Houston…we have a problem.

[Avsuptem]

When are we going to sign our 5 goals per game striker that's what  i want to know.

[Reg of the Rovers]

I thought Hanlan looked decent first half, saw some strength and composure we’ve not had chance to see before. Olusanya showed sparks of skill and pace, his best work being to track their right wing all the way down the pitch and slide tackle him out. Both got potential.

Otherwise thought we were pretty poor, but did what we needed to do. Everton very technical on the ball but otherwise not too threatening. Not sure about the Sbarra comments, I thought he looked out of his depth again, he was still the smallest player on the pitch and just doesn’t seem to make enough of a contribution. I know he scored so that seems a stupid thing to say, but otherwise still seems way off the level for me, after he’s been given much more of a chance than some others.

[GazLaz]

Just watched Mccanns interview, Everton had a £9m valued player at left back and people talking like we have just played a bunch of kids.

We played City U21s a couple of years ago. Delap, Bobb, Shea Charles and other real high quality players started that day. Joe Dodoo scored two. That tells you all you need to know about U21 teams.

[Metalmicky]

We played City U21s a couple of years ago. Delap, Bobb, Shea Charles and other real high quality players started that day. Joe Dodoo scored two. That tells you all you need to know about U21 teams.

I really don't think it does... I thought the Everton U21 were a well balanced high energy team who would have given any League One team a decent game. Our team wasn't full of first choice players and I thought they matched the energy and it was a good competitive game. Maybe we should wait until they have played Bradford and Grimsby for more balanced view.

[ss1953]

Sbarra scored the second goal and gave the assist for the first goal.

Alan Ball and Billy Bremner were small as well.

[Reg of the Rovers]

Sbarra scored the second goal and gave the assist for the first goal.

Alan Ball and Billy Bremner were small as well.

I personally think he's been given lots and lots of chances and is nowhere near the standard required. He seems a cracking lad and a big personality in the squad which might be why he keeps getting chances, but he's non-league level at best. I think it's bold to compare Sbarra to Bremner and Ball, he's light years off it. There was a collective groan on the Huddersfield coach when the team sheet came out with his name on.

[Avsuptem]

Correct me if I am wrong but it does seem like the majority of our goals this season so far have had an element of good fortune about them insomuch as they have benefitted from a deflection that defeated the keeper. This was the case even when we went rampant v Middlesborough. It would be nice if we did not need such good fortune.

[oggycompton]

I thought Hanlan was really good last night, not suyre why he's getting dug out. I was also impressed with Olasanya too.

[Reg of the Rovers]

Correct me if I am wrong but it does seem like the majority of our goals this season so far have had an element of good fortune about them insomuch as they have benefitted from a deflection that defeated the keeper. This was the case even when we went rampant v Middlesborough. It would be nice if we did not need such good fortune.

As my Dad always told me, ' you don't shoot, you don't score'. I'd much rather us be getting shots off and making things happen than farting about and working the ball back, watching through the EFL highlights is surprising how many goals are from deflections or OGs as a result of a shot or cross in a dangerous area. Let's keep the good fortune from shooting and being positive, and add in some nice clean strikes as well 

[Monolith No. 9]

Sbarra scored the second goal and gave the assist for the first goal.

Alan Ball and Billy Bremner were small as well.

Bremner and Ball were nasty little buggers though.

But I saw Sbarra play for Solihull on three of four occasions the season they made it to the play off final and he was a stand out performer for them and it looked like a good bit of business when McCann got him, especially with other clubs sniffing around. The fact he’d come from National League didn’t seem an issue. He’d had league experience with Burton and played in League one and the Championship. A bit surprised and disappointed he’s not really established himself. At the very least had ‘impact sub’ written all over him from what I saw at Solihull.

[IDM]

I thought Hanlan was really good last night, not suyre why he's getting dug out. I was also impressed with Olasanya too.

Because, as always, some folks appear to look for a negative slant.

