v Sunderland (h) - 26/12/2024

[Exiled_Rover]

3 hours ago, Gav said:

Loved the game yesterday, Ewood rocking, we played like Brazil 1970 for 10mins in the first half and a 90min equaliser, tremendous stuff. 

Dolan was unplayable at times, the lads so exciting to watch when it clicks, worth the admission price on his own. 

I thought we’d struggle this season, I’ve been proven wrong and all credit to Eustace who has built from the back like all good managers do.

Onwards and upwards.

Dolan has genuinely never been worth the price of admission. 

[Gav]

25 minutes ago, Exiled_Rover said:

Dolan has genuinely never been worth the price of admission. 

Did you go yesterday? 

The lad was outstanding for large parts yesterday and quite rightly won man of the match.

Edited December 27, 2024 by Gav

[Herbie6590]

BRFCS POTM 

[Exiled_Rover]

6 minutes ago, Gav said:

Did you go yesterday? 

The lad was outstanding for large parts yesterday and quite rightly won man of the match.

Yes, I have a season ticket in the Jack Walker stand. 

[Gav]

Just now, Exiled_Rover said:

Yes, I have a season ticket in the Jack Walker stand. 

Dolan was outstanding yesterday for the most party, do you not agree?
 

[roversfan99]

As summed up elsewhere, very good in the first half and should have had a healthier lead. But massively dropped off in the second and it felt like the changes didnt improve us and a goal wasnt going to come.

Performance wise, Dolan was bright but obviously missed an absolute sitter. Hedges is not good enough and his tame shot summed up the attacking threat he offers. Right back feels like a position of strength with Brittain having massively improved under Eustace and JRC also being a very capable right back. Baker did ok but is obviously a big downgrade on Travis next to Tronstad. 

This crap about Gueye not being backed will seemigly continue. The goal involvements stat is always one that has limited use, we have passed christmas and our striker has 1 goal. He has a few assists but its such a limited stat especially when it includes open nets that he missed but made slight contact with. Good to see Ohashi finally end a crazy number of goalless appearances.

[roversfan99]

22 hours ago, Neal said:

Really? Stats show he's 3rd in assists in the league, another good knockdown to rescue us a point and came on against Wednesday to win us 3 points... 

 

Not having a go at you here but seeing the stick he gets and the hearing the stick he got today is starting to wear a bit thin. 

 

We paid 1.5 million for him which in the grand scheme of things is absolutely peanuts in today's market. 3 goals and 6 assists in all competitions isn't a bad return at all. The guy wins headers, feeds off scraps and somehow manages to win us a points here and there without starting regularly. 

 

Granted it took him too long to get off the mark but because of that, a few misses and his awkward style, seems to be an easy target to be made a scapegoat. 

 

We would be far worse off in the table without the big man. He's not even played half a season folks, don't be so keen to write him off and give him time... The big man is a problem for teams in this league! 

We wouldnt be far worse off in the table without his solitary goal and a few assists, especially when most saw him play only a small role in the goal. He isnt a scapegoat and hes backed as everyone is, hes just a bit crap.

19 hours ago, Paul Mani said:

A brilliant game of football and end to end, entertainment. We were well worth the point…

Positives - Overall, a sea of 7/10’s. Dolan, was his mercurial self in the first half going from the sublime (In his build up), to the ridiculous (in his finishing). Ohashi, as industrious as ever and got his goal. 

Negatives - I don’t think Baker is the answer at CM. Buckley (also not good enough) looked better when he came on but we will have to see if either stake a meaningful claim in Travis’ absence l. Hedges and Cantwell were largely ineffective across the game, the latter showing flashes early in the first half but both completely passive in the second, and we looked much more dangerous when ACD came on.

Final special mention to Harry Leonard. Happy he took his goal. I think there’s a 15-20 goal a year striker in him. He needs to stay for and get some game time. If we can get a Striker on loan, I’d love to see Leonard go on loan into League 1, and play regularly.

Same team again on Sunday, other than ACD for Hedges.

At what point do we give Ohashi a run as the second striker with Gueye or Leonard leading the line, and what does that mean for Cantwell?

 

Its a hell of a statement at this stage to to say that Leonard is a 15-20 goal striker. Maybe not on par with Buckley being a potential £10m (poor again yesterday and his air kick at the end nearly cost us).

[damo100]

Did we have a different/new stadium announcer yesterday against Sunderland?

[M_B]

26 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

As summed up elsewhere, very good in the first half and should have had a healthier lead. But massively dropped off in the second and it felt like the changes didnt improve us and a goal wasnt going to come.

Performance wise, Dolan was bright but obviously missed an absolute sitter. Hedges is not good enough and his tame shot summed up the attacking threat he offers. Right back feels like a position of strength with Brittain having massively improved under Eustace and JRC also being a very capable right back. Baker did ok but is obviously a big downgrade on Travis next to Tronstad. 

This crap about Gueye not being backed will seemigly continue. The goal involvements stat is always one that has limited use, we have passed christmas and our striker has 1 goal. He has a few assists but its such a limited stat especially when it includes open nets that he missed but made slight contact with. Good to see Ohashi finally end a crazy number of goalless appearances.

