Rotherham United (H)

[barrycowdrill]

18 minutes ago, gonzo said:

To me it's just that time of year. Ugly crap games coming thick and fast, no team is a pushover. 

All about survival of the fittest. 

Currently 4 points between Barnsley in 9th and Rotherham in 21st. Tells you that aside from the top 6 it’s a pretty even league. Whilst we should be hoping / expecting to beat anyone that turns up at our place, there’s an expectation that’s beginning to breed in to entitlement that we should be turning everyone over 3s and 4s 

aside from maybe Vale the table tells you the majority of the teams below us are pretty evenly matched and we won’t be given anything and everyone will still be thinking a decent run gets them right in the picture. 
 

from now til march time it’s just heads down and grinding it out then worry about the games against the runners and riders from then till the end of the season. But you can’t worry about the picture unless you’re in it 

[Cheese]

9 minutes ago, barrycowdrill said:

Currently 4 points between Barnsley in 9th and Rotherham in 21st. Tells you that aside from the top 6 it’s a pretty even league. Whilst we should be hoping / expecting to beat anyone that turns up at our place, there’s an expectation that’s beginning to breed in to entitlement that we should be turning everyone over 3s and 4s 

aside from maybe Vale the table tells you the majority of the teams below us are pretty evenly matched and we won’t be given anything and everyone will still be thinking a decent run gets them right in the picture. 
 

from now til march time it’s just heads down and grinding it out then worry about the games against the runners and riders from then till the end of the season. But you can’t worry about the picture unless you’re in it 

3 points isn't good enough apparently. 🤷‍♂️

[desperado]

On 24/12/2025 at 09:41, wakey said:

I reckon long into the future folk will look back on this era and be baffled by two things:

1. the failure to combat climate change

2. Bolton fans ever suggesting a lineup without Sheehan in it.

I’m going to do something which is a rare commodity on Wanderers Ways.

I posted some shit.

I was wrong, badly wrong. All my recommendations of first 11 predictions are purely those of a fan chatting pub shit.

Take a bow Mr Sheehan

👏👏👏👏

A massive 3 points.

Thanks Josh

[Dimron]

36 minutes ago, FrancisFogarty said:

There's some dicks near me and it's nonstop. If it isn't his socks it's his hair.

That miss was right in front of me and my 70 odd year old fuzzy brain is thinking "get the shot in, score the goal, yes shut the fuckers up, oh bollocks shit bollocks" all in a millisecond.

But his socks and hair are ridiculous 😆

[Krimzon]

23 minutes ago, Whitestar said:

Crap game, pleased with result, Randall not bad, atmosphere poor, team performance AWFUL.

Bollocks.

Really good game that had chances gallore with both keepers making Worldy saves and an amazing finish for a boxing day cracker . TEAM had 20 shots and 75% posession  . 

 

if you just want to rock up and see a 5-0 stroll in the park , then go watch Lawn bowls. 

[Johnnyrotten]

4 hours ago, Bertie said:

Christie having a shocker. 

I'm sorry to say that was as bad a performance from a Bolton RB as  I can remember.  Its like he's playing in a testimonial and everyone else in a cup final, talk about half paced and laboured, in mind and body.

[jmjhb]

Just now, Johnnyrotten said:

I'm sorry to say that was as bad a performance from a Bolton RB as  I can remember.  Its like he's playing in a testimonial and everyone else in a cup final, talk about half paced and laboured, in mind and body.

Did you ever watch Danny Butterfield?

[Stig]

1 hour ago, Krimzon said:

Ive been quite vocal about Randall ont tinterweb . I thought he was OK today , I had zero faith in him scoring his chance and didnt bat an eyelid when he fluffed it . Being OK , in our position isnt good enough , he has to go . 

Despite that I would never boo him nor cheer the substitution . It can be a bit difficult to tell the difference between the cheers for the sub going off or the player coming on . 

This is pretty much spot on for Randall. He's putting the effort in and doesn't deserve the mockery cheering off, but he shouldn't be getting picked as he's not at the level needed.

It's like seeing a teenager play against men, he's just so physically weak. Best thing for all parties would be to find him another club in Jan at the right level.

[ianofcleveleys]

As @Ani said, first 30 was turgid, last 15 they started gifting us openings, we should have been 4 up.  

