Precisely two decades ago, Blackburn Rovers were comfortably mid-table in the Premier League, during a campaign in which the club won the EFL Cup, beating Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 in the final with Matt Jansen and Andy Cole scoring the goals. 27 years ago, they were marching towards the Premier League title, Alan Shearer banging in the goals as the team reigned supreme.
Then a decade ago in the 2011-12 season, Blackburn Rovers concluded their most recent run of 11 seasons amongst the English elite, finishing a disastrous campaign penultimate in the Premier League and relegated. What followed was a classic example of stagnation and subsequent decline, resulting from a lack of direction and in the space of just five seasons, seven different managers plus assorted caretakers in the Championship.
Tony Mowbray was that seventh manager to take the helm at Blackburn Rovers, appointed in February 2017, although the damage had already been done. Despite a good late run, they were relegated on the final day of the season by goal difference. Nevertheless, the club owners kept their faith in Mowbray and after just one season in League One, he led them immediately back to the Championship.
Despite the constant struggles back in the Championship, finishing 15th, 11th and 15th again in the last three seasons, Blackburn Rovers have continued to support their manager. When free-scoring Fulham thrashed 10-man Blackburn 7-0 at Ewood Park, that could just have easily spelled the end for Mowbray, the team having suffered a club record home defeat on his watch. Angry fans called for his head, yet the club resisted any knee-jerk reactions.
Now it seems patience from the Rovers hierarchy is beginning to pay dividends. Although it initially appeared the team was headed towards another frustrating campaign, that thrashing by Fulham actually appears to have lit a fuse. This young Blackburn squad responded magnificently, winning four and drawing one of their subsequent five games, earning Mowbray a nomination for the November Manager of the Month award.
Finding themselves propelled to 4th position in the Championship, all of a sudden, Blackburn Rovers are squarely in the thick of a fight for promotion. Fulham and Bournemouth still have good advantage of points, nestled within the top two and the automatic promotion spots, yet the chasing pack in the playoff zone has closed that gap during November and early December. As things currently stand, the race for promotion has taken a more interesting twist.
At the beginning of the 2021-22 season, Championship odds and predictions for Blackburn Rovers had them nowhere near the promotion contenders. Given the excellent run of recent results, even the best Arabic betting sites are beginning to pay attention. Amongst their guides to safe and secure online sports wagering, including reviews for where to find the most competitive odds, tipsters are always watchful of potential contenders.
But can Blackburn Rovers really be considered genuine promotion hopefuls? On paper, this team was assembled to hold its own in the Championship, nothing more. Fulham and Bournemouth boast the greatest strength and depth, closely followed by West Bromwich Albion, suggesting the current league standings are as they should be. Nevertheless, one thing that should never be underestimated is momentum, which Mowbray and Rovers have in abundance at the moment.
Interestingly, the current run and quite unexpected push for promotion has also created a dilemma. Mowbray has admitted that finances are really tough at Ewood Park, with three key players out of contract at the end of the season and negotiations having stalled, which he claims is all down to money. The Rovers manager is reluctant to push the club’s owners, although the temptation must be there with the chance of promotion within reach.
Mowbray firmly believes the club owners are ambitious, just as keen to see Blackburn Rovers back in the Premier League as the fans are, although those desires should not come at any cost. Bolstering the squad in January would certainly help the prospects of this team, which makes it all the more interesting to see how things unfold in the coming weeks. The real prospect of a Rovers return to the Premier League should not be taken lightly.
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