In the wake of Rovers’ frustrating 2-2 draw away at Ipswich Town on the opening day of the 2018-19 season, which saw Rovers come from behind to lead 2-1, before letting their lead slip in bizarre fashion, courtesy of a 91st minute Tayo Edun cross that crept in, Tony Mowbray reflected on the game, to the club’s media team.
“Over the 90 minutes that we played, I believe that we deserved to leave here with 3 points. We weren’t brilliant today, but we were really, really solid, as you have to be when you’re away from home, in the Championship. I can’t remember them really threatening us too much, bar their goal early on, which was frustrating after practicing defending against diagonal balls during the week. We knew they played a lot of diagonal balls because their main creators, are their wingers, who stay wide, which meant there would be a lot of aerial battles.
“Saying that, however, what our team has been about over the past year, came to the fore, and their fighting spirit and desire not to lose became evident, which led to us scoring 2 goals that oozed quality. It was great for Danny (Graham) and for Bradley (Dack) to get off the mark so early on in the season, which will give them the confidence they need going forwards. All in all, we’re just left frustrated with that ridiculous goal at the end, which I don’t think they deserved over the course of the game.
“There were a lot of positives from this game. All the players did their jobs and played well, despite the disappointment at the end. We need to transform these great performances onto next week in-front of the Ewood Park crowd. It’s probably a good thing that we don’t have a mid-week game, because that would have taken a lot out of the players, both physically and emotionally. We need to look at this tie positively, we came to an established Championship side on the opening day, in the scorching weather, and came away from the game with a point.
“Kasey’s (Palmer) chance caused me to have my head in my hands. He’s shown, during the couple of training sessions he’s had with us, how clean his feet are, and how good he is on the ball, so it surprised me when he failed to convert that chance from close range. Converting that, would have put the game to bed, but unfortunately that’s football. There will be games, later on in the campaign, where we get a slice of luck, similar to the one Ipswich received today, which will see us nick a point, or maybe gain all 3. We just have to put today behind us, not dwell on it and move forwards onto training, then Millwall next Saturday.
“Our focus going forwards, is to make sure teams know they’re in a tight, competitive football game. We know that we can compete at this level, so we have to work hard, keep our concentration and do our talking on the pitch. Hopefully the fans back in Blackburn have seen this game and know that the team are going to remain competitive for the rest of the season. From that knowledge, they should come and support the team at Ewood which will help the lads give the fans, the positive performances – starting with Millwall next Saturday – that they can be proud of.”
Prior to the conclusion of the interview, Mowbray was asked whether Rovers would return to the transfer market, between now and the 9th August, or whether the dealings for this summer, had already been completed.
“I think we’re pretty close to signing Adam (Armstrong). He’s been through a medical and agreed personal terms, but I’m very wary of saying the deal is done before it’s finalised, but I’d be hoping he would be down the Senior Training Centre in Brockhall, getting his photo taken, and being interviewed by yourselves in the media department, on Monday. I think, getting him back, adds to the quality that we already possess in the squad. The lads love him, and he was a vital part of the success we achieved last season. Adam Armstrong has to get his career going in the Championship and has to show people that he can cut it in this division, despite his record potentially suggesting otherwise. I would put his poor goal tally in this division down to his age and his youthfulness. Playing in a league this demanding, at the age of 19 and 20 isn’t easy at all, but now, he’s matured from when he was last in this league, and he’s gained more confidence as well as experience. He now has to show people, along with me utilising him in his favoured position, that he is capable of making the step up from League 1.”
