Match Thread Blackburn Rovers - Coventry City Match Thread - Tuesday 21st Jan

[fernandopartridge]

Several times second half we were done by a simple ball into the channels. We recovered but it was far too easy. First half they were coming down our left in particular at will at times.

This is a systemic thing, it's not the defenders not defending solidly

 

[shmmeee]

This is a systemic thing, it's not the defenders not defending solidly

Defending is mostly systemic.

 

[mmttww]

I'm late to the party on this, but...

 

[AndySKYblue]

Jesus the lads can't win, we have just beaten a team in the top 6, played like troopers and people still saying the defence is weak (after a clean sheet) Lati reads the game so well and Kitching is an absolute monster!! What I have noticed with our play is we are now getting to learn the dark arts. Dovin was wasting time as much as he could, we were just doing niggly fouls to stop their tempo and the defence are now just punting the ball forward to two strikers and missing out the midfield. Its all working, drop the negative vibes we have just won ffs

 

[fernandopartridge]

Jesus the lads can't win, we have just beaten a team in the top 6, played like troopers and people still saying the defence is weak Lati reads the game so well and Kitching is an absolute monster!! What I have noticed with our play is we are now getting to learn the dark arts. Dovin was wasting time as much as he could, we were just doing niggly fouls to stop their tempo and the defence are now just punting the ball forward to two strikers and missing out the midfield. Its all working, drop the negative vibes we have just won ffs

It's shmmeee, they played polo at his school I think

 

[Mr Panda]

Several times second half we were done by a simple ball into the channels. We recovered but it was far too easy. First half they were coming down our left in particular at will at times.

Agreed, mentioned it earlier in the match thread. Had they more pace, a little more care then there’s a couple of potentially dangerous situations that there needn’t be when you’re 2-0 up.

Close the lines and take their momentum away

 

[Captain Dart]

Is that actually an assist?

Surely it's a Simms goal that took a deflection off bta?

The thing is Simms is getting into the right place at the right time.
He was playing like that last season when he started to score a goals.

 

[AndySKYblue]

Agreed, mentioned it earlier in the match thread. Had they more pace, a little more care then there’s a couple of potentially dangerous situations that there needn’t be when you’re 2-0 up.

Close the lines and take their momentum away

Jesus you could pick the bones out of a hard-on couldn't ya!!

 

[Mr Panda]

Jesus you could pick the bones out of a hard-on couldn't ya!!

I’m as pleased as you Andy. Enjoyed the performance, just keeping some balance as there’s work to be done on some things

 

[David O'Day]

Lads, they are in 6th so it's no a shock they caused us a few problems

We have just beat a play off placed team away, enjoy yourselves.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

When I told the lads I usually go to away games I was going with, they did a welfare check; ‘is everything ok at home’:.. Tonight is the kind of nights that pays back the support that follow us up and down this country!

Great win! Fair play to Lampard getting this team to win back-to-back tough games against playoff contending opposition! 3 points against Watford will be the cherry on the cake!

 

[quinn1971]

Was trying not to think about the last 2 mins against Norwich, but we’d be 9th and 4 points off 6th, and we’ve been terrible, couldn’t possibly happen could it ?

 

[David O'Day]

on this day in 2023 we had the same number of points as we do now and were 7 points as well outside the play offs

Championship League Table on 21 January 2023

Bring it on

 

[quinn1971]

on this day in 2023 we had the same number of points as we do now and were 7 points as well outside the play offs

Championship League Table on 21 January 2023

Bring it on

What a mad league, 4 days ago some reckoned we were getting relegated, 2 games later just shows how poor this leagues been, and another poor starts prob cost us again, but you can’t help thinking it can you ?

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

on this day in 2023 we had the same number of points as we do now and were 7 points as well outside the play offs

Championship League Table on 21 January 2023

Bring it on

I’m happy to be think the same delusional thoughts as you are right now.

