Town 3-2 Blackburn
Quality game from the off. Blackburn were fresh from a 5-1 win over Cardiff and attacked with confidence but Town played with no fear as well. We had a couple of early half chances before the game settled into a good game of few chances before Thomas crossed for Vallejo outside the area and his measured finish found the bottom corner. That took us into half time 1-0 up in a close match which we had probably just adged at that stage.
Second half started more open than the first as Blackburn had to press this provided more space for Town to break and link up with Ward in attack. Just before the hour the ball broke for Rothwell outside the area and he drove unchallenged beyond O’Brien and past Pearson to square for Brereton-Diaz who slotted home. With the game still played at a frenzied pace Ward dropped deep to help build a Town attack, Thomas drove down the right and crossed for a advancing Ward to get up well and head beyond the Blackburn keeper. Having got back in front wuickly it was important to remain calm and not let Blackburn back in but the dangerous Brereton-Diaz found space and his first touch took him beyond Pearson and as he realesed the ball an outstretched Sarr brought him down. The ref waited initially to see if Blackburn scored and then gave the penalty. Brereton-Diaz stepped up and although Nicholls got his hand to the ball the pace took it into the net. Both team scontinued to look for the winner and Turton who had come on for Thomas crossed deep for Toffolo to rise well and head back across the 6 yard box for Ward to finish. The last 12 minutes including 6 minutes of added time were nervy but Town were deserving of the win.
Ratings
Nicholls
Another confident display. Positioning and handling good. Commanded his area and can’t be blamed for the goals.
Rating 7
Pearson
Looked ok but Brereton did get at Pearson a number of times. He won’t always come up against a stricker in such form though.
Rating 6
Lees
Strong at the back and looked good in the middle of the 3. Better with a quick ball out of defence through Vallejo.
Rating 7
Sarr
Looked ok at the back. Occasionally caught in posession but overall looked better than recent games.
Rating 6
Vallejo
Alex cam ein for Hogg and again he added something in an attacking sense. Alex moves the ball quickly from back to front. He knows what he wants to do before he receives the ball which makes every around him better as well. Very good awareness but, yes occassionally it doesn’t come off. Took his goal well and I hope he shakes off his knock which saw him come off to line up against Luton.
Rating 8
O’Brien
Looked back to himself. He drove forward and did play further forward rather than drifting to the left. Came close to an early goal and put in a captains performance. For me MOM.
Rating 8
Sinani
Looked better than the last couiple of games and linked up play better today. Just nees more end product.
Rating 6
Toffolo
Good performance. Gets everywhere and did well to get the nod down for Wards winner.
Rating 7
Thomas
Two assist and a constant threat on the attack. A much better performance than the recent games.
Rating 7
Koroma
Put himself about and won the ball back well. He is slowly adding more to his game, buy needs consistancy.
Rating 6
Ward
Best performance he has put in since his return. Worked hard in the first half for little return but in the second with Blackburn pushing on he had space to exploit. He has rarely been on the pitch for many minutes with us leading and therefore has not had the luxury of space to play in. This allowed him to drop deep build up play and then get into the box. Two goals a return that will do his confidence a world of good.
Rating 8
High came off teh bench and his passing looked good again. Turton supplied the cross for the winner after coming on. Holmes and Ruffles came on too.
Carlos
He got it right today. We attacked from the off and could have scored more. We are always susceptible to conceding goals playing open attacking football but we do look a better outfit. I felt that bringing Turton on for Thomas was to protect what we had but in fairness it was Turtons cross that created the winner. The real turning point for the season would be turning a defeat into a win as we struggle against a defensive unit.
Rating 8
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