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Blackburn Rovers 2-0 Town - Match Report
Saturday, 3rd Oct 2015 17:08

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



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happybeingblue added 22:13 - Oct 3
let's be honest we over achieved last season with the players we had, yet again no investment plus daryl not firing yet who we relied on last season so heavily, think it's time to try a few of the boys who played against United first 11 getting too comfy for me never like that in any team if players aren't playing well they should be dropped !
10

Hegansheroes added 22:15 - Oct 3
Irishtim quite obvious get rid of MM. Over the years I have paid out £1000s to watch ITFC & have only seen as bad football from a few managers who weren't given as long as this joker. OK he did get us to the playoffs but his football is terrible to watch & proving totally ineffective. If by some strange quirk of luck we did get promoted this season MM would have to go, he has shown in the past he does not have the ability to manage in the Premiership
5

choprawontcome added 22:29 - Oct 3
I really cannot see why Douglas plays at all- Ive seen nothing from him all season
8

BenW38 added 23:01 - Oct 3
What is going on with Town at the moment! We just dont look to be the same team that made the playoffs only a few months ago. I agree with the majority of comments on here that changes to the starting 11 need to be made. However,these are the times when the team need our support!
Its still early in the season and plenty of time to turn things around.
0

warkthelint added 23:16 - Oct 3
3 attempts on goal tell their sorry story..and this was a game we had to win.How on earth MM expects to gain promotion when he plays in a sterile, tactically inept style. The teams that get promoted are attack-minded and go for goals..we struggle to put any decent football together and his brand of football belongs to the Dark Ages.
9

Kirbmeister added 00:24 - Oct 4
Well having just watched the Football League show and MOTD and seen the pace and skill of counter attacking teams in both divisions it's made me realise we are miles away from achieving promotion, though it pains me to admit it.
10

blueboy1981 added 00:38 - Oct 4
You have two choices Mr McCarthy - Either change your ways / thinking - or, accept the modern game has left you behind, if this is the case, then it's high time you left the game behind.

Your choice - for the sake of the Club and Supporters, please get this decision right at least.
6

clint_eastwood added 04:03 - Oct 4
Its all Keane's fault
-1

BrandonsBlues added 07:14 - Oct 4
I am afraid you have all got it wrong. It is not Mick's fault it is the international break. We lose the game before an international break so put Rotherham down as a defeat on your prediction league. If it was not for these breaks we would have won.

We dont need a new manager, we need a manager to change the team. Mid field to create chances for the srtikers, and midfield and back 5 to defend, whcihc might mean we have the wrong players or the wrong tactics, or heaven forbid both
-4

warktheline added 08:49 - Oct 4
@kirbmeister, unfortunately at present that appears to be the case, and stats over the last 6 months back this up. It is extremely hard to accept the facts, but like yourself, I've supported McCarthy up until recently. For me, McCarthy's continued team selections are inexcusable!
7

PJH added 09:42 - Oct 4
The first half was very poor.
I do not know what the problem with Berra is at the moment but he has gone from being the defender that you could most depend on for a solid performance to the one most likely to cause a defensive problem.
Gerken made a couple of good stops but I would always feel safer with Bart in goal.
Skuse and Douglas together do not work although Douglas had quite a good second half.
Having said that I would have Skuse and Bru in central midfield.
Oar impressed in his spell on the pitch and Fraser was missed.
Murphy had a good shot on target just before half time but obviously needs a goal to get him going.
0

Warkys_Tash added 10:02 - Oct 4
LIVID.
3

Dissboyitfc added 10:07 - Oct 4
its all very well saying keep the support going, but this all getting very sickening. We only reached the play-offs because Murphy over Achieved!

MM has taken us as far as he can,

The manager and the players should apologise to the supporters who made the long trip.
6

neillrumsey added 10:53 - Oct 4
MM has improved the team since his arrival but tactically he has to be questioned. Is it that he is just stubborn as Chambers who is a great leader is woeful at right back and always has been. Gerken despite making some great saves is too quiet and doesn't command his box therefore the defence have no confidence and this is evident in the number of goals we are conceding. Berra and Murph have to be rested for me as neither have shown any form this season. McG is by far our best player who creates and keeps the ball and has to start. AMN and Fraser show glimpses of what they can do but since Brighton at home we've reverted to hoof ball which nullifies our quality players. MM needs to sort this very soon as I can see many leaving in January if we're not in the mix.
4

greenkingtone added 12:58 - Oct 4
Its nice to see the board get back to normal, but seriously chaps, Marcus Evans is just not rich enough. Simples!

I am rapidly losing interest.
0

bressinghamblue added 19:07 - Oct 4
Just seen BBC video featuring Pelligrini calling Aguero 'different class' .... he's obviously not watched Tabb, Douglas or Gerken! Sign em up Man city ... PLEASE.
2

sidtheswan added 20:06 - Oct 4
Quick sack MM . Brendan Rogers is available !
0

Deep_Blue added 21:11 - Oct 4
McCarthy Out!
-1

coolcat added 22:32 - Oct 4
Was at the game yesterday. Second half was undoubtedly no comparison to the first. We played an awful lot better and tho' I didn't think we would concede any more, no goals were forthcoming and this is what I feel has been lacking since the start of the season from us. There seems to be a distinct drought of goals. I think our mf has been our weakspot for a while - puts extra pressure on the defence. We had better possession 2nd half and felt it was a shame we didn't score from the good chances that we had. Oar and Didzy made a difference when they came on.
2

runningout added 00:15 - Oct 5
If McGoldrick didn't look so lazy I might agree with you.. We seem to dwell on the odd good game we have now and then, when we don't have many to shout about. The whole squad should take a look at themselves and learn how to play the game a lot quicker with a ruthless streak. We have below average keepers too which is embarrassing. Embarrassed to watch my team right now
1

BrettenhamBlue added 03:59 - Oct 5
We are a full 7 points away from a place in the bottom 3.

Yes, we are embarrassing. But it could be so much worse. So pleased we got those good wins at the beginning of the season.

I don't think we are a bottom 3 side and I think we will turn these results around. We will end the season in solid mid-table. Those that want MM out, who do you want in instead? Think he's done a great job so far. We were League 1 bound before he arrived.

Don't know what's with Berra. As for Douglas and Coke, poor displays. Hardly likely to make them popular with fans. Murphy is looking like the old left wing Murphy these days too.
1

Razor added 10:21 - Oct 5
Mid table mediocrity beckons----again!

We need to use the players differently---Didds in midfield for starters as at least he can pass a ball, change keepers and structure of defence.

We could also release Alabi against Huddersfield, at the very least he would run at them and give them something to think about.
2


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