Matty Blair

[tommy toes]

To say he has his detractors at right back, I thought he had a blinder today, (as did the rest of the team.)
That tackle in the penalty box in the second half was just perfect.

[Donnywolf]

That tackle was one of the highlights of the Game. It had to be spot on and was

[i_ateallthepies]

There were some great stand-out performances today but Blair was certainly amongst them.  In some games we've seen that tackle alone would have been enough to earn him MoM.

[andyst79]

Good honest pro, can do a job anywhere along the right hand side

[the vicar]

That chase back tackle he did in the second half was out of this world

[Alan Southstand]

Great performance.

[dknward2]

To say it’s not his natural position he was excellent all game and that tackle in the box was perfect and a great assist too

[drfchound]

It isn’t very often that a player gets a standing ovation for getting back to make a tackle.
He even kept the ball in play and passed it upfield to one of our players.

[boro_rover]

It was excellent work and a top top tackle.

Considering the game was already won, it shows a winners mentality and a the credentials of a proper team player to run that hard and make that challenge.

[StocksArmy]

Every successful team needs a Matty Blair. Maybe not a first choice when everyone is fit but, he does a very good job wherever he plays.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

McCann said they were desperate to keep a clean sheet after letting one in at Gillingham.

As said, you can see that winners mentality beginning to emerge with a work ethic to match. We have all the ingredients to be a successful team.

Apparently Copps tweeted yesterday that he thinks 2019 is going to be a good year. With what he's seen over the years he must know we're onto something!

[Paul Simpson]

Brilliant player. Great attitude and a pleasure to watch 👍

[South East Rover]

This is a post of mine when we signed  Matty some  may not have seen.

My son is a sports journalist & covers york city & is a lifelong Rovers supporter  hers what he says about
 Matty Blair
Hi Dad
Just to let you know I think Matty Blair could prove an excellent signing for Rovers. He was the star player when York were promoted back to the Football League in 2012 and scored vital goals in both of their victories at Wembley that season (in the play-off and FA Trophy finals).
He also scored the decisive goals in the semi-finals to get the club to Wembley, so was the man for the big occasion. He was a bigger threat when used in a 4-3-3 rather than as an out-and-out winger in a 4-4-2 and has got pace to burn.
He’s also bucket loads of stamina to go with that. I remember one game against Ebbsfleet during that promotion season when he never stopped running in a 3-1 home win and he scored twice as well.
If he had got a hat-trick, I would have given him 10/10 that day and I’ve only given full marks to a player on one occasion during 19 years in the job. I know all that was achieved a few years ago and in the division below, but I’ve kept tabs on him ever since and, despite having a bad knee injury at Mansfield, he looked like he was getting back to his full potential during the second half of last season.
Aside from his ability, he is also one of the nicest lads you will meet in football. On his last day at York, he actually dropped into our office with cakes for us all to say goodbye and, as his brother suffered from a brain tumour, he kept in regular contact during my  wife's brother’s illness to see how things were going last year.
Can’t speak highly enough of him and really pleased to see him at Rovers.
Dave Flett | Sport Reporter

[idler]

It doesn't seem that long ago that I read it the first time around.
It's great that our club has the likes of Matty, Copps, ANDY Butler etc. that can influence other team members and younger players.
It feels like the club is in good hands on and off field.

[wing commander]

 GM said that Matty doesn't like playing rb but that was a great performance yesterday..Although if we are honest it's not teams like Rochdale (who were awful) who would cause him problems as they had no width..He gets found out a bit when he's up against someone like Wilks but it's not his position and did the job brilliantly..
   Like what people have said,that tackle was brilliant,get it wrong and he was off...As good a moment as any of the goals for me..

[bobbymax]

It was very noticeable that Rochdale were trying to target Matty with balls over the top in the first half but he dealt with anything admirably.

