Blackburn Rovers boss Valerien Ismael has blamed his side’s recent slump on his ‘important players’ missing through injury.
The Frenchman, who took over from John Eustace in March, has seen his side lose three of his first four matches in charge.
Ismael pointed to his long injury list after their 1-2 home defeat to Cardiff City last weekend as Omer Riza sides’ substitutes Will Alves and Yakou Meite combined to score the winner.
‘‘When you get a full squad and full bench, you can impact the game…
‘‘I think the break now (International games) is coming at the right time, the players need to breathe, we need to get some players back, because you see clearly, it has an impact on the game.
‘‘If we have all the players available, maybe we will have an impact on our side with more threat,’’ he said.
Rovers are fighting for a playoff position and were sixth in the Championship table prior to Ismael’s arrival but have lost three games in a row to relegation-threatened teams in Cardiff City, Derby County and Stoke City; Derby are in the relegation zone while Stoke and Cardiff are lingering just a point above it.
Blackburn are now five points behind West Brom in sixth and keep losing to teams at the foot of the table. The 49- year-old cited injury issues and the challenge of facing in-form teams who are approaching each game like a boxing match.
‘‘It’s another deep problem there already was there before (struggling against poor sides), you lose to Derby, but they’ve won three games in a row now.
‘‘I think it was a problem throughout the season so it’s nothing new.’’ he said.
Just a few months ago, Ismael was sacked by Watford following an abominable run of only one win in ten league games, and now he’s in familiar territory once again. The former Hornet expanded on his thoughts on key players being missing, and the turnaround in fortunes they may pose post-international break.
‘‘(Harry) Pickering, (Ryan) Hedges, Danny Batth (we expect back), this could be enough to help us.
‘‘Andy Weimann is out, (Emmanuel) Dennis will be out for a long time (Injury vs Cardiff), Callum Brittain for four weeks at least, (Augustus) Kargbo is six weeks, it’s a lot…
‘‘If you’re playing for winning the league like Leeds or Burnley, and you have a squad with 25 same quality players, you can convince that (will be ok), at some point with Blackburn, you reach a limit and when some very important players are missing, then you can convince for one game but on a run (of games), you will feel it’’ he said.
Just how ‘’important’’ are these players?
2024/25 Sky Bet Championship statistics:
Dennis’ and Kargbo’s seasons have been nulled by injury while Hedges and Weimann have been prominent figures and in these cases Ismael has a point. Hedges’ modest two-goal contribution across 26 starts is poor, however the 26-year-old’s expected goals is just 2.25 (53.2nd percentile) while his expected assists is 1.76 (57th percentile); the Welshman is clearly a part of a bigger problem but has exacerbated his own issues; he struggles to create chances for his teammates and himself.
Weimann’s nine goal contribution is impressive, the Championship veteran has outperformed his expected goals of 6.90, scoring seven league goals; he’s Rovers top scorer and his absence has left a gaping hole in an already thin attack.
Danny Batth and Callum Brittain have arguably been Rovers two best defenders this season. Batth has won 116 aerial duels (93.1 percentile); the 34-year-olds towering presence and experience in defence has been at the epicentre of their success, hence their nine clean sheets when he’s been on the pitch.
Alongside his teammate Tyrhys Dolan, Brittain has showcased his dazzling footwork down the right-hand side, totalling 36 ‘chances created’ (90.2 percentile) and 25 successful dribbles (93.1%). His partnership with Dolan and spry, nimble frame plays a huge role in helping his side create chances and move up the pitch with speed. Batth and Brittian are game changers.
Harry Pickering, a regular before his injury in late December (2024), and ever-present since his move from Crewe Alexandra in 2021/2022, is one of the division’s best and most consistent left-back’s but one who’s only provided one assist in his 12 starts. He averages just 0.62 chances created per 90 minutes (37.3 percentile); this is below par, and they’ll need more from him on his return if he is to be, in Ismael’s words, an ‘important’ player.
Ismael’s tenure has been decimated by injuries thus far. He inherited a squad lacking depth, and one with issues in playing weaker sides but it’s his job to steady the ship. Eustace had a similar group of players outperforming themselves and the opposition most weeks. Now, it’s Ismael’s.