roversfan99

Everything they say is just full of contradictions, and ultimately full of shit. Ismael is a proper lap dog, nothing likeable about him. Setting yourself a self imposed squad limit, less than the one that is in the rules? Bizarre, purely to cut costs. Its a tough season, you need the full quota of senior bodies. They then compound that by signing an injured player, signing a veteran not suited to starting games, knowing we already have injury prone players, and signing players that need time to "adjust." But they say that its to ensure that young players play? I call bullshit. When we are short of centre backs, does a graduate step up? No, its square pegs in round holes, even a winger at centre back. Montgomery was constantly being bigged up in the summer, I don't rate him but thats what they were doing, hasnt started a game. Has any youngster started a game this season from the academy? They have also tried to claim that Miller was signed as a centre back. Why did he just happen to sign within hours of Brittain leaving, and start featuring at right back initially? Why did we sign only one right back otherwise, when we had already said we wanted cover in that position as one of the priorities in the summer? A couple of months ago, never mind now, Ismael said he wouldnt consider the free agent market as it takes time to get up to speed. Why did he want Baradji then?

Why is it harsh? Im not having a go at him personally (im not Ismael) and I appreciate that he wont be enjoying the situation, far from it. But he is a waste of space in terms of as a resource for a football club. He cannot even get through a week of training without picking up a new injury. Obviously, any anger at the situation should be aimed 100% at those who knowing the injury records of our 3 centre backs (which isnt enough anyway) allowed the summer window to unfold as it did.

Its very unfortunate for him, he doesnt want to be injured. But he is the very definition of a waste of space to us. He is never fit to contribute, he cant go a week of a training post one injury before breaking down again.

Carter needs to retire. An absolute waste of space. Absolutely unforgivable that we pushed Hyam out, didnt bother getting at least one defender in and then tried to pretend it was all part of a plan. Hard to see past a home win tomorrow especially with Hedges and a jet lagged Miller at the back.

Yeah I can sort of appreciate that there maybe is an argument there to suggest that Scholes has been overrated and overhyped post retirement. I dont agree with it but theres a discussion there. To suggest that Wharton is better is clearly a new account on here to cause a splash. No way does anyone believe that.

"Take those tinted glasses off" is the next phrase in line for the echo chamber.

I agree with some of what you said, my issue is with how people use data, over rely on data, dont question data enough or purposely manipulate data. Take the Anderson example. One of the 2 sources came from a Nottingham Forest twitter account. So natural questions would be, why those specific stats? Why compare 15 minutes at the end when winning against a tired team to 75 minutes prior? And I think some of my questions about the other data are fair. If its about England, are those specific stats the most important? If its passing, if completion is high, is it safe and backwards/sideways? If its forward, does a 1 yard and 30 yard pass equal the same? Are the chances created reasonable ones? I dont think my opinion is any more credible or real than anyone elses. Judging players is still as subjective as it has ever been. Some teams use data and find good players, some find poor players. Same as before without data, it can help and it can hinder.

Of course luck plays a part though, moreso in international football. Southgate did benefit from some favourable draws that did not come as a direct result of anything he had done. Equally, I think Ismael is a poor manager. But he was unfortunate to see weather conditions call a game off because that was out of his control.

My issue is with the idea that it PROVES anything. Those stats do not PROVE that Anderson is the best midfielder in the league or that he should play next to Rice. They can be used as part of an opinion but they are often used conclusively as if a player is factually better. They are also often hand picked to suit a narrative. Stats are useful, Ive never denied that. But there are limitations to their use. There are grey areas in how they are measured. And they are often wrongly manipulated. I never said that there are MORE grey areas with stats. But someone saying x player is good/bad/better than y wouldnt be treated as if its objectively the case, it would be seen as what it is, an opinion, when you throw pre selected metrics in the mix people often seem to think that it objectively proves whatever conclusion they personally have come to. We have seen at Rovers that we seem to have gone down a more data driven route of selecting players and some right shite has come as a result. Obviously those metrics become even looser when you cant possibly objectify differences in standards of leagues.

Its not leaping to Waggott's defence. But historically you have regularly diverted blame away from the owners.

Why does it always divert away from the owners and to Waggott?

I never denied its benefits. I said there is a massive overreliance on it, too much importance is placed on it and it is flawed. Conclusions are reached based solely on them, often illogically. Chaddy said that Anderson is the best midfielder in the league because he was top rated in a hand full of pre selected metrics. He also said that it proves that he should start next to Rice without considering the context of him playing a different role in a different team of different quality. He might be great at "progressive carries" for example but I dont think its a key requirement in the type of player we need next to Rice. You mention xg. A player runs through on goal, takes too long and doesnt get his shot away. Hes had a great chance, its 0 xg. A players pass completion will be better if he keeps things safe and makes no attempt to pass it forward. Forward passes could be 1 yard forward to someone essentially next to them or a defence splitting 30 yard pass. Metrics surrounding chances created will be affected by whether the striker gets a shot away. There are so many grey areas.

I cant believe the clearly sarcastic suggestion that Wharton is much better than Scholes was has been taken so seriously.

I dont think the stats do back up that opinion personally. They prove that in the Premier League, playing in predominantly a different role in a team with totally different expectations and a totally different style, Anderson has the most progressive carries etc (which isnt really what I personally think is a priority for a holding midfielder) based on stats from whichever company they come from. To extrapolate that to believing that hes been the best midfielder in the league or that it proves the argument that Anderson is the ideal candidate to play a different role for England off the back of that is IMO not correct.

Ive not got a specific number in mind. Its more of a case of, dont force him out, in January, out of desperation, and instead give him at least half a season more to accelerate in value. Hes obviously going to generate more, you wont get true value under those conditions.