Might have been mentioned already but KR has claimed we have another injury from someone that appeared against Portsmouth. My money is on Reeves
Him carrying a knock is the only sensible reason for not bringing him on at the 60 minute mark against Pompey. The game was calling out for him. Clarke was utterly anonymous. We desperately needed someone who could out their foot on the ball and pick a pass. Instead we brought on KAG and Best. Two good options from the bench, but not what the game needed.
There is no reason why the attacking three from last Saturday should start again tomorrow. They were all absolutely awful, and for Holmes and Marshall it wasn't for the first time in recent weeks. That said, I fear they will start again.
This is my guess on the starting XI, for whatever it's worth: .............Amos Solly Konsa Pearce Sarr ........JFC Aribo Clarke Holmes DaSilva ..........Magennis
Bench: Phillips, Lennon, Jackson, Marshall, Reeves, KAG, Best
Can Sarr or DaSilva play right back? At the moment, Solly isn't looking worth a starting place. Or perhaps play Konsa, Pearce and Sarr as a back three, five across the middle and Magennis and Best up front?
I was thinking now that we have center backs coming back to fitness is might be worth taking a look at a back three. We have a lot of good center backs, and it would help cover for Pearce's lack of pace and ability with the ball. It would also give our central midfielders a bit more freedom.
The problem remains, right wingback. I don't think Solly had the pace or athleticism to do it. I think DaSilva would be good on the other side. Maybe you could play Marshall there, akin kind of to what Dortmund did last year under Tuchel where they'd play with one winger (Dembele, Pulisic) and one defender (Schmeltzer, Durm).
I like the idea of a 3-4-2-1 with two attackers having the freedom to roam
Like the look of this team - just wish we had a better option than Magennis.
If played well, this could give a lot more natural width to provide Magennis with crosses. The problem is Marshall's propensity to hit the defender in front of him or the first man with every cross.
I dont know how old the clip is yet there are videos of Ben Reeves training so dont think its him out.
Based on his poor performance I actually wouldnt be surprised if its Solly who is injured, his levels do seem to drop prior to missing the next game
Yeah good shout. He missed Fleetwood after being skinned alive against Walsall when it turned out he was carrying a knock. Same with Swindon away last year where he was awful.
We're 6th ffs. We're 6 points off automatic promotion places. We have a game in hand on the teams directly above and below us. Yes we're in a bad run of form but have some perspective.
There is no reason why the attacking three from last Saturday should start again tomorrow. They were all absolutely awful, and for Holmes and Marshall it wasn't for the first time in recent weeks. That said, I fear they will start again.
This is my guess on the starting XI, for whatever it's worth: .............Amos Solly Konsa Pearce Sarr ........JFC Aribo Clarke Holmes DaSilva ..........Magennis
Bench: Phillips, Lennon, Jackson, Marshall, Reeves, KAG, Best
I was at the game as I'm sure most of us were, and I can't agree that Marshall was awful. Not great admittedly, but hardly awful. I think he'll increasingly come good with more matches. Holmes had a poor game by his standards, but we need to work on a plan to negate other sides' tactic of double marking him. I thought Best and KAG looked livelier than Josh, so I'd like to see one or both start, but agreed, that looks unlikely. Best's header was decent; well directed, and with a bit of power considering the cross was a floaty one.
But I fear by by tonight we'll be out of the play off places. Can see anything other than a win for Pompey against Bury, and the likelihood is that we'll lose by a couple of goals. But you never know with this team. If things click we might produce an upset. However I'll go with 3-1 Blackburn
PS Looking at your midfield line-up, I think we lack a 'scary' midfielder. If you were the other team looking at that midfield you wouldn't be expecting much of a physical threat.
There is no reason why the attacking three from last Saturday should start again tomorrow. They were all absolutely awful, and for Holmes and Marshall it wasn't for the first time in recent weeks. That said, I fear they will start again.
This is my guess on the starting XI, for whatever it's worth: .............Amos Solly Konsa Pearce Sarr ........JFC Aribo Clarke Holmes DaSilva ..........Magennis
Bench: Phillips, Lennon, Jackson, Marshall, Reeves, KAG, Best
I was at the game as I'm sure most of us were, and I can't agree that Marshall was awful. Not great admittedly, but hardly awful. I think he'll increasingly come good with more matches. Holmes had a poor game by his standards, but we need to work on a plan to negate other sides' tactic of double marking him. I thought Best and KAG looked livelier than Josh, so I'd like to see one or both start, but agreed, that looks unlikely. Best's header was decent; well directed, and with a bit of power considering the cross was a floaty one.
