Blackburn away

I'm visiting the Lancashire-based in-laws and taking the opportunity of a cheeky away game. Anyone else going?

 

Not always been a happy hunting ground for us. Last year being the lowest of the low. Here's to you and the boys seeing the Gaffer's rejuvinated side turning things around.

In today's press conference he, as usual, didn't give anything away about the players you'll be watching. One good thing about last night was that, apart from half an hour of Smith, he didn't have to use any of his first teamers from the bench. Woodrow went off injured but apparently it was just a 'knock' on the foot he broke last year and he's fine.

Only real question is whether Sigurdsson will play. Reckon he will and I'm going for a starting line-up of:

.......................Button..............
.........Kalas..Sigurdsson..Madl...
..Odoi....McDonald..Parker..Sessegnon...
...........Cairney.............Aluko...
.....................Smith...

 

I like the look of your line-up, Cottager. I think Sigurdsson will start as well, but I think he'll be in a four rather than a three. Whether Madl moves into midfield or either him or Kalas gives way, I wouldn't like to say. Whatever the formation, I hope Cairney isn't expected to play wide.

 

It's kind of weird having positive choices for a change. Kalas of course played regularly at RB for 'Boro and Sessegnon was tried out at wing back against Cardiff. Ugh, can't cope with all the possible permutations, I'll trust in the Gaffer to know what he's doing.

 

Shane Duffy won't be playing tomorrow. He's left Blackburn for Brighton. Hard to see where our goals are going to come from now.

 

The man in the middle today is Scott Duncan




We met up with Mr Duncan twice last season. Our 2-0 defeat at Derby, when he yellow carded Stearman, and our 2-1 win away to Preston, when he yellow carded six players; Cairney, Tunnicliffe and Ince from us.

Last Season he was overall quite modest in his carding with 97 yellows and 4 reds in 37 games.

 

Team in -

button
odoi kalas madl sess
cairney mcdonald parker kebano
aluko
smith

 

Surprised Sigurdsson isn't in the squad, even on the bench. He had been playing for his team in Russia so I don't think fitness would be an issue.

 

Can't beat a last minute winner!!!

Brilliant from the boys and we go into the international break unbeaten and 2nd in the league.

 

Get in.

 

Yessssssssssssss!!!!!!

 

What a feeling. I was at Blackburn last year witnessing a terrible performance on a Tuesday night. What a change. So happy !

 

Indeed .. and a clean sheet to boot.


Two tweets from the Club seem to sum up the match:

.... 32' Apologies for lack of tweets. It's not that we have connection issues, there's just not much to report...

.... 90+4' GOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLL!!!!! Tom Cairney!!!!!!!

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You could see Gentleman Jim's smile at the end.
Fantastic result, and expectations on the up.
COYW

 

A sneak preview

 

I'm back at my in-laws again. It was a frustrating game until Cairney's late winner. We were the better team, but Blackburn always looked like a goal wouldn't necessarily be beyond them. Star man was debutant Kebano. He started on the left, but as far as I can see he's right footed. Fast, skilful and with a trick or two, he looked like the man most likely to make something happen. I was more impressed with Sessegnon defensively than I was against Cardiff, and the two of them combined nicely at times.

The big problem, as against Cardiff, was our players - pretty much all of them - taking too many touches and too much time to get a shot away. That meant we passed the ball across the edge of their box over and over without ever getting anywhere. I felt sorry for Smith: several times he was pointing where he wanted a through ball slipped in, only to see the ball go sideways once again. Both him and Woodrow could easily have had penalties as well. I liked the look of Jozabed. He came on for Parker and looked composed and accurate. He only got 15 minutes, so that's just an initial impression.

We do need a new striker, but a bigger issue is for all of the attacking players to take chances smartly rather than waiting and seeing the opportunity pass by. If we don't sort that, I can't see us maintaining our current league position; if we do, the sky (well, the Premier League) is the limit.

 

Thanks for the 'at the game' update Captain, especially the insight on the newbies. Two questions if I may,

Q1 You guys in here? (I've got 5p on it!)

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Q2 Why is this not a penalty or was there some sort of player position(s) in the run up to the rugby tackle that made it dubious?

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Sorry, Cottager, for some reason I can't see the photos you've attached. I often can't, which is very frustrating. If Q2 referred to the challenge on Woodrow late on, I'm blowed if I can tell you why it wasn't given. There were a few niggly fouls on Smith in the box (again) which Mike Dean would have blown up for as well.

 

Ah, sorry about that - kind of assumed because I can see them that everyone else can as well. The second was indeed about the 'Woodrow penalty'. We're not getting any favours on those so far and it'd be interesting who'll be the designated kicker.

The first was a crowd photo and curious to see if you and the boys were in there. Hopefully this link gives a proper view

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cq4Uw7cXEAAWWnX.jpg

 

No problem, Cottager. The link works fine, but we're not in it. We were in the next block to the right of your photo, I think (with a great view for the goal). Sorry if we cost you 5p!