Blackburn Rovers headed into the final international break of the season with their second away clean-sheet of the John Eustace-era after earning a battling, a potentially important point, away at a resurgent Middlesbrough side as the battle at the Riverside drew to a goalless end. Rovers are now unbeaten on Teesside in their last nine visits, including today.
As Rovers finally managed to have a free week for the first-time under the stewardship of John Eustace that allowed the team to train and work on the manager’s principles, the team selection saw three changes from last week’s frustrating 1-1 draw at home to Plymouth Argyle. The fit again Aynsley Pears returned between the sticks, as did the midfield engine, Sondre Tronstad. Ryan Hedges was the third to gain his place back in the team, as Leopold Wahlstedt, Ben Chrisene and the suspended Kyle McFadzean were all left out of the starting side.
Scott Wharton was marking the day by making his 100th Rovers appearance, whilst Harry Pickering hit a similar milestone, but for league games in Blue and White. Sam Gallagher was also set to hit 200 career starts on a ground that has been seen him net in his last two visits to the Riverside. John Buckley was also ticking off a milestone with his 150th career appearance.
With the travelling support hoping for an upturn in form late on in the day, it was Sammie Szmodics who got the game underway as he was looking to sign off from club duties in the best fashion ahead of answering the call of the Republic of Ireland national team over the upcoming international break.
The home team manufactured the game’s first effort just 120 seconds in as Aynsley Pears was forced into a save via the feet, from Emmanuel Latte Lath’s cross-cum-shot.
After four minutes, Rovers managed to get themselves forward and craft an opportunity of their own as Sam Gallagher fed Ryan Hedges with a backheel, before the Welshman found the in-form Szmodics who forced Seny Dieng into a save.
With nine minutes gone, Middlesbrough were forwards again as a ‘ghost from January gone’, Lewis O’Brien looked to try and put his current loan club ahead against what could have been his previous loan club, but Aynsley Pears palmed the midfielder’s volley over the crossbar.
The subsequent corner was flicked on at the near-post by Luke Ayling before Marcus Forss connected with the loose ball at the back-post, however the Fin missed the target as Rovers were awarded a goal-kick.
16 minutes gone on the clock saw Gallagher feed Szmodics through, but Paddy McNair was on-hand to deny the Championship top scorer’s 28th of the season in all competitions.
Middlesbrough were forced into an early change just 18 minutes in when Marcus Forss was withdrawn with an injury that saw Finn Azaz replace him.
The hosts were pushing ahead on the 25th minute as Lukas Engel was teed up on the edge of the area as his shot was deflected behind for a corner.
Just after half-an-hour, referee Keith Stroud flashed some yellow cards all-round as Scott Wharton and Emmanuel Latte Lath were given yellows for an off-the-ball incident before the hosts got a free-kick.
McNair stood over the set-piece and tried to cause panic in the Rovers penalty area, but despite appeals for a handball, Keith Stroud waved play on.
In the 36th minute, Ryan Hedges broke out with the ball, but was stopped in his tracked by Lukas Engels as the wing-back denied the Welshman a clear route forwards.
As half-time approached, there was time for Aynsley Pears to put the hearts of all the Rovers fans in their mouths as he dropped an Azaz cross, but redeemed himself by scooping up the ball before Riley McGree could make him pay.
With the 45th minute on the clock, referee Keith Stroud allocated for three added minutes onto the end of the first period as both teams looked to try and break the deadlock before the intermission.
In the final minute of the allocated time, Dominic Hyam saved the day as he cleared Luke Ayling’s header off the line as the half-time whistle was soon blown with the scoreline remaining goalless as both teams returned to their dressing rooms.
Michael Carrick would have been frustrated that his side had failed to make most of their dominating chances count, especially having watched his side miss a gilt-edged chance midway through the first-half before seeing a chance cleared off the line late into the half. The former Manchester United captain would have wanted his side to keep their momentum, especially on their own patch to try and keep their late play-off dreams alive.
John Eustace would have been happier of the two managers as he had seen his side end the half with a clean-sheet, despite threatening early on in the period. The boss would have been happy with how his side had withstood the Boro barrage, despite moving from a five-back system to a four-back one. Although the system changed, the side were able to show their mettle by reducing a Boro side who have scored six in their last three, to blanks.
