Blackburn – Credit to them and Mowbray. They were soundly beaten by us at their place and the manager and team said we were the best side they had played. They decided to freshen up the team and brought in several new players and left out three main attacking threats in Dack, Graham and Armstrong. It worked for an hour as they looked to have more energy and were better than us on and off the ball.
They had more possession over the game and certainly for the first hour had more of the ball. They set up quite defensively with the formation but actually grew into the game and looked more of an attacking threat than us first half without actually doing very much in terms of goal threats outside of set pieces. They had one shot on goal all game outside of the free kick.
11 v 11 they shaded it really but on chances we had as many of them really with Stevens and Sharp having two efforts at goal compared to the one for them from Mulgrew. After half time; referee Taylor kept giving them free kicks and you sensed one might go in – he had been given 4 or 5 sighters! The red card for us and you then thought they would push on and they changed the team putting on Dack and Armstrong. This actually killed some momentum and even when they had 10; they only had one chance with the Williams shot. They moved it side to side but did not really stretch us. Still you felt they were the side who may nick it due to the numerical advantage.
After Smallwood lost his head with a wild tackle; they seemed to lose any impetus they had. They gave the ball away and their confidence dropped. We scored and they just fell apart. The energy and zest they had completely sapped away and we were now the aggressors and it looked like we would score every time we attacked. They just went and you could see the brittle confidence which was exposed at Leeds with the late goals and again today. They look a side that if a team scores; can go under. The defence then made mistakes; the midfield stopped doing what they had and the attack was toothless.
It was odd though as for the first hour they gave us a good game, they may have set up defensively and the changes may have looked as if they wanted a draw and would play on the break but in affect, they actually did get men forward when they could. The referee made some bad decisions for them as well as us and probably just as frustrating. He killed any chance either team had of keeping the ball or any momentum by constantly blowing his whistle. Only real disappointment was their penchant for the simulation. Palmer did it three times and only got booked once. He was a disgrace really. The lad Rothwell then did an even worse one as we broke and scored the 2nd goal. Baldock was livid with him and still talking to the ref on the restart. Somehow, he did not get booked. Shame as they played ok but that let them down and then stupidity from Smallwood and they imploded.
They started the season well and were right up near the top 6 but have dropped off. They are relying on their great home form being maintained as they do not get much away from home. They have some decent players and with Dack, Graham and Armstrong some good attacking options. Weird to see a centre back, take all the free kicks and corners but clearly a major threat from them. Not sure they will get sucked into a relegation battle. They are closer to the bottom three (9 points) as the top 6 (11 points) now though and will want to get some results on the board or will get dragged down there like Wigan have and the other promotion side Rotherham after all three started well. Think Mowbray has done well there and picked up some good signings and got the best out of them (Dack a big example) but the fans will be disappointed in the huge outlay for Brereton who looks really poor for a 6-million-pound player.
Opponent man of the match – They were workmanlike rather than outstanding but the midfield pressed well and were decent on the ball. The lad Reed they got from Norwich is neat and tidy and Travis also had a decent game for an hour. I felt Bennett may have been their best player. Decent touch and carried it well. I was glad they left Dack out but he was not in the game at all when he came on as we went away from them.
Weak link – I thought Brereton was really poor and not a threat at all. He did not even really run about much. However, Smallwood’s stupidity makes this award an easy one. 0-0 and with a man advantage; you felt they could go and win and he make a ridiculous tackle. It was high and wild and maybe one of the few things the ref got right. You certainly do not give him an opportunity to even things up. I felt after we scored; the defence fell apart and errors came in all over the field. I watched the lad Lenihan who we bid for and he was ok but clearly inferior to the three lads we have at the back and we have kind of moved on; in a good way from potential signings like this.
Henderson 7/10 – Actually did not have too much to do. Faced a number of free kicks and one of course hit the post. He did make a great save from Williams from close range. This was a big moment. After this they again had long range efforts but nothing that caused him any real problems. Showed how good he is with his feet (Leeds error notwithstanding) as he was given a number of passes back and on goal and he dealt with them comfortably.
Baldock 7/10 – Not quite as good as the other day but decent enough. They caused a few problems with their shape as kind of matched us up with wing backs and were able to pen both wing backs into our own half. Second half had to defend and often had to almost mark two as they doubled up down this side and he was now a more orthodox right back but made some good interceptions. He did make some better runs forward after the game became 10 v 10 and started to become more of an attacking threat again.
Stevens 7.5/10 – Excellent performance again. He rivalled Sharp for man of the match (due to Sharps goals). He was good defensively with interceptions and tackles but got forward well. His crossing was better and also had two or three marauding runs that led to chances/opportunities. Hit the bar with a great shot on the angle that was very unlucky. Assisted on the second with a great diagonal ball.
Egan 7/10 – Solid enough. First half he went a bit long with the ball as they put us under pressure. He dealt with attacking threat well but they did not play Graham or Dack which would have probably been a relief as Brereton was not the same threat that they would have posed. He came into his own after they had the man advantage and felt he was good at winning those crucial headers/blocks when he needed to in this spell.
O’Connell 7/10 – 100 straight starts shows his durability. He rarely ever gets injured of course but also shows his form has been quite consistent. Today I felt he was steady and that they only had one chance when Henderson made the save (both him and Egan were slow to deal with the ball over) with most of their other efforts from long range. The last two games in contrasting games; we have held two sides to mainly long-range efforts. His play with the ball has been quite mixed recently with some decent stuff and then some overplayed passes/long balls. We do seem to be getting it forward a bit quicker these days.
Basham 6/10 – Feel a bit bad marking him down but only played 50 minutes and thus explains his mark rather than the sending off. Not even sure either yellow were fouls. He got the ball on the first one but Taylor was in full Premier League mode (will say he dived in but it was a nonsense) and then the second not sure how he can get out of the way. He barely moved his hand and it more hit him. Another nonsense and two of the softest yellow cards you would wish to see. Outside of this he was ok but not quite with the same zest he has had and like many seem surprised by pressing player of Blackburn and did not have as much time on the ball.
Fleck 6.5/10 – First half he was really quiet and also when he had the ball a bit sloppy or safe with it. Did not run forward with the ball and they controlled the midfield for long spells, winning a lot of the loose balls and 50/50’s. I felt our midfield looked weary. He gave them two free kicks with daft fouls that led to chances for Mulgrew. They did keep a good shape after we were reduced to ten men and then when it was 10 v 10; he started to play and was suddenly involved in a positive way. Won tackles, carried the ball and he featured in some of our good moments. Assisted in the build-up on two of the three goals. He needs to start games this way and at the moment his performances are too up and down; even within games.
Norwood 6.5/10 – Like Fleck thought he was not great for the first hour. I felt we did not see anywhere near as much of the ball and gave away possession and struggled as they pressed us. He gave the ball away a few times amongst some lovely passes. I felt he was just a bit sloppy today and as much as everyone was criticising Duffy around me; he gave the ball away quite a few times. Still showed some lovely touches and passes of course but when teams press him and do not give him time he struggles to have as much impact. Got another booking and close to a suspension (got 8 has he?) and can be a bit rash at times. For the final stages
Duffy 5.5/10 – Not his best game again. Never hides and keeps trying things but he gave it away and made several telegraphed passes too. We have won two games now at home where he has probably been our poorest player in both games! That puts to the myth that we need him to play well to win. Now has some genuine competition from Dowell and has to up his game if he wants to keep his shirt. Still feel we are a better player when he plays. Even when he does not influence things quite as much; he draws men as he does show great movement and gets into dangerous areas.