Valérien Ismaël: Blackburn Rovers Head Coach

[Mattyblue]

5 hours ago, SuperBrfc said:

The appointment of Ismael shows the absolute folly and blight on football as a whole that is the obsession with data. Gestede revealed that Ismael was picked because he exceeded all "data metrics" and because of his CV. What effing data metrics? Can he get a club promoted to the Premier League? Has he ever done so before? That's the only "metric" they should be considering.

When challenged on how poor our results have been under Ismael so far, Gestede admitted this, but said performances have been good. Suggesting we have been unlucky. To back up this claim, he reeled off a string of pointless pieces of data such as: increased penalty box entries, more possession, better xG than before and others that I can't remember. The point is, data was a big factor in them choosing him and it's another reason they will cling on to him no matter the results. "Look at the xG, things are going to turn around soon", will be the cries from the hipsters. "It's a journey, look at the stats, we're improving". No, mate. Show me the League table.

These data merchants are clutching at straws. Nothing trumps the eye test, and the eye test is showing Ismael to be a dud who plays dismal football.

Data is the reason we no longer have flying wingers in the game as a whole. Data is the reason why Pep has ruined many a player at Man City. Data is the reason why flair is being coached out of players. It makes me laugh (not in Rovers case) how clubs rave about their data models, data analysis and how they employ it, but those clubs achieve relatively stuff all in the actual game.

People in the game falling over themselves over some flimsy data metrics, while their team itself achieves little on the grass. Brighton being one example. They win stuff all but get huge plaudits for selling players on. The game has gone mad. Somebody needs to buck this trend and get the focus back on actually winning things again.

Small time of Howe pissing about with the poxy League Cup, what about the Top 4 Trophy and selling Isak for a big profit? That’s what it’s all about!

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

Just cant warm to the bloke..very cold,almost arrogant.

[RevidgeBlue]

22 hours ago, Herbie6590 said:

Long time ago but this always stays in my memory…

I know you're only sharing it in humorous vein but the clear difference is that Kendall was an up and coming new manager at the start of his managerial career and as such  I suppose deserved a chance.

This guy never has achieved much as a manager during his career in the first place and is clearly on the downgrade anyway.

There's more chance of me winning Euromillions tonight than Ismael turning it round like Howard did!

[Tomphil2]

10 hours ago, SuperBrfc said:

The appointment of Ismael shows the absolute folly and blight on football as a whole that is the obsession with data. Gestede revealed that Ismael was picked because he exceeded all "data metrics" and because of his CV. What effing data metrics? Can he get a club promoted to the Premier League? Has he ever done so before? That's the only "metric" they should be considering.

When challenged on how poor our results have been under Ismael so far, Gestede admitted this, but said performances have been good. Suggesting we have been unlucky. To back up this claim, he reeled off a string of pointless pieces of data such as: increased penalty box entries, more possession, better xG than before and others that I can't remember. The point is, data was a big factor in them choosing him and it's another reason they will cling on to him no matter the results. "Look at the xG, things are going to turn around soon", will be the cries from the hipsters. "It's a journey, look at the stats, we're improving". No, mate. Show me the League table.

These data merchants are clutching at straws. Nothing trumps the eye test, and the eye test is showing Ismael to be a dud who plays dismal football.

Data is the reason we no longer have flying wingers in the game as a whole. Data is the reason why Pep has ruined many a player at Man City. Data is the reason why flair is being coached out of players. It makes me laugh (not in Rovers case) how clubs rave about their data models, data analysis and how they employ it, but those clubs achieve relatively stuff all in the actual game.

People in the game falling over themselves over some flimsy data metrics, while their team itself achieves little on the grass. Brighton being one example. They win stuff all but get huge plaudits for selling players on. The game has gone mad. Somebody needs to buck this trend and get the focus back on actually winning things again.

Data running and coaching football is a large part of the reason it's becoming so boring and predictable to watch.

The you have a go we have a go element is disappearing from the Championship and that's what made it a good product without the polish of the Prem.  Now though it's becoming a hollowed out version of the Prem and look at the likes of Burnley, yes its become effective because they have a multi million quid squad and enough at the top end to gobble up the odd chance but you don't want teams with no goal threat playing like that.

Makes Allardyce ball look like Barcelona.

[ruggles1995]

Don’t know about anyone else but I’m getting fed up of reporters fans and tv reporters saying we’ve been over achieving with John eustace. No… it’s called a manager that’s competent and can do his job. It’s not pot luck to be 5th 3/4 into the season. It’s called good management. Something this clown in charge isn’t capable of. Some people just suit clubs, it’s clear this guy doesn’t 

[DE.]

Sad times when a letter, which was probably AI generated, looks set to be the highlight of this bloke's time here.

[RoversClitheroe]

2 minutes ago, DE. said:

Sad times when a letter, which was probably AI generated, looks set to be the highlight of this bloke's time here.

In the words of Rudy though - the performances have got better and better.

What a joke.

[Herbie6590]

Worse than Iley & Coyle…

[Roversider]

I'm scratching my head to work out what the structure of the team is supposed to be.  All I've heard is about high press, lots of energy and possessing the ball.  Last time I looked the most important bits in football was to score and not concede.  We can't defend for 90 minutes (can't even make it to 5 minutes) and our attempts on goal tells the tale.

