Blackburn Rovers 1 - West Bromwich Albion 2

Date: Saturday 21st August 2021 
Competition: Sky Bet Championship
Blackburn:
5.3
Kaminski, Carter, Lenihan, Ayala, Pickering, Travis, Rothwell (Chapman, 78), Buckley (Dolan, 73), Clarkson (Davenport, 67), Brereton Díaz, Gallagher
Unused subs: Stergiakis, Butterworth, Cirino, Magloire
WBA:
7.3
Johnstone 5.7, O'Shea 7.4, Bartley 6.4, Clarke 7.4 (Ajayi, 42 7.1), Furlong 6.9, Mowatt 8.4, Livermore 6.6, Townsend 7.3, Phillips 7.3 (Diangana, 61 6.4), Robinson 7.3, Grant 6.9 (Tulloch, 92 6.0)
Unused subs: Button, Reach, Kipré, Castro
Manager: Valérien Ismaël  7.3
Scorers: Brereton Díaz (51); Mowatt (1), Phillips (45)
Referee: Tony Harrington 7.4
Attendance: 11,926   Home Fans 4.6   Away Fans 8.0

Brendan Clegg:

Another game and another victory. This one could’ve and should’ve been more comprehensive - SJ cocking up for a goal and us missing many chances or hitting the woodwork for more times in a game than I can remember.

Given how we play it wasn’t a surprise to see Phillips come in for Diagana. The former is more suited to the physical pressing and percentage forward passes. Grady is a better technician and 1v1 attacker but he doesn’t get the ball to feet to do it.

A blistering start and good work from Phillips put Livermore in with a shout of 2 sitters he failed to convert but Mowatt saved his blushes with a Mozza-esque peach of a volley.

We were the stronger and better team for the half and the match.

Blackburn, backed by a surprisingly low crowd, went long a lot in a style you’d never associate with Lord Mowbray but offered little threat. Their goal came from an error from SJ which was surprising as he’s normally solid and no nonsense with his feet.

Generally we played well. It’s sometimes frustrating that we’re so hurried and give the ball away cheaply when possession is there to be retained but if you’ve got one of the best starting elevens in the league and your modus operandi is to run them into the ground effort-wise it’s probably a fair bet that over 46 games they’ll yield more points than, say, a Bilic side relying on ability and form.

Our threadbare squad lost its first key player in Clarke for a few weeks and that’ll make Wednesday interesting and potentially a write-off. Such a shame as I’d love us to get to a cup final in my lifetime!

  • SJ - 5 Some crap kicks and a clanger. Some good sweeping too.
  • O’Shea - 7 Another solid game. Impressive.
  • Bartley - 7 Good leadership and rarely exposed
  • Clarke - 7 A real warrior who will be missed. Running and clearing the ball after a hammy has gone sums up his tremendous attitude.
  • Furlong - 7 Started the season like a rocket. Big energy and some great crosses and throws.
  • Mowatt - 7 Great goal and solid game. Looking like a top signing.
  • Livermore - 7 Thought he managed his early booking really well and made great judgment calls after that.
  • Townsend- 7 Another hitting a high level. Great on the ball but physically and aerially looking stronger.
  • Robinson- 7 Some smart play and good movement.
  • Phillips - 7 Decent showing but lacks a striker instinct.
  • Grant - 7 Better. Looked after the ball, showed good feet.
  • Ajayi - 6 Dropped in well.
  • Grady - 7 Clever and creative.