We've played well first half. Some nice football and some opportunities created. Unlucky to be behind. I dont like to criticise referees but this guy is a joke. He has given them what has to be described as a soft penalty and every fifty fifty call has gone their way. Their centre back Ayala does nothing but grab and pull but gets away with it. Sometimes people say 'he gave us nothing' but he has literally given us nothing. Zero free kicks given our way in 45 minutes. Zero. Are we to believe that Blackburn committed no fouls at all in a full half of football? Or could it be that the ref is a bit of a homer?
Disappointing result. The second goal was game over. Once teams get a lead on us and can just sit in, we struggle to break them down. This was one that got away.
I think the team's mojo left with Warne and the coaching staff. I was expecting it but hoped they would have a bit more steel for the new manager. MT has quite a challenge Infront of him.
No soft penalty imo. It was a grab around the neck by a defender who looks slow in thought and foot. Hall has looked decent on the right of a back three but today in a central role he looked pedestrian. Very little between the teams in the first half with us creating a couple of chances, particularly when Ogbene played the ball a bit too wide for Eaves which enabled the goalkeeper to keep it out.
In the second half you could see the gulf in class between the two teams. Quick slick passing from Blackburn with the right of our defence being opened up at will. Norton Cuffey showed his experience in the defensive side of his game and we were punished. We tried to play it out a bit more but the passing was slow, very little movement and more sideways balls than quick balls forward. Contrast that to how Blackburn moved it and you can see why we have only scored one goal away all season and have now gone four games with no goals from open play and just a penalty to show for it.
I thought Eaves offered more yesterday in a striking role in the box than Washington has done in the last four games. I thought the midfield three of Barlaser,Wiles and Rathbone looked ok and if we could get the ball quicker to them from the back we might produce more in the final third. Ogbene had flashes but i am still not sure about a central striking position being his best role. Needs must i suppose if we continue with this formation. I still believe you need three quickish defenders if you play three at the back. Hall, Peltier and Wood are not quick. Because of that i would play a flat back four with two holding midfielders. Bramhall and Cuffey have the pace wide but their defensive side is lacking at this point in their career. A very difficult start for Taylor and a lot to work at. I hope he can find a way that gives us a chance of staying up.
