Uwe Rösler gave starts to new signings William Kvist and Andy Delort as the Latics went searching for their first away point of the season at Ewood Park, but despite having good chances and taking the lead it was Blackburn who gained the victory and jumped above the Latics in the table.
Latics dominated both the possession and the chances in the first forty five minutes and really should have taken the lead when presented with a golden opportunity, Callum McManaman latched onto a through ball from debutant William Kvist, he weaved his way into the Blackburn box, turned onto his right then his left and went down under a challenge from Baptiste, referee Roger East pointed to the spot, up stepped Latics defender Ivan Ramis to hammer the penalty kick high over the bar, what is it with us and penalties?
What Andy Delort must have thought of Ramis’ effort is anyone’s guess.
The Latics were hardly troubled at the back and did must of the pressing, McManaman was causing problems, Huws was influential and Delort was putting himself about. McManaman brought a good save low down from Robinson, as the half was drawing to a close another chance went begging. A corner from the right was swung over and met by Emmerson Boyce six yards out completely free, he somehow managed to head over the bar with the goal at his mercy. What is it with us and hitting the target?
Latics took the lead that their play deserved on 51 minutes, Emyr Huws jinked his way into the Blackburn box and fired over a low cross the ball was cleared out to the edge of the area where James Perch met it first time with a low strike, Andy Delort looked like he may have got a flick as he allowed the ball to go through his legs, but it was Perch who claimed the goal, 0-1.
The game appeared to be the Latics for the taking but it was Blackburn that got impetus and equalised within three minutes. A right sided cross wasn’t dealt with properly as first Kiernan and then Huws failed to get any distance on their clearances, the ball dropped for Marshall 20 yards out who hit a first time effort that just evaded the in rushing challenge of Kvist and flew into the far bottom corner of Carson’s goal, 1-1.
Blackburn were ahead three minutes later, McManaman looking for the foul instead of dealing with the ball midway between the halfway line and the Latics box was adjudged to have backed into his marker by the referee, from the resultant free kick Jordan Rhodes got his head on the ball despite being surrounded by three Latics defenders and steered home into the corner of the goal, 2-1.
Marshall made it safe with just eight minutes of the game remaining, in space 20 yards out the talented midfielder finished superbly with a curling effort beyond Carson’s despairing dive, 3-1.
From being comfortable in the game on 51 minutes to ending up being run ragged for the last 30 or so minutes was frustrating for the Latics supporters to witness, a failure to hit the target, just two from thirteen attempts, sums up what was wrong with the performance, more finishing practice required before Tuesday night’s visit to Huddersfield.
Teams
Blackburn – Robinson, Baptiste, Hanley (c), Kilgallon, Olsson, Marshall (Tunnicliffe 90+1), Evans, Cairney, Conway (Taylor 85), Rhodes, Gestede (Varney 62
Subs – Steele, King, Williamson, Duffy
Latics – Carson, Taylor, Ramis, McManaman (Waghorn 80), Huws (Forshaw 80), Boyce, Cowie, Perch, Kiernan, Kvist (Maloney 63), Delort
Unused subs – Al Habsi, Tavernier, Riera, Barnett
Highlights
I thought this one was in the bag when Perchino knocked home