Talking Points: Blackburn Rovers must find way to shift the narrative

SHIFTING THE NARRATIVE

Jon Dahl Tomasson was only too happy to answer questions post-match about Rovers’ lack of January transfer activity in the wake of the 0-0 draw with Wigan Athletic.

Given the week that Rovers have had, failing to find a way through the division’s leakiest defence, and indeed struggling to create, didn’t help shift the narrative away from the window.

Speaking after the match to Sky Sports, when asked about about that potentially affecting Rovers' chances in the second half of the season, the head coach said; “We’re not favourites to go up, not at all, but we can dream.

“If you look at the age of the squad, and of course the budget, we’re not favourites but we had a good run.

“Of course only getting one player in and getting two out of the building when Wigan signed six and Watford have signed eight, as an example, I think we can be disappointed.

“It’s not my responsibility to sign players, he (Lewis O'Brien) is a very good player and I don’t have a clue to be honest how successful that (appeal) will be.

“(George) Hirst went away, Dilan (Markanday) went away, so that’s a striker and a winger, and of course O’Brien is a midfield player.”

Rovers have now scored just 31 times in 29 Championship matches. Only Preston North End, and the bottom four, have scored fewer.

They have reverted to the mean, tight wins or defeats are now becoming draws, this a fourth in a row in all competitions, not including extra time.

Tomasson conceded that there is nothing Rovers can now do with the market closed, and he must find a way of making his side more of a threat.

The sense of frustration inside Ewood Park was summed up by an attacking free kick ending up at the feet of Harry Pickering some 35 yards out. When his shot found the middle of the Blackburn End with seven minutes remaining, it was the cue for many to leave.

Jack Vale managed only 12 touches in his 61 minute appearance, his third successive league start. The 21-year-old has come in for criticism, but Rovers’ preference for control of the ball lends itself more to a ‘box’ striker than it does someone whose preference to run in behind.

The pace of the build-up play often means the player receiving the ball has to go backwards or sidewards, the opposition safely back in their shape and happy for Rovers to have it in the middle third.

Added to that are Ben Brereton’s continued struggles infront of goal, this a 12th game without finding the back of the net, his longest run since November 2020-February 2021.

With Sam Gallagher enduring a similar sequence, having not found the back of the net since October 22, it represents a real issue.

Rovers’ play has relied on clinical finishing, their 31 goals a reflection more about a lack of opportunities created than wasted chances. They are outperforming their expected goals figure, despite it being the second lowest in the division.

If the transfer window, and failing to add a striker, isn’t to be a repeated theme, then Rovers have to find solutions within. They can’t change the window, but they can their outlook.

Tyrhys Dolan impressed as a centre forward at Norwich, could Brereton and Gallagher operate as a front two as they did in the win at Middlesbrough, maybe John Buckley could play higher up the pitch to unlock his qualities in the final third?

The remedy must come from within.

MAKING MOST OF SORBA

As a team, Rovers were averaging 11 crosses per game prior to the arrival of Sorba Thomas.

Thomas was managing almost nine himself per game, the third most in the league, and he showed why on a debut reminiscent to that of Ryan Giles 12 months ago.

Rovers’ wide players were pushed back in the first half, at times making up a back six, but when they pressed higher up after the break, it allowed Thomas to have much more of an influence.

Only central defensive pair Hayden Carter and Scott Wharton had more touches than Thomas’ 69 before his replacement 10 minutes for the end as he began to struggle with cramp.

Thomas proved himself to be a willing ball carrier, hugging the touchline infront of the Riverside, and not being shy to deliver at the earliest opportunity.

His set plays were a disappointment, but as his influence grew in the second half, he looked the one player who could hold the key to unlocking the door.

Excellent interceptions from Martin Kelly denied chances falling for Bradley Dack and Gallagher from those deliveries, while Thomas almost got on the scoresheet himself.

Yet Rovers must recognise the threat Thomas carries and look to get more players into the box if they are to make the most of his attributes.

PICKING OUT THE POSITIVES

There was a clean sheet for Aynsley Pears on his first league start since December 2021, an 11th in 29 league matches for Rovers and second successive league shut-out at Ewood.

Lewis Travis looked revitalised after his spell out the side, back to his energetic best operating in a role much higher up the pitch as he was given licence to roam alongside a deeper-lying Buckley.

Then there is Joe Rankin-Costello, a player reborn, rejuvenated and now a regular.

There were excellent challenges in the first half to deny James McClean, and a late bust-up between the pair showed there is plenty of fight to a player who has had to battle hard for his Rovers opportunities.

Having gone almost four months without a Championship start, it is now seven successive league games and two more in the cup for Rankin-Costello since his recall at Norwich City on December 17.

He’s taking on tactical instruction to play as an inverted full back in possession, but it’s his whole-hearted commitment off it that has won him praise from supporters.

TOUGH TESTS TO COME

This wasn’t the momentum builder that Rovers were looking for heading into two tricky away games.

For the first time since October they find themselves outside of the top six after a completed round of matches.

They take on the two sides directly above them in their next two games, both on the road.

That includes a trip to The Hawthorns next Wednesday to face a West Brom side who have won their last seven home matches in all competitions, without conceding a single goal.

Watford were the division’s busiest side in the window, adding eight players, and will be looking to cement their place in the top six as the season draws on.

Rovers must find a spark some somewhere, and a strong haul of points on the road would at least be something to bring into back-to-back home games with Swansea City and Blackpool which follow.