v Sunderland (h) - 26/12/2024

[Cherry Blue]

Does he play him or does he loan him out?

JE most have said when he came if anyone can score its Leonard. He did which now means he's got to start against Hull. 

 

[chaddyrovers]

34 minutes ago, lraC said:

Their manager earned his corn for sure with the adjustments he made at half time.

 

Exactly my.point but very few people are having given their head coach credits for a few tactical tweaks he did. Roberts playing wider and higher, Bellingham and Neil pressing more and move the ball quickly. 

17 minutes ago, Cherry Blue said:

Does he play him or does he loan him out?

JE most have said when he came if anyone can score its Leonard. He did which now means he's got to start against Hull. 

Where do you start him and are you dropping Ohashi for him or Cantwell? 

[sharpysharps86]

Well if you're going to blow a lead then at least try not to lose the game, and thankfully Rovers managed to salvage something. Quite pleased overall with a point against a team above us in the table. It now means only Sheffield United have so far beaten Rovers out of those top 4 sides. I'm pretty content with that.

It is disappointing that after taking a relatively early lead they failed to take their chances in the first half. It was inevitable that Sunderland would come out a different side, as they have shown several times this season, they do tend to start slowly and work their way back into games.

Delighted for Ohashi and then Leonard, who I do think could be a player at this level.

We were somewhat fortunate that results of the teams below us were either draws or defeats in the case of West Brom. Important that Rovers go on and beat Hull now though.

Edit: My bad, didn't know Watford won late on.

Edited 17 hours ago by sharpysharps86

[Penwortham Blue]

2 hours ago, chaddyrovers said:

I'm sure Eustace won't give Hedges both barrels at all. 

I've watched the highlights back and both times Hedges is in the final third and Sunderland move the ball very quickly forward to Roberts who played wider and higher all second half. 

So how the hell is it Hedges at fault and why can't you actually credit Sunderland head coach for changing Roberts starting position and them moving it forward quickly

The first goal stemmed from Beck going for header on the half way which he lost and was then out of position and leaving Roberts bags of room. Beck did seem to be really tucked in to the CH and that gave Roberts the freedom of the flank, especially in the second half.

[Ozz]

Aynsley Pears takes a lot of credit for the injury time save. Won us a point.

[Ozz]

7 minutes ago, Penwortham Blue said:

The first goal stemmed from Beck going for header on the half way which he lost and was then out of position and leaving Roberts bags of room. 

Correct, he over commited and left a massive gap behind him. 

[Cherry Blue]

45 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

Exactly my.point but very few people are having given their head coach credits for a few tactical tweaks he did. Roberts playing wider and higher, Bellingham and Neil pressing more and move the ball quickly. 

Where do you start him and are you dropping Ohashi for him or Cantwell? 

Rest Ohashi for 60 mins with 3 big games in 7 days. Opportunity to give Leonard a starting chance. Can't leave Cantwell out as he can be clever both on and off the ball.

Should be on the v Hull thread but Hull have conceded 32 goals whereas Leeds 15. Get Leonard started up front for the start of a massive week.

 

[chaddyrovers]

11 minutes ago, Cherry Blue said:

Rest Ohashi for 60 mins with 3 big games in 7 days. Opportunity to give Leonard a starting chance. Can't leave Cantwell out as he can be clever both on and off the ball.

Should be on the v Hull thread but Hull have conceded 32 goals whereas Leeds 15. Get Leonard started up front for the start of a massive week.

 

Gueye for me is starting at Leeds as long with Tronstad and Hedges. I would play the same way as we did at home to them

[roverandout]

Watched the first half. Missed the second half because my dog started to become ill. So had to tend to him. Our first half performance wss excellent.  I'd have taken a point before the game

[Wheelton Blue]

7 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

Gueye for me is starting at Leeds as long with Tronstad and Hedges. I would play the same way as we did at home to them

With the injury to Pickering, unfortunately we have little choice but to play Hedges.

[Forever Blue]

7 hours ago, Paul Mani said:

 

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?

 

We did it against Millwall and shoved Cantwell out wide left….we were poor and lost the midfield as a result. 
 

Cantwell is hit and miss, but we played well the first half yesterday because  Cantwell has the quality to look after the ball and keep play progressing. 

[MarkBRFC]

7 hours ago, Paul Mani said:

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?

