in front of the defender for crosses, whereas Gueye is happy to have that ball lofted and he'll attack it wherever the centre half is

Is it a stretch to say Gueye wins us the three points? Maybe. We were much better than Pompey and would have probably found a goal elsewhere but I'm going to give it to Gueye. Just like against Sheffield Wednesday and the last minute equaliser for Leeds (it was Gueye's assist) - that is 7 pts that Gueye has come on and contributed heavily to in a month. I'm sure there will be more going back that I have forgot

Overall thought it was a scrappy game to be honest. They are as poor a side we have played this season. 3 pts in the bag and a 3-0 home win is exactly what this fixture deserved.

Owen Beck and Callum Brittain are fantastic on either side. I think Beck is my favourite player though. What a signing he has proved to be

You’re still playing and I can still remember what playing is like. Maybe that helps ? 
 

I agree about Beck, you wouldn’t want to be running against him. He’ll get the ball and put you on the running track and not think twice.

[superniko]

2 hours ago, norwichblue said:

Can’t stop watching that second goal. Cantwell does brilliantly in tight space to beat two men to set up the transition to attack. That dummy from ACD left their defender in tatters. And what a finish from Brittain. We’ve scored some nice goals this season.

Wish I’d seen Dion’s contributions - I had to step out momentarily.

Here you go:

https://x.com/rovers/status/1879853857850675591?s=46

Edited Thursday at 12:18 by superniko

[lraC]

1 hour ago, Paul Mani said:

Mate, you won’t get any argument from me. I said within 10 minutes of seeing him make his debut vs Stockport that there’s a player in him and he’s FARRRR better than Sam Gallagher.

It’s taken time, but with his physical attributes, ability to hold the ball and win flick ons etc, he’s always going to be a handful. I also feel there’s a goal streak in him, that you get with strikers who aren’t great finishers but often get on a roll where they score 5 in 5 games.

One thing is for sure, if we can get the Makhtar Gueye, who turned up last night playing consistently, like that that for 70 mins a game, we will fuckin terrorise defences. 💪🏽

I have been one of his biggest critics, including shuddering when he came on last night.

That header was awesome and I love his charisma too, which he is full of.

Fingers crossed we can get a bit more of what we got last night and I eat loads of humble pie.

[Admiral Nelsen]

30 minutes ago, Dreams of 1995 said:

Glad I'm not the only one who thinks this Tyrone. A lot of talk about how Gueye is awful with his feet...I don't see it. He isn't the most technical player in our team but awful is a stretch

 

I remember his debut at Stockport thinking that he was keeping things simple but was a very effective at getting the ball under control and laying it off. Classic target man stuff. The sort of stuff that you always wanted Gallagher to do, but he lacked the first touch (and aggression?) to do it well. 

The bigger problem with Gueye is what seems be between his ears rather than anything technical. When he's on form he can obviously contribute and even change games like yesterday. When he isn't, he doesn't look like a professional footballer. 

Edited Thursday at 12:28 by Admiral Nelsen

[norwichblue]

15 minutes ago, superniko said:

Here you go:

https://x.com/rovers/status/1879853857850675591?s=46

Brilliant 🤣

[roversfan99]

Gueye's 45 minutes in a friendly at Stockport could become as legendary as Myles Anderson's tackle or Brett Emerton's debut v Wolves.

[LDRover]

4 hours ago, Wegerleswiggle said:

Have just been speaking to Josh Murphy's old man. Josh reckons Brittain and Beck are the best pair of full backs in the league. Also said Cantwell's a t##t. 😂

That's because he megged him before doing a Maradona around him!! Murphy rightfully lifted him straight after.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

24 minutes ago, superniko said:

Here you go:

https://x.com/rovers/status/1879853857850675591?s=46

The new “ Axe “ ? It was very significant that both centre halves came over to congratulate him. Good team spirit there.

