OPINION: What Blackburn Rovers really need

When the news broke last year that Gary Bowyer had been sacked as manager of Blackburn Rovers, opinion seemed to be split over whether this was the right decision.  Many fans believed that the team was capable of more than mid-table obscurity and backed Venky’s decision.  On the other hand some fans were of the opinion that due to losing striker Rudy Gestede and the club being under transfer embargo, a mid-table finish would a good result for the 2015-16 season.

The owners’ decision was the only one that counted however and Bowyer lost his job with the team in 16th position, having just drawn 1-1 with Brentford and sitting four points above the relegation places.

Gary Bowyer

Optimism surrounded Paul Lambert’s appointment at Blackburn Rovers, with the majority of fans believing that the club’s owners had made the best possible appointment for the football club.  The move seemed a good fit for Lambert too, who had taken some time away from the game, spending time at some of Europe’s elite clubs in the form of Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen.

Fans seemed particularly excited about the brand of football Lambert might introduce, looking back to his promotion year with Norwich City.

However nearly two months since the club parted ways with manager Gary Bowyer, Rovers are in an all too familiar position.  The club sit in 17th place in the Championship, 13 points away from the play-off positions.  Lambert’s reign started with a hard-fought victory over local rivals Preston North End but now a minority of fans are questioning the manager’s tactics and team choices altogether.

So what has gone wrong for Blackburn?

Paul Lambert

Nothing at all.

It’s true that performances have been lacking in the past four games, in which the team have failed to score a goal.  Over a busy Christmas period this is perhaps not acceptable but is definitely understandable.

It’s also true that the last four games bear no resemblance to Lambert’s first four games in charge of the club, from which we took ten points.  Yet a sudden resurgence in form when a new manager is brought into a football club is nothing new and is something that often happens.

In my opinion, what Blackburn Rovers need more than anything is the transfer window.

Lambert took over an average Championship side with a prolific striker who so desperately needs the right kind of service.  The good news for Rovers fans is that Lambert recently spoke about this matter, and looks set to address the issue.

The central midfield pairing of Hope Akpan and Lee Williamson in the last game, a one-nil defeat to Cardiff City, really highlighted how much the team needs additions.

With the transfer window now open, and the club’s embargo having been lifted, Blackburn’s season under Paul Lambert can really begin.  This is the former Norwich man’s opportunity to bring in some of his own players and put his stamp on the squad. With the manager speaking of new signings, and the news that Tom Lawrence looks set to stay on for the rest of the season, there is still a lot of reason to be optimistic if you are a Blackburn Rovers supporter.

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