Rotherham United (H)

[RUREADY2ROLL]

2 minutes ago, Wanderlust said:

And if you’d actually read what I wrote it was in response to a reported (anonymous) comment on another forum stating that Sheehan was the worst player on the pitch. So if it was you saying that Sheehan was the worst on another forum I stand by my response - and if you were misquoted you need to take it up with someone else. And if it wasn’t you, have a word with Zico about it. But leave me out of it.

Sheehan was our best player yesterday by a million miles

[Wanderlust]

1 minute ago, RUREADY2ROLL said:

Sheehan was our best player yesterday by a million miles

Wouldn’t go that far, but he certainly wasn’t the worst.

[kent_white]

5 minutes ago, Wanderlust said:

And if you’d actually read what I wrote it was in response to L/H White re a reported (anonymous) comment on another forum stating that Sheehan was the worst player on the pitch. So if it was you saying that Sheehan was the worst on another forum I stand by my response - and if you were misquoted you need to take it up with someone else I.e. LHW. And if it wasn’t you, have a word with Zico about it. But leave me out of it.

Then I apologise. You fucking ignoramus 😁

[Wanderlust]

What’s clear from this load of tosh is that there is a wide range of opinion on player performances - so why don’t we do a player rating thread after each game?
I know Lies does one in the BN but he knows fuck all 😀 so it would be amusing to see what the football literati on here make of it.

 

[bwfc4ife]

It was Sheehans misplaced lay off to Christie in his own box that led to Christie swinging a leg to try and clear the ball that led to the penalty. I wonder if the opinion would’ve been the same if we hadn’t got the second goal? 
 

I wasn’t at the game as we’re away for Christmas so watched on the firestick. I thought Randall was poor. It just hasn’t worked out for him and no matter how much we flog it, I don’t think it will so we need to get him a move in January. He’s too lightweight and hasn’t show anywhere near enough of a threat for me to balance how lightweight he is. Dempsey has shown more in 5/6 games that Randall has in 12 months. 
 

I think we look dodgy as fuck at the back. Everyone’s heaping praise on Johnston but he’s another one that a week ago was partly at fault for the shambles at Wycombe. Him and Toal both look weak to me and were both having trouble with Etete yesterday until he went off early. 
 

We also need two full backs in January. One to replace Cogley (if he’s not in Schueys long term plans and one to replace Conway if Taylor isn’t up to it). Tutu is not a right back and can’t defend, he’s a versatile option for either wing.
Last few minutes yesterday, the ball came into the box and Conway didn’t win a single header at the far post, better finishing and we could’ve lost that game as they had 2/3 headed opportunites. He’s average going forward, tires early and is really easy to get in behind.

Im glad we won but I think we got very lucky yesterday and made hard work of it. If that games away yesterday, it’s two defeats on the bounce for me.

[gonzo]

1 minute ago, bwfc4ife said:

It was Sheehans misplaced lay off to Christie in his own box that led to Christie swinging a leg to try and clear the ball that led to the penalty. I wonder if the opinion would’ve been the same if we hadn’t got the second goal? 
 

I wasn’t at the game as we’re away for Christmas so watched on the firestick. I thought Randall was poor. It just hasn’t worked out for him and no matter how much we flog it, I don’t think it will so we need to get him a move in January. He’s too lightweight and hasn’t show anywhere near enough of a threat for me to balance how lightweight he is. Dempsey has shown more in 5/6 games that Randall has in 12 months. 
 

I think we look dodgy as fuck at the back. Everyone’s heaping praise on Johnston but he’s another one that a week ago was partly at fault for the shambles at Wycombe. Him and Toal both look weak to me and were both having trouble with Etete yesterday until he went off early. 
 

We also need two full backs in January. One to replace Cogley (if he’s not in Schueys long term plans and one to replace Conway if Taylor isn’t up to it). Tutu is not a right back and can’t defend, he’s a versatile option for either wing.
Last few minutes yesterday, the ball came into the box and Conway didn’t win a single header at the far post, better finishing and we could’ve lost that game as they had 2/3 headed opportunites. He’s average going forward, tires early and is really easy to get in behind.

Im glad we won but I think we got very lucky yesterday and made hard work of it. If that games away yesterday, it’s two defeats on the bounce for me.

Get yourself a beer pal. You need one.

[kent_white]

2 minutes ago, bwfc4ife said:

It was Sheehans misplaced lay off to Christie in his own box that led to Christie swinging a leg to try and clear the ball that led to the penalty. I wonder if the opinion would’ve been the same if we hadn’t got the second goal? 
 

I wasn’t at the game as we’re away for Christmas so watched on the firestick. I thought Randall was poor. It just hasn’t worked out for him and no matter how much we flog it, I don’t think it will so we need to get him a move in January. He’s too lightweight and hasn’t show anywhere near enough of a threat for me to balance how lightweight he is. Dempsey has shown more in 5/6 games that Randall has in 12 months. 
 

