v Leeds Utd (a) - 1/1/2025

[jim mk2]

  On 01/01/2025 at 18:40, Exiled_Rover said:

Eustace has just cut his cloth accordingly and made us very, very hard to beat. With the dearth in quality at this level you're always likely to get a chance or two to nick it from a corner / a defensive error.

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Hard to beat is good, but it's not enough if the aim is to do more than just plod along in mid-table. It won't be sustainable over the course of 46 league games and came unstuck recently against Millwall and Hull and the likelihood is we'll continue to slip down the table from here. 

[norwichblue]

Just seen the highlights. What a fucking save from Pears at the end there. Amazing point - well done Rovers!

[RV Blue]

  On 01/01/2025 at 18:12, alcd said:

Suspect he never will be for this level. Powder puff finishing again and a terrible first touch ended a promising attack. Needs to be sent out on loan and a better striker brought in. Won't happen of course. 

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Agreed. And to whoever said he’s better than Vale, he’s not.

[Forever Blue]

  On 01/01/2025 at 18:47, jim mk2 said:

Hard to beat is good, but it's not enough if the aim is to do more than just plod along in mid-table. It won't be sustainable over the course of 46 league games and came unstuck recently against Millwall and Hull and the likelihood is we'll continue to slip down the table from here. 

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The aim was to avoid relegation due to the lack of investment. The fact we’re 6th is because of the way Eustace sets up. If we finish mid table Eustace has still done a very good job. 

Poor John, talk about being a victim of his own success🤷‍♂️

[chaddyrovers]

 

Eustace's Blue and White Army 🔵 ⚪️ 

[speeeeeeedie]

A point was a fair result. Leeds had possession but no chances. Rovers had neither but throttled Leeds.

The first half was a neutral affair. I think that Pears touched it more than any other Rovers player but he either booted it out of play or tried to find Ohashi who was beaten every time by their 6'4" central defenders. 

Rovers had moments in the second half but only a fine save from Pears at the end kept the point. 

It was glaring to me that signings are needed as the squad is a bit threadbare. 

Rovers are still top 6, and 2 draws against teams higher in the table are creditable results but it's now 4 games without a win. As others have said a win on Saturday would do all sorts of good. 

[roversfan99]

Excellent point and brilliant to see us get a late equaliser after a debatable penalty. Funny old game, had we beat Hull and lost today which I would say would have been par, not many eye brows would be raised. Just the one point but today in the manner that we got it and the reaction is probably greater.

Today showed again how brilliant a job Eustace is doing. The attack is so poor, Hedges works hard but offers nothing, Dolan offered nothing and also didnt work as hard/diligently as Hedges, Weimann was anonymous as were both Ohashi and Leonard. We offered nothing going forward.

The organisation and structure of the team is absolutely incredible though. Batth has been an unreal signing, a goal topped off a colossal display. Hyam I still dont think gets the credit he deserves for how good he has been this season. Beck returned back to his best after 2 poor performances and Brittain has gone from a defensive liability to a totally different player. Tronstad is brilliant too even though Baker is a downgrade on Travis. Pears dealt with the little he had too once he got rid of his slippers.

The results have turned from 6 wins in 6 to 2 points from 4, the issue is we are so reliant on clean sheets due to the lack of attacking quality. Its not sustainable to keep a clean sheet every time though so now those 0 againsts have become 1s and 2s those finely balanced games go against us. He badly needs and deserves backing but likely wont get it.

Big challenge on Saturday after the massive workload today. We need to add some attacking quality but Cantwell seems unlikely to be back (and has struggled lately) but ACD should at least start.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

That was more like what we expect from a Rovers team. We haven’t defended like that since Big Sam was here. The team fought fire with fire. We were never going to out football them but we certainly out enthused them. I don’t know about you but I felt that was like a win at the end. Anybody who didn’t enjoy that must be getting old.

Scores

Pears 7 , did the basics . One really good save at the end . Didn’t look like saving the pen.

Brittain 8 , defended well and got forward as much as he could. He’s a different player under Eustace.

Hyam 8 , solid at the back and hardly put a foot wrong.

Batth 9 , a colossus, shades of Ryan Nelsen and Chris Samba. The lad knows how to defend.

Beck 8 , a class act, nobody gets the better of him. Fast, likes a tackle, doesn’t take a backward step. He’ll go far in the game. Reminds me of a young Keith Newton. Praise doesn’t come any higher.

Dolan, 7 worked hard throughout. Obviously ran out of legs at the end. 

Baker, 7 did his best in midfield but he’s not a Travis. Got a trademark “ Travis “ yellow card though.

