Blackburn Rovers 1875

Mowbray: We threw it away It was a tough day at the office for Rovers in the steel city
Rovers boss Tony Mowbray was critical of referee Anthony Taylor and his team’s defending after his side suffered a 3-0 defeat against high-flying Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
... Both sides were reduced to 10 men early in the second half, before a Billy Sharp brace and a David McGoldrick tap in ensured Rovers ended 2018 in disappointment.
The drama started when Chris Basham was shown a second yellow card for a deliberate handball, before Richie Smallwood was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Sharp – a decision that Mowbray feels was the wrong call.
“I think the sad thing about today is that my first thoughts are about the officials,” Mowbray said after the game.
“The referee didn’t manage the game well at all from start to finish. I think today he thought he would come down to the Championship and have an easy day but he mis-managed it.
“He was making random decisions, guessing with his decisions.
“For 70 minutes we were very good and looked like we would be the team to win the game. But I’ve said to the players that it’s too common for us to concede a goal and then quickly concede a second one soon after.
“It’s not the first time that’s happened but I hope it’s the last time. The concentration in adversity needs to be better. For a long time today I thought we were pretty good, but the result is the result.
“I’ve not seen the Smallwood red card incident again, but having seen it right in front of me, I thought Richie caught Elliott [Bennett] rather than their player. I think the referee was looking for any excuse to even things up.”
And afterwards, the boss was left ruing what could have been, with his side dominant prior to Smallwood’s early bath.
“At 10 v 11 there was only one winner. We were being patient, we were getting in behind and putting balls into the box, he added.
“You have the home crowd singing ‘You Don’t Know What You’re Doing’ and then the referee makes a ridiculous decision.
“But I can’t stand here and blame the referee for the three goals that we conceded. That was down to some ridiculous defending. I’ve told them all in the dressing room and that’s come from some pretty experienced players."
https://www.rovers.co.uk/…/decemb…/mo wbray-we-threw-it-away/
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Rovers boss Tony Mowbray was left "frustrated and disappointed" to only take a point away from old club Middlesbrough.
Rovers played for 70 minutes against 10 men after Mo Besic deservedly saw red for dragging back Bradley Dack when the playmaker was clean through on goal.
Charlie Mulgrew scored from the resulting free kick to give Rovers a half time lead, only for substitute Britt Assombalonga to equalise just after the hour mark to earn a share of the spoils for Tony Mowbra...y's hosts.
And speaking afterwards, the boss felt a failure to bag a second goal was going to haunt Rovers, who did have their chances to double their tally both before and after Assombalonga's scorching strike.
“The feeling is one of frustration and disappointment that we didn’t win the match," Mowbray reflected after the game.
“Their goal was a brilliant goal, but it wasn’t one where they cut us open and got in behind. It was a great finish.
“We got into some great areas, but I felt we needed that second goal to finish the game. Huge respect to Middlesbrough - they are good at blocking things off and getting their bodies in the way.
“They defend in numbers and they do that whether they have 10 or 11 men. Their danger up the other end comes from long throw and corner kicks.
“On the whole we saw that out, but it was frustrating to not beat 10 men in the end.
“The message was to keep switching the play and we were patient enough in getting the ball into good areas. I’m not sure David had to make a save.
“We needed that second goal, and they changed things up in the second half. We didn’t pick the right pass at times and I don’t think we had enough efforts against the 10 men.
“The mood is frustration in the dressing room, but we’ve shown this season so far we can give anyone a game in this league. Over 21 games we’re competing alright."
https://www.rovers.co.uk/…/mowbray-frus trated-to-only-take…/
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Tony Mowbray has thrown down the gauntlet to Craig Conway to keep his place in the side.
The boss believes Conway's eye-catching display in the 4-2 victory over Sheffield Wednesday was one of his best in a Rovers shirt - but it didn't come as a surprise.
Mowbray says that the Scot must continue to produce performances of that standard in order to remain in the starting line-up.
... And ahead of Rovers' trip to the Riverside, the former Boro boss had one clear message for his wide players - 'they have to produce'.
"I think he was very influential, he was very positive, he was full of energy," said the manager, when reflecting on last weekend's victory over the Owls.
"I kept asking him throughout the second half how he was feeling and he kept saying he felt fine.
"I think it's great when you're a footballer and you feel full of energy. Having been a footballer for a long time, some days you just can't put your finger on why you're lacking that bit of spark.
"And yet Craig was flying last week and there was no way he was ready to come off.
"So I'm delighted for him and yet I've judged him in my time here when he hasn't played because of what a good professional he is and how great he is at getting his head down and not just accepting it.
"He does knock on my door sometimes and asks what I think and what the future holds, but it's just been difficult to get him in the team.
"Harrison Reed has come forward and shown what a talented individual he is, Elliott Bennett when he's fit generally gets in the starting line-up, Adam Armstrong has excelled in certain games playing out on the left, so it's been difficult to get Craig in the team.
"But when neccessity came along and he was required, he showed me what I would have expected from him and more. It was better than just an honest, hard-working performance.