Criminally wasteful again as 2nd half wore on, especially when they put Hugill and Nombe on, had 3 up top and big spaces opened up. Nearly bit us on the arse but great work from Sheehan, Dalby, ACD to make the opportunity then get the winner

Randall's treatment when he went off was a disgrace. A pair of nob heads (who'd brought kids) in front of me were complicit, crucified him all game and cheered when he was hooked. Don't bother coming again, fuckwits.

Sheehan's radar had been miles off but when he's high up the pitch he makes things happen

ACD saved his one big contribution till the 94th minute

Gale's at our level because he's got some tools but doesn't deliver with any consistency

Erhahon was a bit sideways and backwards at too slow tempo first half, a lot better and more front foot second half, shame he had to go off

Johnston was tremendous in defence, MoM for me, some proper blocking, tackling, heading. 

Maybe for another thread but Dalby's not getting a fair crack. If Burstow was being rested he'd reasonably expect a go in the middle and must have been a bit miffed to see Forss preferred. Dalby needs to be given a run of 5-6 games on trot, the wingers drilled into playing to him, then its down to him. If he doesn't score and is shit, fair enough, bench him again. 20 mins here and there and an odd start in the cup isn't a fair go, as with most strikers he got his 15 goals up North through playing every week, 30-odd starts. He did well today. 

[Johnnyrotten]

4 hours ago, bwfc4ife said:

We’re too lightweight in the final third. Randall - everything already said. I think ACD needs a rest too, just not effective at the moment. 

I'd love it if we had a better option 😀 Must never be subbed unless the game is won/lost.

[Cheese]

 

[Dr Faustus]

Without analysing every comment, and offering my own perspective.

Dalby very effective when coming on; he’s no Jerome, Heskey, certainly no SKD, but he put himself about a defence that were organised. Bastard to play against. Kudos to both Gale and ACD for chasing back and winning v important balls.

TSL- big save second half, but the arc of the header was comfortable- if a keeper can make a negative step and catch at full extension, it’s meat and drink. One in the first half was questionable, overall what I would expect. Both keepers solid.

They set out to block space into the wingers. We can’t launch into the middle, we can’t just ping it. We have to play Evattball to create ‘artificial transitions’ we have to patient as fans… it will open up in time. 
Josh Sheehan has a great brain; holding his run for the winner, remaining calm for the first. Suits the 6 with grafters, allowed to be free. Randell is a bit of confidence away from being a game changer, yeah poor finish when through- on his left at the keepers face it’s in- didn’t need booing, a lot of heads need wobbling, I’ve not been a fan, but some good movement and tight control.
Yes we can be better, but we are grinding out a remarkable home record- when did Ipswich beat us at home in 96/97? Not trying to compare to that side, but still in a good position

 

 COYWM

[Whitestar]

19 minutes ago, Krimzon said:

Bollocks.

Really good game that had chances gallore with both keepers making Worldy saves and an amazing finish for a boxing day cracker . TEAM had 20 shots and 75% posession  . 

 

if you just want to rock up and see a 5-0 stroll in the park , then go watch Lawn bowls. 

Good god, yer easy pleased aren't you? , i used to work with a daft woman that saw the positives in everything, made me feel queasy, if you kicked her in the c**t she'd say " oooh that smarts, but what lovely shoes you've got on".

[Dr Faustus]

Just now, Whitestar said:

Good god, yer easy pleased aren't you? , i used to work with a daft woman that saw the positives in everything, made me feel queasy, if you kicked her in the c**t she'd say " oooh that smarts, but what lovely shoes you've got on".

That’s a fib isn’t it? Sure HR had a word- or is that why you ‘used’ you with there?

[Cheese]

Just now, Whitestar said:

Good god, yer easy pleased aren't you? , i used to work with a daft woman that saw the positives in everything, made me feel queasy, if you kicked her in the c**t she'd say " oooh that smarts, but what lovely shoes you've got on".

Good God, yer a miserable cunt aren't you? Most football fans I know would enjoy a win regardless of how their team played, but especially if their team played well and deserved it.

[Johnnyrotten]

4 hours ago, JimmyRiddle said:

Just to put it out there, I'm trying to be objective, and Randall isn't pulling up any trees but does take up some good positions and links play, he definitely isn't the worst in our team in that first half, but think the jury has definitely made it's decision going off those around me.

Randall's running off the ball, intelligent running into good positions, is better than anybody else that plays the "10" role.

