v Norwich City (h) - 1/3/2025

[Exiled_Rover]

2 minutes ago, Tom said:

It was just about offside, tight but off I thought. 
 

You just ignoring the Hyam incident, literally not even a discussion as it’s a blatant red  

He ran from behind their #19 (across his face). You clearly must have eyes like a hawk to rule that offside in real time. 

[chaddyrovers]

2 minutes ago, Tom said:

It was just about offside, tight but off I thought. 
 

You just ignoring the Hyam incident, literally not even a discussion as it’s a blatant red  

13 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

Our goal wasn't offside, it was tight call having seen the goal backed from side on from recording the game Tom. 

most of the game with 10 men? I just seen it now via Wilsenden's post above, didn't see that incident given I sat in the BBE but I will concede, we got lucky there

I amended my post Tom, after seeing the link posted. 

For me, its a tight call and if the linesman isn't sure you can't give it and Its very tight and I think its just level

[Tom]

Just now, chaddyrovers said:

I amended my post Tom, after seeing the link posted. 

For me, its a tight call and if the linesman isn't sure you can't give it and Its very tight and I think its just level

Fair play, I wasn’t there so was watching on tv and the amount of replays they showed confirmed it, really silly from someone who is one of the senior players he should have just run across the keeper not thrown out the elbow.  

To be fair I left to go pic up the wife after their goal as I thought it was a pointless exercise then so not seen the Ohashi foul and didn’t see the goal in real time either just saw a replay that showed with VAR and its micro precision it likely would have been ruled out. 

But we dont have VAR and the referee made the decisions he did and all in I think it’s a good point on the board. 

[arbitro]

3 minutes ago, Exiled_Rover said:

I'm obviously not an ex-professional referee, but I'm never sending a player off for Dennis' first tackle and, if anything, I'm having a word with Chrisene for trying to get a fellow professional sent off for the second challenge. 

I'm yet to see a replay of the Ohashi foul - obviously all of the scuff marks on the pitch are in the box, but I don't know where the initial foul was made. 

I agree it wouldn't have been the clearest sending off ever but in the modern game I believe it should have been a red card and I strongly suspect that the authorities will think so too when the match is reviewed.

We have got away with one with Hyam though. That was a clear red card.

[aletheia]

3 hours ago, Tom said:

can’t believe anyone would complain about the ref for us

Oh, I can 😉

[roversfan99]

Its hard to judge much after 2 days training with the new manager but I felt like we were a lot more passive and really didnt want to press at all which surprised me. I dont think it worked to be like that.

We did also see the multiple subs on the hour mark which is an Ismael trademark. It has been suggested as an area where he is quite inflexible.

[ElTwis]

Just back after my boys insisted on hanging around after the match for autographs, there were only a couple of us die hards left there by the time Ismael made it out!

 

Thought we did OK, Forshaw wasn't as bad as some made out, I think we were strong on the right because of his link up with Brittain (who remains player of the season for me)

 

Dolan continues to frustrate, I think overall he just isn't good enough. Kargbo will be excellent for us long term, but today he was having to do a lot of defensive work at times which limited our attacking options. Gueye wasn't brilliant but remains unrecognisable from the player who started with us.

 

Cantwell was fine, few lovely touches and he seemed to get stuck in a but more than normal. I remain firmly of the belief he needs to be surrounded by better players to shine and suspect he won't get to the levels he's capable of at rovers.

 

I thought we were caught out a couple times as players adjusted to a new mindset and some tactical switches from Eustace, I may be hopelessly optimistic but I think as they relax into it we'll do OK over the next 11 (ish?!) games.

[Torgeir]

4 minutes ago, ElTwis said:

Just back after my boys insisted on hanging around after the match for autographs, there were only a couple of us die hards left there by the time Ismael made it out!

 

Thought we did OK, Forshaw wasn't as bad as some made out, I think we were strong on the right because of his link up with Brittain (who remains player of the season for me)

 

Dolan continues to frustrate, I think overall he just isn't good enough. Kargbo will be excellent for us long term, but today he was having to do a lot of defensive work at times which limited our attacking options. Gueye wasn't brilliant but remains unrecognisable from the player who started with us.

 

Cantwell was fine, few lovely touches and he seemed to get stuck in a but more than normal. I remain firmly of the belief he needs to be surrounded by better players to shine and suspect he won't get to the levels he's capable of at rovers.

 

I thought we were caught out a couple times as players adjusted to a new mindset and some tactical switches from Eustace, I may be hopelessly optimistic but I think as they relax into it we'll do OK over the next 11 (ish?!) games.

