Venky's, transfers and your Blackburn questions answered

Jon Dahl Tomasson's side have not had much to cheer on the pitch lately after a run of seven defeats in nine Championship games. Outside Ewood Park, there remain big question marks over Venky's and what the club can do this month to strengthen their squad.

With so many questions, our Blackburn Rovers Reporter Elliott Jackson fielded fans' questions to try and offer some clarity. Unsurprisingly, the head coach, transfer and Venky's were prominent topics.

Is there a possibility that the Indian government won’t allow Venky's to release funds in the coming months?

Ultimately, the answer is yes. The fact Venky's are having to use courts to push through funding shows the complexity of the situation. However, having been successful in November, there is no reason why their application won't be successful. 

Is the court date in India later in month dependent on purchases for players and until that goes ahead we cannot buy any players?

Absolutely not. Any money that is pushed through at the end of the month is for the club's running costs. It's funding for things like the wages, utility bills, HMRC and day-to-day expenses. It's in no way linked to transfers and it can't be used for that.

Is there a time frame for Venky's to have their issues lifted?

Sadly not. Steve Waggott provided an update on the owner's situation via the fans' forum, which we wrote about today. Overall, he said the financial situation was better than a few months ago but there's no word on when these restrictions might end.

Do you think JDT is using the club’s financial situation as an excuse for poor form, particularly in the goalie/set piece department which is a consistent & very obvious weakness?

First of all, I think most, if not all, of JDT's complaints/comments are pretty fair. It is a young squad, injuries have been horrendous and they do lack experience which needs addressing. Things have been difficult because of Venky's restrictions.

That said, I do think he needs to find a solution to shore things up. As I wrote in my West Brom analysis, you can't keep doing the same thing over and over again. The goal conceded is not a short-term issue, 52 goals in 27 games shows this has been a problem since August.

Ultimately, the defence is the most experienced area of the squad. It is on the head coach to find a solution with the tools available. Particularly when there is only one game a week, like there is at the moment.

JDT has mentioned in a couple of his interviews recently that the fans should blame the coach for the mistakes the players are making as they are a young team. Do you think he has noticed a change in the atmosphere from the fans, and is it affecting the players' confidence?

I think there has been a shift, absolutely. JDT had a lot of credit in the bank with supporters but I think that was being chipped away at slightly.

There has been criticism that he hasn't assumed enough responsibility for the results because of his comments about depth/age/budgets etc. So that was noticeable a few weeks ago when he insisted he should take the blame for any error.

Whether it's affecting the players directly, it's hard to say. But obviously, a poor run of results does affect confidence and given it's a young group, it will be the first time many have experienced it.

Is JDT happy to have more options from the bench now so may be inclined to make changes when needed?

I definitely think the reason we've seen JDT be less proactive with his subs is because of what has been available. When he had more options, he would often use his five changes and even make alterations at half-time.

Now he has Gallagher and JRC back, with Hedges, Dolan and Buckley to follow, we should see more in-game changes.

Will we change our style of play given the run of form we are in?

I asked JDT about this after West Brom and he intimated he wouldn't. Personally, I think a change of formation to freshen things up, shore the defence and try to build some confidence wouldn't be a bad idea.

Ultimately, he has his core principles and Rovers haven't deviated from them. That doesn't mean we won't see different game plans. Take Stoke (A), they completely sat off and hit on the counter. Other games they have really taken it to the opposition.

There are ways of changing without completely deviating from what your philosophy is.

Was Hyam brought back too soon after his injury?

I think there was a 'needs-must' attitude with Hyam. He'd been out for two months and yet travelled to Southampton after one training session. Although he didn't play, it shows how important he is.

It's undeniable that he has looked rusty and hasn't hit his high standards since coming back. The Hull match was certainly one too many in such a short period of time.

I think the evidence would suggest that he could've been eased in a little more gently but Tomasson clearly didn't think that was possible. Equally, I'm sure Hyam was itching to get back out and help the team.

What are JDT’s current vision/ expectations for this season?

Tomasson seems pretty relaxed about the situation, without trying to play down a poor run of form. From what I gather, he understands why this has happened. He puts it down to a tough run of games in December, stretching the squad, and the injuries they've had.

The schedule has eased now though, so there needs to be an upturn in performance. These four successive games at Ewood Park are so important to get the season back on track.

Where do Rovers want to strengthen?

Onto transfers now. Firstly, I'd point you in the direction of our latest round-up. Nothing earth-shattering, by any means, but an update as to where we are at.

Centre-back is an obvious priority. JDT wanted two in the summer, they only signed James Hill. He's now left the club so he'd still like two this month. I'd expect them to sign one, at the very least.

Although JDT said Yasin Ayari was not a replacement for Lewis Travis, I don't think that position is a priority. They're ok for numbers with Tronstad, Wharton, Ayari, Buckley, Garrett and JRC.

They'd like a forward, potentially someone who could play from the right. A number nine hasn't been ruled out either, particularly with question marks over Gallagher and Ennis.

Ultimately, it's a bit of a waiting game at the moment as they wait for dominoes to fall. 

With the constant talk of needing experience within the squad, why are we still going after young players?

The club has committed to a model of developing young players. Looking at the two loan additions they have made this month, Pickering already has experience and so someone with a different skillset, in Chrisene, makes sense.

Ayari comes into what is already a young midfield, sure. That does concern me a little bit more, with Travis leaving a big hole in terms of Championship appearances.

Ultimately, wages do play a part. More experienced players cost more money, even if they're only loans. Sometimes it can be the case of signing five younger players or three with more games. They usually require a transfer fee though too.

I'd be surprised if at least one player between the 26-30 age range doesn't arrive in January. 

What's the hold-up with the signing of O'Riordan? Is this still expected to happen or is there a chance we end up missing out?

Nothing has really progressed on this front. Rovers like him, JDT has confirmed as much, but they haven't paid the release clause.

Rovers seem happy enough with the 500K fee but need to structure a deal where they can spread the payments, if they're to bring him in. Crewe would like the money up front.

Whilst there is interest, nobody else has come in and paid the fee, 18 days into January. My understanding was that he likes Rovers and would like to join. Let's see if there can be some negotiating before the month ends to bring him in.