After back-to-back wins on the road, we faced on form Blackburn under the lights of the MKM Stadium. We had a great squad, a manager that knows what he is doing and a full-ish crowd. What could go wrong? The team was unchanged from our last game, against Rotherham, and I was really confident going into this game. There were a couple of issues, though, but I was sure that Dawson would have worked on them during the week.
Oh dear! Just as I thought we were finally getting somewhere, we suffered from a one nil loss to a team that has, now, won four games out of five. Blackburn came into this game as favourites but I was eager to see what our newly formed team would play like against a stronger side. We played quite well throughout the game but we did not have that same energy as we did when we played Blackpool and Rotherham. Currently, we are sitting 18th in the table; however, only eight points separate us from a spot in the play-offs and only three points separate us from relegation. So it is very tight at the moment and there is still a long time left until the season ends.
I have never been to Blackburn, nor have I seen them play, but I knew that they always filled the away section. Sitting in the stand next to them, I got a clear chance to see what their support was like, and I have to say that they were quite annoying and they kept repeating the same chants over and over again. They were well behaved, compared with the Birmingham fans, and there was no trouble but the usual banter we have with them. Eventually, they lost their voice and it was only at the last few minutes of the game where they found it again.
In the first half, we had most of the ball but we did not create as many chances, and we were not threatening at all. To me, it looked like they have gone back to playing like we did under the previous manager Shota Arverladze. Going backwards, loose passes, not clearing the ball and not being able to attack effectively. These problems were not an issue during our two victories and Dawson needs to sort it out and consistently play how we were last week and apply it into every game. Blackburn were able to capitalise on our weak defence by scoring in the 15th minute. It was a nice goal and the build up was incredible, you could tell that they were a team high up in the league as their build up, to the goal, was immense - even their counter attacks are rapid and amazing. We did a good job to only let one goal in and this was due to our goal keeper, Baxter, making some vital saves. We responded well to this goal, as we had a chance where the ball was swung into the box but Longman failed to get any sort of connection on the ball. We kept in control for the remainder of the half and we failed to equalise.
In the second period, we made two changes: Ozan Tufan for Jean Seri; and Alfie Jones for Brandon Fleming. Seeing these two subs come on made me optimistic, as their performance against Rotherham was incredible. I thought they would light a spark into the team and bring some energy. It was a boring half to be honest and in the end both teams failed to score. Same mistakes were being made and we were trying more long balls instead of short passes - they did not work at all. It is great to see players making runs but going over the top is not the way to do it. Clearly, we should be making through balls so it is easier for the player to control and, if he stays on side, we can pass the ball into the space in front of him so that it creates a better chance for him to run onto the ball. Also they can keep their momentum because if the ball is coming from above then they have to stop and adjust their body whereas with through balls he does not have to do this. It was very back and forth for the remainder of the half, but it was Blackburn that were creating more opportunities and they seemed to want it more than us as when we did attack we eventually got the ball taken from us and we could not get into the box.
It was a hugely disappointing day for the Tigers and the supporters - it was the second highest attendance this season as well. We go again on Tuesday, at the MKM Stadium, and this time we are up against Middlesbrough, who have lost three games out of five. Let's hope that we can get those three points.
Fingers crossed for the next match!