Nemesis Jordan Rhodes scored two first-half goals to condemn the Blues to a 2-0 defeat at Blackburn Rovers. The former Blues striker, who has now scored six goals in six games against his old club, netted the first from the penalty spot in the 12th minute, then headed home the second four minutes later.

Town manager Mick McCarthy was forced into two changes with Jonny Parr and Larsen Touré coming into the side for Jonas Knudsen, who was ill, and Ryan Fraser, who picked up a minor knock in training on Thursday.

Parr was handed his first league start of the season at left-back with Touré’s inclusion seeing Ainsley Maitland-Niles switch to the left of midfield. Daryl Murphy and Freddie Sears continued up front with David McGoldrick and Brett Pitman on the bench.

For Rovers, midfielder Danny Guthrie missed out due to a thigh injury and was replaced by Hope Akpan.

The home side started on top but without threatening Dean Gerken’s goal and on five Sears’s cross to Touré was cut out by a defender.

Shortly afterwards the Guinean international won a corner but Maitland-Niles was unable to create an opportunity, then on nine Murphy headed the on-loan Arsenal man’s right-wing freekick over.

Despite the Blues having had a decent spell it was the home side who would go in front from the penalty spot in the 12th minute.

Referee Andre Marriner first denied Rovers a spot-kick when Ben Marshall’s shot struck Christophe Berra on the arm, but when Hope Akpan burst past Cole Skuse and Luke Chambers and into the area on the left Larsen Touré was adjudged to have tripped the midfielder. Rhodes confidently beat Gerken to register his fifth goal in six games against his old club.

It took only another four minutes for Rhodes, controversially sold to Huddersfield by Roy Keane during his time in charge of the Blues for a fee which eventually reached just over £1 million in the summer of 2009, to make it six in six.

Craig Conway whipped over a corner from the left and the Town academy product got ahead of Chambers to nod past Gerken.

Town, who had conceded two goals in quick succession for the second week running, looked to get back into the game via a freekick not far outside the area on 19 but Maitland-Niles stuck his shot into the wall.

A minute later a frustrated Touré picked up the game’s first yellow card for a foul on right-back Adam Henley.

Rovers continued to look the more dangerous side and on 23 left-back Markus Olsson had the ball in the net but having strayed into an offside position.

As the half moved towards its final 10 minutes the Blues were having a lot of the ball but without creating any serious chances. Rovers were defending determinedly - Maitland-Niles saw two threaded passes cut out - and then on 36 Jonathan Douglas screwed a shot wide from distance.

Chambers dived in to block from Conway a minute later after the winger had been fed in space on the left of the area by Marshall, then from the corner Grant Hanley beat his Scotland team-mate Christophe Berra at the far post but headed wide.

On 40 Conway shot wide from distance with the home side continuing to look more likely to add to their lead than the Blues were to reduce it.

However, in the 44th minute Murphy wasn’t too far away from opening his account for the season when he tested Rovers keeper Jason Steele for the first time with a 25-yard strike which the former England U21 international pushed around his left post. From the corner, Tommy Smith got away from his man but failed to connect with his header.

Town couldn’t complain about the scoreline at the break, the home side having been on top for the most part, aside from the spell just before the penalty.

Whether it was Touré’s challenge which caused Akpan to go to ground was probably debatable, the Blackburn man looked to have lost his chance to shoot when he went down, but Rhodes netted the kick with his usual confidence.

The striker’s second from the corner soon afterwards is likely to frustrate manager McCarthy more with the Blues having conceded too many preventable goals in recent weeks.

From there, Town huffed and puffed but never really looked like getting back into the game with Murphy’s late shot from distance keeper Steele’s only save.

The Blues began the second half unchanged and on the front foot, Steele claiming an early Berra header into the danger area.

Corry Evans was booked for a foul before David McGoldrick took over from Touré. Soon after, Henley was yellow-carded for a late challenge on Smith.

Maitland-Niles joined him in the book for a foul on Conway on 57 then two minutes later he was replaced by Pitman with the Blues now having all four strikers on the pitch.

On the hour, McGoldrick headed Pitman’s corner from the right over the bar, then Rhodes was inches from claiming a hat-trick, his strike from the edge of the area from Evans’s pass hitting Gerken’s left post.

