In Jordan Rhodes, Blackburn have one of the most prolific strikers outside of the Premier League yet he is currently on a goal drought stretching 9 games (his last goal being a penalty). For a lot of strikers this wouldn't be unusual but 9 goals in 24 appearances is at odds with his overall 1 goal in every 2 games ratio. Admittedly he went on a similar run during the 2013/14 season but had already scored 16 goals by that stage and ended the season with 25. So what is the problem at Blackburn and how can we get our main goal getter scoring again?
This season Blackburn have mustered a total of 23 goals in the league, only Bolton, Charlton and MK Dons have so far scored fewer (all of whom have conceded far more goals and currently sit below Blackburn). It is clear that to win games, goals are a rather important part! Blackburn's most common scoreline this season so far is a 1-0 loss, our issues don't specifically lie at the back but rather further forward as can be seen by our defence ranking of 4th in the league up till now. Compare our attack to this time last season when we had scored a total of 36 goals and these are worrying signs.
Some will point out the loss of Gestede from the forward line as one of the issues (22 goals in 44 appearances in 2014-15 is certainly a big gap for any team) but prior to his arrival Rhodes scored 27 in 43 during 2012-13 in one of our most turbulent seasons since relegation whilst playing largely alone up front. This season Rhodes has been paired with a few people in an attempt to spark some life up front but none of which have really showed any signs of taking off yet.
Rhodes is someone who is best played in the box, ball to feet or through decent crosses into the danger area for him to attack. He is wasted outside of the box, trying to bring others into play or hold the ball up. This season, he hasn't had that sort of supply and has often been dragged out of the area in an attempt to even see the ball. The centre of midfield lacks a bit of guile - a plethora of defensive players in there doesn't help matters. The ball is too slow coming forward and we don't take on opposition players enough. We need a creator. There is a burden on Conway who is our main assist maker that should be distributed around the team. Marshall has often disappointed this season on the wing and has now been put back into the right back slot where he has looked pretty decent. It is early days with Bennett but the run he made against Brighton that won us a free kick was a rare bright spot in an otherwise dreadful game that other players should take note of. A player running at the defence at pace and trying to create something.
Whilst a centre back being brought in (given lack of cover and injuries) is a concern and a priority, this January we need to see a couple of players coming in who will provide genuine creativity. Someone who can play with the ball at their feet and find a killer pass. We need extra pace in there too and perhaps someone with a genuine engine in the centre of the park to link defence with attack rather than the midfield being bypassed. Teams can have all the strikers they want but to get the best out of them you need providers - that is the key I believe to unlocking more goals for Blackburn.
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