[Archived] News Article -> 2012/13 Pre-Season: Rochdale 1 Rovers 0

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Rochdale	(0) 1 – 0 (0)	Blackburn Rovers
Thompson 76
Referee: M. Haywood		Attendance: 1,375

Whilst it would be wrong to read too much into pre-season games, there can be no denying that some worrying trends are emerging. The inability to keep clean sheets against League Two opposition ought to be a concern as should the fact that we are continuing to struggle to create clear-cut opportunities in front of the opposition goal. When the opportunities did come against Rochdale, we simply lacked the quality to put them away, with David Goodwillie being the main culprit-in-chief. Indeed, the Scottish international cut a rather dejected figure at Spotland as he failed to make any impact on a defence which was still in the experimental stage of development.

With Leon Best missing through injury, Goodwillie was asked to lead attack with Nuno Gomes in the first half, whilst the second half saw him playing as a lone striker with David Dunn supporting from midfield. Once again, Bruno Ribeiro was given the opportunity to play at right-back, while Josh Morris was given the role on the opposite flank. Scott Dann and Gael Givet were given the nod ahead of Grant Hanley for the centre-back pairing, while new boys Paulo Jorge and Edinho had to settle for a place on the bench.

In truth, the first half was a fairly lacklustre affair with neither side able to create a clear-cut opportunity in front of goal. A neat piece of interplay between Danny Murphy and Gomes ended with Fabio Nunes firing a shot narrowly wide with the home 'keeper struggling to cover his goal.

At the other end, some hesitancy between Paul Robinson and Scott Dann led to the Rovers conceding an unnecessary corner. Ryan Edwards met the corner with his head and found Phil Edwards, in the middle of the goal, but his headed effort flew narrowly wide.

A ball out to the right found Ribeiro galloping down the wing and the Brazilian full-back showed a deft touch to control the ball without breaking stride and then found Mauro Formica with a perfect pass. Unfortunately, the Argentinean's well-struck shot was deflected wide.

In a dull first half the neat touches and runs made by Ribeiro were one of the few highlights and suggest that Ewood's forgotten man may yet have a future at the club. His performance on the right was in stark contrast to Morris on the left, who struggled defensively and was extremely wayward with his passing. Morris doesn't look comfortable at left-back and, with a question mark hanging over the future of Martin Olsson, a new left-back is becoming something of a priority.

Rochdale's best effort came shortly before half-time when George Donnelly picked the ball up and, with defenders standing off him, struck a powerful low drive which was inches wide of the post with Robinson well beaten.

John Coleman opted to change his entire team for the second half with the exception of 'keeper Josh Lillis. Steve Kean introduced Jake Kean for Robinson, while David Dunn replaced Gomez.

The Rovers began the second half on the front foot with Goodwillie finding plenty of space while the newly assembled Rochdale defence took time to settle. Another excellent run by Ribeiro produced a super cross which Goodwillie met but could only stab his effort over the bar from close range. As the hour-mark approached, Goodwillie broke free on the right wing and for some reason Lillis dashed 20 yards outside of his area to try to get to the ball before the Scottish striker. Goodwillie nicked the ball forward as Lillis attempted to make a sliding tackle and the 'keeper clearly played the ball with his trailing arm to deny Goodwillie the opportunity to break clear. However, the linesman, standing right over the incident, inexplicably failed to see the handball and waved play on. Goodwillie fired the ball into the area but Sam Miniham was on hand to clear.

The Rovers almost broke the deadlock immediately after when Goodwillie again broke clear and played the ball into the path of Nunes, who chipped the 'keeper as he came out only to see the ball cleared off the line.

Gradually, the home side started to enjoy more of the play in the Rovers' half and Joe Thompson forced a superb one-handed save from Kean.

The Rovers' manager continued to make changes in a bid to give his players some playing time, but it was Rochdale who began to look the more comfortable of the two sides. With just under 15 minutes remaining, the home side finally made the breakthrough to take the lead. Reece Gray played a ball over the top of the Rovers' defence and Thompson was on it in a flash and found himself in front of goal with just Kean to beat. The Rochdale man struck his shot past Kean, although the 'keeper managed to get a hand on the ball, and Grant Hanley, who had got back on the line, was unable to prevent the ball from entering the net.

Efforts from Dunn and Givet then came to nothing as the Rovers slipped to another defeat at the hands of League Two opposition.

On a night with few positives apart from the fact that a large number of players got more game time under their belts, the performance of Bruno Ribeiro was, perhaps, the highlight of the night. Neat and tidy in possession, he looked very good coming forward and made good use of the ball whenever in possession. Gael Givet again demonstrated that he is undoubtedly the best defender at the club and it's essential that the Rovers do everything they can to ensure he stays at Ewood Park. Danny Murphy again impressed with his use of the ball and his link-up play with Nuno Gomes suggests these two veterans might well cause problems for Championship defences. Fabio Nunes again caught the eye but was not quite as effective as he had been against Fleetwood. At times he was knocked off his game by some physical challenges and this is clearly something he is going to have to get used to playing in the Championship.

In terms of strengthening it would seem a new left-back is the number one priority, but the midfield also needs some strengthening with an experienced "enforcer" required to play alongside Murphy. Without Best, the attack looked very ineffective with Goodwillie again demonstrating that he cannot lead the attack.

In general, considering we are about to start a campaign in what many regard the toughest league of the lot, one cannot help but feel that we are asking too much of the younger players at the club. Whilst signing players with potential from Portugal might well aid us in the future, there is a clear need for some experienced old heads in key positions if the Rovers are serious about mounting a promotion push.

Teams

Rochdale

First half team
Josh Lillis; Joe Rafferty, Ryan Edwards, Phil Edwards, Kevin McIntyre; Andrew Tutte, Peter Cavanagh, Brian Barry-Murphy, Ashley Grimes; Jason Kennedy, George Donnelly

Second half team
Josh Lillis; Sam Minihan, Neill Byrne, Rhys Bennett, Matt Pearson; Reece Gray (Godwin Abadaki 80), Luke Watson, Ian Craney, Joe Thompson; Ray Putterill; Danny Johnson
Manager: John Coleman

Blackburn Rovers

Paul Robinson (Jake Kean 46); Bruno Ribeiro (Radosav Petrovic 85), Scott Dann (Grant Hanley 67), Gael Givet, Josh Morris (Adam Henley 67); Mauro Formica (Ruben Rochina 75), Danny Murphy (Paulo Jorge 85), Jason Lowe, Fabio Nunes (Marcus Olsson 75); David Goodwillie (Edinho 80), Nuno Gomes (David Dunn 46)
Unused substitute: Sebastian Usai (gk)
Manager: Steve Kean


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