[roversfan99]

1 hour ago, Admiral Nelsen said:

On Hedges - I've given him plenty grief both this season and earlier, but I think the last couple of months have shown how valuable he is out of possession. And let's face it, our good results have been a lot more about being hard to break down than doing anything especially impressive with the ball. 

He works hard and unlike Dolan/Weimann/seemingly Cozier-Dubbery, he has the legs and frame to get up and down the pitch easily. Obviously an upgrade would be nice but I think we have to recognise that his contribution can be a bit under the radar sometimes. 

 

Yesterday, I thought we were better in the first half than some are saying. It was a bit of a non-event, but we were easily the better team in the first half an hour or so and should've been two in front before they hit the bar with what was I think their first shot? Quite like what I saw from Buckley too - he wasn't brilliant by any means but in the main he was playing the ball quicker and didn't have too many 'Buckleyisms' of under hitting easy passes or dallying on the ball too long. Something for him to build on. 

He offers zilch going forward though. Even the basics break down with him. In one attack, he had Beck overlapping and in a great position, Hedges messed up a 5 yard pass and it broke down. There was once in the second half where a simple ball was played down the line to him, hes a big lad and just couldnt get hold of it and conceded possession.

I dont think hes amazing off the ball either.

Buckley wa still guilty of his usual frustrations. He takes a touch or 2 too many and gives away silly fouls and it just kept breaking up the game.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

1 minute ago, roversfan99 said:

He offers zilch going forward though. Even the basics break down with him. In one attack, he had Beck overlapping and in a great position, Hedges messed up a 5 yard pass and it broke down. There was once in the second half where a simple ball was played down the line to him, hes a big lad and just couldnt get hold of it and conceded possession.

I dont think hes amazing off the ball either.

Buckley wa still guilty of his usual frustrations. He takes a touch or 2 too many and gives away silly fouls and it just kept breaking up the game.

Buckley was lucky not to get booked.

[Admiral Nelsen]

7 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

He offers zilch going forward though. Even the basics break down with him. In one attack, he had Beck overlapping and in a great position, Hedges messed up a 5 yard pass and it broke down. There was once in the second half where a simple ball was played down the line to him, hes a big lad and just couldnt get hold of it and conceded possession.

I dont think hes amazing off the ball either.

Buckley wa still guilty of his usual frustrations. He takes a touch or 2 too many and gives away silly fouls and it just kept breaking up the game.

 

Very little. No question about that. I was probably posting on here earlier in the season that we should drop him (I was definitely thinking it!) and even now I wish our options were strong enough that he could be more of a bit part player. 

All I'm saying is that we as fans are often guilty of caring too much about what players do in possession and not enough about what they do out of possession. When we keep winning tight games by keeping clean sheets and being tough to break down, you start appreciating the other things that players bring to the table and we don't have anyone else in Hedges position who combines his athleticism and workrate. 

Disagree about Buckley last night. I'll grant you there was that slide tackle which was idiotic, but on the whole it was the most he's resembled a 'normal' midfielder in ages. He's miles away from getting in when everyone's fit, but yesterday was a good sign in terms of him having any sort of career here I thought (although swallows, summers, etc.)

[Dreams of 1995]

1 hour ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

You’re still playing and I can still remember what playing is like. Maybe that helps ? 
 

I agree about Beck, you wouldn’t want to be running against him. He’ll get the ball and put you on the running track and not think twice.

