Blackburn Rovers are in need of a lift after they fell to a third successive Championship defeat at Bristol City.
It is copy and paste from midweek as a decent-enough performance ended with John Eustace’s side point-less for their efforts. Nahki Wells’ deflected winner means it’s now one win in nine league games for Rovers.
Yet their slide out of the play-off places has instilled even more faith in the head coach from the fans. It is blindingly obvious that injuries are the major factor that has prompted this slide in form. By and large, the performances are ok, but yet they keep coming out on the wrong side of tight matches.
Here are the key takeaways from the defeat at Ashton Gate.
A bit of bad fortune
It was quite typical of Rovers’ current luck that the winning goal took a massive deflection. That was what decided a very tight contest between two teams that won’t be separated by much in May.
My view, and the head coach’s, was that it was harsh on Blackburn. They played their part in what was an even game, where the spoils should have been shared.
Having started decently, and wasted a good chance through Tyrhys Dolan, they were their own worst enemies with the opener. Danny Batth, who was playing half-fit in fairness, completely wiped out the lively Sinclair Armstrong.
Scott Twine, deadly from free-kicks, whipped the ball in the corner. Could Aynsley Pears have done better? Perhaps, after getting a large hand on the strike. But, equally, it was not a howler.
Rovers were shaken and had to weather a bit of a storm. Their passing became erratic and they lacked composure. But as the pressure eased, they grew into the game. First having spells of possession, albeit without much purpose, before turning the screw.
It was a good delivery from Tyrhys Dolan, who was otherwise quite a frustrating figure at Ashton Gate. Makhtar Gueye got up well and there was Weimann to react as his effort bounced off the post.
It was a very low-margin second 45 and so if there was a winner, it would likely be an error or a piece of magic. As it was, a deflection dictated the points. Pears was given no chance as Nahki Wells’ came off Batth’s studs and wrong-footed him, sneaking in at the near post.
Control without the bite
Rovers had periods in the second half where they threatened but again have left without really testing Max O’Leary. Like at Oxford, the Bristol City shot-stopper did not have a save of note to make.
They got into some good positions but the decision-making or quality in the final pass was lacking. They do not have the incision of some other teams in the final third and it’s proving costly.
Without doing a lot, Bristol City created two openings. One forced a goal-line clearance from Callum Brittain and the other went in.
Those that do have the quality for Rovers are running on empty. Others need to produce more and step up to the plate.
I am looking at Dolan, who has two league goals this season. Todd Cantwell, though not involved after sustaining a calf issue, has one. Ryan Hedges the same.
Whilst there is a lot of talk on reinforcements, and rightly so, Rovers need more from the players they do have.
A change of shape
Rovers switched to 3-4-3 out of necessity, Eustace confirmed. They have so many players going beyond and in risk of breaking down.
Callum Brittain got through 90 minutes, whilst Batth would’ve had he not been sacrificed as they chased the game. Owen Beck couldn’t play again and, as he’s their only left-footer, they need Hedges to play left-wing-back.
It worked ok. They played this system last season so even though they have been wedded to 4-2-3-1, the players adapted. Dion Sanderson did well considering his lack of game time at Birmingham City.
John Buckley was again bright in midfield whilst Brittain gave them thrust down the right wing. Gueye led the line well and is building a decent run of effective performances, even if we’d all like a few more goals.
So, again, this wasn’t a bad performance. Weimann got another goal and Rovers looked like they might win it in the second half.
The problem is, this group look knackered. They have so many key injuries and you wouldn’t bank against more given the lack of rotation Eustace can do.
At least they have a free week now. Lewis Travis is back and will likely start against Preston North End. Cantwell will hopefully shake his niggle off too.
Here we go again
It’s January and all that early-season goodwill is quickly draining out of Ewood Park. For a team that is seventh and two points outside the top-six, morale is pretty low.
That is not a reflection of the fan base but of the board. We have seen this script before and it doesn’t end with Rovers setting off into the sunset happily ever after.
The whole club is desperate for a lift and Rovers’ recruitment team have got to deliver. They need something this week to really inject some energy into the fan base, squad and staff.
Eustace and the players are doing their bit. He has squeezed every last sinew out of what he has available and this poor run of form doesn’t have to be terminal. But without financial intervention, it will be.
We are once again here in the New Year, questioning the ambition of those in charge of the purse strings. There are three points between fifth and tenth. Where Rovers finished in that cluster, if at all, will be dictated by the top brass in the next seven days.
Whilst their rivals are strengthening, Rovers are now weaker than the start of the month. The head coach deserves better, the players deserve better and most of all, the fans do.
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