I didn’t see the game but I think more on here are saying Hanlan did well than not.  That and looking at the BBC ticker he had a fair few other chances which were blocked or off target..

In all competitions we’ve played 9 games, won 7, drawn 1 and lost 1.

Yet we‘ve supposedly got poor players, and let a player leave who’s hardly played any minutes and not scored.!

Not sure what folks want these days.  If we haven’t got a traditional holding up no9 (Sharp hasn’t done too bad has he) we may play a different style.

[andyst79]

Sbarra scored the second goal and gave the assist for the first goal.

Alan Ball and Billy Bremner were small as well.

I personally think he's been given lots and lots of chances and is nowhere near the standard required. He seems a cracking lad and a big personality in the squad which might be why he keeps getting chances, but he's non-league level at best. I think it's bold to compare Sbarra to Bremner and Ball, he's light years off it. There was a collective groan on the Huddersfield coach when the team sheet came out with his name on.

Got to agree with this , apart from his goal he was never really in the game & just isn't at the level required unfortunately. Everton stood off us and allowed us  time on the ball so it was the perfect game for him to show something but looked pretty lost for most of the game.

[Donnywolf]

My Dad pre dated the Internet and Forums etc by a good many years

A lot of his football opinions were as true back then as they are now and he would be staggered that lots of Players are getting judged on one appearance. He drilled it in to me and I listened and complied and do to this day

They can play out of their skins , they can be desperate for a transfer he would say , or out of condition , not giving of their best and that may not be noticeable in one appearance

The only time I almost didn't follow his "rule" was when we signed Herbie Kane. I watched his first game and I thought wow , but said to those around me , I can't go against my Dad's edict

5 minutes into his next game he showed some great skill beating 2 opponents right on touchline and I then said " well I can say now as it's 1 game  plus 5 minutes , what a bloody good player HE is"

I thought he would go higher than he has but ffs he ain't done bad

I'll trust GM as he's the Manager , and I trust everything he does , as he is in the business as a career and needs success so we would hope he is always trying to improve Rovers "lot" and with it his own "lot" and that's ok by me.

[Upton Rover]

It was a game what’s totally pointless, why would any player give 110% and risk injury and be out for some time, you could see that nearly all outfield players were holding off from any bruising tackles, both teams happy for the opponent to pass the ball till they lost it, so all in all Rovers players did what they had to without any outstanding performances.

[Barmby Rover]

Joe had 3 seasons to impress, he did do so for half of one season, that is why he has been allowed to leave. Apparently we have to dismiss another having played a few games (4/5? + pre season) and another with 60 minute played. Good grief, we can't afford Harry Kane, let's see what they can do this season, pressure is not intense on them whilst midfield is backing them up.

[DearneValleyRover]

I’m finding it laughable that people are having a go at Hanlan when he’s still learning how McCann wants him to play and even more so those having a go at Olusanya, I think a few people need to give their heads a wobble

[Usher wide.]

Joe had 3 seasons to impress, he did do so for one season, that is why he has been allowed to leave. Apparently we have to dismiss another having played a few games (4/5? + pre season) and another with 60 minute played. Good grief, we can't afford Harry Kane, let's see what they can do this season, pressure is not intense on them whilst midfield is backing them up.

First off, it’s my opinion that Hanlan (should we lose Billy to a long term injury) would not ‘lead the line’ better than Joe (yes, I know he’s gone!) would have done. You made it abundantly clear that you didn’t rate Joe in your ‘eloquent OP- Joe’s gone’. I quote:-

‘…to Tranmere, 4th in line (really?) he can try Lg2. Think he lost it after half of one season, his only use was to wrestle with centre halves last season. Good luck Joe but you won’t be missed’.

Lots of posters myself included, vehemently ‘condemned’ your choice of narrative in that OP for example, colincramb wrote ‘Harsh. You don’t know what his influence was like with other squad players. Think your words could have shown more respect to a player that’s been a solid servant to the club’. That post got 30 likes.