There's a lot to be said for that, for sure

You look at some of these players and just know they'd be a nightmare to play against. You are 100% right about Beck

In the lower levels of football a lot of the 3g pitches have barriers running only a few metres from the touch line. I've seen a few nasty collisions, including broken arms and cheek bones. Some defenders revel in the opportunity to put a man on his backside. Beck is one of them

There was a moment yesterday when it looked as though the winger got past Beck and somehow he managed to stay with him, track the run, and basically run the winger off the pitch. As a centre half you love those types of full backs. There's a few who would miss the first tackle and so will just let the winger past, even at this level

Coincidentally, as good a footballing side as JDT had us, I'm struggling to think who I wouldn't have liked to come across in that squad. We had a very soft underbelly and have done for years. So it is refreshing to see us winning the battles this season. It used to be that when we did see players give a bit, they got sent off for doing it foolishly - I think of Garrett or of Buckley throwing the ball at that Boro players head. It was all naive and nicey-nicey. Never a recipe for success

[RevidgeBlue]

17 minutes ago, Admiral Nelsen said:

All I'm saying is that we as fans are often guilty of caring too much about what players do in possession and not enough about what they do out of possession. 

I'd take the exact opposite viewpoint. Id say that quite often when a player isn't up to it far too much is made of their supposed qualities off the ball and what they allegedly offer the team in a defensive capacity.

A reasonable amount of tracking back and a bit of athleticism should be a more or less a given in this day and age, not a particular badge of honour. In Hedges' case I'd say he is a million miles off being Championship standard and the obvious weak link in the side whenever he plays.

I don't even think he is that good off the ball. For me the much maligned Dolan works a lot harder and even though he isn't the finished article, he offers way way more going forward and in terms of goalscoring threat.

Edited Thursday at 13:31 by RevidgeBlue

[roversfan99]

22 minutes ago, Admiral Nelsen said:

 

Very little. No question about that. I was probably posting on here earlier in the season that we should drop him (I was definitely thinking it!) and even now I wish our options were strong enough that he could be more of a bit part player. 

All I'm saying is that we as fans are often guilty of caring too much about what players do in possession and not enough about what they do out of possession. When we keep winning tight games by keeping clean sheets and being tough to break down, you start appreciating the other things that players bring to the table and we don't have anyone else in Hedges position who combines his athleticism and workrate. 

Disagree about Buckley last night. I'll grant you there was that slide tackle which was idiotic, but on the whole it was the most he's resembled a 'normal' midfielder in ages. He's miles away from getting in when everyone's fit, but yesterday was a good sign in terms of him having any sort of career here I thought (although swallows, summers, etc.)

We seem to be solid regardless of the personnel in the wide areas, they all work hard and it all comes down to the way we are setup. I dont feel like we become more solid and organised specifically when we have Hedges there as opposed to someone else.

But even if you are brilliant off the ball, you have to offer something going forward to justify selection as a wide player.

Buckley isnt miles away anymore, he is 3rd choice and currently in the team down only to one injury.

[K-Hod]

I absolutely love how organised we are, how much we graft and the second(?) goal last night embodied this.

Really had to do a bit to clear that off the line, then some great play from Cantwell, strong running from Gueye, then an incredible dummy by ACD, finished off with a thunderbolt by Brittain.

Great to watch, that.

[bluebruce]

8 hours ago, Ossydave said:

I think he's on about in terms of the standard of football.

Revenue wise, they have some really big stadia, multiple stadiums above 50k capacity ( that get filled) Which will account for the revenue side of it.

I know he's on about the standard of football. But it stands to reason that if the financial power is equal (per club it's higher there) it's likely the teams are on a similar level. Albeit German clubs don't overspend stupidly like here and pay more sensible wages. Since we don't play European football against each other at this tier, and probably none of us are watching the 2. Bundesliga regularly, I don't think there's really any other way to compare.

[Admiral Nelsen]

37 minutes ago, RevidgeBlue said:

I'd take the exact opposite viewpoint. Id say that quite often when a player isn't up to it far too much is made of their supposed qualities off the ball and what they allegedly offer the team in a defensive capacity.

A reasonable amount of tracking back and a bit of athleticism should be a more or less a given in this day and age, not a particular badge of honour. In Hedges' case I'd say he is a million miles off being Championship standard and the obvious weak link in the side whenever he plays.

I don't even think he is that good off the ball. For me Dolan works a lot harder and even though he isn't the finished article, he offers way way more going forward and in terms of goalscoring threat.

