Firing blanks

FORMER Liverpool legend Ian Rush will sit down with Barnsley boss Nigel Spackman this week to discuss the possibility of becoming the new striker coach at Oakwell.

But Rovers chief Graeme Souness may be contemplating heading him off at the Snake Pass and re-directing him to Brockhall after his promotion-chasers failed to find their aim for the second successive Saturday.

During his days at Anfield, Rush was the most feared predator in the land -- the best in the business at killing teams off given a sniff of goal.

And what Souness's wouldn't give for an injection of a similar ruthless streak right now as the First Division promotion race starts to reach fever pitch.

Rush in his pomp would have drooled at the prospect of playing in a Blackburn team which carves out chances by the bagful.

In the last two games alone, Rovers'enterprising approach play has mustered 26 attempts at goal -- 11 of which have been on target.

Yet, the damning statistic remains they have failed to make one count.

Souness must feel like he's run over a black cat as the woodwork came to Barnsley's rescue on three separate occasions here, not to mention a Matt Jansen 'goal' wrongly ruled out for offside.

And now he's certain to step up his efforts to sign Celtic outcast Eyal Berkovic as he looks for the missing ingredient necessary to transform Rovers the finished article.

"This isn't the first game here where we've had all the ball and penned teams in but it's the final cute little pass which is missing," said Souness.

"We've got several door openers and strikers who can create and score, like Matt Jansen in particular.

"Damien Duff can also do that and so can David Dunn and these are players who, over the last two games have done their bit, but it's not happened.

"So we want another one of them and Eyal fits that bill."

With Stig Bjornebye counted out through injury, Souness again opted for a 3-5-2 formation with Henning Berg and Mark Hughes restored to the starting line-up.

And some of their attractive approach play was Premiership class, with rejuvenated winger Damien Duff a constant thorn in the side, mesmerising defenders with a couple of dazzling runs.

But it's in the final third where Rovers sometimes lack precision and that's been their Achilles heel on several occasions this season.

How many times have teams been there for the taking but Rovers have struggled to administer the knock-out punch?

It's a problem which is sure to have caused Souness a few sleepless nights and it's one that needs solving if Bolton are to be pipped for second spot.

Having said all that, on the positive side Rovers are still making chances.

And, as long as that happens, then Souness won't be unduly concerned because when it does all come together then someone, somewhere is going to get one Hell of a hiding.

Barnsley ensured it wasn't them thanks to a huge slice of luck and a touch of ingenuity from Spackman.

The former Liverpool midfielder -- who once played under Souness at Rangers -- did his homework, opting for a 4-5-1 formation in a bid to deny the home side space in midfield.

And, though they flew by the seat of their pants at times, it worked to a large extent as they consistently got nine men behind the ball.

But -- under the guidance of a manager who learned his trade at Anfield -- the Tykes also tried to play football whenever they were in possession.

And, but for a couple of sharp saves from Brad Friedel, they could have pulled off the perfect smash and grab raid.

Rovers survived three scares in the opening 22 minutes as the cumbersome Neil Shipperley volleyed straight at Friedel before the American then earned his stripes with a stunning stop to deny Isaiah Rankin.

But the home side had chances, too, as Mark Hughes blazed an inviting opportunity high and wide after brilliant work from the impressive Jason McAteer.

Kevin Miller then expertly saved from Jansen after David Dunn had threaded a clever ball through the Tykes' defence.

And the England Under 21 striker was denied again -- this time unfairly -- by a linesman's flag when he finished cooly after latching onto an Alan Mahon through ball thanks to a perfectly timed run.

However, it was after the break when Rovers really turned up the gas.

Jansen held his head in his hands after an acrobatic overhead kick came crashing off the post.

Then came one of those unexplained mysteries of football as Rovers rattled the woodwork twice in a matter of seconds in the 72nd minute.

Duff -- the architect of most Blackburn's best work -- whipped over a delicious cross for Dunn but his far post header bounced down off the bar.

Marcus Bent then looked odds on to gobble up the rebound but he too managed to find the woodwork in the same way.

By that point, it was clear it was not going to be Rovers' day and they nearly paid a heavy price as Carl Regan crossed for Bruce Dyer but Friedel somehow got down to claw away his close range shot.

Souness remained upbeat, however, even though his side missed the chance to close the gap on Bolton.

"I'll be happy if we keep playing like that between now and the end of the season," said Souness.

"Over the last few games Lady Luck has not been with us but that was the only thing missing from our game here."