Rovers fell to a second defeat in three games, as they failed to notch back-to-back victories for the first time this campaign after failing to make their dominance at Ewood Park count in their 3-1 defeat to Sunderland. A frustrated Jon Dahl Tomasson tried to find the right words to describe a display that deserved more rewards, as he spoke to RoversTV.
“We didn’t take the chances when they came along, tonight. It’s as easy as that. We are obviously disappointed with the result. If you look at the game overall, I thought we played some exceptional football, tonight. We created loads of chances, which were very good. It wasn’t just a case of creating a lot of chances with no opportunity to score, no, the chances we created were big. At half-time, we should have scored three or four goals, minimum. The first time Sunderland came anywhere near our box, they got a penalty, which changed the game. The boys showed great attitude after conceding and we scored a good goal, then we conceded again before the break. These were unnecessary goals to concede.
“We started the second-half brightly, started to reassert our dominance and created chances again, then we started the chase the game. When you concede a goal, there are always things you could improve upon or have done better in the moment. I think our fans will be disappointed, like I and the team are, but I believe they saw some great football. The difference between us winning and losing the game was the lack of some clinical finishing in-front of goal.
“We all know that scoring goals is the most difficult part of football. Creating chances is also difficult, but I have to compliment the lads for the way they create chances and the amount which they create, as well as the quality, but of course, putting the ball in the net is the hard part.
“I think we played some exceptional football and are showing a clear identity, but I’m extremely disappointed with the result. The football was great, we’re creating chances at a high level, but we just need to be clinical. We can be disappointed, because normally, we’d win the game if we managed to score one or two goals, but we have to take the chances to give us the start to kick on in the game.
“Despite this, it doesn’t leave me debating who to play in the forward areas. I’m pleased with the players. They’ve creating a lot of chances and are doing their best. We don’t have a proven goalscorer in the squad, we all know that, but I’m happy with the exceptional way the team is playing. They’re operating at a very high level, because I believe we should have been out of sight after the first 10-12 minutes and when I can say that, it means we’re doing the right things. However, when you don’t put away your chances, you’re going to lose games.
“Conceding just before half-time was terrible. However, I thought the team showed the same intensity and mindset in the second-half as they wanted to be dominant and continue doing the right things to keep creating the chances. In the end, we gave a third goal away, but although they could have been avoidable, you need to take the chances when they’re presented to you.”