Yes and no. I think with more bodies forward and a higher collective press, he would more often be in situations where he's at his (presumably) best. But I have to say his set piece delivieres are pretty bad, and he's very inconsistent on the ball and hesitant in the final third. If he could simplify his plays a little bit and contribute more goals and assists, then we have a player on our hands. Could learn a trick or two from Dack about playing in the hole in my opinion.

Poor referee today. 

[...]

7 minutes ago, ElTwis said:

Just back after my boys insisted on hanging around after the match for autographs, there were only a couple of us die hards left there by the time Ismael made it out!

 

Thought we did OK, Forshaw wasn't as bad as some made out, I think we were strong on the right because of his link up with Brittain (who remains player of the season for me)

 

Dolan continues to frustrate, I think overall he just isn't good enough. Kargbo will be excellent for us long term, but today he was having to do a lot of defensive work at times which limited our attacking options. Gueye wasn't brilliant but remains unrecognisable from the player who started with us.

 

Cantwell was fine, few lovely touches and he seemed to get stuck in a but more than normal. I remain firmly of the belief he needs to be surrounded by better players to shine and suspect he won't get to the levels he's capable of at rovers.

 

I thought we were caught out a couple times as players adjusted to a new mindset and some tactical switches from Eustace, I may be hopelessly optimistic but I think as they relax into it we'll do OK over the next 11 (ish?!) games.

Always wondered this, never done it really the autograph thing how long did you have to wait? At the players entrance i presume?

[Mashed Potatoes]

11 minutes ago, ElTwis said:

Just back after my boys insisted on hanging around after the match for autographs, there were only a couple of us die hards left there by the time Ismael made it out!

 

Thought we did OK, Forshaw wasn't as bad as some made out, I think we were strong on the right because of his link up with Brittain (who remains player of the season for me)

 

Dolan continues to frustrate, I think overall he just isn't good enough. Kargbo will be excellent for us long term, but today he was having to do a lot of defensive work at times which limited our attacking options. Gueye wasn't brilliant but remains unrecognisable from the player who started with us.

 

Cantwell was fine, few lovely touches and he seemed to get stuck in a but more than normal. I remain firmly of the belief he needs to be surrounded by better players to shine and suspect he won't get to the levels he's capable of at rovers.

 

I thought we were caught out a couple times as players adjusted to a new mindset and some tactical switches from Eustace, I may be hopelessly optimistic but I think as they relax into it we'll do OK over the next 11 (ish?!) games.

I get the impression with Cantwell that when he retires in his mid 30s and is asked why he didn't go on to  achieve what his first season or two at Norwich suggested he might he will blame the players around him rather than look at himself.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

2 hours ago, JCRovers said:

Pears 6 - Didn't have much to do throughout the game. Can't be blamed for the goal as center backs should've closed down Crnac quicker inside the box. 

Ribeiro 6 - Similar abilities to Pickering; decent crosser but lacks pace. Need Beck back into the team. 

Hyam 5 - Unnecessary foul on the keeper during first half. Hopefully won't serve a ban for it.

Carter 6 - First ninety minutes for a while. Will need a few games to get up to speed.

Brittain 7 - Looked lively on the right hand side, making several strides forward. 

Forshaw 5 - Sloppy in his passing game. Didn't venture forward much either. Positive news that Tronstad is back. 

Travis 6 - Worked hard but wasn't getting forward enough to support the attackers.

Kargbo 7 - Did well in his first start, taking on his opponent on the left and causing problems. Got a bit tired in the second for obvious reasons.

Cantwell 5 - Game didn't suit him as it was played with a fairly high intensity and he had to do a bit of chasing when out of possession. Couldn't connect or find passes to Kargbo or Gueye and was taken off for Weimann on the hour mark. 

Dolan 4 - Poor game yet again. Doesn't beat his marker for pace and often finds himself making wrong decisions in final third. Can't possibly see him retaining his place once Dennis is match fit.

Gueye 7 - Worked hard, providing an outlet for the team with his ability to hold off defenders and link-up play with his teammates. Needs to be at the end of crosses inside the box more often as he drifted out wide too much. 

Match summary: Not much between the sides to be fair. Norwich started well but Rovers grew into it at the end of first half and enjoyed a bit more possession in second. Dennis is a bit off pace; unnecessary foul/booking for the first challenge but still slightly unlucky to be sent off (second yellow) trying to get on the end of a cross. Game turned at that point but great response to get back on level terms at the final minute.

