“Could have been something of a game-changer” – Blackburn Rovers miss out on Nottingham Forest transfer agreement: The verdict | OneFootball

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Football League World

·5 February 2023

“Could have been something of a game-changer” – Blackburn Rovers miss out on Nottingham Forest transfer agreement: The verdict

Article image:“Could have been something of a game-changer” – Blackburn Rovers miss out on Nottingham Forest transfer agreement: The verdict

This article is part of Football League World’s ‘The Verdict‘ series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Blackburn Rovers were dealt a major transfer blow this week, when it was confirmed that the EFL had blocked their registration for the signing of Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O’Brien.


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According to reports, O’Brien had been set to join Rovers on loan with an option to buy for from forest £10million, had the Ewood Park club won promotion to the Premier League this season.

However, that deal fell through after an apparent late submission of certain aspects of the paperwork that was needed to secure confirmation of the deal.

As a result, while Rovers are set to appeal that decision to block the move, it looks as though they are set to miss out on a deal to sign the 24-year-old.

But just how much of an impact would O’Brien have had for Blackburn, had he made the move to Ewood Park?

We put that question to some of our Football League World writers, and here, is a look at what they had to say.

Toby Wilding

It does feel like O’Brien would have been an excellent addition to Blackburn’s midfield, had this deal gone through.

Rovers have on a number of occasions this season, looked like they have been lacking both physicality and experience, in what is a rather young midfield.

As a result, bringing in someone such as O’Brien, whose presence and know-how in a play-off battle from his time with Huddersfield last season, would have been a very useful piece of business from the club.

Indeed, with the interest there appeared to be in the midfielder from other promotion hopefuls as well, this would have been a major coup for Blackburn, that could well have helped to further lift the mood at Ewood Park.

With that in mind, it does feel like Rovers have missed out considerably, by not getting this deal over the line.

Are these 20 Blackburn Rovers transfer facts real or fake?

1 of 20

Article image:“Could have been something of a game-changer” – Blackburn Rovers miss out on Nottingham Forest transfer agreement: The verdict

Blackburn Rovers were formed in 1875?

Real Fake

Simmey Hannifin Donaldson

It’s a question that Blackburn supporters will be asking themselves time and time again as the season draws to a close.

It’s hard to say for sure as sometimes deals don’t work out as expected, but given how well he performed at Huddersfield, it’s hard to think he could not have dropped back down to the Championship and done well for any side, Rovers included.

Of course, Blackburn have plenty of options centrally, but you do feel that O’Brien could have come in and added that bit of extra quality in the centre of the park.

Not to mention that if the club get into the play-offs, O’Brien’s experience of losing in the tournament last season could have came in handy behind the scenes.

James Reeves

O’Brien would have been an excellent signing for Blackburn.

He has been unlucky not to receive more minutes in the Premier League for Forest this season and has proven himself to be a more than capable performer at Championship level.

O’Brien would have added quality to the Rovers midfield, while his experience of reaching the play-offs with Huddersfield last season could have proven invaluable to Jon Dahl Tomasson’s side.

Tomasson has seemed unsure about some of his midfield options this season, with both Lewis Travis and John Buckley experiencing spells out of favour, so it is an area he could have done with strengthening, particularly with someone of O’Brien’s ability.

With Rovers’ form faltering slightly of late and their top six place looking under threat, O’Brien’s arrival could have been something of a game-changer and they will be disappointed they did not get this one over the line.

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