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

[RoversTilliDie]

Hull 1 Norwich 1; Norwich 0 Preston 1; Norwich 1 Derby 1. Three of Norwiches last 4 results. We've beaten Preston and Derby so far this Season, so on paper we should be the favourites, but Rovers have a habit of throwing the form book out of the window. 6-0 to Rovers.

[Gaz85]

3 hours ago, davulsukur said:

That's what I'd be starting if all are fit to play. Be good to have Carter back.

If all fit to play, surely Tronstad starts?

[davulsukur]

1 minute ago, Gaz85 said:

If all fit to play, surely Tronstad starts?

Yeah sorry, course he does. 

My comment was aimed at Carter and Cantwell (as in just looking at the starting 11) but If Tronstad is fit to start, he obviously starts.

[rigger]

Cantwell is starting to look disinterested in games, and now training. I hope it is a phase he gets out of, otherwise his career trajectory is downhill.

[Lancaster Rover]

13 minutes ago, rigger said:

Cantwell is starting to look disinterested in games, and now training. I hope it is a phase he gets out of, otherwise his career trajectory is downhill.

I think his career has gone the same way at each of his last 2 (arguabley all 4) clubs, starts with fanfare. fails to deliver, becomes others faults, downs tools, falls out with fans, and it goes on.

[Neal]

There are few games that pop up where I feel like I'm the only one that thinks or feels how absolutely massively important it is... This feels like one. 

 

A polarising managerial appointment, lots of skepticism, concern and questions about style of play, being the right fit etc...

 

Perhaps it's just me because I'm very unconvinced about this appointment but I feel Val's start given the position we're in could make or break him. I think he's come into a more difficult situation than a club in the bottom 3. At least in that situation you can throw your weight around because things are not going well... Here though, taking over a team in the top 6 with a bunch very pessimistic fans expecting to fall out of the race... He will be the one to take the blame. We have history of just absolutely capitulating and going into free fall. I hope that the Swansea result wasn't the start of that and falls on Val's shoulders because all of a sudden things can get really toxic at this club (even more so). 

 

Norwich is a tough game, coming out of a good win, my vibes are not good. Every team outside of that top 4 are so streaky and I fear we could be playing against a side on the cusp of theirs. 

 

Huge game for Val, if we win it will feel like a clean slate, John Eustace will be name of the past, there will be optimism and positivity. Anything other than a win will mean all of those questions and discussions will remain. 

 

It would be nice to win and move on from all of the controversy... At least for a little bit. 

 

Good luck Val. 

 

 

[lraC]

13 minutes ago, Neal said:

There are few games that pop up where I feel like I'm the only one that thinks or feels how absolutely massively important it is... This feels like one. 

 

A polarising managerial appointment, lots of skepticism, concern and questions about style of play, being the right fit etc...

 

Perhaps it's just me because I'm very unconvinced about this appointment but I feel Val's start given the position we're in could make or break him. I think he's come into a more difficult situation than a club in the bottom 3. At least in that situation you can throw your weight around because things are not going well... Here though, taking over a team in the top 6 with a bunch very pessimistic fans expecting to fall out of the race... He will be the one to take the blame. We have history of just absolutely capitulating and going into free fall. I hope that the Swansea result wasn't the start of that and falls on Val's shoulders because all of a sudden things can get really toxic at this club (even more so). 

 

Norwich is a tough game, coming out of a good win, my vibes are not good. Every team outside of that top 4 are so streaky and I fear we could be playing against a side on the cusp of theirs. 

 

Huge game for Val, if we win it will feel like a clean slate, John Eustace will be name of the past, there will be optimism and positivity. Anything other than a win will mean all of those questions and discussions will remain. 

 

It would be nice to win and move on from all of the controversy... At least for a little bit. 

 

Good luck Val. 

 

 

I agree 100%

It is a huge game for a lot of different reasons.

Get off to a good start with 3 points and any negativity, will at lease evaporate for a few days, but lose it and questions will start to be asked and doubt will creep in, even after just one game.

COYB let's get a convincing win.

