New coach, without Bentley and Friedel, Rovers will struggle this year. Can see them as low as 15th at the end of the season.
rover !
· 1 year ago
Robinson was more expensive than friedel because he is nearly 10yrs younger, plus although Robinson has had a rough couple of years he is still a proven international gk, I dont even thionk that Robinson was that bad either, he lost a bit of confidence and wasnt supported by his club or the press. Also i dont think Villanueva is a direct replacement for Bentley as he is more effective in the middle, so i expect to see penantt or lennon or someone like that brought in. Also i think that you will see more from pedersen this season as well bentley stole the show last yr and saw more of the ball than pedersen!! MGP will be back this season.
Michael
· 1 year ago
Rover, I know what you're saying with the costs of the two, but with goalkeepers, age isn't as big of a deal.
Also, anyone who's watched the Premiership over the past two seasons knows Friedel is a much better keeper than Robinson.
When you say Robinson is a proven international keeper, do you mean the time against Croatia when he whiffed on a back pass and watched it roll in his own net? Or England's first loss at Wembley when he gifted Germany their first goal? The only reason Robinson was England's goalie for so long was because McLaren refused to bench him when he started losing it. Robinson doesn't even factor into Capello's plans anymore.
Weston
· 1 year ago
Friedel was solid, but a change of scenery (and management!) can work wonders for Robbo. They might slip a few spots, but they have a winning culture there and should still be a tough opponent (assuming Ince doesnt try to fix what aint broke) - Id guess they'll finish around 7th-8th again this year.
James
· 1 year ago
I'd bet you a fiver that that projected line-up doesn't appear in a single game this season. Villanueva is a left footed attacking midfielder - he plays in the centre, occasionally on the left, but never on the right to my knowledge. Certainly can't see Reid getting ahead of Simpson and Emerton at right back. Admittedly, he's played there in a lot of preseason, but looked very shaky.
Vogel's pretty much the opposite. Hasn't played very much at all in preseason and with Ince seemingly desperate to bring in a holding midfielder - see links to Annan, Sable and Grella in recent days - his position in the starting 11 has got to be in doubt.
Fingers crossed that Robinson can prove you wrong. I still think the press were wrong to crucify him over that back pass - ball hit a freaking bobble - no way was it his fault! :p
Michael
· 1 year ago
James, I think you'll see Villanueva start on the right but then interchange with Pedersen as the game goes on. A player of Villanueva's quality has to start for Blackburn, in my opinion, so I think Ince will find a way to get him in there.
You may be right about Reid; I personally think Emerton should start there, but the fact that Ince is using Reid there so much in preseason makes me think he may start because Ince wants to give him a chance to get used to the position in a low-pressure preseason environment. Now that Simpson is on board though, I feel like he'll get a chance to make an impression because as I said, he's the only pure right back on the team.
If Ince is that desperate to bring in a holding midfielder, his solution could be within in Mokoena, but it seems like he's been using him at more at center back if I read the preseason reports right.
ng0956
· 1 year ago
Villanueva, a left footer with superb touch and pace, is a quality center midfielder who creates great opportunities and often takes them. He is NOT a right midfielder. Ince will soon realize that if he doesn't already.
Reo
· 1 year ago
Villanueva will be switching sides because taking shots from the right with a left foot is easier to make due to curl. He's not a pacey midfielder either. He's average at best in speed. He's consider prem quality due to his technique
All Comments
Also, anyone who's watched the Premiership over the past two seasons knows Friedel is a much better keeper than Robinson.
When you say Robinson is a proven international keeper, do you mean the time against Croatia when he whiffed on a back pass and watched it roll in his own net? Or England's first loss at Wembley when he gifted Germany their first goal? The only reason Robinson was England's goalie for so long was because McLaren refused to bench him when he started losing it. Robinson doesn't even factor into Capello's plans anymore.
Vogel's pretty much the opposite. Hasn't played very much at all in preseason and with Ince seemingly desperate to bring in a holding midfielder - see links to Annan, Sable and Grella in recent days - his position in the starting 11 has got to be in doubt.
Fingers crossed that Robinson can prove you wrong. I still think the press were wrong to crucify him over that back pass - ball hit a freaking bobble - no way was it his fault! :p
You may be right about Reid; I personally think Emerton should start there, but the fact that Ince is using Reid there so much in preseason makes me think he may start because Ince wants to give him a chance to get used to the position in a low-pressure preseason environment. Now that Simpson is on board though, I feel like he'll get a chance to make an impression because as I said, he's the only pure right back on the team.
If Ince is that desperate to bring in a holding midfielder, his solution could be within in Mokoena, but it seems like he's been using him at more at center back if I read the preseason reports right.