Good result and another home win but to be honest this was the first game of the season when I thought we’d run out of ideas and looked incapable of breaking down an average Blackburn team ,or should I say an average 'bastards team' as the Leeds fan from Burnley kept reminding us. Apparently they don’t like each other :).
For the first 30 minutes we had all the possession but failed to create chances. Harrison, as always, found himself in good positions but either failed to beat his man or delivered a poor ball into the box. Bielsa obviously feels Ayling’s defensive qualities win the day for him at right back however switching arguable our best player this season to left back was a mistake. We just didn’t gave the same attacking strength down our right with Costa being a passenger for most of the first half.Credit to Dallas though as he still got involved as he turned inside and ran through the middle shooting high and wide. We missed Dallas as an attacking threat yesterday.The other player that we were relying on yesterday to make things happen was Roberts and he also was finding things tight. Roberts is a clever one touch footballer however some of his attempted interplay yesterday was just asking too much and every attempt at a one two broke down. It was all very frustrating. Then the ref, who I thought was incredibly poor throughout gifted us a pen. It looked like a pen from the NE Upper but having seen it this morning I don’t think it was. I agree totally with Tony Mowbray that the game seemed too big for him. I totally disagree with Mowbray that his team deserved a point from the game. Pre-match he was full of bluster saying they were going to throw punches at us to see what we made of having a bloody nose. Well they threw one punch, had one header and yes it went in but that was it. They deserved nowt. Bamford grabbed the ball for the pen even though Roberts was sniffing. He scored and celebrated wildly. He need the goal but my question to him was gas he been to Specsavers recently. The amount of times he was offside whilst being able to look across the line was criminal. Basics. He did brilliantly for the second goal which was one of the best this season. Harrison surprised us all with a calm and controlled finish. I was expecting Row Z or the corner flag. He saved that for the 2nd half. At this point we were expecting a rout but Blackburn came straight back into it through some really poor defending. Someone lost their market (Ayling ?) leaving a free header.and from then on we had the possession but showed little quality. We had a few half chances and speculative efforts 2nd half (Bamford, Roberts , Harrison) but we never really looked like scoring. Costa woke up and at last gave us a glimpse of what he is capable of but we really need to see more. Hernandez came on and showed some great skill, I think he’s readyto return. Scores Casilla - 7. A couple of crosses to deal with and pick the ball out of the net we’re his afternoon. Ayling - 6. On the basis it was him who lost his man for the goal. Did well for the pen. Dallas - 7. So obviously out of position but he made sure he was involved. White - 9. He actually mistimed a tackle yesterday and was lucky not to get booked as it was a bit reckless but I think that’s the first time I’ve seen that from him. He just never puts a foot wrong and plays with confidence and calmness. People are starting to talk about him as another Woodgate. He is seriously good. Cooper - 8. Equally as good at times. His distribution was a bit off but he wins most 50:50s. Got injured again though. Klich - 7. If you watch him off the ball his work rate is incredible. Is he effective ? Not sure but he’s always there and always available and I think every team needs someone like that. Philips - 7. Good and bad in a mixed performance. Roberts - 6. He wasn’t effective today. Yes. He showed some good touches, control and link up play but he didn’t hurt them today. Bamford - 6. Great interplay for the goal and he kept his nerve for the pen but for me his forward play today was poor. Harrison - 7. Frustrating as ever. Saw more of the ball than anyone and as always wasted chance after chance but made up for it today with a well taken goal. Costa - 5. I hope he pushes on from his 2nd half performance because his contribution first half and for most of the season as not nearly been good enough. Subs: Hernandez - looked sharp and fit Davis - didn't have time to make an impact Beradi - did well and won all his challenges The contents of this e-mail are intended only for the named addressees and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. If received in error, please contact us immediately on +44 (0)113 201 0600 and then delete the entire e-mail from your system. Unauthorised review, distribution, disclosure or other use of this information could constitute a breach of confidence. Your co-operation in this matter is greatly appreciated. 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