On such games do seasons turn ?
Much as expected we were under the cosh for long periods in this one, yet I felt that every time we broke away we looked threatening. Some heroic performances in defence again but also some glimpses of quality going forward.
Early doors we were under pressure and the central triumvirate of Songo’o in front of Bradley and Edwards were solid. The mark of this was that Letheren was rarely called into action due to a variety of block challenges and wayward shooting. Both full-backs were fragile at this stage for different reasons – Sawyer obviously out of position and Taylor-Sinclair seemingly nervous.
Our inability to hold on to possession was costing us and only Carey and the wise old heads of Fox and Diagouraga were able to use the ball wisely. Jervis battled away at centre-forward but as expected struggled to hold on to the ball and wasn’t physical enough.
So it seemed we were in for the long haul hoping for some Carey magic. And it came. Gaining possession from Jervis he was baulked but continued to evade a few defenders and curl deliciously into the far side of the net. Pure quality and not dissimilar to Saturday’s goal.
Blackburn then seemed to lose their way, shooting from silly positions and generally not threatening. Then Letheren injured himself on a routine kick out under no pressure. It looked as though he may have caught the turf and was clearly in trouble.
Their goal came from an aerial ball which the forward beat Bradley too. I read some rubbish about Bradley on the match thread at HT – he was as good as anybody in the back four and attention should also be paid to how Dack was able to ghost between defenders and anticipate the header into his path. Letheren’s injury could not be blamed.
The second half was a battering for the first 20 minutes and Carey wisely went down ‘injured’. Jervis had run out of puff, but still when we broke away we had real threat – Grant and Carey with good attempts.
Blackburn huffed and puffed and must have broken a record for corners. Right at the death their left midfield broke clear of Sawyer with the ball eventually going across the 6 yard box and Cooper committed. I’d given it up and accepted more heartbreak but Taylor-Sinclair performed a miracle block and was surrounded by team-mates in appreciation.
So on such instances are seasons changed ? Well, there was no doubt that they were all playing for each other and I dare say the manager. Moments like that along with the team spirit shown will get the fans back on side and that is the way to turn things around.
As for Blackburn, they were decent but comparing them to their near neighbours they had nowhere near the quality of Wigan.
Adams gameplan was good. The shape was held well throughout. I would have changed Jervis earlier due to fatigue but that’s about it.
And special mention for Cooper who was excellent. No signs of nerves, some good saves most notably a tip over from a close range header. A big well done from me.
Letheren 6
Sawyer 7
Bradley 8
Edwards 8
Taylor-Sinclair 7
Songo’o 8
Fox 8
Diagouraga 8
Grant 7
Carey 9
Jervis 6
Subs:
Cooper 8
Blissett N/A
So, MoM = Carey (seems to have lifted those dark clouds. Not so angry and oozed quality at times.)