Tony Mowbray was left frustrated by Blackburn Rovers' inability to hold a winning position in their final game before the international break. His side drew 2-2 at Portsmouth's Fratton Park, a result that leaves them 16th in the Championship standings with nine points from eight matches.
Oladapo Afolayan and Ryoya Morishita scored for Rovers, overturning an early deficit to lead 2-1 with half an hour remaining. Colby Bishop's 74th-minute equaliser for the hosts meant the points were shared, extending Blackburn's recent run to just one win in their last five league games. The draw means Rovers have now scored and conceded 12 goals this season, sitting eight points behind early leaders Swansea City. With a goal difference of zero, the team's defensive record is a key area for improvement as they look to climb the table.
Speaking after the match, Mowbray acknowledged his team's attacking output but was critical of their overall control. "Well done to Portsmouth. As I say, we're a bit frustrated," the manager said. He felt his players showed the opposition too much respect and allowed them to build attacks too easily from midfield. Mowbray described the performance as "slightly below par" and pointed to the need to stop conceding what he termed "stupid goals". He highlighted that after working hard to get into a winning position, his team should have been able to manage the game better and see out the victory. The manager admitted he had not reviewed any post-match data but was clear in his assessment that the level was not where it needed to be.
Despite the disappointment, there were positive signs in attack. Afolayan's goal and assist against Portsmouth continued his strong recent form, which included a brace in the 3-1 win over Millwall a week earlier. Blackburn's forwards have been involved in nine goals across the last four matches, a trend Mowbray will want to continue. He also noted that winger Jayden Fevrier, who provided an assist against Millwall, has been unfortunate not to feature more. The manager will be hoping for a boost to his options from the latest injuries report ahead of the next match.
Attention now turns to the next Championship fixtures, a home match against Cardiff City on 10 October. "We'll put the point in the bag and move on to the next game," Mowbray concluded, aiming to find greater consistency after the break. He stressed the need for the squad to learn from the experience and improve their concentration in key moments to turn draws into wins.
Further reading: portsmouth.co.uk
