Bramwell Speaks Out, by sports editor Neil Bramwell

THE first step on the road to recovery from illness is not to find a cure, but to recognise the symptoms and assess their severity.

The fact that Blackburn Rovers are suffering is no surprise diagnosis.

Until last night, however, I had not witnessed the debilitating effects of the mystery complaint at first hand.

And I was not prepared for my check-up to be quite as gory and gruesome.

This is supposed to be a team of internationals, a team of Premiership quality players.

Last night, though, there was not one display which suggested international stature or the ability to hack it in the top flight.

Much of this is down to a collective lack of confidence, but a huge part of the problem is the on-field organisation.

The worry, however, is that this symptom seems undetected by those with the power to heal.

Manager Brian Kidd insisted after the game that his side had maintained their shape and continued to pass the ball.

It would be difficult not to hold a shape against a side which set up camp in their own penalty box.

But most of the dreadful sides in this division will do that away from home as they are incapable of anything else.

I have seen Palace deploy precisely the same tactics at Maine Road this season and be torn to shreds by a side dedicated to using width and reaching the by-line.

Rovers seem unable to utilise either and that must be a priority as Kidd searches for the cure.

For some reason, the full backs appear scared of throwing themselves into attacking moves.

Callum Davidson delivered some telling balls from deep but the full backs must be given a free licence to roam down the flanks.

At present, there is an obsession with guarding against the non-existent threat of opposition counter-attacks.

Too often the final ball is a hopeful diagonal punt to the back of the box, where the heavy artillery has drifted because of a lack of options during the build-up.

That tactic may well result in a glut of half chances, as there was last night, but it will not consistently break sides down to provide good chances.

To do that, the wingers must hug the touchlines and there must be more energy from midfield. Per Frandsen must be capable of much more than he offered last night.

But to put any plan into operation, Kidd must start to choose a settled side and, in particular, his first choice strike pair.

The drawback of having a squad with depth is that it is difficult to keep everyone happy.

Tough. If a player does not like sitting on the Ewood bench, they are welcome to leave.

So that must mean an end to the bewildering policy of 'resting' players every four or five games and a return to a settled side - it does not really matter which combination of players.

Kidd must start the healing process by stripping away the layers of cotton wool which are cushioning the falls from grace of his pampered squad, and start demanding a show of some inner steel.

Only Jason Wilcox is currently showing that - and it is no coincidence that he is the only player with Blackurn Rovers at heart.

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