Dreary first half, which Rs possibly edged, but they looked short of confidence, tried hard to be positive, but kept giving the ball away. An alarming start to the second half when the ball hit Seny's post, apparently from a Barbet clearance, although from the Upper Loft I couldn't actually tell what happened. After that Rs took control with Albert beating his marker every imaginable away every time. His determination, enthusiasm and control changed the game, although he didn't play any part in Ilias' beautiful goal. Albert MotM. I'm not convinced his defensive work is good enough for a wing back, but going forward he was brilliant.

A couple of vignettes caught me eye. Early in the second half Willock was chasing down the right near the corner flag. When the ball went out of play for a Rovers throw he could be seen urging the team to get forward. Good to see him being positive and getting at his team mates, who were too cautious.

Secondly, Gray was warming up on the touchline and during a break in play could be seen offering advice to Willock, who was now on the left. Good to see someone only in the squad for a couple of months wanting to contribute. Or maybe he was just confirming the bar they would all go to after the match!

Finally, a word about Dykes. He got very little out of the Blackburn defence and certainly in the first half got no service. But on the other hand he worked hard and kept the opposition defenders busy all the game, which did start to cause gaps to appear elsewhere.

Overall a deserved victory, but still some way off our best form.

1

First half dour, second half less dour but still frustrating. We seemed to lack confidence in first half, many passes going astray.

Blackburn came to kill our game and very nearly succeeded.

Without a player by player analysis, worth remarking on Adomah's spectacular display - and it was spectacular, Chair's sublime goal and the workrate and sustained aggression of Lyndon Dykes throughout.

I'm still not sure Warbs has figured out his best formation. How do you play back 5, Chair/Willock and 2 up front? Good to see Amos back - better than Dozzell IMO. Relieved to hear Field and Wallace approaching recall.

Albert's magic will remain long in the memory. The match won't.

0

Dreary first half, which Rs possibly edged, but they looked short of confidence, tried hard to be positive, but kept giving the ball away. An alarming start to the second half when the ball hit Seny's post, apparently from a Barbet clearance, although from the Upper Loft I couldn't actually tell what happened. After that Rs took control with Albert beating his marker every imaginable away every time. His determination, enthusiasm and control changed the game, although he didn't play any part in Ilias' beautiful goal. Albert MotM. I'm not convinced his defensive work is good enough for a wing back, but going forward he was brilliant.

A couple of vignettes caught me eye. Early in the second half Willock was chasing down the right near the corner flag. When the ball went out of play for a Rovers throw he could be seen urging the team to get forward. Good to see him being positive and getting at his team mates, who were too cautious.

Secondly, Gray was warming up on the touchline and during a break in play could be seen offering advice to Willock, who was now on the left. Good to see someone only in the squad for a couple of months wanting to contribute. Or maybe he was just confirming the bar they would all go to after the match!

Finally, a word about Dykes. He got very little out of the Blackburn defence and certainly in the first half got no service. But on the other hand he worked hard and kept the opposition defenders busy all the game, which did start to cause gaps to appear elsewhere.

Overall a deserved victory, but still some way off our best form.

0