Them down the road v Champions

[Walkerpool]

We need Benson ASAP

[NewClaret]

Nothing sticking with Barnes at all, that's the problem.

Spoke too soon

[JimmyRobbo]

Ref does appear to be bit of a homer. Blackburn getting away with a lot of afters, shoving, etc. and it's going unpunished.

Dolan's 2nd late challenge in 2 mins. Nothing.

[Ampth7]

Keep it tight, subs can impact the game second half.

[DCWat]

Not much coming off for JBG

[ksrclaret]

This is why I said we need Cork on. Midfield isn’t strong enough for these sorts of games

[Greekclaret]

JBG and Vitinho off for Benson and Cork. Has to be!! Vitinho looks to be walking around sulking

[DCWat]

Meh

[JimmyRobbo]

Well done Ref. Move us back 1 metre.

[SussexDon1inIreland]

HT

[Murger]

Gash.

[Pickles]

Pretty crap that. Rovers much improved from November.

[boyyanno]

Don't think Barnes is the problem today. We are underhitting passes left right and centre. If we keep playing that loose ball through the middle they will break on us.

[CoolClaret]

This is why I said we need Cork on. Midfield isn’t strong enough for these sorts of games

Totally agree

I don’t like Brownhill sitting at all.

I’d hook JBG for Cork and put Brownhill further forward

[NickBFC]

Solid enough, weathered the obvious storm. Missing Tella - made for Benson?

[scamander]

not out of 1st gear yet but we seem to be in control and look like we can step up.

[bfcjg]

Reverse of Turf Moor IMHO, they want it more.

[jojomk1]

Too many people missing in action that half
Brownhill Zaroury Vitinho JBG and Barnes just not at the pace

[SalisburyClaret]

Just calm it down lads

[Tricky Trevor]

Best that can be said is we can’t play worse and we are level. I expect much better second half. We are desperately missing our ball carriers, Benson, Tella, Beyer and Zaroury!!

[karatekid]

We need to get the ball to AZ a bit more.

[Childzy]

Vito and JBG off for Benson and Foster/Obafemi

Least have someone fast playing the Tella role

Cork not going to add anything to the system we play. Hardly need another deep midfielder when Mastsen/Roberts are filling the space.

[Somethingfishy]

As poor a half as we have seen this season. Yards off the pace. Always looking backwards. Tempo dreadful.

[Sheedyclaret]

Like a pre season friendly flat

[KRBFC]

Dreadful so far, since getting promoted and losing Tella we can’t pass wind and look toothless upfront. Everything is just sooo slow.

[Duffer_]

Double pivot OR the full backs need to drop deeper. There just aren't enough options/ball receivers as we look to transition which forces us to go long and cough up possession. Missing Tella's pressing ability too.

[BurnleyFC]

That was a poor half of football from us.

[IanMcL]

A tough watch from us. Distinct lack of penetrative again.

Better 2nd half coming up

[Ampth7]

Big half time talk and maybe subs here for VK. Thought we looked nervy and lacking a bit of confidence on the ball. Need more movement off the ball and need to stop their centre mid Wharton from allowing them to play through the thirds.

Cork makes a lot of sense as does Benny at some point early second half

[RVclaret]

Zaroury doing fine when he gets it. Unable to work it around their shape at the moment. Ball not sticking and perhaps this 4-4-2 shape not entirely working. Probably gives it another 10 before making changes.

[claretspice]

We've defended ok when under pressure but we've given the ball away too much to the press and Blackburn have looked the sharper side.

Johan not in the game. Need to get him on the ball more.

[buzzclarets79]

Had this been any other game it’d be turned off now.

[beddie]

Looked lost in the last third.

[claptrappers_union]

We look tired. Need Obafemi and / or Jay with Benson too to come on

[Conroy92]

Don't think Barnes is the problem today. We are underhitting passes left right and centre. If we keep playing that loose ball through the middle they will break on us.

This. Sloppy passing and not moving it quick enough, combined with a lack of bravery. Has anyone beat a man?

JBG and Vitinho having poor games.

[Cubanforever]

It's a Derby so it was never going to be easy, need a goal and I can see Benson scoring if he comes on

[tarkys_ears]

That was not good.

Zaroury and Maatsen far too weak.

[Lip]

Absolutely gash Clarets,must try harder or defeat will be on the cards. Get into them

[DCWat]

Cullen dropping into right back more than he has for a while which leaves us a little short in the middle. Roberts seemed to be pushing further up the wing rather than moving inside - not that it seems to have helped Vitinho who hasn’t really got into the game.

Changes needed and a little more pace in our play.

[warksclaret]

We are defending well luckily, but Barnes is helping out so much in defence that we have zero threat. Vitinho is a passenger and has given away some sloppy passes and Maatsen looks vulnerable. Almost a case of moving Charlie wide, bring in THB and change Vitinho for Benson. We are under serious pressure tonight-the most sustained I have seen all season

[jojomk1]

Johan not in the game. Need to get him on the ball more.

Need to get him off

Hasn't got the intensity or pace for a game like this

[fatboy47]

Inept.

[Tribesmen]

Yer not a lot going on apart from Tippy Tappy at the back , Again change has to be Benson and Obafemi for me or wait until the 60th min

[Zom Zom]

Some suggested the line up may cause issues. I don’t think it’s fair to just point the finger at the players, they don’t pick the team or decide tactics.

I may be speaking too soon, but I think we will have a different approach second half.

[4midable]

Too much passin about the back

[Im_not_Robbie_Blake]

My half time report - Nothing happened

[DCWat]

We've defended ok when under pressure but we've given the ball away too much to the press and Blackburn have looked the sharper side.

Johan not in the game. Need to get him on the ball more.

To be fair, I think he needs to work his way into the game as much as others need to get the ball to him.

He’s not been involved enough for me.

[ksrclaret]

We desperately need more control in midfield and an option or two for a ball in behind/ over the top.

Since losing Tella we’ve just tried to pass it into their net. Teams simply aren’t going to let us do that.

[hoskinsgoalatswansea]

Awful first half. I thought we’d be all guns blazing after Saturday. They’ve pressed well and picked up the 2nd balls. Need to change something.

[Longsidejono]

Wherever roberts and maatsen been asked to play recently it’s not worked it seems like they are playing far too high offering nothing when we have the ball at the back Cullen not dropping into his usual role on the left of the defence leaving Cullen and brownhil getting outnumbered in the middle