Sears did well to get away from Henley on the Town left in the 64th minute before cutting into the area. The ex-Colchester man might have laid the ball back to one of a number of team-mates but instead shot and saw his effort blocked. Moments later, Berra was booked for a foul on Rhodes as Blackburn broke.

Skipper Chambers stuck a powerful effort from fully 40 yards which flew not far wide with the help of a deflection on 69 following a corner with the Blues having a lot of the ball but without being able to find a way through a Rovers backline which was defending solidly.

The home side continued to look a threat on the break, however, and probably should have been three in front in the 69th minute when Evans played in Henley on the right of the area, but Gerken was quickly off his line to block.

Rhodes shot into the side-netting from a tight angle off Berra in the 76th minute, then from the corner Hanley headed over.

In the 81st minute the former Town striker was only prevented from completing his hat-trick by a superb Gerken save. Rhodes glanced Conway’s freekick from the left towards the corner of the net but the Blues keeper somehow got across to push the ball away.

A minute later, Tommy Oar was handed his league debut for Murphy, who had had another frustrating afternoon.

With five minutes remaining, after Berra had been penalised for another foul on Rhodes and the home fans had been calling for a second yellow card, the Blues conjured a chance. McGoldrick won the ball on the right, Oar crossed towards Sears and Parr but Steele was out quickly to clear, catching the Norwegian’s shin as he did so.

Pitman required treatment after colliding with Steele as the keeper punched away a cross from deep on 87 but was OK to carry on.

The Blues continued to look in vain for a goal as the fourth official’s board indicated an additional four minutes.

In truth, Rovers’ victory never looked in doubt once Rhodes, whose sale Town seem to have cause to regret more every time they face him, had netted his two goals in quick succession.

The home side saw the game out professionally with Town, who have now lost five in a row at Ewood Park where they are without a league win since August 1991, unable to cause keeper Steele to make too many serious saves.

Town, who failed to score for the first time in 22 league games, go into the international break having dropped to 12th and with one win in six league games.

Blackburn: Steele, Henley, Duffy, Hanley (c), Olsson, Marshall, Evans, Akpan, Conway, Lawrence (Williamson 90), Rhodes. Unused: Raya, Spurr, Delfouneso, Taylor, Petshi, Lenihan.

Town: Gerken, Chambers (c), Parr, Berra, Smith, Skuse, Douglas, Touré (McGoldrick 53), Maitland-Niles (Pitman 59), Murphy, Sears. Unused: Bialkowski, Malarczyk, Emmanuel, Bru, Oar. Referee: Andre Marriner (West Midlands). Attendance: 12,672 (Town: 642).

Photo: Action Images

TimmyH added 17:42 - Oct 3 Saw the starting 11 and it didn't look good, very little creativity in the midfield (endeavour with AMN/Toure but little quality) and the forever permanent Douglas still in midfield!!! why no Bru starting or McG behind Sears upfront? - certainly not a midfield that has top 2 contenders written on it, a defense still leaking goals and once again we come away from Ewood Park with zilch. I personally believe that alongside our under performing players i.e. Murphy, Berra etc. we have a candidate for worse manager of the last month - some of his chopping and changing of the starting 11 (other than certain players who need to be changed are mind boggling). Please Mick in a fortnights time when I expect Bish to be back can we have 2 proper fullbacks, Douglas and Murphy dropped and McG to start - will this happen? If it does I'll attempt to chew off my right leg.

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muccletonjoe added 17:44 - Oct 3 Mm needs to decide whether to stand by the players who have got him out of tight corners in the past or to make wholesale changes. My guess is the former
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Kesblue66 added 17:44 - Oct 3 I feel sorry for our young supporters,who have never seen a good team playing good football.Im old enough to have seen the golden years under the great Bobby Robson,the likes we shall never see again.
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Geoff added 17:45 - Oct 3 Just not good enough,we are going backwards not a patch on last season but never mind his favourites will still play next week.We need major changes starting at the back and midfield.
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Kesgraveblue92 added 17:48 - Oct 3 Poor defence, poor midfield (especially the central pairing), and no plan b. It's all becoming a little bit predictable. You can't keep playing the same 2 in central midfield and expect a different result. Douglas very very poor, and Skuse can not seem to pass forward. The end result is the defence is given the ball to hoof up the pitch, over the central midfield that is not capable of doing anything creative or constructive with the ball, and it comes straight back again. Really thought it was our turn this year....but we are a mile away.