[Retdon1]

The only time he really struggles at right back is when he’s up against a tricky winger. If he decides he wanted to be a right back and spent time working on his defence, he could become a excellent full back at this level. His pace in the back line, like his brilliant tackle 2nd half showed is vital when we have center half’s with little pace

[ravenrover]

As an ex defender that tackle stood out for me but lets not forget the attempt by their winger to push and run  in the 2nd half , he got a yard on Matty but there was never any doubt who would win that foot race. And have we seen anyone more elegant when he makes his charges from full back they don't always end up with an end product but when they do ie Copps header, or his goal earlier this season, magnificent.. An unsung hero who will play anywhere the manager tells him for the team

[MachoMadness]

Great player and, from conversations with people who work at the club, a great servant to the club too. He's the sort of player who'll be there when we need someone to cut a ribbon or visit a school, and he'll never complain about it. An unsung hero and I'm glad he's getting the appreciation he deserves.

[Al4475]

Sounds like a modern day Lee Warren!
What an important unsung hero he was - the glue that kept the club together.
If Matty has anywhere near the same impact he will become a complete Club legend - on account of the fact that he's probably a slightly better player than Lee was. Lol

[wing commander]

  Agreed,was a shining light in dark times was Lee Warren and a top bloke as well..Wasn't the best player in the world but an important part of our history...

[Prez]

This is a post of mine when we signed  Matty some  may not have seen.

My son is a sports journalist & covers york city & is a lifelong Rovers supporter  hers what he says about
 Matty Blair
Hi Dad
Just to let you know I think Matty Blair could prove an excellent signing for Rovers. He was the star player when York were promoted back to the Football League in 2012 and scored vital goals in both of their victories at Wembley that season (in the play-off and FA Trophy finals).
He also scored the decisive goals in the semi-finals to get the club to Wembley, so was the man for the big occasion. He was a bigger threat when used in a 4-3-3 rather than as an out-and-out winger in a 4-4-2 and has got pace to burn.
He’s also bucket loads of stamina to go with that. I remember one game against Ebbsfleet during that promotion season when he never stopped running in a 3-1 home win and he scored twice as well.
If he had got a hat-trick, I would have given him 10/10 that day and I’ve only given full marks to a player on one occasion during 19 years in the job. I know all that was achieved a few years ago and in the division below, but I’ve kept tabs on him ever since and, despite having a bad knee injury at Mansfield, he looked like he was getting back to his full potential during the second half of last season.
Aside from his ability, he is also one of the nicest lads you will meet in football. On his last day at York, he actually dropped into our office with cakes for us all to say goodbye and, as his brother suffered from a brain tumour, he kept in regular contact during my  wife's brother’s illness to see how things were going last year.
Can’t speak highly enough of him and really pleased to see him at Rovers.
Dave Flett | Sport Reporter

Great post John!

[dickos1]

He’s a good right back, and he’s had many good games there last season and this. He had a shocker once at Wigan but that was mainly form to fergie leaving him exposed. The criticism he got last season when he played there was very harsh

[Chris Black come back]

We do seem to have accumulated a number of genuinely good folks - Copps, Blair and Butler do seem to be quite committed to doing the whole community and engagement stuff.

[One_Matty_Lucas]

Matty Blair, Donny's James Milner!

Seems like a great guy, that tackle was one of the best I have seen.

[Lesonthewest]

Absolutely loved that challenge, think a Cardiff defender did a similar one aswel, get it wrong & you've gone. Great performance from Matty.

[drfchound]

GM said that Matty doesn't like playing rb but that was a great performance yesterday..Although if we are honest it's not teams like Rochdale (who were awful) who would cause him problems as they had no width..He gets found out a bit when he's up against someone like Wilks but it's not his position and did the job brilliantly..
   Like what people have said,that tackle was brilliant,get it wrong and he was off...As good a moment as any of the goals for me..

I can’t agree that Rochdale were awful WC.
They were trying to take us on and at times, played some really good football.
We were just too good for them, especially in the first half.

[IDM]

 

[Campsall rover]

Yes agree with all posts.
Every club needs the Matty Blair’s of this world.
Never gives less than 100% on and off the field.
That tackle yesterday was amazing. He had no right to get any where near making it. Total commitment and blistering pace.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

The defensive side of the game these days doesn't get enough credit as the flair players and strikers tend to get the limelight, so it's good to see Matty getting alot of credit for his performance in his non preferred position.

I can only echo what's been said above about him as a man, a great ambassador and role model.