3 things we learnt about Blackburn Rovers during last night’s 1-0 loss v Cardiff City | OneFootball

The woes of Blackburn Rovers on the road continued on Tuesday night when they were downed 1-0 by Cardiff City in South Wales.

Despite having more possession than the Bluebirds, Rovers went behind late on thanks to a Mark Harris thunderbolt, but they were given a chance to level the contest in stoppage time when Dominic Hyam was felled by goalkeeper Ryan Allsop, with a penalty awarded.

It was given in somewhat controversial circumstances as Bradley Dack put the ball in the back of the net after referee John Brooks failed to play advantage, and from the subsequent spot kick, George Hirst’s strike from 12 yards was denied by Allsop.

Quiz: Did Blackburn Rovers win, draw or lose the last time they played at these 18 stadiums?

1 of 18

Old Trafford

Win Lose Draw

That meant Rovers made the long trip back to Lancashire empty-handed – here are three things we learnt following the latest loss for Jon Dahl Tomasson’s side.

3-4-3 formation should have been stuck with

Since all three of Daniel Ayala, Scott Wharton and Dominic Hyam have been fit and available for action once again, Tomasson has gone with a 3-4-3 formation, utilising all three of his best central defenders as well as a false nine at the top end of the pitch, with two attackers flanking that individual.

There had been two wins from three matches since switching back to that system, but for whatever reason, the Danish boss decided to go in a different direction with a 4-2-3-1, dropping Wharton to the bench against Cardiff.

The tactical alteration did not pay dividends and it would have been interesting to see the outcome if Blackburn had actually gone with a 3-4-3.

Different team away from home

It seems pretty clear now that generally, Blackburn are a weaker team on the road than they are at Ewood Park.

On home soil, Rovers – whilst not perfect by any means – have lost twice but won four of their matches, whilst away from home they’ve won twice but now lost four.

In all four of those away defeats, Blackburn have not scored either, which is starting to become a major issue if they cannot get the likes of Ben Brereton Diaz firing away from their North West base on a regular basis.

Tomasson may need to change things around a tad more if he is to find that winning formula away from home.

Wrong striker option was selected

Soccer Football – Championship – Blackburn Rovers v Millwall – Ewood Park, Blackburn, Britain – March 8, 2022 Blackburn Rovers’ Tyrhys Dolan reacts Action Images/Ed Sykes EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.

In a 3-4-3 formation, a false nine option of Sammie Szmodics or Tyrhys Dolan is not a bad pair to select from, but in last night’s 4-2-3-1, Tomasson went with Dolan playing as an out-and-out nine with Szmodics in behind him.

Dolan is a fleet-footed attacking midfielder or winger at his best, and he doesn’t really have the physical capabilities to be that leading striker unless he is playing in that withdrawn striker position.

Therefore, it was no surprise to see on 57 minutes for an actual striker in George Hirst, who may have been the better option from the start, or even Sam Gallagher, if Tomasson wanted to use the formation he did.