[Plastics]

I think we will lose tomorrow and then go on to have a solid end to the season and be there or there abouts. Whilst a victory will see us safe of Norwich for the foreseeable (and possibly the season), I can see a defeat as he gets to grips with what he wants but it certainly won't make or break the season beyond how any game would if you miss out on the playoffs by one point or goal difference. Then every missed draw can be used as the reason why.

 

There's no must wins until mathematical certainties present themselves, there's no games we can't win and there's no gimmes. It's the championship. Not everything has to be catastrophised, nor do we need to get carried away with optimism when on a run.

 

Every game since Eustace left has been described as a must win, even when we won two on the bounce. Clearly no singular game is a must win right now. Some want to say that this will be the defining game but definitions can only be made later down the line and only if it fits into a trend for what transpires later.

[Cherry Blue]

First game at a new club. Big gamble naming his first team, no pressure! He's been here before so will rely on his experience & vibes he's picking up from senior players, training staff, statistics, tips from who he knows in football. Let's give him our support by getting behind Rovers tomorrow.

Ismael's blue & white army!

Good luck Val!

 

[levi]

4 hours ago, rigger said:

Cantwell is starting to look disinterested in games, and now training. I hope it is a phase he gets out of, otherwise his career trajectory is downhill.

Cantwell was quality in his last game...credit where credit's due

[rigger]

2 minutes ago, levi said:

Cantwell was quality in his last game...credit where credit's due

I hope Cantwell proves me wrong, but in my opinion, he looks dis-interested, compared to when he first started playing for us.

[Exiled_Rover]

25 minutes ago, rigger said:

I hope Cantwell proves me wrong, but in my opinion, he looks dis-interested, compared to when he first started playing for us.

It's funny how opinions differ, isn't it?

In my eyes he's still clearly running his socks off.

He looks like he's been carrying a calf injury for a while and obviously we've all lamented about the quality of players around him. 

[rigger]

13 minutes ago, Exiled_Rover said:

It's funny how opinions differ, isn't it?

In my eyes he's still clearly running his socks off.

He looks like he's been carrying a calf injury for a while and obviously we've all lamented about the quality of players around him. 

Have a look at him in the training clip.

[Ossydave]

9 hours ago, chaddyrovers said:

This is the team I think Ismael will pick

                   Pears

Brittain Carter Hyam Ribeiro 

             Travis  Buckley

   Dolan     Cantwell     Karbgo 

                    Gueye

Subs:- Toth Sanderson JRC Tronstad Ohashi Dennis Woodrow Hedges Weimann 

Rovers to win 3-1 win with Gueye with 2 and Ohashi to score. 

Almost right it seems but Forshaw starts over Buckley 

[roversfan99]

How has Forshaw become a regular all of a sudden?

I know Kargbo and Gueye are muslim but I wonder if they will be fasting? Could impact their energy levels over the next month.

[Ossydave]

18 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

How has Forshaw become a regular all of a sudden?

I know Kargbo and Gueye are muslim but I wonder if they will be fasting? Could impact their energy levels over the next month.

I think Lowe likes Forshaw and I would say he's at least had some input into the team.

With regards to fasting it's probably mainly the no drinks that will be the worst part. Evening games shouldn't be an issue, I'm  no expert but was talking to a Muslim chap who works for me today who said fasting should end just before 6pm.

[Exiled_Rover]

1 hour ago, rigger said:

Have a look at him in the training clip.

I'm not interested in consuming the fluff pieces from this club ever again after that disgraceful statement they released regarding Eustace. 

[rigger]

21 minutes ago, Exiled_Rover said:

I'm not interested in consuming the fluff pieces from this club ever again after that disgraceful statement they released regarding Eustace. 

How do you know it wasn't true ?

[BankEnd Rover]

1 hour ago, Ossydave said:

I think Lowe likes Forshaw and I would say he's at least had some input into the team.

With regards to fasting it's probably mainly the no drinks that will be the worst part. Evening games shouldn't be an issue, I'm  no expert but was talking to a Muslim chap who works for me today who said fasting should end just before 6pm.

Lowe probably likes him because he's scouse.

[Forever Blue]

6 hours ago, Neal said:

There are few games that pop up where I feel like I'm the only one that thinks or feels how absolutely massively important it is... This feels like one. 

