This week, the Rovers' Jury were asked how concerned they were about conceding late goals. Is it a bigger issue or bad luck?
Ryan Hildred
First and foremost, they were two sickening blows at the end of each game. Whereas our energy levels dropped and we perhaps invited Wrexham onto us a bit from 60 minutes, against Ipswich we were full value for our lead once we had gained it - so that one hurt a lot. Indeed, we were looking like seeing the game out when the ball was in the corner in the 93rd minute and it looked like we had learned the lessons from Wrexham.
Bad luck certainly comes into it with both games; I was at the Wrexham game and it wasn't a foul by Ryan Hedges which was a view shared by many in that away end; we should have finished the game against Ipswich with another corner. In both matches, had the decisions gone our way, we're probably looking at two 1-0 wins at not having this discussion.
But when you are conceding late goals like that, the mentality has to be questioned. Although it wasn't a foul, you have to defend it out - leaving Nathan Broadhead unmarked on the edge of the box was a huge lapse of concentration. In the Ipswich game, Lewis Miller gifted the ball back for them to come onto us again for their last attack - get it down the pitch or keep the ball! Dion De Neve must also recognise the danger better in that last play of the game.
I really felt for the team who are stretched to the max and have grafted so hard in these last four games. They haven't got the points they deserve from these last two especially. But if we're talking mentality, Makhtar Gueye's has to be questioned.
Coming onto the pitch and not looking interested, not working hard, and not looking like winning anything is an insult to the likes of Yuki Ohashi and Hedges, who just don't stop for 90 minutes. Although we might not have depth in quality coming off the bench, the minimum we expect are hard yards to finish the game. Valerien Ismael needs some help in the January transfer window to bolster his troops in that regard.
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Mark Hitchen
Where do I sit on Blackburn Rovers’ issue of conceding late goals? For me, it’s a combination of factors — some unfortunate, some structural, and all of them contributing in different ways.
Yes, poor refereeing decisions have played a part, but they can’t be the default explanation. Individual errors have crept in, and De Neve has been involved in several recent late concessions.
At the same time, it’s only right to highlight how well George Pratt is performing. He may well be the best of the three players currently playing at centre-half, and without his emergence Rovers would be in an even more precarious position. He’s been a genuine bright spot.
But some of the responsibility does lie with the head coach. At Watford, protecting a 1–0 lead, the introduction of Harry Pickering late on helped settle the defence and saw the game out. In recent matches, making that same logical, defensive substitution — especially to support a tiring, inexperienced Pratt — hasn’t happened. Those are coaching decisions, and they matter.
Beyond that, squad depth remains a major issue. The starting XI is already thin, and the moment Rovers turn to the bench, the drop in quality is obvious. Combine that with a lack of experience across the squad — players not yet accustomed to three-game weeks or high-pressure moments — and late lapses become more predictable.
Some factors are external, but many aren’t. Better in-game decisions, better structure, and ultimately better recruitment are what will stop these late goals from defining the season.
Rory Larmer
I am not overly concerned about the recent late concessions, and it's probably because of two reasons.
The first, we had the same emotion just four days previously, but there is no denying that the Ipswich one stung, given the context and narratives around this game. The Dom Hyam own goal away at Deepdale, the goalkeeper's handball against Coventry or the FA Cup time at Bramall Lane, it feels we are capable of dealing with these setbacks as supporters, as it comes with the territory.
Secondly, it's well-documented that the Championship is relentless, especially at this time of the year. It's impossible to change our centre-backs as we have no back-up, and our wing-backs either have no back-up or are not of the necessary quality in reserve.
This schedule will inevitably catch up with the squad and it's no coincidence that the levels of the team reduce substantially after 70 odd minutes. The drop-off in quality after Sondre Tronstad is becoming more apparent. Adam Forshaw is currently our second-best midfielder in my opinion and he was a footnote in our transfer business in the summer. We lack control when Tronstad and Forshaw are off the pitch, and that was very evident on Tuesday night.
If I were offered a point away to Wrexham and against Ipswich beforehand, I probably would have taken it, as both games brought numerous challenges. This weekend presents a chance to get three points and see out the game.
Mike Delap
Looking at the sheer volume of late goals that we've conceded, even the naivest of us would be hard-pressed to suggest that it's all down to bad luck.
Granted, Tuesday night against Ipswich was sickening - not only did a series of unfortunate circumstances rob us of a hugely deserved three points, but it's also the first time this season I've felt a real connection with the side and their stoic, if flawed, efforts.
But outside of that, I feel the "blame" for the late goals is largely down to the quality of substitutes we have available to us. The manager HAS to make subs, Rovers can't just play the same core 11 players for 90 minutes over and over again during such a busy period. So I don't blame Ismael for making changes, but he's only got what is available to him...
Gueye looks like he's mentally checked out, De Neve can't mark his man to save his life (a penny for Yuri Ribeiro/HarryPickering's thoughts), Sidnei Tavares looks sort of OK but a bit passive, Axel Henriksson adds little at this point, Moussa Baradji looks decent but needs to learn the league.
None of those subs scream resilience to me - and in tight games that is what you need.
We're showing signs of progress overall, but we're being hampered by the standard of the squad left now a few injured have kicked in, even if the starting XI are starting to shine. Recruitment team, mainly this is on you...
You can listen to Ryan on The Lancashire Telegraph's Arte et Labore and find Mark on The Blackburn End. Available on all podcast platforms.
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