Central midfield aren't really supporting the attackers with runs into the box so feel that it's important that we get Beck back to provide a threat out wide on the left and offer Kargbo options when he's drifting inside. 

10/10. You must have read my mind. Just saved me posting my scores.

[wilsdenrover]

37 minutes ago, Tom said:

Fair play, I wasn’t there so was watching on tv and the amount of replays they showed confirmed it, really silly from someone who is one of the senior players he should have just run across the keeper not thrown out the elbow.  

To be fair I left to go pic up the wife after their goal as I thought it was a pointless exercise then so not seen the Ohashi foul and didn’t see the goal in real time either just saw a replay that showed with VAR and its micro precision it likely would have been ruled out. 

But we dont have VAR and the referee made the decisions he did and all in I think it’s a good point on the board. 

I hope you put her down again.

[ElTwis]

19 minutes ago, ... said:

Always wondered this, never done it really the autograph thing how long did you have to wait? At the players entrance i presume?

As another 40 odd yo with 2 kids stood next to me 90mins after the final whistle said, the 1230ko's are good for it as you have the time to wait. Just hang around at the corner of JW and DE, the palyers and dtaff either come out there or the centre of JW and walk towards the cars. All are happy to stop and sign or have a photo taken

[alcd]

2 hours ago, USABlue said:

That would be the manager right?  He should have instructed the players.  Our press is so passive Big Mac especially they sort of just go through the motions without actually being aggressive enough. Sort of jogs to the player on the ball, comical really.

Dolan was total pants today as he was at Swansea.  He will be at Pride Park next season.

Hopefully in L1 where he belongs. 

 

[Hasta]

1 hour ago, arbitro said:

The game restarted with a free kick which indicates that the referee saw it and decided not to take and action. He also had a word with Hyam in the presence of Travis to reinforce this opinion. Had it not been seen then it could have been referred to the Unseen Panel who look retrospectively at incidents not seen by the officials.

So it appears that Hyam has got away with it as it's a clear act of Violent Conduct and should be a three match ban

The referee couldn’t have seen it (properly) as he spent 30 seconds trying to reprimand Dolan before somebody (Dolan, their player or Travis) told him it was Hyam. Then he went over and spoke to Hyam. The referee had no idea what had happened.

Edited Saturday at 18:55 by Hasta

[arbitro]

1 minute ago, Hasta said:

The referee couldn’t have seen it (properly) as he spent 30 seconds trying to reprimand Dolan before somebody (Dolan, their player or Travis) told him it was Hyam. Then he went over and spoke to Hyam. The referee had no idea what had happened.

The fact he started with a free kick indicates the infringement was seen but no further action against any individual was deemed necessary. The linesman should really have been monitoring this and perhaps advised the referee.

[RevidgeBlue]

2 hours ago, BankEnd Rover said:

I think Dolan is the most frustrating player I've seen in a rovers shirt. His very few good games he's looks good but when he's off it, he's not even a 5 or a 6...He was absolutely honking today and not for the first time. 

Nowhere near as frustrating as watching Hedges trying to impersonate a footballer.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

The first half was dog shite. We couldn’t string more than two passes together. We kept being second best to 50/50 balls all over the pitch. No pace or tempo to our game. They just played through us in midfield with ease. I said to my grandson at half time. “ We can only get better in the second half  “. 
I was wrong. We just carried on in the same fashion. We were just getting into the game after the subs when Dennis got the red card. I didn’t have a good view of the first card but their lad made a real meal of that tackle for the second card. After that you could see their goal coming. I was pleasantly surprised when we equalised because I thought the game had gone. Especially when Brittain wasted that free kick. I’m sorry but I saw two teams that will be nowhere the play offs. Neither had a cutting edge.

Dolan, absolutely terrible. Lost the ball nearly every time he had it.

Travis, poor first half, looked better when Tronstad came on.

Ohashi, made a difference when he came on. Definitely a pen. It was right in front of me and the foul was just inside the box.

Forshaw, too easy to play against. Good to see Tronstad back. He allows Travis to get more forward

Gueye, held the ball up great inspite of getting absolutely zero service.

Dennis, looked more direct than Dolan, not hard I know.

Cantwell, loses the ball in dangerous parts of the pitch. And those corners ! Why just float them in, so easy to defend against.

Weimann, the ideal player to bring on for the last 20 minutes if you need a goal. Not a starter.

Kargbo, horrendous first touch for our early attack. He controlled it further than I can kick it these days. He’s got pace and he’s direct but his decision making isn’t great. Worth his place though for the threat alone.

The two centre halves were our best players. The full backs were ok. It’s in front of them where it goes wrong. 

