The Blackburn End Podcast

Blackburn Rovers have reached NOW OR NEVER territory.

Saturday's 2-1 defeat to QPR exposed the problem supporters have feared all summer.

At 1-1, QPR could turn to their bench, make changes and go on to win the game. Tony Mowbray couldn't do the same.

With around ten players unavailable and youngsters with little or no senior experience filling the bench, Rovers already look desperately short — before the relentless Championship schedule has really begun.

And the transfer window closes at 11pm on Tuesday.

The frustrating thing?

The core of this Blackburn side looks capable of having a very good Championship season.

The players aren't the problem. But without enough quality and experience around them, how can Rovers possibly sustain it over 46 games?

The warning signs were there last season and weren't properly addressed. Now the situation arguably looks even worse.

Mike Beaty and Mark Hitchen discuss the QPR defeat, the alarming injury list, the lack of experienced options available to Mowbray and why the pressure is now firmly on Rudy Gestede and the club to act.

Last week we asked whether Gestede has actually got more right than he's got wrong.

Now comes perhaps his biggest test.

How many players do Rovers need before the window shuts? Where do they need them? And what happens if the club doesn't deliver?

There's also the small matter of TWO games this week.

Blackburn travel to Lincoln City on Tuesday night — while the transfer window is closing — before making the short trip to Deepdale on Saturday.

PRESTON NORTH END v BLACKBURN ROVERS.

Both Lancashire rivals have problems. Both need a result. And a huge Rovers following will be heading to Deepdale.

Who needs it more — and can Blackburn give their supporters something to shout about?

QPR reaction, transfer deadline pressure, Gestede, Lincoln and Preston away — all on this week's Blackburn End Podcast.

#BRFC #BlackburnRovers #Rovers #TonyMowbray #RudyGestede #Championship #EFL #PNE #Preston
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Blackburn Rovers have their first Championship win of the season after coming from behind to beat Middlesbrough at Ewood Park — but the mood around the squad is already turning towards the transfer deadline.

Mike Beaty and Mark Hitchen look back at an encouraging victory over Boro before discussing Rovers’ Carabao Cup exit against Sheffield United.

Yuki Ohashi’s injury has left Tony Mowbray with just one fit senior striker, while several fringe players continue to be linked with moves away from Ewood Park. With the transfer window closing shortly after our next podcast, just how much business do Blackburn need to do — and where does this squad most urgently need strengthening?

There was at least one major positive from the cup defeat: Dapo Afolayan impressed and scored a superb goal. Could he become an important part of Mowbray’s attack?

We also touch on the social-media debate that went slightly bonkers after we posed a deliberately controversial question: has Rudy Gestede actually got more right than he’s got wrong?

And with QPR coming to Ewood Park this weekend, we preview the game and ask whether Rovers can follow the Middlesbrough victory with another three Championship points.

Also in this episode: the players who could still leave before the deadline, Blackburn’s worrying lack of depth, what Mowbray needs from the final days of the window, and whether the early signs on the pitch should leave Rovers supporters feeling more optimistic.

🎧 The Blackburn End — Blackburn Rovers discussion, opinion and analysis.
#BRFC #BlackburnRovers #Rovers #Championship #EFL #TonyMowbray #Middlesbrough #QPR
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The Championship is back — and Blackburn Rovers have already given us plenty to talk about.

Tony Mowbray's side produced a brave and hugely encouraging performance at Molineux, coming agonisingly close to beating recently-relegated Wolves before a controversial late penalty turned three points into one.

Was it actually a penalty? Was the contact even inside the box? And, crucially, could the referee possibly have been certain enough from his position to give it?

Mike Beaty and Mark Hitchen look back at Wolves 2-2 Blackburn Rovers, the penalty controversy and a performance that might have caused a few people to rethink those preseason relegation predictions.

We also discuss the increasingly obvious impact Tony Mowbray is already having on this team — and why the performance at Wolves only strengthens the argument that he needs to be backed.

Then there's the extraordinary situation surrounding Balázs Tóth and Celtic.
Mowbray revealed that agents contacted him at 10:45pm on Thursday — the NIGHT BEFORE the Wolves game — telling him he might need another goalkeeper because Tóth could be sold.

Why was the Head Coach hearing this from agents? Should Rovers cash in if Tóth won't sign a new contract? And what do Mowbray's brilliantly sarcastic comments tell us about communication inside Blackburn Rovers?

Then attention turns to Ewood Park.

🔴 Middlesbrough are next.

Can Rovers reproduce that performance at home and turn an encouraging opening-night draw into their first Championship win of the season?

Plus, Rovers have drawn Sheffield United at home in the Carabao Cup, with the Riverside and Jack Walker Upper set to be closed for the tie following the recent debate around matchday ticket pricing.

IN THIS EPISODE:

⚽ Wolves 2-2 Blackburn Rovers
😡 Were Rovers robbed?
👔 Tony Mowbray's early impact
📉 Those preseason relegation predictions
🧤 Balázs Tóth to Celtic?
🤯 Mowbray's 10:45pm phone calls
🏢 Communication behind the scenes at Rovers
💰 Does Mowbray still need backing?
🔴 Blackburn Rovers v Middlesbrough preview
🏆 Sheffield United in the Carabao Cup
🎟️ Ewood Park stand closures

Was it a penalty? Would you sell Tóth? And can Rovers beat Boro?

#BlackburnRovers #BRFC #Rovers #CelticFC #Middlesbrough #Boro #Wolves #Championship #EFL #TheBlackburnEnd
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The Championship is back — and Blackburn Rovers kick off their league campaign under the Friday night lights at Molineux against recently-relegated Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Mike Beaty and Mark Hitchen preview Wolves v Rovers after Blackburn came from behind to beat Burton Albion 2-1 in the Carabao Cup.

There's plenty to like about Tony Mowbray's early impact. Rovers are creating genuine golden chances and showing signs of a much more threatening attacking identity — but the lack of quality in key areas remains a major concern.

We discuss Andri Gudjohnsen's case to start, Jayden Fevrier's instant impact, Todd Cantwell's output, the urgent need for starting-quality midfielders and Rovers' talks with free agent Sam Morsy.

Plus: Mowbray's trip to Switzerland, whether the owners will give him the backing he needs, the reaction from supporters at Burton and the uproar surrounding Blackburn's matchday ticket prices.

The coaching is improving.

Now recruitment has to catch up.

#BRFC #BlackburnRovers #WWFC #Wolves #Championship #EFL #TheBlackburnEnd
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The wait is almost over. Blackburn Rovers begin their competitive campaign this weekend away at Burton Albion, but are they actually ready for the new season?

Mike Beaty and Mark Hitchen discuss another huge week at Ewood Park, including an encouraging performance at Huddersfield, Jake Garrett's growing importance under Tony Mowbray and the arrival of Jayden Fevrier from Stockport County.

The lads also debate whether Rovers' growing injury list proves last season wasn't simply down to bad luck, assess the latest transfer rumours surrounding Daniel Jebbison, Alan Browne and Eiran Cashin, discuss the futures of Igor Tyjon and Valentin Joseph, react to Steve Curwood's supporter Q&A and give their thoughts on the leaked away kit.

With the season about to begin, one question hangs over everything...

Are Blackburn Rovers really ready?
#BRFC #BlackburnRovers #Championship #EFL #TheBlackburnEnd
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