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bluemikey100 added 17:49 - Oct 3 bru and bishop in midfield is a must next time
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cartman1972 added 17:50 - Oct 3 Should play Tabby.....
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mattfrost216 added 17:50 - Oct 3 To the guys telling me to back the team instead of criticising - I always back the team. I'll never turn my back on them. But the recent run of results, we can't bury our head in the sand any more - things have to get better, and fast. You have to question some of the decision Mick has been making recently. After all, when is OK to criticise if not now? Yes, the fans need to get behind the team, and bar a few nutcases, they always do. But after the game is finished, we need to admit something needs to change. Annoyed. Been arguing with people on Twitter all day who think our recent run of results 'doesn't matter' because everyone has a bad month

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braveblue added 17:50 - Oct 3 Pay peanuts and get average players. Simple. No investment.
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ChrisFelix added 17:51 - Oct 3 R we missing Mings
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Bluetone added 17:52 - Oct 3 Anyone care to pen McCarthy's press conference utterances for him.
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jas0999 added 17:52 - Oct 3 Abysmal result. Pathetic performance. Sadly, we spent the summer trying to make as much money as possible, whilst spend as little as possible. With the exception of Fraser and possibly Pitman, our signings look average to poor. Whilst other Championship clubs were out spending millions on quality players, we signed coke - a laughing stock at Sheffield; Toure - a man who got sent off three times in low league football last season and Douglas - end of career not wanted by a poor Brentford side. Add to that players who aren't quite ready yet and a polish Fella who cost eight and a half grand, it's pretty clear to see why we are lacking behind. We will continue to do so until Evans changes his strategy . Of course the spin machine will pull the wool over some fans eyes 'all money invested in wages' etc etc. Reality, is more players left than signed! Many savings as well! The biggest problem at the moment is sadly Mick. I'm not calling for his head, far from it, but this pig headedness has to stop. Gerken wouldn't get in any Championship side, probably not a division one side. Why isn't Bart playing? Moreover why didn't we invest in better? Chambers is not a right back. Berra is woefully out of form. So is Murphy. Skuse hasn't been the same player as last season, whilst his partnership in the middle with Douglas must be the worst in the league and certainly the least creative. Our midfield today looked awful. Fraser aside it's no better than last season and with the defence considerably worse, with a keeper who the defenders have no faith in, it's a recipe for disaster. We needed a quality keeper, right back and attack minded goal scoring central midfielder in the summer. I keep saying it I know. Sadly, they cost money. Sadly Evans had no intention of spending. We will go backwards. We are. Mid table side at best, but no doubt Mick will say how exceptional Blackburn are. Disappointing. Change in strategy required Mr Evans and a stop to your ego/pig headiness Mick.

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Harlowtractorboy added 17:54 - Oct 3 Can't belie today why is there no bru in midfield and what is going on with the defence. Mick sort it out and don't be a pr@tt and just do itv
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vanmunt added 17:54 - Oct 3 Got derided and silly named called on the bewildering team selection on Friday, same players same performance .. Surely it's a sign of madness to keep picking the same players and expecting a different result. I can only hope bishop is fit after the international break but I won't hold my breath mr stubborn will change the central midfield Dynamo two..
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therein61 added 18:00 - Oct 3 Well fed up now!! while waiting for a train with a beer I'm buggered if I'm doing anymore long expensive trips I've supported this wonderful club of ours for through thick and thin since 1958 even a home game is a 400 mile round trip I have always been optimistic but when in my seat hearing the side our leader has put out I wanted to go home!!!! let alone 16 mins later, what the hell are you doing Mick?? Chambers at right back has always been a disaster(he was at fault for both goals) again 2 left footers in the middle(totally unbalanced) who you have tried to justify in the week by saying playing together will bring continuity!!! it does not work opponents love it and rip us apart as for the continued skuse douglas combo? I'm afraid you've lost the plot big man big time when better players were on the bench, sort it out drop a couple of your favourit players and get it sorted or to use your own expression when you relate to our views eff off!!!!!!

