v Middlesbrough (a) - 11/1/2025, FA Cup R3

[wilsdenrover]

3 hours ago, Tom said:

I didn’t realise till Andy Bayes mentioned it but O’Grady-Macken is the nephew of John Macken

Links to Paul O’Grady yet to be established 

Well his middle name is Paul…

[arbitro]

I can't remember the last time I saw a keeper wearing a cap in a game. Toth looked quite dapper in his 😄.

[chaddyrovers]

43 minutes ago, arbitro said:

I can't remember when I felt as confident of winning after going in front. Defensively we were so solid I honestly couldn't see Boro scoring despite them having a spell of pressure towards the end. However missed chances (and easy ones at that) could have been our undoing but a win is a win and we comfortably put ourselves in tomorrow afternoons draw when hopefully we get a chance to progress. Once again Tronstad was excellent and I commented during the game that he is one of the best midfielders in the Championship. The way he reads the game and sniffs out danger is massive for us. It was good to see some of the squad players getting some game time and I thought they were all decent without being outstanding. A special mention to the 700 Rovers fans who braved the awful driving conditions to get there. The appreciation from the players after the game was genuine and Cantwell made a young Rovers supporters day by giving him his shirt (he might get carpeted for that from Waggott though).

Great effort in attending the game and I am pleased we won for the 700 Rovers fans who travelled there in those driving conditions. 

What did you think Leonard performance?

and our keeper Toth? 

[chaddyrovers]

 

 

[M_B]

3 hours ago, Exiled_Rover said:

Our starting XI minus Dolan, Gueye / Ohashi, ACD, Travis and Carter. Clearly Eustace got it right today - personally I'd have rested the entire side, but that's why he's the manager and I'm sat in the stands. 

Cantwell drifts too deep trying to get involved with the play. Leonard's movement, vision and touch is very good - his finishing isn't. JRC is sadly a utility man these days - valuable, but never going to nail down a spot in a settled side. 

Minus the first choice keeper as well, so good effort today.

[B16Rover]

8 minutes ago, arbitro said:

I can't remember the last time I saw a keeper wearing a cap in a game. Toth looked quite dapper in his 😄.

Hes a Hungarian Chris Kirkland 

[Tom]

Seen the highlights and that’s a good reaction save from Toth, expect him to make it but good for him to get a clean sheet.

Two poor misses from Leonard, the first you can excuse a bit as it’s nice technique but from there you have to score, the second is just poor.  Decent shout for a penalty but I agree with Gallacher in that he’s never in control of the ball and looking for it, there is contact though so you couldn’t complain too much if given. 

Andi’s was slightly tougher than the radio commentary made out but again you have to score, think the ball being gone just about saves the keeper from conceding a penalty. Really good finish for his goal.

[wilsdenrover]

27 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

 

 

I love the way Eustace interacted with him there.

[RevidgeBlue]

If we don't get the theoretically easier Wycombe at home type draw then I wouldn't mind the Dingles at home again.

As long as we win this time.

[joey_big_nose]

1 hour ago, RevidgeBlue said:

He's absolutely top class. If we did somehow scrape up via the play offs he's the only player in the current squad who's Premier League quality imo.

Shame he isn't our player.

Yeah... I personally think Travis has come on so much he might make it in the prem. Carter and Tronstad maybe too at a stretch. But that's about it. 

[arbitro]

44 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

Great effort in attending the game and I am pleased we won for the 700 Rovers fans who travelled there in those driving conditions. 

What did you think Leonard performance?

and our keeper Toth? 

Leonard does what Eustace expects of him when we are out of possession such as dropping in between the lines and also pressing when he has to. Eustace himself mentioned the missed chances but qualified it by saying that he is getting in the right positions. He is young and just back from two long term injuries which Eustace has said several times. Toth looked confident and aside from a couple of poor passes did what was expected of him.

[norwichblue]

16 minutes ago, RevidgeBlue said:

If we don't get the theoretically easier Wycombe at home type draw then I wouldn't mind the Dingles at home again.

As long as we win this time.

I want to draw them for sure. They’ve gotten away with it twice this season.

[Hasta]

Player ratings @Herbie6590 ?

[chaddyrovers]

12 minutes ago, arbitro said:

Leonard does what Eustace expects of him when we are out of possession such as dropping in between the lines and also pressing when he has to. Eustace himself mentioned the missed chances but qualified it by saying that he is getting in the right positions. He is young and just back from two long term injuries which Eustace has said several times. Toth looked confident and aside from a couple of poor passes did what was expected of him.

Thanks for the reply 

[onlyonejackwalker]

17 minutes ago, arbitro said:

Leonard does what Eustace expects of him when we are out of possession such as dropping in between the lines and also pressing when he has to. Eustace himself mentioned the missed chances but qualified it by saying that he is getting in the right positions. He is young and just back from two long term injuries which Eustace has said several times. Toth looked confident and aside from a couple of poor passes did what was expected of him.