The game changed when Gueye came on, we actually started playing in their half. There's no doubt he's improving after a good display and winner at Wednesday, and a good sub appearance and assist for the equaliser yesterday.

[Exiled_Rover]

35 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

As summed up elsewhere, very good in the first half and should have had a healthier lead. But massively dropped off in the second and it felt like the changes didnt improve us and a goal wasnt going to come.

Performance wise, Dolan was bright but obviously missed an absolute sitter. Hedges is not good enough and his tame shot summed up the attacking threat he offers. Right back feels like a position of strength with Brittain having massively improved under Eustace and JRC also being a very capable right back. Baker did ok but is obviously a big downgrade on Travis next to Tronstad. 

This crap about Gueye not being backed will seemigly continue. The goal involvements stat is always one that has limited use, we have passed christmas and our striker has 1 goal. He has a few assists but its such a limited stat especially when it includes open nets that he missed but made slight contact with. Good to see Ohashi finally end a crazy number of goalless appearances.

His striking technique is poor, so I'd never actually back him to score a goal if the chance falls to him, but we're absolutely a better team when he's leading the line. 

He's 6'5" and uses it - you can see CBs hate playing against him because he's a physical player. It's not a finesse league, you need one or two battering rams in your side to upset the opposition. He's ours. 

You can dismiss the assists all you want, but the ball keeps on 'fortuitously' bouncing off him into the path of our players and they keep on putting it in the back of the net. Long may it continue. 

[Exiled_Rover]

2 hours ago, Gav said:

Dolan was outstanding yesterday for the most party, do you not agree?
 

I thought it was a typical Dolan performance at Ewood. 

Again, you can't fault his work rate - at one point in the second half he sprinted 40 yards to cover the overlapping LB. The problem is he fluffs gilt edged chances like the sitter in the first half. If his brain was as quick as his feet he'd be a good player. Sadly it's not. 

He has a place as a squad player, for the right price, but nothing more. 

[M_B]

4 minutes ago, Exiled_Rover said:

I thought it was a typical Dolan performance at Ewood. 

Again, you can't fault his work rate - at one point in the second half he sprinted 40 yards to cover the overlapping LB. The problem is he fluffs gilt edged chances like the sitter in the first half. If his brain was as quick as his feet he'd be a good player. Sadly it's not. 

He has a place as a squad player, for the right price, but nothing more. 

Thing is though, he was our best player in the first half,just a pity he had his goal wrongly chalked off, even their defender it came off put his hands on his head.

[bluebruce]

4 hours ago, Exiled_Rover said:

I thought it was a typical Dolan performance at Ewood. 

Again, you can't fault his work rate - at one point in the second half he sprinted 40 yards to cover the overlapping LB. The problem is he fluffs gilt edged chances like the sitter in the first half. If his brain was as quick as his feet he'd be a good player. Sadly it's not. 

He has a place as a squad player, for the right price, but nothing more. 

Joint second highest goal contributions in the squad this year.

[rigger]

44 minutes ago, bluebruce said:

Joint second highest goal contributions in the squad this year.

Dolan is still just a squad player.

[USABlue]

10 hours ago, Gav said:

Did you go yesterday? 

The lad was outstanding for large parts yesterday and quite rightly won man of the match.

Imagine if he could shoot and pass too.  Had he shown some composure and thrown in a little quality we win that game by a couple.  Hoping if it does all click for him it is not for another team.  Plenty if positives to his game.

[Rochdale_rover]

12 hours ago, Gav said:

Did you go yesterday? 

The lad was outstanding for large parts yesterday and quite rightly won man of the match.

Good 20 min spell . 

Awful miss

Pretty rubbish for the rest .

If we have any ambition . He should be sold and replaced in jan if he won't sign a contract

 

[Dreams of 1995]

I like Gueye. He looks like he would be an absolute nightmare to defend against. It’s all arms and legs flying everywhere but you’d be bruised by the end of it. He likes to leave a bit of a late one in as the defender clears. For the defenders amongst us, you know exactly what I am talking about - your ankles are wrote off

He is also really good on the turn. Particularly if the ball is chest height. Two moments stand out to me for this one - his sending off at Burnley and the blatant penalty vs Sheffield Wednesday. On both occasions he turned the defender with ease. On another day, the Burnley centre half gets a booking (he should have done) and Rovers win a penalty (we should have done). Suddenly Gueye has one less red card and one more assist

When you play football you also admire the players that seem to be in the right place. Some fans - not players - only want to see perfection. It’s too easy to ignore one of Gueyes assist because he didn’t mean it. Think of the butterfly effect - if Gueye was not there, he doesn’t back heel it and Beck doesn’t score. If Gueye wasn’t in that space against Sunderland then the ball may not have fell kindly to Leonard. Far too easy to sit at a keyboard and bitch about stats but when you’re on that pitch, you look at those players and think that something can come from them simply being in that box. I get that vibe from Gueye.