StocksArmy posted similar, 17 likes. MushRTID, 15 likes. I could go on.

Joe didn’t have 3 seasons with us, he joined us in June of 2023. That’s 2 seasons & 5 games, get your facts right.

In the ‘half season’ you say he impressed, that would be 2023/24 season, Joe scored 20 league goals (no player since John Marquis has equalled that feat) which helped propel us into the playoffs offs. You forgot any mention of that.

At the beginning of last season Joe was carrying an injury for which he eventually had to have surgery for. As Joe was coming back to match fitness a certain Rob Street joined the squad. The rest is history, as they say.

I truly hope Brandon Hanlan goes on to match or fingers crossed smash Joe’s record of 20 league goals this season & again next season because he plays for my club. I just happen to believe that I don’t think he has the strength, tenacity, speed of thought or more importantly, the belief in himself to do so. That may well be as a result of the crucial ligament injury he suffered, I dunno.

Brandon’s best league goals return was for Wycombe in season 2021/22. He scored 6 goals in 37 games.

I hope Billy stays fit.

[Iberian Red]

Sbarra scored the second goal and gave the assist for the first goal.

Alan Ball and Billy Bremner were small as well.

I've heard a rumour we've got Ronnie Corbett lined up in the January window!

[Reg of the Rovers]

Sbarra scored the second goal and gave the assist for the first goal.

Alan Ball and Billy Bremner were small as well.

I've heard a rumour we've got Ronnie Corbett lined up in the January window!

[redwine]

 

Sbarra scored the second goal and gave the assist for the first goal.

Alan Ball and Billy Bremner were small as well.

I've heard a rumour we've got Ronnie Corbett lined up in the January window!

Not mobile enough for Grant, now.

[scawsby steve]

Correct me if I am wrong but it does seem like the majority of our goals this season so far have had an element of good fortune about them insomuch as they have benefitted from a deflection that defeated the keeper. This was the case even when we went rampant v Middlesborough. It would be nice if we did not need such good fortune.

The great golfer, Gary Player, once famously said "The more I practice, the luckier I seem to get".

If players keep shooting on target, they'll get goals one way or another.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Joe had 3 seasons to impress, he did do so for one season, that is why he has been allowed to leave. Apparently we have to dismiss another having played a few games (4/5? + pre season) and another with 60 minute played. Good grief, we can't afford Harry Kane, let's see what they can do this season, pressure is not intense on them whilst midfield is backing them up.

First off, it’s my opinion that Hanlan (should we lose Billy to a long term injury) would not ‘lead the line’ better than Joe (yes, I know he’s gone!) would have done. You made it abundantly clear that you didn’t rate Joe in your ‘eloquent OP- Joe’s gone’. I quote:-

‘…to Tranmere, 4th in line (really?) he can try Lg2. Think he lost it after half of one season, his only use was to wrestle with centre halves last season. Good luck Joe but you won’t be missed’.

Lots of posters myself included, vehemently ‘condemned’ your choice of narrative in that OP for example, colincramb wrote ‘Harsh. You don’t know what his influence was like with other squad players. Think your words could have shown more respect to a player that’s been a solid servant to the club’. That post got 30 likes.

StocksArmy posted similar, 17 likes. MushRTID, 15 likes. I could go on.

Joe didn’t have 3 seasons with us, he joined us in June of 2023. That’s 2 seasons & 5 games, get your facts right.

In the ‘half season’ you say he impressed, that would be 2023/24 season, Joe scored 20 league goals (no player since John Marquis has equalled that feat) which helped propel us into the playoffs offs. You forgot any mention of that.

At the beginning of last season Joe was carrying an injury for which he eventually had to have surgery for. As Joe was coming back to match fitness a certain Rob Street joined the squad. The rest is history, as they say.