(I thought the same in 22/23 btw)

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Agreed, mentioned it earlier in the match thread. Had they more pace, a little more care then there’s a couple of potentially dangerous situations that there needn’t be when you’re 2-0 up.

Close the lines and take their momentum away

Which is a given when you take Haji and EMC out of our starting lineup. Despite the doomsayers, Lampard last 2 wins have been monumental in terms of tactical adaptation and getting results that could turn our season around.

A win (or draw even) against Norwich away would’ve turned heads and we’d achieved that tactically barring a calamity to gift them a win in stoppage time.

 

[David O'Day]

What a mad league, 4 days ago some reckoned we were getting relegated, 2 games later just shows how poor this leagues been, and another poor starts prob cost us again, but you can’t help thinking it can you ?

folk on here including a chino wearing science teacher had us going down that season as well

All we need to do is bring Gus and Vik back and it's nailed on

 

[Johhny Blue]

Are we still in a relegation battle?

Yes but we’re winning

 

[skybluegod]

What a mad league, 4 days ago some reckoned we were getting relegated, 2 games later just shows how poor this leagues been, and another poor starts prob cost us again, but you can’t help thinking it can you ?

Why is it how poor the league is rather than how good? It's shows how all teams are pretty equal. All the teams this year have some really good players, and ability to get results. It's very much fine margins in this league, not a league full of dross despite what some fans say.

 

[Frostie]

What a mad league, 4 days ago some reckoned we were getting relegated, 2 games later just shows how poor this leagues been, and another poor starts prob cost us again, but you can’t help thinking it can you ?

It's the fickle nature of football fans in general, one win & it's playoffs, one defeat & it's relegation. We're an emotional bunch when it comes to our clubs.

"Don’t let the highs get too high, or the lows get too low"

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

It's the fickle nature of football fans in general, one win & it's playoffs, one defeat & it's relegation. We're an emotional bunch when it comes to our clubs.

"Don’t let the highs get too high, or the lows get too low"

Agreed, football fans are fickle by nature as it’s a result based industry.

We were close to equalising against WBA and close to closing out a win (/draw v Norwich) in close away games and all of a sudden, the narrative is much more positive.

Yes, being close is not enough, but we’re doing this without our two best attacking players and any reasonable supporter has got to give Lampard a bit of credit where it’s due.

It’s taken him longer than I’d like to pick certain players, but we’re certainly moving in the ‘right’ direction atm.

 

[Frostie]

Agreed, football fans are fickle by nature as it’s a result based industry.

We were close to equalising against WBA and close to closing out a win (/draw v Norwich) in close away games and all of a sudden, the narrative is much more positive.

Yes, being close is not enough, but we’re doing this without our two best attacking players and any reasonable supporter has got to give Lampard a bit of credit where it’s due.

It’s taken him longer than I’d like to pick certain players, but we’re certainly moving in the ‘right’ direction atm.

Works both ways though. Had Dovin not been MotM & kept us in it the last few games, had we not got a very fortunate last minute penalty v Cardiff etc etc. That's why you need to take a step back & analyse the bigger picture. As much as some people hate it, underlying data, trends & xG etc. are really valuable.

There's been some real positives the last few weeks & still some worrying things.

I saw somebody trotted out the old adage "the league table never lies" earlier. Never has there been a bigger lie!

 

[skyblue025]

Another assist for Rudoni

It was taken off him and given to Simms as his shot hit BTA and went in. If I was Rudoni I'd be fuming.

 

[The watchmaker]

on this day in 2023 we had the same number of points as we do now and were 7 points as well outside the play offs

Championship League Table on 21 January 2023

Bring it on

This is the sort of s**t I am here for!

 

[The watchmaker]

It was taken off him and given to Simms as his shot hit BTA and went in. If I was Rudoni I'd be fuming.

Simms should probably be more fuming... but he thought it was funny... which is a good thing. No 'i' in team.

 

[Ibby]

Good luck

 

[Johhny Blue]

Another assist for Rudoni

It was given to Simms

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

It's the fickle nature of football fans in general, one win & it's playoffs, one defeat & it's relegation. We're an emotional bunch when it comes to our clubs.

