Tomasson has two Blackburn Rovers problems he must address

Jon Dahl Tomasson’s side fell to back-to-back defeats after losing 4-3 in a topsy-turvy match at Ipswich Town. Having deservedly trailed 3-1 at the break, Rovers rallied and got themselves level.

At that stage, either side could’ve taken the points. Rovers did not temper their attacking intent after Sam Szmodics’ brilliant strike and they certainly didn’t shore up defensively.

In the end, they left Portman Road empty-handed. Massimo Luongo seized on Aynsley Pears’ punch to put Kieran McKenna’s side ahead for a third time. Though not for a lack of trying, this time, Rovers had no answer.

READ MORE: Tomasson outlines what cost Blackburn Rovers in Ipswich loss

In the sizzling sun of Suffolk, Rovers showed the very best and worst of their attacking style under Tomason. In the first half, they were miles off it and could’ve trailed Ipswich further than a two-goal margin at the half-way mark.

Much of the post-match discourse between Rovers fans has centred around their defence after conceding three goals in midweek against Sunderland. They have only kept one clean sheet in the league this season.

I argued that Rovers were slightly unfortunate against the Black Cats, from a defensive view. Analysing the goals individually, one was an unfortunate error leading to a penalty, the next a second-phase set-piece and finally a mistake playing from the back. That is an occupational hazard when you play the open, free-flowing style that Rovers do.

However, against Ipswich, it was a completely different story. Unlike against Sunderland, Rovers were cut open in open play, particularly in transition, but we’ll come onto that in greater detail later.

Looking at the goals individually, Tomasson labelled them as ‘unnecessary’. He’s right, they are littered with individual errors. Unfortunately, the goalkeeper must take his share of the blame.

I felt criticism of Pears against Sunderland was harsh. Many felt he should’ve saved Dan Neil’s goal, their second, or at least got more on it. I think the angle behind the goal fails to consider the pace it was struck and the bodies in his eye line.

But against Ipswich, he was culpable for at least two. The first, I would excuse him for though no goalkeeper is every happy getting beaten at their near post. It’s an absolute rocket of a strike from Harry Clarke and Rovers should clear their lines better. Similar to that Neil goal, it’s a second-phase set-piece and they defend it well enough.

The second is the most glaring. He made the wrong decision to come off his line and attempt to clear. That is then seized on by Nathan Broadhead and he fired into the corner with ‘keeper not set. At 1-1, it’s a decisive moment and a completely avoidable goal to give away.

The third is not entirely his fault but could he be more decisive? Hayden Carter had a very difficult afternoon, by the high standards he has set in 2023. He really struggled against George Hirst and it’s too simple for him to run off him as he does.

But it travels a long way before the former Rovers striker pokes it past Pears. Could he come off his line a little quicker? Maybe. But he’s certainly not alone in taking some accountability for that one.

The fourth, similar. It’s not a glaring error but could he try and catch the ball? Or if not, get more on it? He’s unfortunate that it drops straight to Luongo and, again, it’s a brilliant finish.

Leopold Walhstedt will get a chance in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night against Cardiff City. If we’re being fair, very few know whether he’s a better fit for Rovers at this point. So, let’s wait and see but there will be some scrutiny this week on the goalkeeper position.

But this was not just about one player. Ipswich exposed the drawbacks of playing Adam Wharton as a single pivot. The midfielder looked leggy, perhaps understandably in his third game of the week, and was exposed.
Wharton is, without doubt, Rovers’ most talented ball-player. He’s press-resistant and a fantastic passer, which makes him a natural fit to play as the deep-plying playmaker for this time on the ball.

But off it, he struggled. Broadhead and Conor Chaplin made intelligent runs between the lines and he struggled to keep them quiet. In truth, Tomasson should’ve dropped Lewis Travis deeper, alongside him, to form a double pivot and offer more protection.

The defence were badly exposed and although none of the goals were directly from transition attacks, they easily could have been. Broadhead was a livewire between the lines and the pace and trickery of substitute Omari Hutchinson left Rovers’ midfield the wrong side of the ball on too many occasions.

But that is simply the risk and reward of Rovers’ style. As they say, you can’t have your cake and eat it. Or can you?

Once again, the attacking football was excellent. Arnor Sigurdsson’s debut goal was brilliantly worked, with an incisive pass from Lewis Travis and a clinical finish from the Icelandic forward.

In the second half, they carried more of an attacking threat. Harry Leonard was excellent at occupying the centre-backs and, for the second time this week, he made a nuisance of himself to challenge for Callum Brittain’s deep cross. Only this time it cannoned in off Clarke.

They created more big chances too. Leonard would’ve been undisputedly on the scoresheet had Vaclav Hladky not produced a brilliant save to keep out his diving header. Tyrhys Dolan had a big opportunity at 3-1 too but his the ‘keeper.

Szmodics took his goal brilliantly. A brilliant touch and swivel before a deviating finish, his fifth of the season. He’s already matched last season’s goal tally.

So, it is not all gloom and doom. Rovers are still creating chances. But they faced a step up in class from Middlesbrough with Sunderland and Ipswich. They fought fire with fire, but they got burned.

Tomasson felt the goals were down to individual errors but I think that papers over the cracks slightly. The midfield was too open, by design, and that left the team too vulnerable. Those that have performed so well in 2023 dipped their levels too. Form will fluctuate with such a young side.

It’s clear that the Rovers head coach has some big decisions to make on personnel next week, with the supporting cast set to audition on Wednesday. What’s clear is he won’t deviate his style, so we best buckle in for the ride.