Blackburn Rovers' terrible form in the Championship continued as a 2-0 defeat to Queens Park Rangers stretched their run to one win in 11 matches.
The relegation-threatened Rs moved to within five points of Rovers in the Championship table after a deserved victory at Ewood Park. Following an eventful 48 hours off the pitch, things did not improve with attentions turned to the football.
With Jon Dahl Tomasson blocked from speaking to the press on Friday after the end of a chaotic transfer window, the mood around Rovers was already fraught.
A disjointed first-half performance didn't improve after the break and an own goal from Aynsley Pears gave QPR the lead. Ilias Chair danced inside to a shooting position, hit the post, and the ball unluckily bounced off the Rovers goalkeeper and in.
When your luck is out, that's the way things go. If Rovers felt unfortunate about the opener, they could have no complaints about the second as Joe Hodge ghosted into the box unchallenged and finished past Pears.
Chants of 'We want Venky's out' filled Ewood Park shortly after, with shots aimed at Chief Executive Steve Waggott too. This was a fan base sending a clear message.
Rovers did rally and reduced the arrears when Sam Gallagher pulled one back, smashing the ball through Asmir Begovic to reduce the arrears.
Despite 10 minutes of stoppage time, Rovers couldn't find a breakthrough. Joe Rankin-Costello came closest with a deflected strike which was parried over by Begovic.
Another defeat does very little to clear the clouds over Ewood Park. They are now only five points above the drop and in very worrying form.
After a hectic 60 hours off the field, Blackburn Rovers fans were hoping for some light relief on the pitch. They started ok and created the first big chance of the match.
Ben Chrisene, recalled into the side, continued his run into the penalty area, chopped onto his right foot but blazed the shot wide of the post. It was a good opening for the Aston Villa loanee, albeit on his weaker side.
QPR posed their own threat, particularly through the lively Sinclair Armstrong, who was a handful. Pears was called into action as he beat away Chair's shot before the aforementioned Armstrong turned just wide after a swift counter-attack.
As the half wore on, Rovers became more disjointed. Rather than settling into the match, their passing being more erratic, electing for longer, more hopeful passes, rather than the pattern of play well drilled in by Tomasson.
When they did look threatening, it came down the right side with Joe Rankin-Costello and Tyrhys Dolan linking up. The latter had a shot saved by Asmir Begovic at the near post before curling over the bar inside the box.
QPR came out for the second half the livelier of the two teams and could have got their noses in front through Steve Cook. The experienced defender rose highest to meet Chair's cross but headed just wide.
Andrew Moran saw a decent-looking penalty appeal turned down after he was bundled into by Jack Colback. Second later, Armstrong raced through but a heavy touch allowed Pears to race out and claim the ball.
If QPR were to take the lead, it always looked likely to come through Chair and that was exactly what happened. The playmaker cut inside, skipping past Rankin-Costello, and fired a shot off the base of the post.
Unfortunately for Rovers, it then hit the back of Pears and went in. Desperately unlucky for the goalkeeper.
Rangers' second was far less unfortunate, with Hodge allowed to ghost into the penalty area unmarked and then curling past Pears.
Ewood Park reacted. Strong cries of 'we want Venky's out' followed, with chants against CEO Steve Waggot too. After a bonkers end to the transfer window, an unhappy head coach and one win in 11 matches, the fans have understandably reached breaking point.
Rovers did rally and gave themselves a chance with 20 minutes remaining. Gallagher fired the ball through Begovic and into the net to reduce the arrears.
Rankin-Costello tested Begovic with a deflected strike from range. Gallagher skidded one towards goal but the QPR 'keeper held it well. That was the best Tomasson's side could muster.
That is now the eighth home defeat of the season in 15 matches. QPR hadn't won at Ewood Park since 1999 and had lost their last six in a row at this ground.
More worryingly is the alarming form that's seen Rovers take five points from their last 33 available. That is relegation form and they have failed to beat Rotherham United, Huddersfield Town and now QPR in that run.
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