Leonard plays like an out and out striker with his runs in behind and clever movement in the box. It's actually refreshing to see when compared to Gueye and Ohashi. Even his early offsides were due to him playing on the shoulder and trying to steal a yard. I was impressed with his contribution today.

[roversfan99]

I thought he was poor and I think in general he isnt up to Championship standard at the moment and could do with a regular run of games out on loan especially after his bad luck with injuries.

The one thing he does have is the anticipation to get into goalscoring positions, he probably got into as many today as Gueye has all season. It tends to be a natural ability rather than something you can teach. He did it last season a lot too but as for much of last season it was followed with poor finishing. 

His repeated inability to stay onside was frustrating as it broke down the potential of any attacks.

[RevidgeBlue]

It seems to me people judge Leonard far more harshly because he is an academy graduate and just assume he wont be good enough.

If we'd paid £5m for him I reckon a lot  would be saying, "he's showing some encouraging signs he'll come good".

Don't think anyone is really giving him any leeway either on the fact he's had a fairly serious injury and an extremely long time out. Something Eustace alluded to today in his post match interview when he said Harry was "getting fitter all the time" which I must admit is something I hadn't really taken into account either.

[Upside Down]

43 minutes ago, norwichblue said:

I want to draw them for sure. They’ve gotten away with it twice this season.

They got away with it in the game at t'turd but at Ewood we were just not good enough, especially in front of goal.

[RevidgeBlue]

Just now, Upside Down said:

They got away with it in the game at t'turd but at Ewood we were just not good enough, especially in front of goal.

It would be a quick chance to put that right.

[Upside Down]

1 minute ago, RevidgeBlue said:

It would be a quick chance to put that right.

I'd want Travis back and someone who can kick the ball in the net first before we see those creatures again.

[RevidgeBlue]

Just now, Upside Down said:

I'd want Travis back and someone who can kick the ball in the net first before we see those creatures again.

Semi final at Wembley it is then.

[Parsonblue]

Thoroughly enjoyed the trip today.  As arbitro has said, we looked so assured once we went in front.  Baath and Hyam have formed a really impressive partnership whilst Brittain and Beck are solid defensively and cause problems going forward.  In midfield, Tronstad was outstanding, yet again.  Toth looks a decent back-up 'keeper for Pears although some of passing with his feet is questionable.  Nonetheless, a definite upgrade on the previous back-up to Pears.  We could have had more goals - Leonard played well in terms of movement but was lacking with his finishing.  He's young and had a long spell out with injury and I feel the goals will come because he gets in the right positions.  I thought Weimann again proved what a useful acquisition he has been.  It really is incredible what Eustace is getting out of this team.  The spirit amongst them is outstanding. 

[Andy]

Pleased with the result and performance, even the subs coming on offered more in attack than what we've seen in recent weeks.
Gueye and Dolan both looked decent, with Leonard doing a good job to get into some good positions earlier in the game.

Thought Toth looked good, but needs some games under his belt to become more confident with his distribution.

All of the defence played well, amazing how much better Hyam looks with Batth alongside him.
Batth's mazy dribble down the left wing!

Weimann took his goal well, after missing that chance just before.

On the slight negative side, if I'm being picky, JRC looked knackered from minute 1 and didn't really do a great deal in the game. I'm a big fan of Cantwell and he did fine, but he really does need to start controlling games and showing a bit more end product.

Just what we needed, that. Though we need to follow it up with a win mid week now.

[roversfan99]

27 minutes ago, RevidgeBlue said:

It seems to me people judge Leonard far more harshly because he is an academy graduate and just assume he wont be good enough.

If we'd paid £5m for him I reckon a lot  would be saying, "he's showing some encouraging signs he'll come good".

Don't think anyone is really giving him any leeway either on the fact he's had a fairly serious injury and an extremely long time out. Something Eustace alluded to today in his post match interview when he said Harry was "getting fitter all the time" which I must admit is something I hadn't really taken into account either.

Its not saying he wont be good enough, just that he isnt good enough at the moment.

Especially considering his injuries, he could do with a loan to get some regular game time.

[arbitro]

45 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

I thought he was poor and I think in general he isnt up to Championship standard at the moment and could do with a regular run of games out on loan especially after his bad luck with injuries.

The one thing he does have is the anticipation to get into goalscoring positions, he probably got into as many today as Gueye has all season. It tends to be a natural ability rather than something you can teach. He did it last season a lot too but as for much of last season it was followed with poor finishing. 

His repeated inability to stay onside was frustrating as it broke down the potential of any attacks.

On two of the occasions when he was offside the pass to him was delayed. If the ball is played at the right time he is in. That has been a regular problem for us when strikers are making runs but not seen early enough. Sometimes you have to see the bigger picture.