I truly hope Brandon Hanlan goes on to match or fingers crossed smash Joe’s record of 20 league goals this season & again next season because he plays for my club. I just happen to believe that I don’t think he has the strength, tenacity, speed of thought or more importantly, the belief in himself to do so. That may well be as a result of the crucial ligament injury he suffered, I dunno.

Brandon’s best league goals return was for Wycombe in season 2021/22. He scored 6 goals in 37 games.

I hope Billy stays fit.

A target of 20 goals is tough for any striker. Joe had an exceptional season and was our superb penalty taker too.

So, taking everything into account, what do you think is a reasonable target for him?

[Iberian Red]

Correct me if I am wrong but it does seem like the majority of our goals this season so far have had an element of good fortune about them insomuch as they have benefitted from a deflection that defeated the keeper. This was the case even when we went rampant v Middlesborough. It would be nice if we did not need such good fortune.

The great golfer, Gary Player, once famously said "The more I practice, the luckier I seem to get".

If players keep shooting on target, they'll get goals one way or another.

Nah,that was Ronnie Corbett.

[scawsby steve]

Correct me if I am wrong but it does seem like the majority of our goals this season so far have had an element of good fortune about them insomuch as they have benefitted from a deflection that defeated the keeper. This was the case even when we went rampant v Middlesborough. It would be nice if we did not need such good fortune.

The great golfer, Gary Player, once famously said "The more I practice, the luckier I seem to get".

If players keep shooting on target, they'll get goals one way or another.

Nah,that was Ronnie Corbett.

Nah, that was Harry Corbett. "Aw, Sooty".

[belton rover]

Ronnie Corbett? Not for me.
Sorry.

[Usher wide.]

Joe had 3 seasons to impress, he did do so for one season, that is why he has been allowed to leave. Apparently we have to dismiss another having played a few games (4/5? + pre season) and another with 60 minute played. Good grief, we can't afford Harry Kane, let's see what they can do this season, pressure is not intense on them whilst midfield is backing them up.

First off, it’s my opinion that Hanlan (should we lose Billy to a long term injury) would not ‘lead the line’ better than Joe (yes, I know he’s gone!) would have done. You made it abundantly clear that you didn’t rate Joe in your ‘eloquent OP- Joe’s gone’. I quote:-

‘…to Tranmere, 4th in line (really?) he can try Lg2. Think he lost it after half of one season, his only use was to wrestle with centre halves last season. Good luck Joe but you won’t be missed’.

Lots of posters myself included, vehemently ‘condemned’ your choice of narrative in that OP for example, colincramb wrote ‘Harsh. You don’t know what his influence was like with other squad players. Think your words could have shown more respect to a player that’s been a solid servant to the club’. That post got 30 likes.

StocksArmy posted similar, 17 likes. MushRTID, 15 likes. I could go on.

Joe didn’t have 3 seasons with us, he joined us in June of 2023. That’s 2 seasons & 5 games, get your facts right.

In the ‘half season’ you say he impressed, that would be 2023/24 season, Joe scored 20 league goals (no player since John Marquis has equalled that feat) which helped propel us into the playoffs offs. You forgot any mention of that.

At the beginning of last season Joe was carrying an injury for which he eventually had to have surgery for. As Joe was coming back to match fitness a certain Rob Street joined the squad. The rest is history, as they say.

I truly hope Brandon Hanlan goes on to match or fingers crossed smash Joe’s record of 20 league goals this season & again next season because he plays for my club. I just happen to believe that I don’t think he has the strength, tenacity, speed of thought or more importantly, the belief in himself to do so. That may well be as a result of the crucial ligament injury he suffered, I dunno.

Brandon’s best league goals return was for Wycombe in season 2021/22. He scored 6 goals in 37 games.

I hope Billy stays fit.

A target of 20 goals is tough for any striker. Joe had an exceptional season and was our superb penalty taker too.

So, taking everything into account, what do you think is a reasonable target for him?

DBR, I just hope that Brandon happens to have the best season he’s had in his career thus far & it’s here & now at our club.