"Don’t let the highs get too high, or the lows get too low"

I try to bear this in mind and be “rational” but this season has been a labour of love at times.

Today’s result was fantastic because, like many who turned up (and didn’t), it was a bit of a ball ache taking time off work to follow us when our away form was below par. My usual away day lot questioned my sanity going up today so that’s an added bonus too!

I enjoyed the match and the drinks in Chorley beforehand!

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Works both ways though. Had Dovin not been MotM & kept us in it the last few games, had we not got a very fortunate last minute penalty v Cardiff etc etc. That's why you need to take a step back & analyse the bigger picture. As much as some people hate it, underlying data, trends & xG etc. are really valuable.

There's been some real positives the last few weeks & still some worrying things.

I saw somebody trotted out the old adage "the league table never lies" earlier. Never has there been a bigger lie!

You’re 100% on the money there and I’m a firm believer that you make your own luck in life (and un-luck by the same token).

The stats, overall, have us being in a ‘false’ position so as we get Haji and EMC back, that should elevate us and a solid Jan addition (or 2-3) could have us in playoff contention again.

Again, we’re in a similar position as we were in 22/23 so there’s that batch of straws to clutch onto!

 

[jay2015]

Look like bta spark back two games two goals think like I said give him a run in the team see what happens

 

[Tommo1993]

Lo and behold, we won so nobody is speaking about attendances. Told you it’s not important.

 

[Hutch11]

Lo and behold, we won so nobody is speaking about attendances. Told you it’s not important.

Those that did go were tremendous, gave the team excellent support

 

[HJones23]

Can’t beat a mid week away game after a win, the atmosphere was class in the away end last night. Start with the negatives - slow start again, Dovin masterclass again to keep us level. I thought we left Simms & BTA isolated in the first half as we were 10 yards too deep and seemed to look for the long ball every time. As soon as EMC or Haji is back I want to see us go back to 433

Positives - you couldn’t pick 2 better times to score, took the wind out of Blackburns sails and we should have scored a couple more in the end. MVE was back to his old self in the 2nd half, anyone wishing him away are in for a shock when they see the drop off with whoever replaces him. Allen a calming head in the midfield again, Torp ran his bollocks off despite not having the best of games on the ball (don’t know how he got away without a yellow). Credit FL aswell, subs were spot on and helped us go up a gear.

7pts off now play offs now and things are starting to click, this isn’t a great league this season and I could see us going on a run. DK needs to do his part now and back the team.

 

[bigfatronssba]

"Don’t let the highs get too high, or the lows get too low"

That’s the whole point of football though. It’s emotional.

Without emotions we only have logic.

Now can you explain the logic in travelling all the way to Lancashire on a cold miserable night, just to watch 22 men kick a ball around? Whilst paying a small fortune in the process?

 

[clint van damme]

Can’t beat a mid week away game after a win, the atmosphere was class in the away end last night. Start with the negatives - slow start again, Dovin masterclass again to keep us level. I thought we left Simms & BTA isolated in the first half as we were 10 yards too deep and seemed to look for the long ball every time. As soon as EMC or Haji is back I want to see us go back to 433

Positives - you couldn’t pick 2 better times to score, took the wind out of Blackburns sails and we should have scored a couple more in the end. MVE was back to his old self in the 2nd half, anyone wishing him away are in for a shock when they see the drop off with whoever replaces him. Allen a calming head in the midfield again, Torp ran his bollocks off despite not having the best of games on the ball (don’t know how he got away without a yellow). Credit FL aswell, subs were spot on and helped us go up a gear.

7pts off now play offs now and things are starting to click, this isn’t a great league this season and I could see us going on a run. DK needs to do his part now and back the team.

I genuinely don't get the clamour for returning to 4 3 3.
We've had 2 issues this season, winning games and conceding too many goals, and we seen to have found a solution to both, why change?

As you said, things are starting to click.