I think we look dodgy as fuck at the back. Everyone’s heaping praise on Johnston but he’s another one that a week ago was partly at fault for the shambles at Wycombe. Him and Toal both look weak to me and were both having trouble with Etete yesterday until he went off early. 
 

We also need two full backs in January. One to replace Cogley (if he’s not in Schueys long term plans and one to replace Conway if Taylor isn’t up to it). Tutu is not a right back and can’t defend, he’s a versatile option for either wing.
Last few minutes yesterday, the ball came into the box and Conway didn’t win a single header at the far post, better finishing and we could’ve lost that game as they had 2/3 headed opportunites. He’s average going forward, tires early and is really easy to get in behind.

Im glad we won but I think we got very lucky yesterday and made hard work of it. If that games away yesterday, it’s two defeats on the bounce for me.

Again - game of opinions - but I think Conway is one of our better players. And I'll be amazed if he's still here if we don't go up. Probably not at his best yesterday - but he can do a bit of everything for me. And I think he's good going forward too. Especially when he moves into the middle of the pitch.

I suppose a lot of it is whether you want him to be a LB or a LWB?

[Wanderlust]

15 minutes ago, kent_white said:

Again - game of opinions - but I think Conway is one of our better players. And I'll be amazed if he's still here if we don't go up. Probably not at his best yesterday - but he can do a bit of everything for me. And I think he's good going forward too. Especially when he moves into the middle of the pitch.

I suppose a lot of it is whether you want him to be a LB or a LWB?

He’s certainly better going forward than defending and he was getting targeted and mugged a few games ago, but yesterday his positioning was miles better than usual and he did really well defending the two far post crosses at the end. When defending wide he cut out diving in so he seems to be learning/improving.

On that note, the quality of their crossing was outstanding and the kind of stuff I’d imagine Dalby would thrive on.

[boltonboris]

I don’t think there were any standout performances to be honest. Sheehan was obviously the match winner, but over the course of the game, certainly wasn’t at his best. TSL made a couple of good saves, but his distribution was a bit off. 
 

Felt for Randall. He played well for his own standards and it still wasn’t enough. The fact the manager has come out and protected him is a shame, but I can get the frustrations. Think he needs a run of home games, but can’t see him getting them. Was better than Dempsey though when he came on. 
 

Keep hearing this thing of “sign of a good team when you win when you’ve not played well” but hearing it a little too often and I don’t think the current level of performances are sustainable if we want to finish in the top 2. I think the sign of a good team is every few weeks you absolutely pound someone without giving them a sniff. We’ve not done that for a while now. 
 

Great that we’re still right up there and I think there’s more to come from us, which is encouraging. We do need to strengthen and re-balance the squad in January. Question is, can we shift anybody on? 

[Cheese]

11 minutes ago, boltonboris said:

I don’t think there were any standout performances to be honest. Sheehan was obviously the match winner, but over the course of the game, certainly wasn’t at his best. TSL made a couple of good saves, but his distribution was a bit off. 
 

Felt for Randall. He played well for his own standards and it still wasn’t enough. The fact the manager has come out and protected him is a shame, but I can get the frustrations. Think he needs a run of home games, but can’t see him getting them. Was better than Dempsey though when he came on. 
 

Keep hearing this thing of “sign of a good team when you win when you’ve not played well” but hearing it a little too often and I don’t think the current level of performances are sustainable if we want to finish in the top 2. I think the sign of a good team is every few weeks you absolutely pound someone without giving them a sniff. We’ve not done that for a while now. 
 

Great that we’re still right up there and I think there’s more to come from us, which is encouraging. We do need to strengthen and re-balance the squad in January. Question is, can we shift anybody on? 

Except we did play well, and deserved the win. 🤷‍♂️

[Johnnyrotten]

23 minutes ago, masi 51 said:

EE has not been on the losing side when he has started a league game for Bolton. He does the horrible things well

Northampton, Burton, Wycombe he comes on and maybe finds the game too fast. Not sure if he came on at Stockport but he certainly did not start

Apologies I had a memory of him playing at Northampton but it was only last 20 minutes so I take that back.

I wonder how many away games he's started?  Can't be many presumably.  Everyone in the squad has never been on a losing side at home and if we're just going off stats, EE started 2 of the 3 home games we've failed to win (Reading and Lincoln).  But we all know stats don't tell the whole story, Simons was great at Huddersfield but was sat on the bench when we scored both our goals, same in the win v Cardiff.  Who knows what works from one game to the next, but I like EE generally, just not at the "must pick" stage yet home and away given who that would be at the expense of.

[desperado]

10 minutes ago, boltonboris said:

I don’t think there were any standout performances to be honest. Sheehan was obviously the match winner, but over the course of the game, certainly wasn’t at his best. TSL made a couple of good saves, but his distribution was a bit off. 
 

Felt for Randall. He played well for his own standards and it still wasn’t enough. The fact the manager has come out and protected him is a shame, but I can get the frustrations. Think he needs a run of home games, but can’t see him getting them. Was better than Dempsey though when he came on. 
 