 

But if it's a given then why don't we have it in the rest of our squad? Dolan works hard, but isn't big enough to get up and down the pitch like Hedges. Weimann similar. Cozier-Dubery similar. 

Obviously if we had three Ryan Hedges playing behind a striker then we would be in serious trouble. If we're looking to bring in an upgrade in his position - as it seems we are - then that's great. I'd happily trade a little bit of his athleticism for a player who contributes more going forward. But we're somehow 5th in the league, mainly by being hard to play against. If being able to do that well was ten a penny, then more teams would do it well. 

 

28 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

We seem to be solid regardless of the personnel in the wide areas, they all work hard and it all comes down to the way we are setup. I dont feel like we become more solid and organised specifically when we have Hedges there as opposed to someone else.

But even if you are brilliant off the ball, you have to offer something going forward to justify selection as a wide player.

Buckley isnt miles away anymore, he is 3rd choice and currently in the team down only to one injury.

 

I think Eustace demands doing your job off the ball from his wide players, that's true. But the flip side of that is that Hedges usually starts when fit, so he presumably rates him as bringing something to the table more than the others (and it's not his attacking threat!). Hopefully over the coming weeks we'll be signing someone who is an upgrade in all areas making the whole thing academic. 

On Buckley, I meant miles away in terms of being first choice on merit. Travis and Tronstad have been excellent and last night, Buckley was okay.  

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

Good result,confidence back on track.

I see plety of other fans of local Clubs having a pop at last nights attendance...as if ANY of you can mock our support.🤔

[Hannoverover]

11 minutes ago, bluebruce said:

I know he's on about the standard of football. But it stands to reason that if the financial power is equal (per club it's higher there) it's likely the teams are on a similar level. Albeit German clubs don't overspend stupidly like here and pay more sensible wages. Since we don't play European football against each other at this tier, and probably none of us are watching the 2. Bundesliga regularly, I don't think there's really any other way to compare.

I would guess if you remove the parachute payments teams the level would be fairly similar in quality. Maybe slightly lower but games between teams should be competitive. 

Overall attending matches is a really good experience. Cheap tickets, beer and bratwursts, great fan involvement in running the clubs.

[bluebruce]

3 hours ago, joey_big_nose said:

Yeah he had a mixed game. Like everyone missed passes but played some good ones too. WIth Travis coming back soon, Forshaw looking alright coming on and Cantwell seeming un-droppable he needs to step up the performance level against Oxford.

I didn't even notice Forshaw. Thought he was pretty anonymous in his cameo.

[joey_big_nose]

1 hour ago, RevidgeBlue said:

I'd take the exact opposite viewpoint. Id say that quite often when a player isn't up to it far too much is made of their supposed qualities off the ball and what they allegedly offer the team in a defensive capacity.

A reasonable amount of tracking back and a bit of athleticism should be a more or less a given in this day and age, not a particular badge of honour. In Hedges' case I'd say he is a million miles off being Championship standard and the obvious weak link in the side whenever he plays.

I don't even think he is that good off the ball. For me the much maligned Dolan works a lot harder and even though he isn't the finished article, he offers way way more going forward and in terms of goalscoring threat.

I thought Dolan was pretty good to be honest, did a lot down the right, got some good balls in. Out of the front four he was easily the best until the subs so I was a bit surprised when he was taken off with Hedges. Still given the result can hardly quibble with that call!

[roversfan99]

Dolan like all of the front 4 was fairly anonymous but he did put in one excellent cross that Hyam should have scored with and was probably just about the best, or moreso the least bad of the front 4, I would agree.

[Exiled_Rover]

43 minutes ago, SIMON GARNERS 194 said:

Good result,confidence back on track.

I see plety of other fans of local Clubs having a pop at last nights attendance...as if ANY of you can mock our support.🤔

I'd love to see their support after 14 years of owners suffocating the life out of their club.