Tronstad, 8 played a captains role. Put in a big shift in the second half when Leeds threatened to over run us.

Hedges, 7 kept going all game. Not a threat going forward but he helped Beck keep their right wing relatively quiet.

Weimann, 6 the game passed him by. 

Ohashi, 7 worked hard up front until his injury. That was a foul the ref missed

subs 

Leonard, 6 I’m being kind there. He was totally ineffectual apart from that good flick on header. Missed a decent headed chance. He needs to go out on loan, he’s nowhere near ready for football at this level. Not quick, not strong, not mobile enough.

JRC, 7 helped out when he came on, made a couple of good runs to take the pressure off late on.

ACD, 6 a boy playing against men. The new Markanday ? Too easily shoved off the ball and no real pace.
 

Guyere, 7 did ok when he came on. Good header back across goal from a well delivered Beck corner. Obviously a planned move.

Eustace, 9 this guy is the real deal . Most Rovers teams in the past 15 years would have been blown away in the second half. Thanks to this guy we weren’t.

Just my personal views.

Up the Rovers.

Edited January 1 by Tyrone Shoelaces

[Ossydave]

  On 01/01/2025 at 17:52, jim mk2 said:

Hate to be a party pooper but amid the euphoria of an unexpected point we do have to ask questions about the lack of quality up front and in midfield. Has there ever been a Rovers side that struggled to look threatening or score goals as much as this one? 
 

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We need some pace to make us more effective, we have it to an extent with ACD but when he plays we become more frail defensively. I’m not a huge Hedges fan but he does offer more protection. You could of course argue that’s not his primary job. 
 

There's a player in Sweden that fits the bill, goes by the name of Herman Johansson. Bags of pace with an eye for goal. Probably get him for around 1m, which of course they won’t stump up. 

[roversfan99]

  On 01/01/2025 at 17:58, RevidgeBlue said:

I agree completely. He's even managed to make Hyam look decent which is some feat.

The modern day Kevin Moran?

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You do know that Hyam got player of the season in his first season?

He has been even better than he was then this season, and the impressive Batth has definitely helped as have a lack of injuries and a more defensive tactical approach. But hes not a bad player looking "decent," he has been excellent.

  On 01/01/2025 at 17:19, M_B said:

The assist police won't let him have it, there is no doubt that he has once again affected the game, he's definitely improving.

I thought Cozier-Duberry made the wrong decision to be honest.

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Today probably shows the limitations of judging a striker on "goal contributions" because the assist stat is meaningless on its own. 

He wont get today's assist despite it being an excellent header. He did get an assist for making slight contact when trying to tap in the ball from 6 yards, for a knockdown for a 30 yard half volley and also for a 5 yard pass when Sigurdsson really made the goal from an excellent turn. Today's contribution was miles more meaningful than all 3.

Says a lot that its become such a big conversation topic when it wouldnt have been if he didnt have one solitary goal, less than Batth. But his main use does seem to be to chuck him on when we need a goal to see if he can knock something down as he did again today. He started v Hull and was dreadful.

[chaddyrovers]

  On 01/01/2025 at 18:12, miqaayil said:

If there's an opposition i hate ..its leeds and thier criminal manager...

That tackle on ohashi was premeditated to get him off injured ...in my part of the world ...its called a scissor tackle ..where the opponents ankle is caught and twisted by the rotation of your body.. .. and trying to constantly bait us to react...even with so much money and quality in depth ..you can't buy class

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I can't stand Leeds or that song they sing. 

Eustace deserved huge credit as do the players for how good our defensive shape, limited Leeds to very little clear cut chances. Going to Leeds is tough but I think we all know under Eustace we are tough to crack in these games. Why I was confidence we wouldnt get beat here. 

Back 4 and Baker/Tronstad outstanding defensive today. All 8 or 9 out of 10 today

[Exiled in Toronto Mk2]

In addition to the points not mentioned, I liked the yellows taken by Baker and Batt’h as they were both “fuck around and see what happens” fouls, I’d like another couple on Saturday. The days of us being bullied have been put to bed by Eustace.

Batt’h is easily the player of the season for me, not just for his performances but because he has improved everyone around him.

[Paul Mani]

  On 01/01/2025 at 18:58, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

That was more like what we expect from a Rovers team. We haven’t defended like that since Big Sam was here. The team fought fire with fire. We were never going to out football them but we certainly out enthused them. I don’t know about you but I felt that was like a win at the end. Anybody who didn’t enjoy that must be getting old.

Scores

Pears 7 , did the basics . One really good save at the end . Didn’t look like saving the pen.

