Old Blackburnian's View - Pt 13 - Rovers Struggle To Find A Winning Formula

[Herbie6590]

A slightly longer version of this week's Accrington Observer column

Rovers Struggle To Find A Winning Formula

It’s somewhat disconcerting to have your Saturday timetable re-arranged at short notice, but sometimes pressing needs mean that sacrifices have to be made for the greater good. All in all, I’m sure Tim Farron would much rather have been at Ewood on Saturday lunchtime than ensconced in Westminster. What with the breakfast coverage of Rugby World Cup and Rovers lunchtime appointment on Sky, it seemed that Saturday’s sporting timetable had been designed by Jeff Stelling in a cunning ruse to boost Soccer Saturday ratings.

These days, Rovers appearances on Sky are somewhat infrequent so it was perplexing to read the paradoxical quotes attributed to Rovers marketing head Greg Coar. He implied that a full ground makes for a more compelling TV attraction and went on to add “a better visual spectacle is more likely to make us chosen for television again”.  Notwithstanding this, the policy of tucking away fans into the top tier of the Darwen End with its consequential impact upon atmosphere continues.

The rationale apparently, being that there are marginal gains to be had from the opposition not being motivated by the close proximity of their fans, nor will the referee be influenced by claims from a vocal away support. It does however strike this correspondent as “a bit petty” to be honest and seems to discount the possibility that our own players might conceivably be motivated by a hostile away section. Imagine David Speedie and Alan Shearer being cowed by a noisy Darwen End full of away fans ? No, neither can I.

Anyhow, at the end of a traumatic international week which demonstrated the ugly side of football support, it was nice to return to more familiar domestic matters and with a home fixture against struggling Huddersfield, a three-point return was a distinct possibility. Except, that really should read “formerly struggling Huddersfield” as they are currently the beneficiaries of that football staple, the new manager bounce. Since appointing the Cowleys, two defeats were swiftly followed by a draw and then reinvigorating back to back wins.

Mowbray was hampered by the loss of Lenihan, Cunningham and Bell through injuries of varying severity, resulting in a back four that accommodated Elliott Bennett at left back. The opening goal was a direct result of that selection as Bennett was adjudged to have fouled the tricky Diakhaby resulting in a penalty. I use the term adjudged advisedly, as whilst there was indeed “contact”, if this degree of contact in real life resulted in regular human beings falling over, then the post office queues on pension day would resemble a battlefield.

Rovers recovered well from the setback with Dack seemingly finding a kindred spirit in Lewis Holtby and their burgeoning partnership was a particularly encouraging bright spot. The equaliser coming from a sloppy Elphick mistake as the Terriers tried to play out from the back only for Rovers to pinch possession, Dack’s vision setting up Holtby in front of an open goal.

Holtby then reciprocated by teeing up the ball much like a willing caddy, almost obliging Dack to shape a nine iron into the bottom corner. It was a lovely move and exemplified the passing style that Mowbray is evidently championing.

The second half however, saw Danny Cowley exercise his tactical acumen, introducing the exciting Dutch midfielder Juninho Bacuna and asking questions of Rovers defence that like an ill-prepared Mastermind contestant, they increasingly struggled to answer. Rovers had lost the momentum, the draw probably reflecting the balance of play across the ninety minutes. Once again, Rovers fail to win at home, once more Rovers run out of creativity; less “Fortress Ewood” these days, more “Drive-Thru Ewood” – turn up, place your order, enjoy your happy meal, shakes all round. Four without a win.

A chance for early redemption presented itself on Tuesday with a visit to St Andrews, a ground that when I lived in Birmingham didn’t even feature in my “Top Three Grounds in Birmingham Welcoming to Away Fans”. It’s not been a happy hunting ground of late; one league win in the last twelve visits suggested a downbeat evening might be on the cards, the performance on the pitch sadly rather confirmed it. Whatever “hap” Rovers might have had, it has certainly disappeared.

Rovers seem to be toothless in attack away from home, bereft of confidence and poor old Sam Gallagher really does look like a striker without a league goal since January 2018. It was only the introduction of Danny Graham that briefly suggested the potential for some form of redemption but it wasn’t to be. The best chance in the last quarter falling to City’s Jutkiewicz, whose strike from distance hit the underside of the bar but was ruled not to have crossed the line.

Almost inevitably, the murmurs of discontent amongst some Rovers fans are slowly gathering momentum and volume; much as they did in February and March, with regular expressions of dissatisfaction with Tony Mowbray’s tactics and formations across social media. Results of late have been at best disappointing, performances have shown only fleeting promise. There seem to be some fundamental problems right now that need to be fixed.

The biggest and perhaps most justified criticism of Mowbray however, is possibly his record of spending big money on strikers. If indeed the signings of Brereton and Gallagher were at his behest, the jury is being presented with overwhelming evidence for the prosecution. At a time when the team boasts a loan keeper behind an injury-ravaged, leaky defence; if you spend £12m on two strikers, then they really need to score some goals.

To top off the dispiriting run of recent results, next up is a visit to Deepdale; the scene of last season’s winner of the “Most Spineless Capitulation Away From Ewood” award (in amongst it has to be said, some stiff competition from Bristol City, Swansea City, Wigan Athletic and Sheffield Utd). 

What better place to return this season to the right side of the tracks? Preston enter this derby on the back of a defeat at Reading but a creditable midweek draw with Sky Sports in-house club, Leeds Utd. That Reading result serves to illustrate that on any given day, in this league, any result is eminently possible. If anything should give Rovers some encouragement, then perhaps this is it, because the same cannot currently be said for the on-pitch performances. Five without a win.

 

 

[Herbie6590]

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[Stuart]

You look quite at home there, Ian.

Perhaps a future career beckons...

[Herbie6590]

1 hour ago, Stuart said:

You look quite at home there, Ian.

Perhaps a future career beckons...

I’m too old to play left back... ?

[Stuart]

Just now, Herbie6590 said:

I’m too old to play left back... ?

Real shame Tommy had to quit so young.

[Herbie6590]

He’s doing his coaching badges now, hopes to get back in the game