 

A polarising managerial appointment, lots of skepticism, concern and questions about style of play, being the right fit etc...

 

Perhaps it's just me because I'm very unconvinced about this appointment but I feel Val's start given the position we're in could make or break him. I think he's come into a more difficult situation than a club in the bottom 3. At least in that situation you can throw your weight around because things are not going well... Here though, taking over a team in the top 6 with a bunch very pessimistic fans expecting to fall out of the race... He will be the one to take the blame. We have history of just absolutely capitulating and going into free fall. I hope that the Swansea result wasn't the start of that and falls on Val's shoulders because all of a sudden things can get really toxic at this club (even more so). 

 

Norwich is a tough game, coming out of a good win, my vibes are not good. Every team outside of that top 4 are so streaky and I fear we could be playing against a side on the cusp of theirs. 

 

Huge game for Val, if we win it will feel like a clean slate, John Eustace will be name of the past, there will be optimism and positivity. Anything other than a win will mean all of those questions and discussions will remain. 

 

It would be nice to win and move on from all of the controversy... At least for a little bit. 

 

Good luck Val. 

 

 

I think we all know the next 12 games are very important, starting with Norwich. 

[Bethnal]

2 hours ago, rigger said:

Have a look at him in the training clip.

Didn’t see too much of him in it, but the follow-up interview with Ismael had the manager with his arm around him talking intently. Any manager arriving at the club would view him as key to what they want to achieve, it’s just a question of getting the maximum out of him.

I backed Eustace’s approach of making him feel important but he probably let him off a little too lightly with responsibilities, towards the end. If you can get him motivated and keep him that way, he could become essential in the run-in. He’s still a very talented footballer. A goal from open play would be massive for him.

[davulsukur]

2 hours ago, roversfan99 said:

How has Forshaw become a regular all of a sudden?

I know Kargbo and Gueye are muslim but I wonder if they will be fasting? Could impact their energy levels over the next month.

He's only joining as a cheap backup! (Or so everyone said at the time)

[Paul Mani]

17 hours ago, chaddyrovers said:

This is the team I think Ismael will pick

                   Pears

Brittain Carter Hyam Ribeiro 

             Travis  Buckley

   Dolan     Cantwell     Karbgo 

                    Gueye

Subs:- Toth Sanderson JRC Tronstad Ohashi Dennis Woodrow Hedges Weimann 

Rovers to win 3-1 win with Gueye with 2 and Ohashi to score. 

I’d go with this, mate…genuinely think it’s 50/50 whether VI works out at Rovers or not. The next 12 games are an interesting ‘free hit’ for him!

Big game today.

[...]

9 hours ago, rigger said:

Have a look at him in the training clip.

That 3 seconds of him and val ?

[NeilInBristol]

15 hours ago, Neal said:

There are few games that pop up where I feel like I'm the only one that thinks or feels how absolutely massively important it is... This feels like one. 

 

A polarising managerial appointment, lots of skepticism, concern and questions about style of play, being the right fit etc...

 

Perhaps it's just me because I'm very unconvinced about this appointment but I feel Val's start given the position we're in could make or break him. I think he's come into a more difficult situation than a club in the bottom 3. At least in that situation you can throw your weight around because things are not going well... Here though, taking over a team in the top 6 with a bunch very pessimistic fans expecting to fall out of the race... He will be the one to take the blame. We have history of just absolutely capitulating and going into free fall. I hope that the Swansea result wasn't the start of that and falls on Val's shoulders because all of a sudden things can get really toxic at this club (even more so). 

 

Norwich is a tough game, coming out of a good win, my vibes are not good. Every team outside of that top 4 are so streaky and I fear we could be playing against a side on the cusp of theirs. 

 

Huge game for Val, if we win it will feel like a clean slate, John Eustace will be name of the past, there will be optimism and positivity. Anything other than a win will mean all of those questions and discussions will remain. 

 

It would be nice to win and move on from all of the controversy... At least for a little bit. 

 

Good luck Val. 

 

 

This is good 

The game has 0-0 all over it. 

He doesn't get a win but he doesn't lose..

 

We've sent this before so we know the drill...

We slowly drop out of any hope of top 6 and watch others go on a run 

Sigh