I hope he finds the camaraderie amongst this group of players the like of which he’s never found at any other club before & in doing so that brings out the very best of Brandon Hanlan here, at the Rovers.

I wish nothing but the very best for any player who pulls on the red & white hoops, why wouldn’t I?

But given all of that, does it not allow me to ‘voice my concerns’ on a fans forum after attempting to articulate my opinion?

I don’t & never have ‘slagged off’ players who have turned out for us. But if I can’t voice my concerns about their abilities on this forum without ‘slagging them off’ but with giving my personal thoughts & reasons for doubting they will ‘take the club forward’ or improve what we have then where else do I ‘vent’ those doubts?

And yes, by all means come back at me & tell me your reasons for telling me you believe I am wrong because at the end of the day, isn’t that what this forum is for?

[GazLaz]

So, before Oluysanya joined our ranks as a forward, we had Billy, Joe & Hanlan as our centre forwards, number 9’s, you get my drift.

Having watched tonight’s game against a bunch of (talented) teenagers from a Premiership club, apart from his goal, which fooled Everton’s ‘16 year old frame looking goalkeeper’ via a deflection, Hanlan did little else to make me think ‘hello, we’ve found ‘our goal scorer’ here.

Likewise our ‘pacey striker’ on loan from Houston until the end of January although fair due’s, it was his first ‘competetive game’ for us however given the level of the players he was up against, it was a competitive game with a small ‘c’ & he showed little to inspire me that he could ‘lead the line’ come games against the opponents we face this coming Saturday.

So, given Joe Ironside’s departure from the club I would like to pose a question, particularly to posters like BarnbyRover & GazLaz, if Billy Sharp were to be injured in the 50th minute come Saturday, who would you like to see come on to ‘lead the line’?

Or would you ‘dare to concede’ that if he were still here, despite your ‘condemnation’ of him, you’d hand on heart, want Joe to be that man?

,

“The oracle has spoken” “I’m glad we have Grant making the decisions not you”

[Ian Nimmo]

Joe had 3 seasons to impress, he did do so for one season, that is why he has been allowed to leave. Apparently we have to dismiss another having played a few games (4/5? + pre season) and another with 60 minute played. Good grief, we can't afford Harry Kane, let's see what they can do this season, pressure is not intense on them whilst midfield is backing them up.

First off, it’s my opinion that Hanlan (should we lose Billy to a long term injury) would not ‘lead the line’ better than Joe (yes, I know he’s gone!) would have done. You made it abundantly clear that you didn’t rate Joe in your ‘eloquent OP- Joe’s gone’. I quote:-

‘…to Tranmere, 4th in line (really?) he can try Lg2. Think he lost it after half of one season, his only use was to wrestle with centre halves last season. Good luck Joe but you won’t be missed’.

Lots of posters myself included, vehemently ‘condemned’ your choice of narrative in that OP for example, colincramb wrote ‘Harsh. You don’t know what his influence was like with other squad players. Think your words could have shown more respect to a player that’s been a solid servant to the club’. That post got 30 likes.

StocksArmy posted similar, 17 likes. MushRTID, 15 likes. I could go on.

Joe didn’t have 3 seasons with us, he joined us in June of 2023. That’s 2 seasons & 5 games, get your facts right.

In the ‘half season’ you say he impressed, that would be 2023/24 season, Joe scored 20 league goals (no player since John Marquis has equalled that feat) which helped propel us into the playoffs offs. You forgot any mention of that.

At the beginning of last season Joe was carrying an injury for which he eventually had to have surgery for. As Joe was coming back to match fitness a certain Rob Street joined the squad. The rest is history, as they say.

I truly hope Brandon Hanlan goes on to match or fingers crossed smash Joe’s record of 20 league goals this season & again next season because he plays for my club. I just happen to believe that I don’t think he has the strength, tenacity, speed of thought or more importantly, the belief in himself to do so. That may well be as a result of the crucial ligament injury he suffered, I dunno.