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Seasider added 18:00 - Oct 3 Before game Mc Carthy said "Continuity is important,in order to develop partnerships all over the pitch.If somebody is injured then bring in another player.Skusey and Dougie different class"(just like Tabby then ) Therefor not surprised to see same team basically and look what happened.Another beating from team in lower half of table,with players like Bru and McGoldrick on bench. Apparently they have been working on defending this week according to Mick;but he wasn't happy about second goal by Rhodes; chosing to praise Jordan!Hope he criticised his captain in private though. Very average record this year losing as many games as we have won,which says mid table;and after just one win in seven that is exactly where we;so has Mick taken us as far as he can as this time last year Ipswich were 6th? I am not sure but after 50+ years of watching Town I am not enamoured with the way MM has his favourites.I cannot see that this is doing anything for team morale,with the guys continually overlooked, despite the propaganda. Slight ray of light, that in post match interview McCarthy hinted at changes. We shall see if the dinosaur is true to his word when the team runs out against another lowly team in Huddersfield in a fortnight!!!

13

ShropshireBluenago09 added 18:06 - Oct 3 We are going no where this season if MM keeps selecting the same team and formation every game. Wholesale changes needed for the next game. On reviewing how bad the back 4 have been in recent weeks, im really disappointed that the back 4 that played so well against Man Utd have been overlooked and even Yorwerth sent on loan! Tedious that Gerken, Douglas, Skuse, Smith are ALWAYS picked, no mater what. Its a good job we have some creativity and goalscorers in the team and look good at that end, but essentially we must stop conceding goals.

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Bluetone added 18:10 - Oct 3 Adding to Seasider's post "Continuity is important,in order to develop partnerships all over the pitch" Got to admit McCarthy's right continuity has proved this defence and goalkeeper can leak goals consistently and this team can fail regularly.
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blueboy1981 added 18:20 - Oct 3 Well - essex57... etc;etc; .......... gonna take you a while to come up with valid excuses for yet another load of garbage. Are some of us surprised at today's result ? - NO - quite simply. Think it's best you, and your confederates, keep quiet - don't you ??
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blueboy1981 added 18:21 - Oct 3 Bath - e - lona ........... more like it. And even then, only just.
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Dissboyitfc added 18:24 - Oct 3 Well said shropshireblue, the team that played at old trafford had more balance especially the defence... Getting really sick of this now. really feel for those supporters who made the long trip north. our team isnt great at the moment( under statement) but our away supporters are great, those who went give yourselves a big pat on the back, well done guys and girls...coyb

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tractorboybig added 18:25 - Oct 3 The teams going up are all in the mix. This management dont have a clue. Two more games two more defeats and mm will be back to where he started. Still the morons will still be shouting their faith in him.
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runaround added 18:35 - Oct 3 As soon as I saw the line up I couldn't bear to even listen. Apparently McCarthy said he is loyal to his players & gets total effort & desire back but that didn't happen today. That is in unacceptable. Mick is a very experienced & astute manager & other the current regime is possibly the only man I can think of to get us promoted. However even he must see his it's not working currently & needs to change. His loyalty to the players is commendable but some players are undroppable however poorly or not they play whilst others who fill in are always dropped irrespective of how they play. Whilst Gerken may have done OK today 99% of people think Bart is better, the defence is lopsided & only 2 of Chambers, Berra & Smith should play in a 442 formation whilst only one of Douglas or Skuse should start. Teams have worked us out. Much work for the squad to do in the next fortnight & if things don't improve afterwards questions will be asked. If we don't challenge this season I really don't know where that leaves MM?

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tallguy6767 added 18:46 - Oct 3 Time for a change from top to bottom! This Dinasor has taken us as far as he can !
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irishtim added 18:48 - Oct 3 @blueboy. Your entitled to your opinion as are Mick's supporters. What I would like to hear is your opinion on who you would suggest to take us forward? Not a slagging match.
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