His game will improve over time. It has to in order to remain at this level in England. His goal contributions are a good look for him; he clearly has a good work ethic and I think his overall game has been good. He just needs to get on the scoresheet more often 

[Tom]

There was nothing accidental about his Boxing Day assist, it’s a great knock down, people just make their mind up if they rate someone or not and view every touch with either a positive or negative slant.

I’m guilty of doing it positively granted 

[RevidgeBlue]

14 hours ago, M_B said:

Thing is though, he was our best player in the first half,just a pity he had his goal wrongly chalked off, even their defender it came off put his hands on his head.

Wasn't wrongly chalked off. The ball deflected off the defender therefore it doesn't count. Stupid rule.

I agree on Dolan though he was sensational first half.

 

[roversfan99]

1 hour ago, Dreams of 1995 said:

I like Gueye. He looks like he would be an absolute nightmare to defend against. It’s all arms and legs flying everywhere but you’d be bruised by the end of it. He likes to leave a bit of a late one in as the defender clears. For the defenders amongst us, you know exactly what I am talking about - your ankles are wrote off

He is also really good on the turn. Particularly if the ball is chest height. Two moments stand out to me for this one - his sending off at Burnley and the blatant penalty vs Sheffield Wednesday. On both occasions he turned the defender with ease. On another day, the Burnley centre half gets a booking (he should have done) and Rovers win a penalty (we should have done). Suddenly Gueye has one less red card and one more assist

When you play football you also admire the players that seem to be in the right place. Some fans - not players - only want to see perfection. It’s too easy to ignore one of Gueyes assist because he didn’t mean it. Think of the butterfly effect - if Gueye was not there, he doesn’t back heel it and Beck doesn’t score. If Gueye wasn’t in that space against Sunderland then the ball may not have fell kindly to Leonard. Far too easy to sit at a keyboard and bitch about stats but when you’re on that pitch, you look at those players and think that something can come from them simply being in that box. I get that vibe from Gueye.

His game will improve over time. It has to in order to remain at this level in England. His goal contributions are a good look for him; he clearly has a good work ethic and I think his overall game has been good. He just needs to get on the scoresheet more often 

He doesnt deserve any credit for missing an open goal. 

Thats not seeking perfection or being a keyboard warrior. A professional striker has no excuse to miss that chance.

55 minutes ago, Tom said:

There was nothing accidental about his Boxing Day assist, it’s a great knock down, people just make their mind up if they rate someone or not and view every touch with either a positive or negative slant.

I’m guilty of doing it positively granted 

As you say, I dont think he has ever had a game where you have not defended him even if hes had a stinker.

I think the whole messageboard myself included gave him lots of praise for his cameo at Hillsbrough when he was very good and crucially got a goal.

Until he actually starts contributing goals though, it feels like a case of people clinging on to anything in the understandable hope that he can become a useful striker.

It was harder to make out in the ground and still isnt that clear from the highlights. If he has nodded it down then fair play, its a very important and intelligent knock down.

[Mattyblue]

In the ground? From your season ticket seat by any chance, ‘99? 🤔

[roversfan99]

😂

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

1 hour ago, Dreams of 1995 said:

I like Gueye. He looks like he would be an absolute nightmare to defend against. It’s all arms and legs flying everywhere but you’d be bruised by the end of it. He likes to leave a bit of a late one in as the defender clears. For the defenders amongst us, you know exactly what I am talking about - your ankles are wrote off

He is also really good on the turn. Particularly if the ball is chest height. Two moments stand out to me for this one - his sending off at Burnley and the blatant penalty vs Sheffield Wednesday. On both occasions he turned the defender with ease. On another day, the Burnley centre half gets a booking (he should have done) and Rovers win a penalty (we should have done). Suddenly Gueye has one less red card and one more assist

When you play football you also admire the players that seem to be in the right place. Some fans - not players - only want to see perfection. It’s too easy to ignore one of Gueyes assist because he didn’t mean it. Think of the butterfly effect - if Gueye was not there, he doesn’t back heel it and Beck doesn’t score. If Gueye wasn’t in that space against Sunderland then the ball may not have fell kindly to Leonard. Far too easy to sit at a keyboard and bitch about stats but when you’re on that pitch, you look at those players and think that something can come from them simply being in that box. I get that vibe from Gueye.

His game will improve over time. It has to in order to remain at this level in England. His goal contributions are a good look for him; he clearly has a good work ethic and I think his overall game has been good. He just needs to get on the scoresheet more often 

He’s not a bad passer of the ball either. Let’s not forget he’s playing in the hardest position on the pitch. Anybody doubting that - have a go yourself.

Edited December 28, 2024 by Tyrone Shoelaces

[M_B]

13 minutes ago, RevidgeBlue said:

Wasn't wrongly chalked off. The ball deflected off the defender therefore it doesn't count. Stupid rule.

I agree on Dolan though he was sensational first half.

 

The defender put his hands on his head, looked like he played at it.

[Dreams of 1995]

42 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

He doesnt deserve any credit for missing an open goal. 

Thats not seeking perfection or being a keyboard warrior. A professional striker has no excuse to miss that chance.

I didn’t give him credit for missing an open goal