Brandon’s best league goals return was for Wycombe in season 2021/22. He scored 6 goals in 37 games.

I hope Billy stays fit.

A target of 20 goals is tough for any striker. Joe had an exceptional season and was our superb penalty taker too.

So, taking everything into account, what do you think is a reasonable target for him?

DBR, I just hope that Brandon happens to have the best season he’s had in his career thus far & it’s here & now at our club.

I hope he finds the camaraderie amongst this group of players the like of which he’s never found at any other club before & in doing so that brings out the very best of Brandon Hanlan here, at the Rovers.

I wish nothing but the very best for any player who pulls on the red & white hoops, why wouldn’t I?

But given all of that, does it not allow me to ‘voice my concerns’ on a fans forum after attempting to articulate my opinion?

I don’t & never have ‘slagged off’ players who have turned out for us. But if I can’t voice my concerns about their abilities on this forum without ‘slagging them off’ but with giving my personal thoughts & reasons for doubting they will ‘take the club forward’ or improve what we have then where else do I ‘vent’ those doubts?

And yes, by all means come back at me & tell me your reasons for telling me you believe I am wrong because at the end of the day, isn’t that what this forum is for?

I totally agree, I believe the majority of posters on here want and hope that every single player will perform to the best of their ability and contribute to our teams performance. However everyone has the right to express their opinions and in this case usherwide has expressed his concerns.
At this present time, I do also share his concerns over the number 9 position and why Joe has left the club, leaving us in a somewhat precarious position, given the performances we have seen so far from his replacement Hanlan, and thus in recent games we have a total reliance on Billy.

Many posters on here are saying we have to give Hanlan time and quote a comparison to Street, when challenging any comments made specifically towards Hanlan. However the two scenarios are not really the same, Hanlan was brought in early had a full preseason, whereas Street was brought in without this luxury.

If anyone who makes negative observations regarding Hanlan on here are challenged and strongly criticising those who express concern, then why are they not asking questions for Grant. Clearly it doesn’t look like he is happy, otherwise he would be starting Hanlan over Sharp?

Given this, surely the concerns raised by usherwide are thought by many more.
To conclude no one would be more happier than me if Hanlan were to score goals in the next few matches and for the rest of the season, however it wouldn’t mean that my concerns about his current performances so far were not justified.

[Usher wide.]

So, before Oluysanya joined our ranks as a forward, we had Billy, Joe & Hanlan as our centre forwards, number 9’s, you get my drift.

Having watched tonight’s game against a bunch of (talented) teenagers from a Premiership club, apart from his goal, which fooled Everton’s ‘16 year old frame looking goalkeeper’ via a deflection, Hanlan did little else to make me think ‘hello, we’ve found ‘our goal scorer’ here.

Likewise our ‘pacey striker’ on loan from Houston until the end of January although fair due’s, it was his first ‘competetive game’ for us however given the level of the players he was up against, it was a competitive game with a small ‘c’ & he showed little to inspire me that he could ‘lead the line’ come games against the opponents we face this coming Saturday.

So, given Joe Ironside’s departure from the club I would like to pose a question, particularly to posters like BarnbyRover & GazLaz, if Billy Sharp were to be injured in the 50th minute come Saturday, who would you like to see come on to ‘lead the line’?

Or would you ‘dare to concede’ that if he were still here, despite your ‘condemnation’ of him, you’d hand on heart, want Joe to be that man?

,

“The oracle has spoken” “I’m glad we have Grant making the decisions not you”

So am I, not least because Grant has a UEFA Pro-Licence & me a mere FA Level 2.

But you still haven’t answered the question I put to you.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

At no point have I said Usherwide is wrong. I was just asking a simple question of what would a reasonable goals target be for the season.

For example last season, we had concerns about Billy and the game time he might get etc. I said at the time a return of 10 goals would be good.

The inferred criticism is probably due to coming to a conclusion about a player before he's barely had a chance to settle in, not necessarily because his opinion is wrong.