But I fear by by tonight we'll be out of the play off places. Can see anything other than a win for Pompey against Bury, and the likelihood is that we'll lose by a couple of goals. But you never know with this team. If things click we might produce an upset. However I'll go with 3-1 Blackburn
PS Looking at your midfield line-up, I think we lack a 'scary' midfielder. If you were the other team looking at that midfield you wouldn't be expecting much of a physical threat.
Agree about the scary, or defensive midfielder. I would start Dijksteel, and would have started him last Saturday as well. That line up is my prediction not what I would pick.
I also have a slight suspicion that Kashi might turn out to be fit. This is based on nothing beyond a hunch.
We seem to have a bit of a habit of sneaking wins in these sort of games - Bolton away last season, Bradford this - but cannot see us getting anything today.
Would give KAG or Best a start but it won't happen. Midfield of Aribo and JFC far too lightweight, Solly out of form, Holmes and Marshall not at their best. We'll be bouyed by the return of Pearce, but soundly beaten. 4-1 Blackburn.
We're 6th ffs. We're 6 points off automatic promotion places. We have a game in hand on the teams directly above and below us. Yes we're in a bad run of form but have some perspective.
Had we been on fire before that and ripping this leauge up maybe. However, we all know that largely even when results were good performances were not. Now the results are matching the performance.
you'll need to head to Matches -> Live Match Centre!
Live Match Centre doesn't appear of my drop down menu... (I'm on Blackburn's site, 'Matches' is on the bar, but the drop down starts with 1st team fixtures, 1st team results, but no Live Match Centre?
I dont know how old the clip is yet there are videos of Ben Reeves training so dont think its him out.
Based on his poor performance I actually wouldnt be surprised if its Solly who is injured, his levels do seem to drop prior to missing the next game
Major revelations at the Valley, Ben Reeves actually trains !
Considering KR was knocking one out for months over Reeves and Marshall joining us, what a complete and utter disappointment they have been so far. If he believes them to be two of the best players in this leauge, we are in real trouble.
You click on the Live Match Centre for our match on that page. And you make sure you're 'not in the UK' - a match pass will appear in small writing! Just log in and you'll be able to buy it!
We're 6th ffs. We're 6 points off automatic promotion places. We have a game in hand on the teams directly above and below us. Yes we're in a bad run of form but have some perspective.
Had we been on fire before that and ripping this leauge up maybe. However, we all know that largely even when results were good performances were not. Now the results are matching the performance.
But what if...we started to play better. Especially with some of our better players from the start of the season getting fit again...
You click on the Live Match Centre for our match on that page. And you make sure you're 'not in the UK' - a match pass will appear in small writing! Just log in and you'll be able to buy it!
Hmmm I'm not getting the Match Pass option either at the moment despite having my VPN on
Comments
Based on his poor performance I actually wouldnt be surprised if its Solly who is injured, his levels do seem to drop prior to missing the next game
Stephens with a screamer, Yann with the winner...
Holmes had a poor game by his standards, but we need to work on a plan to negate other sides' tactic of double marking him.
I thought Best and KAG looked livelier than Josh, so I'd like to see one or both start, but agreed, that looks unlikely. Best's header was decent; well directed, and with a bit of power considering the cross was a floaty one.
But I fear by by tonight we'll be out of the play off places. Can see anything other than a win for Pompey against Bury, and the likelihood is that we'll lose by a couple of goals. But you never know with this team. If things click we might produce an upset.
However I'll go with 3-1 Blackburn
PS Looking at your midfield line-up, I think we lack a 'scary' midfielder. If you were the other team looking at that midfield you wouldn't be expecting much of a physical threat.
I also have a slight suspicion that Kashi might turn out to be fit. This is based on nothing beyond a hunch.
Would give KAG or Best a start but it won't happen. Midfield of Aribo and JFC far too lightweight, Solly out of form, Holmes and Marshall not at their best. We'll be bouyed by the return of Pearce, but soundly beaten. 4-1 Blackburn.
Am I missing something?
(I'm on Blackburn's site, 'Matches' is on the bar, but the drop down starts with 1st team fixtures, 1st team results, but no Live Match Centre?
Considering KR was knocking one out for months over Reeves and Marshall joining us, what a complete and utter disappointment they have been so far. If he believes them to be two of the best players in this leauge, we are in real trouble.
Pity the FL don't award points for powder puff pointless football or we could be in an automatic promotion spot.
2.0.
I'm far more grumpy about iFollow.Even with help from @Leuth I can't figure it out.
Clicked on 'Matches', but just got this: https://www.rovers.co.uk/matches/fixtures/
Clicking on our match takes you to audio commentary.