Blackburn manager hails Leeds United loanee Marcus Antonsson

Tony Mowbray, the manager of Blackburn Rovers, has extolled Marcus Antonsson after the forward had the PFA League One Player of the Month Award bestowed upon him following a series of impressive performances in November.

Last season, his first in English football, seldom saw first-team football afforded to Swedish forward Marcus Antonsson, 26. After acceding to a three-year contract at Elland Road in the summer of 2016, joining United from the Swedish Allsvenskan's Kalmar FF, Antonsson made merely 16 Championship appearances, with his solitary league goal of the season arising in a 2-0 away victory against Sheffield Wednesday in August 2016.

After ceaseless speculation that he may return to his native Sweden after a barren inaugural season in England, Antonsson saw an opportunity in a proposed loan move to recently relegated Blackburn Rovers. It is an opportunity that the Swede has subsequently grasped tenaciously.

In 14 League One starts this season, Antonsson has netted seven goals for Rovers, in addition to a goal in the FA Cup, whilst also registering an assist. Blackburn supporters are deeply appreciative of the forward's diligence, as is the club's manager Tony Mowbray, and his contribution has aided the Ewood Park outfit in their ascension to the play-offs.

Speaking of Antonsson in an interview with Blackburn's official club website, Mowbray said: "I think this club in particular have had plenty of Scandinavian footballers and Marcus fits into that group with a great attitude, he's a grafter and being someone who gets on with the job."

"He's a real credit to his profession. He just gets on with his job, keeps his head down and is a real attribute for us," Mowbray continued.

"His goals return this last month has been brilliant. He's been a good addition to the group and his personality fits in with everyone in the group," he added.

"Marcus is a joy to have around the place," concluded Mowbray.

Antonsson's stellar form has prompted many Leeds United supporters to express their desire for him to be recalled from his loan spell in Lancashire, but if this were to arise the consequences would be grievous for Blackburn's aspirations of an immediate return to the Championship.

What to read next:

Leeds heading for the play-offs after shocker at QPR
Just when we thought we’d turned the corner with that win at Boro, we slipped back into the desperate form of the post-international break period, losing heavily to Queens Park Rangers in this critical game.

Queens Park Rangers 4 - 0 Leeds United - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.

QPR Awaydaze
Our trip to Queens Park Rangers is at 8pm on Friday, thanks once again to our very good friends at Sky Sports. We’re not famous any more!

Crisis, what Crisis?
As Mark Twain might have said, rumours of the death of our promotion hopes have been greatly exaggerated. Last night’s win at Middlesbrough was a hard watch towards the end, but the vital three points has got our campaign back on track.

Middlesbrough 3 - 4 Leeds United - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.

Middlesbrough Awaydaze
Our visit to Middlesbrough kicks off at 8pm tomorrow night, once again thanks to our very good friends at Sky TV. We’re not famous any more!

Leeds promotion hopes damaged by first home defeat of the season
Once again the chance to go back to the top of the table was handed to us on a plate, but we dropped the plate. This week’s frustration-fest was at the hands of Blackburn Rovers.

Leeds United 0 - 1 Blackburn Rovers - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.

Annual accounts show that the club will have to sell players if we don't go up
The club released the annual accounts for the 2022/3 season this week, and despite the headline figure of an overall loss of £33.7 million, we’re not in danger of any points deduction for now. But the accumulated losses mean that player sales will be inevitable in the summer if we remain in the Championship.

Stuart Dallas thanks the fans as tributes pour in
Stuart Dallas battled hard for two years to return to the game after his serious injury, but has now had to accept that he can no longer get back to the level of fitness needed to play the game at the top level. Club Chairman Paraag Marathe led the tributes, and the player has sent an emotional open letter to all the Leeds United fans.