Keep hearing this thing of “sign of a good team when you win when you’ve not played well” but hearing it a little too often and I don’t think the current level of performances are sustainable if we want to finish in the top 2. I think the sign of a good team is every few weeks you absolutely pound someone without giving them a sniff. We’ve not done that for a while now. 
 

Great that we’re still right up there and I think there’s more to come from us, which is encouraging. We do need to strengthen and re-balance the squad in January. Question is, can we shift anybody on? 

Decent post mate.

And I know you and I are on opposite sides of the scale when it comes to impressions of Schumacher. 

But I’ll counter your sign of a good team is pounding someone every few weeks.

The sides we are currently competing with; Cardiff, Bradford and Lincoln aren’t doing this at the moment (as in the last few weeks) - surely that’s our current barometer? 

Of course it would be nice. And I agree it would be a good sign. But I’d rather just keep any winning consistency going - a much better barometer in my view.

I’ve not looked into it, but I seem to remember someone saying Plymouths title winning record had lots of marginal wins?

[gonzo]

Folk need to watch the other teams in our division and then conclude how well or not well we are playing.

Go back and watch some of the tripe Wrexham served up last season and Derby the season before.

[boltonboris]

22 minutes ago, Cheese said:

Except we did play well, and deserved the win. 🤷‍♂️

Yeah, I agree. But we almost fucked it again after the opposition decided to play for 10 minutes. We need to be more ruthless. I get that it’s hard when everyone gets behind the ball. 
 

It happens quite often where we lose or draw games that we have dominated in micro-moments. And it’s often our own doing. Yesterday we got away with it, which is fantastic. 
 

 

[Cheese]

14 minutes ago, gonzo said:

Folk need to watch the other teams in our division and then conclude how well or not well we are playing.

Go back and watch some of the tripe Wrexham served up last season and Derby the season before.

And Plymouth in the season Schumacher got them promoted...

Edited December 27, 2025 by Cheese

[boltonboris]

18 minutes ago, desperado said:

Decent post mate.

And I know you and I are on opposite sides of the scale when it comes to impressions of Schumacher. 

But I’ll counter your sign of a good team is pounding someone every few weeks.

The sides we are currently competing with; Cardiff, Bradford and Lincoln aren’t doing this at the moment (as in the last few weeks) - surely that’s our current barometer? 

Of course it would be nice. And I agree it would be a good sign. But I’d rather just keep any winning consistency going - a much better barometer in my view.

I’ve not looked into it, but I seem to remember someone saying Plymouths title winning record had lots of marginal wins?

I’m not sure how we differ on our opinions of Schumacher. I really like him. I still think whilst this IS his squad, he’s a little bit hamstrung with some high earners who wouldn’t have been his pick. Glad he has January and hopeful he can free up some cash to strengthen 

[boltonboris]

15 minutes ago, gonzo said:

Folk need to watch the other teams in our division and then conclude how well or not well we are playing.

Go back and watch some of the tripe Wrexham served up last season and Derby the season before.

That is true of Derby especially to be fair. Wrexham did pound a fair few teams, but yeah I suppose you’re right that it’s a division you fight your way out of, instead of playing your way out of. We need to start doing that away from home 

[deeane Koontz]

Would like to see out Wingers swapping sides for parts of the game. Surprised SS doesn't do it considering every team seem to set up the same against us with tightly doubling up against ACD. Throw a bit of chaos in. We can get a bit too predictable at times.

[boltonboris]

1 minute ago, deeane Koontz said:

Would like to see out Wingers swapping sides for parts of the game. Surprised SS doesn't do it considering every team seem to set up the same against us with tightly doubling up against ACD. Throw a bit of chaos in. We can get a bit too predictable at times.

We had some if our best moments yesterday in the first half when ACD came into the middle of the pitch. Dragging people in with him and freeing up space for Christie and Randall going over. As often Is the case, we didn’t take advantage with the quality of the balls into the box

[deeane Koontz]

3 minutes ago, boltonboris said:

We had some if our best moments yesterday in the first half when ACD came into the middle of the pitch. Dragging people in with him and freeing up space for Christie and Randall going over. As often Is the case, we didn’t take advantage with the quality of the balls into the box

 

Give him a go behind the striker 👀

[gonzo]

Just now, deeane Koontz said:

 

Give him a go behind the striker 👀

9.5 or 10.5?

[deeane Koontz]

Thinking about it.. he could cause absolute murder in that position 

[Stig]

1 hour ago, masi 51 said:

EE has not been on the losing side when he has started a league game for Bolton. He does the horrible things well

Northampton, Burton, Wycombe he comes on and maybe finds the game too fast. Not sure if he came on at Stockport but he certainly did not start

He's a must start for me on away games

[Ani]

Some very varied opinions on here, but after years of the other fella and our inability to close out games when we were the better team or pick up points when struggling you would think there would be more appreciation of the need to just get results. 
 

Even last year under SS we fucked up. If it is like this after a home win god knows what happens when we lose a home game. 

[1969]

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1F7j4Qrzte/

Gale after the winner 😄 

Edited December 27, 2025 by 1969