[Johnnyrotten]

4 hours ago, jmjhb said:

Been our best player today so far imo

Johnston the best player on the pitch by a mile.  He misplaced a pass after about 75 minutes and I swear it was the first time all day, and he won every challenge, tackle, header, block he went in for.

[DaveTheRave]

Great 3 points in the end. I'd say it was a pretty average performance. First half I thought it was pretty even. They had some decent chances but Randall was unlucky to see his header cleared off the line. Last few minutes of the first half we had them on the back foot and deserved the goal.

Second half I thought we were by far the better team. Bad pass from Sheehan and daft challenge by Christie almost cost us but fair play to them all for getting the winner.

Sheehan probably man of the match for scoring 2 but I thought Johnston had a very good game.

Randall didn't have a bad game imo and definitely didn't deserve the ironic cheering when he was subbed.

Very happy with the win.

Come On You Whites!!!

[Cheese]

Our thick fans are slowly turning Schumacher off. Cheering Randall going off was fucking pathetic. I hope they both just crack on and ignrore the thick cunts in the stands.

[Lostock Whites]

Duberry I felt had probably his worst game for us today until the winner, yet the match  was just another indication of why he's so important to play the whole game. He can be quiet for 90 minutes, but in extra time how many points has he won us now? 

Sheehan got the 2 goals but just look at him pressing their centre half in the build up for the winner. He's been labelled a soft touch in the past, but he's a real fighter along with his ability to dictate and dominate matches. 

Special mention to Dalby, gave us another dimension when he came on and had their centre halves struggling. 

As for the main taking point, Randell. I personally don't think he's good enough and hasn't delivered in the nearly 12 months he's been here now and for the 1.2 million we spent on him.

I do think as fans we love a scapegoat and there's a lot of fans out of there hoping he does something wrong to prove their points.

But also, there's some out there giving him extra praise, just because his performance may have been better than performances in the past. But being honest, when his previous games have been say a 3 or 4/10 and today he might have been a 5 or 6/10, I personally don't think that's a thing to praise.

Nevertheless, whether you praise or criticise him, one thing that is completely detrimental and wrong, is celebrating his departure after he has quite obviously put in effort in front of 24,000 "supporters" for the shirt of the club we all support.

He might not be good enough, which is a belief I personally hold onto at the moment. But responding like that? How can that support him to do better next time he puts on the shirt? Or next time there's a key pressured moment in the game, that he has the confidence to do what it takes without having us supporters in the back of his mind? 

Confidence is huge in football and it's our job as supporters to help provide that as much as we can. Today, we completely shot down the confidence of our very own player who may very well be in the managers plans whether we like it or not.

Think some need to take a look at themselves.

[masi 51]

1 minute ago, Johnnyrotten said:

Johnston the best player on the pitch by a mile.  He misplaced a pass after about 75 minutes and I swear it was the first time all day, and he won every challenge, tackle, header, block he went in for.

Johnston excellent at defending. Pedestrian with the ball at his feet going forward likewise Toal

[ianofcleveleys]

3 minutes ago, Cheese said:

Our thick fans are slowly turning Schumacher off. Cheering Randall going off was fucking pathetic. I hope they both just crack on and ignrore the thick cunts in the stands.

We'd be better off with a couple of thou less in the ground, a few less pies sold but an atmosphere where a lad short on confidence might feel folk are with him. I noticed Dalby applauding him and geeing him up when that shot went wide. 

[waffer cup 07]

Not sure if fans were cheering Randall's substition or Dempsey's apperance.

[Big E]

13 minutes ago, Cheese said:

Our thick fans are slowly turning Schumacher off. Cheering Randall going off was fucking pathetic. I hope they both just crack on and ignrore the thick cunts in the stands.

Ridiculous indeed as he did ok today apart from his miss. Sadly he will never be accepted so hopefully he gets a move. 

if Cogley played like Christie today there would be folk going mental.

id prefer two front men at home but a win is a win. Roll on whatever day the next is 

 

 

 

[Dimron]

9 minutes ago, Cheese said:

Our thick fans are slowly turning Schumacher off. Cheering Randall going off was fucking pathetic. I hope they both just crack on and ignrore the thick cunts in the stands.

Although not a big Randall fan, I would never jeer a player iwearing the shirt, I would simply stay seated and keep my silence if I didn't approve of his selection or his contribution to the effort.

Maybe with 20,000 plus we might have too many lightweight suporters, Boxing Day & New Year games are traditionaĺy dour encounters attracting too many sensation seekers.