Once the sides returned for the second period, it was the home team who got the game back underway. Carrick’s men were looking for their first Riverside victory over Rovers since Boxing Day 2012 and were hoping to grab a vital three points that would see them stat within touching distance of the top six spots.
With 55 minutes gone, Ryan Hedges led the charge forwards as he soon teed up Gallagher who saw his strike saved behind by Dieng.
Moments later, the attacking pair were at it again as Hedges again fed Gallagher, but the forward couldn’t extend his fine run of form at the Riverside as his left-footed effort curled wide.
With 57 minutes gone, Luke Ayling was booked for hauling down Harry Pickering. The subsequent free-kick was taken by the felled full-back but Szmodics couldn’t angle his header with the appropriate accuracy as it flew over the bar.
Rovers soon made their first change of the game in the 66th minute as Tyrhys Dolan came on to replace the underwhelming Arnór Sigurðsson.
With 68 minutes gone, Matt Clarke rose highest to connect with Boro’s wide free-kick, but again the score remained goalless.
Rovers’ second substitution soon came with 72 minutes gone as Yasin Ayari took the field to replace John Buckley.
Alongside the Rovers changes, Boro made three changes of their own as Sammy Silvera, Dan Barlaser and Sam Greenwood took the place of Emmanuel Latte Lath Riley McGree and Lewis O’Brien.
Four minutes after the changes on both sides, Rovers won a corner that Pickering delivered towards Wharton. After limbs flew around the penalty area, Rovers won a second corner that saw Ayari pick out Hedges at the near-post, but the Welshman couldn’t angle his attempt on target as he put the effort wide of Dieng’s goal.
The battle down the wing between Hedges and Engels continued with Hedges being the next player to be booked.
With 86 minutes gone, Finn Azaz tried to get his side ahead late on with a left-footed effort, but his shot veered wide of the mark.
Moments later, Sondre Tronstad was able to pick out Hedges who tried to angle powerful effort in with his left-foot, but Dieng sprung into action to deny Rovers a late winner.
With 88 minutes gone, John Eustace made some late changes to try and shift the balance of the game as Ben Chrisene and Semir Telalović joined the fray with Ryan Hedges and Sam Gallagher departing.
As the 90th minute loomed, Yasin Ayari took one for the team as he was booked for halting a Boro counter-attack on halfway.
Moments later, Boro moved the ball forwards and got it out to Isaiah Jones who looked to wrap an effort towards goal, but his left-footed shot from just inside the area ricocheted back off the crossbar.
Lukas Engel soon saw yellow before the fourth official’s board was raised after he fouled Tyrhys Dolan.
Soon the board was raised with three minutes held aloft as both sides looked to try and edge the even contest; but neither team took a calculated gamble in the additional time as Keith Stroud soon brought the tie to a goalless end.
In the grand scheme of things, this might prove to be an incredibly vital point on a day where none of the bottom seven below Rovers won. Although Rovers will continue to nervously look over their shoulder, they have managed to give themselves a key three-point cushion ahead of Huddersfield Town who currently occupy 22nd place and with the upcoming international break, Eustace will be able to continue working with his young team more closely. What this game showed us today, was the cruciality of Sondre Tronstad in the middle of the park. His experience, composure and positioning were vital for Rovers alongside John Buckley and brought more knowhow and defensive stability to a team that switched systems.
Speaking of the league, all the results arguably went in Rovers’ favour and the added extra point sees the Blues in 17th place with 42 points from 38 games, despite their goal-difference remaining negative at -13.
Speaking of the fixtures, after the players all return from their international adventures, Rovers are back in action live, in-front of the Sky Sports cameras where they will host Premier League-chasing, Ipswich Town who today hit Sheffield Wednesday for six. That clash will be at Ewood Park on Good Friday (29th March) at the later time of 5:30pm. Following that battle, the Blues head back up north to Wearside to spend their Easter Monday at the Stadium of Light on April Fool’s Day for the 3pm start. Once they’re done fooling around on Wearside, they return home to host another Premier League hopeful in Southampton on Saturday 6th April at 3pm.
