PLAYER SAFETY

PLAYER safety came into the spotlight when a Blackburn Rovers fan was allowed to run onto the pitch and confront Burnley players, initially shoving James Tarkowski and then grabbing Ashley Westwood by the throat.

Fortunately no-one was hurt. But the fact that he was allowed to get to the centre of the pitch unchallenged is alarming.

It also makes a mockery of insisting on supporters being bussed in. What is the point of that if fans are not policed properly once inside the ground?

There seemed to be a distinct lack of stewards in the Riverside Stand, from which the supporter emerged, later joined by a second pitch invader.

And there was not a scramble to remove either of them from the scene either.

On a positive note, it was heartening to see medical staff from both clubs coming together to rush to the aid of a supporter who had collapsed after the final whistle. Rivalries were cast aside, and thankfully the fan made a recovery.

ROVERS CHANGES

TONY Mowbray made five changes to his side, and in truth, he had little choice with the ones he did make.

With injuries biting in defence, he went with the same back five as who started at Bradford City.

It showed that Rovers still need to add in that area, as they do in central midfield, with Mowbray continuing his search before the transfer window shuts next week.

The Ewood boss switched things about further forward as he made five changes in total.

And with a tough game against MK Dons coming on Saturday, Mowbray’s decision to tinker was understandable.

CLARETS DEBUTANT

A GOAL for Chris Wood would have been the icing on the cake of his debut. Perhaps he was trying too hard.

But in the 50 minutes or so that he was on the pitch he made a menace of himself and gave manager Sean Dyche food for thought ahead of Sunday’s trip to Spurs.

Wood almost had an immediate impact, testing David Raya within minutes of replacing Jon Walters.

There were other opportunities. But he was involved in the goal and showed glimpses of the threats that he can pose Premier League defences with his movement off the ball and instinct on it