April has started disappointingly for Rovers, with two losses, as well as going down two goals to Huddersfield in a single half ! But a hell of a 2nd half performance salvaged a point out of what seemed a lost cause. Before the match, Rovers dropped to 7th and needed a win. Hull amazingly were nine places below us in the table, but actually had one fewer loss.

The Blues started strongly, with a majority (81%) of possession for the first 10 minutes.We also created a few chances by playing a long ball behind the Hull defence, along with a few set pieces as well.  While we kept possession a majority of the time, a lot of it included playing back to Pears, leading to some edginess from the fans in the stands.  It seemed as if the game plan was to try to score on a long break or a counter attack.  
 

Unfortunately, the home side couldn't take advantage of this possession.  Lewis Travis had a couple attempts that came to nothing, as did Ben Brereton-Diaz, and an attempted karate kick on a long ball by Sam Gallagher.  Tyrhys Dolan was running around, but noticeably absent from making any plays, and Sammie Szmodics was constantly waving his arms trying to show he was free and open.

Whilst both teams had a couple chances, to quote the commentator “limited threat and limited chances right in front of goal”.  Dolan's first real opportunity, aside from turning the ball over, came from being played in to where he should have put it in, and pulled it wide of the post.  I am usually optimistic, and try to be positive about players, but it was not the most thrilling opening 35 minutes of football I'd ever seen.  I am happy to say that the 35th minute included a nice sustained applause from Ewood Park, to celebrate the life of a supporter who recently lost his battle with cancer.  
 

There were a few more chances, but it seemed that in order to have a real shot at dominance and a goal, we'd need some changes or motivation from a half time talk.

Unfortunately, it seemed as if the half-time team talks benefited Hull.  They came out with a nice attempt only 15 seconds after the restart.  Around 5 minutes later, an intercepted pass and a falling Blackburn defender seemed that Hull would put in the first goal, but they somehow put it wide.  A poor reception of a pass by Hayden Carter led to a purposeful yellow card on a play that would surely have been Hull's first goal.  Thankfully, the resulting free kick was not on target, so Carter's card was wisely taken.  While I may criticise the ineffectiveness of Szmodics, Gallagher, and Dolan, they did work  hard and hustle, so it wasn't lazy play and I can't criticise their effort.  We had a couple moments of sustained pressure, but it would end up with the ball being shot well over the net.

The 72nd minute substitutions of Ryan Hedges and Sorba Thomas for Brereton-Diaz and Dolan breathed new life into Rovers.  The fans were restless as most play seemed to be possession and passing rather than shots, but for a couple minutes it finally seemed as if there might be a chance at a goal.  Blackburn's 5 substitutes in the last 18 minutes gave new life to the team, but they were never really threatening.  Shots from both teams either were put wide or easily into the hands of the keepers all night.  
 

The game seemed like it should have been Blackburn's to win, but based on play, a draw was a fair result.  One point doesn't benefit us as much as a win could have, but it does move us back into the final playoff spot.