Ismael also lacks any vestiges of empathy with the fans, I wonder if he is able to relate to the players.

A coach loses the dressing room when his tactics/methods fail to show positively on the pitch.

Jim Iley was absolute dross and Coyle should have been given a clown car to get to games.

Strewth, I can't remember a coach who seems so out of step with the fans so soon into his career - apart from Steve Kean perhaps.

Edited 1 hour ago by Roversider

[LDRover]

Fair play to ex Dingle Iwelumo there. When pressed on if abuse towards Pissmael was justified he said yes.

[roversfan99]

Embarassing appointment. Useless tosser.

[...]

Looks like all those blokes at the Trafford centre waiting for his Mrs to come out of the changing rooms.

I watched him and I watched the players every now and then he'd wave his arm (at nobody) then when he started yelling orders not one player was looking at him or acknowledging him. When Eustace came out to communicate with player positions you could visibly see the player looking over, thumbs up and moving where told.

Times up, you had a go fella but its not the appointment for you. Also, we expect a manager to slow clap the fans after a loss at bare minimum. 

Disappointed 

Edited 1 hour ago by ...

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

Cant remember a so-called Manager making a worse impression..not even King Rat!!😦

Edited 1 hour ago by SIMON GARNERS 194

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

6 minutes ago, SIMON GARNERS 194 said:

Cant remember a so-called Manager making a worse impression..not even King Rat!!😦

I can’t remember a new appointment at any club making such a poor start. 

[joey_big_nose]

What I found funny/alarming on the Arte Laboure Podcast with Gestede is he was saying "we want a more attractive attacking style of football" and that was a factor appointing Ismael.... what got me was

1) defence was obviously the heart of how we achieved this season and our entire system was built around defending the box. Pears, Hyam, Travis, Brittain, Pickering all looked totally transformed in confidence and we were so good sitting in. Why would you bin that?

2) Ismael has actually made our attack worse... So we have managed to destroy our decent defence, giving away ludicrous early goals game after game. And now offer even less threat.

[Gamst]

1 minute ago, joey_big_nose said:

What I found funny/alarming on the Arte Laboure Podcast with Gestede is he was saying "we want a more attractive attacking style of football" and that was a factor appointing Ismael.... what got me was

1) defence was obviously the heart of how we achieved this season and our entire system was built around defending the box. Pears, Hyam, Travis, Brittain, Pickering all looked totally transformed in confidence and we were so good sitting in. Why would you bin that?

2) Ismael has actually made our attack worse... So we have managed to destroy our decent defence, giving away ludicrous early goals game after game. And now offer even less threat.

Employing a manager who plays a completely different style of football when you’re sat in the Playoffs in February is either sabotage or incompetence 

[Tomphil2]

He'll be on at least a million quid for this gig over 3 years so he'll take the flak Kean style.

Just hope he decides it's not for him and says give me a years wages and i'll go otherwise these last few months will be agony.

[rog of the rovers]

Past the point of no return?

If not now….it’s getting awfully close. 

[Hasta]

Pre-Ismael.

3 from 5

[G Somerset Rover]

10 minutes ago, Tomphil2 said:

He'll be on at least a million quid for this gig over 3 years so he'll take the flak Kean style.

Just hope he decides it's not for him and says give me a years wages and i'll go otherwise these last few months will be agony.

There’s a chance, albeit a slim chance,  that the three stooges pot him (or beg Venkys to pay him off) should the heat get too much for them. The sacrificial lamb to divert attention.

Edited 1 hour ago by G Somerset Rover

[RevidgeBlue]

The three (four with Owen?) imbeciles running the Club have created a real problem by 

a) Appointing this guy in the first place.

and 

b ) Giving him a three and a half year deal.

Not one supporter would have picked him and I think it's clear even at this early stage that the players just aren't having him and it won't work.

Probably not much point sacking him before the end of this season now but I'd hate to think he'd still be in charge for the first game of the next campaign.

You could perhaps cut him some slack if we were playing well but not quite getting results but typically we're conceding the opening goal inside the first 5 mins and not even looking like scoring ourselves.

If we continue at this rate next season we'll go down with about 8 points.

Terrifying

 

[Mattyblue]

Clubs make mistakes with managerial appointments, nature of the beast. However, if a dud of this magnitude got a gig elsewhere the owner/board would have them out the door sharpish.

Here? He’ll be in situ next season without a doubt.

Edited 54 minutes ago by Mattyblue

[Wing Wizard Windy Miller]

13 hours ago, SIMON GARNERS 194 said:

Just cant warm to the bloke..very cold,almost arrogant.

French🤷🏻‍♂️

[booth]

Manufactured decline.

[simongarnerisgod]

12 minutes ago, G Somerset Rover said:

There’s a chance, albeit a slim chance,  that the three stooges pot him (or beg Venkys to pay him off) should the heat get too much for them. The sacrificial lamb to divert attention.

they won`t sack him,that will appear the 3 planks have a mistake and therefore will be an embarrasment for them,think we`ll have to wait till we are adrift at the bottom next christmas