Kevin Gallacher, a Premier League winner with Blackburn Rovers, voiced concerns about the team’s late-game performance. He predicts that rival clubs will expect Blackburn to falter in the final minutes of matches. This assessment comes after a recent match where Ipswich Town equalized in the 94th minute at Ewood Park and another match where Wrexham scored a last-minute equalizer.
Blackburn’s Late-Game Struggles
Out of the 18 Championship matches played this season, Blackburn has conceded seven of their 23 total goals in the 90th minute or later. This has resulted in the loss of seven critical points. If these points had been retained, Blackburn would be only two points away from fourth-placed Stoke City, instead of sitting at 18th in the standings.
Coach Valerien Ismael’s Dilemma
Gallacher expressed disappointment about the team’s inability to maintain their lead. He remarked, “It’s disappointing when they have worked so hard to get ahead.” He attributed the team’s struggles to possible issues with player substitutions, understanding game management, or execution during critical moments.
Psychological Factors and Game Management
Gallacher believes opponents are likely to adopt a strategy of pushing hard against Blackburn in the closing stages. He indicated that teams may think, “If we can stay in the game the last 10 minutes, we’ll just throw everything at Blackburn, and we’ll get a goal because they seem to collapse.”
- Recent Match Highlights:
- Ipswich Town scored a 94th-minute equalizer.
- Wrexham denied Blackburn a win with a last-minute goal.
- Seven goals conceded late this season cost Blackburn seven points.
Referee Decisions and Match Controversies
Furthermore, Gallacher supported Ismael’s comments on refereeing decisions affecting the game. He highlighted a potential red card incident involving Azor Matusiwa’s foul on Ryoya Morishita. Gallacher noted, “If it was the Premier League, VAR would show it was a clear sending-off.”
Focus on Improvement
Amid these struggles, Gallacher pointed out several positives. He praised the team’s performance dynamics and acknowledged the support from fans. However, he emphasized the need for better game management. “We need players running channels unselfishly to help the team regain shape,” he stated.
The coach pointed out that as the team becomes increasingly defensive, player nerves tend to rise, leading to mistakes. Addressing these late-game issues is crucial for Blackburn Rovers to climb the league standings and restore their competitive edge.