"He created, he stopped the opposition, he worked extremely hard, he played some good forward passes, he put balls in the box, he was a threat and you thought he was going to nick a goal.
"I'm delighted with him, but he will also know himself that that's the required level. If there's one phrase I've constantly said to Craig over the last year or so it's 'we need end product'.
"I need shots, I need crosses and I need goals. If you're going to play in the system we're playing at the moment, if you're going to play in the front four, you have to have end product.
"It's no good that just Bradley (Dack) and Danny (Graham) score goals, the wide players have to produce."
#BRFC 🔵 ⚪
https://www.rovers.co.uk/…/wide-players -must-deliver-end-p…/
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Charlie Mulgrew hopes to fulfil his ambition of playing Premier League football here at Rovers, after committing his future to the club.
The Scotland international put pen-to-paper on a new two-and-a-half-year deal yesterday, keeping him at Ewood Park until June 2021.
Having spent the majority of his career north of the border with Aberdeen and Celtic, Mulgrew is yet to experience life in England's top flight.
... Rovers currently sit two points off the play-offs, having lost just three of their opening 17 league games, and Mulgrew has been encouraged by the start to the season.
However, he insists that no-one in the camp is getting carried away.
The 32-year-old admits that the goal is to challenge for a place in the Premier League and everyone in the squad is doing all they can to try and make that happen.
"It's been a steady start to the season and we want to make it even better," said the Rovers skipper.
"We're not getting carried away. It's been a good start and we're happy with it, but we're looking forward rather than back.
"We want to push on and make it even better.
"The Premier League is something that is in the back of everybody's mind. We don't speak too much about it, but it's in the back of everybody's mind somewhere and it's what we want to do.
"There's a great feel about the place at the moment and it's a good place to be.
"It's an aim of mine to play in the Premier League and I want to be there with Blackburn Rovers.
"We've got some great players here, a great manager and this is the time to try and do it.
"So we're doing all we can - training every day and pushing hard in every game to get there.
"It won't be easy, because a lot of teams will be feeling the same way, but we'll do all we can."
https://www.rovers.co.uk/…/i-want-to-pl ay-in-the-premier-l…/
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Benno: Rovers feels like home to me Rovers' Mr Versatile discusses extending his stay at the club until the summer of 2021 at least
Elliott Bennett says he jumped at the chance to extend his stay at Ewood Park after the midfielder penned a deal until at least June 2021.
... The popular utility man put pen-to-paper earlier today on fresh terms and commit his future to the club and take him through to a fifth year in East Lancashire.
And the 29-year-old, who arrived from Norwich City in January 2016, said the opportunity to sign on the dotted line was a "very easy decision".
“I’m buzzing. As soon as the club and my agent spoke I was extremely keen to get the deal signed. It was a very, very easy decision," the midfielder told iFollow Rovers.
“It’s no secret how much I love playing for this club and ever since I’ve walked through the door it’s been fantastic.
“It feels like home here. I get on unbelievably well with all the lads, the staff around the training ground, everyone really. The fans have taken to me really well, which helps. You don’t want to ever be at a club where the fans don’t want you!"
A popular figure with his team-mates, staff and supporters, Benno says he's looking forward to a bright future with people who he classes as good friends.
“I love coming into work every day and pulling on that shirt on a Saturday and Tuesdays," he added.
“It’s a joy to come into work every day. Everyone is smiling, nobody’s moody and you’re seeing your mates really. We’re all striving for success and they are colleagues, but we’re all such good friends.
“Nobody wants to let anyone down and that's the spirit we have within the group."
https://www.rovers.co.uk/…/benno-rovers -feels-like-home-to…/
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Charlie commits future to the club Rovers skipper signs new deal, keeping him at Ewood Park until June 2021
Rovers are delighted to announce that Charlie Mulgrew has today committed his future to the club.
... The Rovers captain has signed a new two-and-a-half-year deal, keeping him at Ewood Park until the summer of 2021.
Mulgrew joined Rovers in August 2016 from Scottish giants Celtic, where he made over 200 appearances and won five league titles, two Scottish FA Cups and one Scottish League Cup.
League Cup.
His winners against Newcastle United, both home and away, provided some memorable moments in his debut season for the club, but the versatile defender really showed his quality and class as Rovers secured an immediate return to the Championship last term.
Mulgrew played a pivotal role at both ends of the pitch in Rovers' promotion-winning campaign - dependable in defence and a specialist from set-plays, he netted 14 times, including the goal that sent Rovers up on that unforgettable night in Doncaster.
He was rewarded with a place in both the EFL's Team of the Season and PFA League One Team of the Year, and has continued his fine form into the 2018-19 Championship campaign.
An inspirational skipper, Mulgrew has guided Rovers to within touching distance of the play-off places and has already contributed four more goals to the cause.
The Scotland international, who has 39 caps for his country, has now scored 21 goals in 89 games for the club, and everyone at Rovers is delighted he will remain at Ewood Park for the foreseeable future.
https://www.rovers.co.uk/…/charlie-comm its-future-to-the-c…/
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