Even though it wasn’t easy, Blackburn Rovers—with perhaps their most typical performance—made it to the FA Cup fourth round.
When looking back on 2023, the oldest cup competition in England may have produced some of the greatest moments. Even though the outcome was harshly against them, Leicester City away and the atmosphere around a quarterfinal at Bramall Lane remains memorable.
Jon Dahl Tomasson’s team defeated Cambridge United 5-2 to advance through in back-to-back seasons. It was not one-way traffic throughout ninety minutes, as the score line implies, but ultimately, the outcome was fair.
Under Tony Mowbray, Rovers missed the post-round cut for five straight seasons. The cup run from the previous season, which brought them to Wembley in ten minutes, highlighted the
So getting past Cambridge was important to everyone. That was reflected in Tomasson’s team selection, which raised a few eyebrows before kick-off.
After a run of one win in eight Championship games, the head coach admitted that this fixture looked a good one to raise confidence levels. Coupled with the injuries in the squad which prevented heavy rotation, Rovers had close to their best side out.
Sam Szmodics was the only player who felt a real risk. The top-scorer had missed the match against Watford due to fatigue. Considering how integral he’s been to the side, was he really necessary against League One opposition at home?
Well, the answer was yes. Emphatically answered by their leading marksman, who now has his eyes on the FA Cup golden boot as well as the Championship.
Where would they be without him this season? He has been head and shoulders above the rest. Szmodics’ three first-half strikes were all different and showed the variety in his finishing.
It was the first time a Rovers player had scored three in the first half of a match since Rudy Gestede against Birmingham City in 2014. Those were three headers whereas Szmodics’ goals had subtlety and finesse.
Speaking to the media post-match, the 28-year-old admitted he is full of confidence whenever he’s bearing down on goal. That’s of little surprise when he’s scored 19 before the midway point in January.
It isn’t just the goals which has been so impressive this season. He has assumed the mantle as Rovers’ main man. His infectious personality off the pitch has seeped into his performances.
He’s likeable, charismatic and a bit of a maverick. In a team full of young players finding their way, Rovers need characters. He sets an example with his work rate too, forever foraging after lost causes and harassing opponents.
It was a good job he was on form too because Rovers’ defending was atrocious once again. Leopold Wahlstedt was out of the spotlight which was firmly glaring on the defence in front of him.
The two goals were amateurish and incredibly predictable. So much so that Tomasosn himself had flagged the likelihood of Cambridge targeting Rovers from set-pieces before the match.
That insight didn’t come with a solution, seemingly, as two balls into the box caused chaos. Rovers had multiple opportunities to clear their lines for the first, which was eventually finished expertly by Jack Lankaster.
It is one thing for an individual error to cost you but this was schoolboy defending. They didn’t win the first contact, or the second, or even the third.
Equally, the second goal is a chain of errors. Harry Pickering has to do much better at the back post. But it’s remarkable how much space Sullay Kaikai has in the box to finish the knockdown. You could accuse Hayden Carter and Dom Hyam of ball-watching with both closer to the goal-line than the scorer when the ball hits the net.
Cambridge started very well and deserved their lead at the half-hour mark but they did tire and Rovers stepped up their play in the second half. It was one-way traffic from the minute Szmodics volleyed in his third before half-time.
Arnor Sigurdsson was particularly lively, scoring what proved to be the decisive goal to end any hope of a comeback. The combination play between him, Szmodics and Pickering in that left channel was particularly fluent and their understanding seems to be growing by the match.
It was a weird game for Rovers’ defenders. Carter got two assists, the first of which was an excellent through ball, whilst Brittain set up the third and Pickering the fifth. It probably sums up where the team is right now.
The Icelandic forward could’ve had another too had Jack Stevens not denied him after fine work from Callum Brittain. Szmodics hit a post and other chances went begging too.
They created so many chances in the second half and could’ve had far more than the two they managed. Harry Leonard missed a sitter before heading in at the Blackburn End. That should do his confidence some good after a shortage of minutes in December. A January loan deal isn’t completely out of the question depending on Rovers’ January incomings.
Rory Finneran became Rovers’ youngest-ever player too. The club still hope that he will sign a scholarship but with Premier League clubs sniffing around, it’s not a straightforward situation.
We saw a first glimpse of Yasin Ayari too. It was only 15 minutes but there was an encouraging passage where he slipped Brittain through with a clever ball. It’s interesting to think where he’ll slot in and how he can impact the squad.
So what did this result teach us? Not a lot really but, hopefully, it’ll help ease some discontent around Ewood Park fuelled by on and off-the-pitch activity.
Rovers were far superior to their opponents and created bucket loads, as you’d expect them to considering the strength of the side they put out.
If they defend like that at West Brom, they’ll probably lose the game. So work to do on the training ground but they did enough to get past what was in front of them.
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