Edited Saturday at 19:38 by Tyrone Shoelaces

[Rochdale_rover]

I'm done with dolan.

He's leaving . I don't want to see him start again this season.

Kills every attack by holding on to the ball until he messes it up.

On a separate note . 1 thing I really liked today was how quick we got the subs on when we wanted ro make changes.

 

So many times this season we've had players on touchline stripped to come on and for some reason dragged it out.

[Hasta]

18 minutes ago, arbitro said:

The fact he started with a free kick indicates the infringement was seen but no further action against any individual was deemed necessary. The linesman should really have been monitoring this and perhaps advised the referee.

Yeah but in reality he sees the goalkeeper on the floor, doesn’t know what has happened so just gives a free kick. It’s the easy way out for the ref.  9/10 times it wouldn’t be mentioned again.

If he’s being honest he hasn’t got a clue what happened, and the fact he spoke to Dolan just proves it. If Hyam gets no further action it’s cos the ref can’t admit he gave what he hadn’t seen, which is fine with me.

Edited Saturday at 19:22 by Hasta

[onlyonejackwalker]

Pleased we found a way not to lose. The point keeps us up there and maintains the gap with Norwich. Credit to the players for their resilience and not giving up. 

Someone amongst our attackers has to find another gear and go up a level. We need some goals from somewhere and can't go a whole season relying on clean sheets.

[Ghost7]

2 hours ago, Cherry Blue said:

A typical Dolan game where he receives the ball, puts his foot on it then its taken off him. Who does he think he is!

We didn't have a mid field so Norwich carved into us be thankfully didn.t have the finishers apart from their goal. Not sure about the second yellow, think the Norwich kid was always looking for it once Dennis had been booked earlier which is a shame because I think our loan man was causing a concern.

But what a finish to equalise from quality man Weimann. 

Chrisene won't have expected a second yellow to be given there imo. He was making a meal of it to try and make sure he got a kind freekick to try and relieve some pressure, like all defenders do these days. It's a shocking decision from the referee to card him and one of the worst refereeing performances I've seen... got it wrong multiple times for both teams.

Some simply can't have played the game, ever. Demote whoever he is.

[RevidgeBlue]

3 hours ago, chaddyrovers said:

He's making himself look a bit silly if he's claiming Dennis didn't make contact with Chrisene. If Dennis isn't already on a yellow, that's a yellow all day long and there wouldnt even be a debate about it but it just seems a bit harsh for him to be sent off for that as there was no real intent.

The problem however is, as with the first one (which could easily have been a straight red) he lacks match fitness and is a split second late going into challenges.

That isnt the opponents' fault though and doesnt mean that they arent fouls or that he should receive any sort of special leniency as a result.

The thought has crossed my mind many times that signing players who will struggle to reach match fitness for the remainder of the seasonis this year's "forgetting to press send" and so far it appears to be working nicely.

 

 

[chaddyrovers]

It felt so great scoring an equaliser in injury time, which I can't remember the less time we did that. 

1 hour ago, Tom said:

Fair play, I wasn’t there so was watching on tv and the amount of replays they showed confirmed it, really silly from someone who is one of the senior players he should have just run across the keeper not thrown out the elbow.  

To be fair I left to go pic up the wife after their goal as I thought it was a pointless exercise then so not seen the Ohashi foul and didn’t see the goal in real time either just saw a replay that showed with VAR and its micro precision it likely would have been ruled out. 

But we dont have VAR and the referee made the decisions he did and all in I think it’s a good point on the board. 

No problem Tom, Very silly action by Hyam. 

Ohashi foul was a pen all day long. 

Its very tight but those decisions should go the attacking way

1 hour ago, roversfan99 said:

Its hard to judge much after 2 days training with the new manager but I felt like we were a lot more passive and really didnt want to press at all which surprised me. I dont think it worked to be like that.

We were never going to press too high and allow them the ability to attacking our back 4 with their quality they have and have open spaces. 

1 hour ago, roversfan99 said:

We did also see the multiple subs on the hour mark which is an Ismael trademark. It has been suggested as an area where he is quite inflexible.

The subs on 60 mins was Tronstad needed to shone up the midfield with Travis, Dolan who was piss poor and Cantwell who faded and both needed replacing. 

[BankEnd Rover]

26 minutes ago, RevidgeBlue said:

Nowhere near as frustrating as watching Hedges trying to impersonate a footballer.

Hedges is just generally awful though...Fair play to him on his cameo today however.

Dolan does show up and chips a few goals in, but mostly he's tragically bad - That's why he's frustrating.