Brittain 8 , defended well and got forward as much as he could. He’s a different player under Eustace.

Hyam 8 , solid at the back and hardly put a foot wrong.

Batth 9 , a colossus, shades of Ryan Nelsen and Chris Samba. The lad knows how to defend.

Beck 8 , a class act, nobody gets the better of him. Fast, likes a tackle, doesn’t take a backward step. He’ll go far in the game. Reminds me of a young Keith Newton. Praise doesn’t come any higher.

Dolan, 7 worked hard throughout. Obviously ran out of legs at the end. 

Baker, 7 did his best in midfield but he’s not a Travis. Got a trademark “ Travis “ yellow card though.

Tronstad, 8 played a captains role. Put in a big shift in the second half when Leeds threatened to over run us.

Hedges, 7 kept going all game. Not a threat going forward but he helped Beck keep their right wing relatively quiet.

Weimann, 6 the game passed him by. 

Ohashi, 7 worked hard up front until his injury. That was a foul the ref missed

subs 

Leonard, 6 I’m being kind there. He was totally ineffectual apart from that good flick on header. Missed a decent headed chance. He needs to go out on loan, he’s nowhere near ready for football at this level. Not quick, not strong, not mobile enough.

JRC, 7 helped out when he came on, made a couple of good runs to take the pressure off late on.

ACD, 6 a boy playing against men. The new Markanday ? Too easily shoved off the ball and no real pace.
 

Guyere, 7 did ok when he came on. Good header back across goal from a well delivered Beck corner.

Eustace, 9 this guy is the real deal . Most Rovers teams in the past 15 years would have been blown away in the second half. Thanks to this guy we weren’t.

Just my personal views.

Up the Rovers.

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Great review - I wouldn’t disagree with that. Defence and Sonny were top class. Leonard isn’t ready….

I would have given JE a 10/10, I think he’s the very best manager we could have. Seriously making wine out of water. But the change of Yuki for Leonard didn’t work and very nearly cost us. Gueye made a difference when he came on.

[DE.]

If we had owners willing to properly back our managers we would have made top six in JDT's first season. Possibly one of Mowbray's seasons as well - the one where they wouldn't let him sell Rothwell. 

I think with fairly marginal backing in January Eustace would get us there too, and all he'd need is a proper attacker recruited and some luck injury/suspension wise.

But no, our owners who supposedly want us to return to the PL will almost certainly continue to sit on their hands, most likely leading to another opportunity slipping through the cracks.

This guy has turned dirt to gold this season, it's incredibly aggravating that those above him either don't care or don't want him to be that successful. 

[simongarnerisgod]

  On 01/01/2025 at 17:52, jim mk2 said:

Hate to be a party pooper but amid the euphoria of an unexpected point we do have to ask questions about the lack of quality up front and in midfield. Has there ever been a Rovers side that struggled to look threatening or score goals as much as this one? 
 

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thats why eustace sets us up as hard to beat,no point playing expansive attacking football if you hav`nt got the players to do it,it`s basic football common sense,you can thank venkys for us having no quality up front

[J*B]

  On 01/01/2025 at 19:11, DE. said:

If we had owners willing to properly back our managers we would have made top six in JDT's first season. Possibly one of Mowbray's seasons as well - the one where they wouldn't let him sell Rothwell. 

I think with fairly marginal backing in January Eustace would get us there too, and all he'd need is a proper attacker recruited and some luck injury/suspension wise.

But no, our owners who supposedly want us to return to the PL will almost certainly continue to sit on their hands, most likely leading to another opportunity slipping through the cracks.

This guy has turned dirt to gold this season, it's incredibly aggravating that those above him either don't care or don't want him to be that successful. 

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If we had owners willing to properly back our managers Eustace would have an experienced goal scorer waiting for him at Brockhall when the bus arrived!

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

  On 01/01/2025 at 19:11, DE. said:

This guy has turned dirt to gold this season, it's incredibly aggravating that those above him either don't care or don't want him to be that successful. 

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This.

I think I and many others on here will lose it big time if he is not backed.Best manager since Hughes?

[chaddyrovers]

  On 01/01/2025 at 18:57, roversfan99 said:

The results have turned from 6 wins in 6 to 2 points from 4, the issue is we are so reliant on clean sheets due to the lack of attacking quality. Its not sustainable to keep a clean sheet every time though so now those 0 againsts have become 1s and 2s those finely balanced games go against us. He badly needs and deserves backing but likely wont get it.

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2 points from losing positions and scoring late. That is what good teams do and we are doing. Hull result disappointed but they are tougher to play against now under Sellars. 