 

I think it worked against Luton when. Cantwell wasn't on the pitch, as we had ACD and Beck out wide who get back and stay fairly wide.

Against Milwall it didn't work because we feel like we have to shoehorn Cantwell in and he leaves us exposed when he's out on the left.

So if Cantwell ever finds himself injured for a while or suspended again then Ohashi/Gueye would probably be my next choice.

[Forever Blue]

He was up against it yesterday but I think Brittain has improved massively this season under Eustace. 
 

And some of his passing is top drawer. He fair pings the ball forward now at pace into feet. 

[RevidgeBlue]

13 hours ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

He managed to play the ball in right footed for their second goal. That was after he’d got around the outside of our defence.

They should fine him a week's wages for that. Playing "dinosaur tactics". Whatever next.

Ditto Brittain for going down the outside of Sunderland's defence on his natural side to put in the cross which was knocked back for Leonard's goal.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Just now, RevidgeBlue said:

They should fine him a week's wages for that. Playing "dinosaur tactics". Whatever next.

Ditto Brittain for going down the outside of Sunderland's defence on his natural side to put in the cross which was knocked back for Leonard's goal.

Yep, a real ale house ball if I ever saw one. He should have passed it back to Hyam to who could have passed it back to Pears. Safety first after all. I’d have him in for extra training.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

1 hour ago, Penwortham Blue said:

The first goal stemmed from Beck going for header on the half way which he lost and was then out of position and leaving Roberts bags of room. Beck did seem to be really tucked in to the CH and that gave Roberts the freedom of the flank, especially in the second half.

I think all modern full backs play too close to the centre halves but they’re obviously told to play that way. I noticed the Millwall full back marking ACD played wider, got right into his ribs, and never allowed him to turn with the ball.  If the winger gets a run at you you’ve got a problem. If he’s smart - he’s going to be running at you and he's got you stopped. Only one winner there.

Edited 16 hours ago by Tyrone Shoelaces

[RevidgeBlue]

8 hours ago, booth said:

Looking at the replays that disallowed goal should have stood. It comes off a Sunderland defender.

The offside was discussed briefly on here yesterday at the time.

I thought the laws had been changed some time ago so that it had to be an intentional pass or attempt at a pass by the defender to count. 

Can one of our resident rules experts confirm or dismiss that?

[Forever Blue]

3 minutes ago, RevidgeBlue said:

The offside was discussed briefly on here yesterday at the time.

I thought the laws had been changed some time ago so that it had to be an intentional pass or attempt at a pass by the defender to count. 

Can one of our resident rules experts confirm or dismiss that?

Why would the defender intentionally pass it to the opposition attacker?

[RevidgeBlue]

7 hours ago, Paul Mani said:

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.

I wouldn't like to see Leonard go out on loan. If he can stay fit who would you fancy to score more goals between now and the end of the season? Leonard or Gueye/Ohashi?

That's irrespective of anyone else coming in.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

4 minutes ago, Forever Blue said:

Why would the defender intentionally pass it to the opposition attacker?

You see that all the time. Pears to Gnonto for instance.

[RevidgeBlue]

4 minutes ago, Forever Blue said:

Why would the defender intentionally pass it to the opposition attacker?

He wouldn't. You know what I mean - an intentional attempt to play the ball as opposed to an inadvertent deflection.

[den]

43 minutes ago, roverandout said:

Watched the first half. Missed the second half because my dog started to become ill. So had to tend to him. Our first half performance wss excellent.  I'd have taken a point before the game

Hope you’re dogs okay roversndout.

[RevidgeBlue]

8 hours ago, Paul Mani said:

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?

I think Gueye and Leonard could be useful together.

I've said this before about Cantwell but for me he needs to start doing a lot more in terms of goals and assists. He just flits round the periphery of the game not really affecting it imo.

[RevidgeBlue]

4 hours ago, arbitro said:

I thought the pace and intensity of the game really took its toll on Cantwell and he was found wanting in the second half. He should be more suited to the game on Sunday when the game won't be as frenetic. 

Whose fault is that?

You say that  like it's acceptable for him only to be fit enough to play one half.

[Neal]

Just watched the extended highlights. I was sat in the Jack Walker so didn't have a good view but... Didn't Gueye have a low shot late on that was going in that a Sunderland player threw himself in front of? Keeper didn't look like he was moving.