 

  On 01/01/2025 at 18:57, roversfan99 said:

Big challenge on Saturday after the massive workload today. We need to add some attacking quality but Cantwell seems unlikely to be back but ACD should at least start

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Today was bigger challenge and we stood up and get a well deserved points so that's 4 points out 6 of the league leader. 

Burnley will have more possession but that will suit us to be honest. I wouldn't change the front 4 if Ohashi is fit. Cantwell will hopefully be fit for the bench. 

[Torgeir]

Fuck off Boro

[roversfan99]

  On 01/01/2025 at 19:23, chaddyrovers said:

2 points from losing positions and scoring late. That is what good teams do and we are doing. Hull result disappointed but they are tougher to play against now under Sellars. 

 

Today was bigger challenge and we stood up and get a well deserved points so that's 4 points out 6 of the league leader. 

Burnley will have more possession but that will suit us to be honest. I wouldn't change the front 4 if Ohashi is fit. Cantwell will hopefully be fit for the bench. 

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Ohashi doesnt look like he wil be fit but either way especially at home I would want more attacking quality. We didnt have any today as I expected with the line up but relied on organisation and a late set piece.

ACD maybe was deemed not to be able to start so many in quick succession but he actually gives us a threat. Cantwell should come in to if fit enough.

Eustace badly needs some money to spend on the attack. It isnt good enough and he is doing remarkably well to have us anywhere near purely on the defence. In the last 4 games as I said, we have been conceding 1 or 2 a game rather than 0 and that has been turning wins into draws and losses. You cant just expect to keep clean sheets every single game. 

[RevidgeBlue]

  On 01/01/2025 at 19:23, Torgeir said:

Fuck off Boro

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They should have had a hatful tbf.

Rarely seen a more one sided second half.

Down to 7th. Was nice whilst it lasted. That mini collapse over Christmas killed us.

[RevidgeBlue]

  On 01/01/2025 at 19:30, roversfan99 said:

Eustace badly needs some money to spend on the attack. It isnt good enough and he is doing remarkably well to have us anywhere near purely on the defence. In the last 4 games as I said, we have been conceding 1 or 2 a game rather than 0 and that has been turning wins into draws and losses. You cant just expect to keep clean sheets every single game. 

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Agree 100% but it's been mainly 0 or 1 conceded not 1 or 2.

[islander200]

  On 01/01/2025 at 19:31, RevidgeBlue said:

They should have had a hatful tbf.

Rarely seen a more one sided second half.

Down to 7th. Was nice whilst it lasted. That mini collapse over Christmas killed us.

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Dissapointing results but I'd hardly describe them as season ending   A win in our game in hand v pompey at home would have us ahead of both Boro and West Brom 

We weren't the only side in contention for top 6 to have mediocre/poor results over xmas

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

  On 01/01/2025 at 19:23, chaddyrovers said:

2 points from losing positions and scoring late. That is what good teams do and we are doing. Hull result disappointed but they are tougher to play against now under Sellars. 

 

Today was bigger challenge and we stood up and get a well deserved points so that's 4 points out 6 of the league leader. 

Burnley will have more possession but that will suit us to be honest. I wouldn't change the front 4 if Ohashi is fit. Cantwell will hopefully be fit for the bench. 

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We’ve played possibly the best team in our division 3 times lately, twice away, and all they can show for almost 300 minutes is a very soft penalty.

[M_B]

  On 01/01/2025 at 19:03, roversfan99 said:

You do know that Hyam got player of the season in his first season?

He has been even better than he was then this season, and the impressive Batth has definitely helped as have a lack of injuries and a more defensive tactical approach. But hes not a bad player looking "decent," he has been excellent.

Today probably shows the limitations of judging a striker on "goal contributions" because the assist stat is meaningless on its own. 

He wont get today's assist despite it being an excellent header. He did get an assist for making slight contact when trying to tap in the ball from 6 yards, for a knockdown for a 30 yard half volley and also for a 5 yard pass when Sigurdsson really made the goal from an excellent turn. Today's contribution was miles more meaningful than all 3.

Says a lot that its become such a big conversation topic when it wouldnt have been if he didnt have one solitary goal, less than Batth. But his main use does seem to be to chuck him on when we need a goal to see if he can knock something down as he did again today. He started v Hull and was dreadful.

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He's started affecting games in a positive way. If he doesn't win the header today, we don't score.

If he doesn't bail his keeper out  at Wednesday, we don't win from the goal he scored.

If he doesn't head the ball down to Weimann, we don't score at the Dome. I could go on.

If Cantwell had as much involvement at both ends, we'd be happy.

I don't see why you have such a problem