A change in system has revived Tony Mowbray’s Blackburn after their losing run

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Tyrhys Dolan proved to be a difference maker for Rovers as his superb man of the match display gave his side a respectable point against Swansea.

Blackburn will feel disappointed not to have picked up all three points in this one as they were the dominate side for most of the proceedings.

That domination paid dividends when Bradley Dack opened the scoring after a weighted pass from Tom Trybull saw him through on goal, before Andre Ayew scored yet another penalty, after a controversial refereeing decision, to claim a point for the visitors.

After a number of defeats in a row, the pressure has been mounting on Tony Mowbray in recent times with many wondering if he had reached a ceiling with this Blackburn side, but it is clear that he has the ability to tweak and alter their system in order to revive some life into his team.

A 2-0 victory at the Den on the weekend against Millwall has been followed up by a point against automatic promotion-chasing Swansea, but it could and should have been much more.

Mowbray kept the 4-3-3 system that he abides by for most games in charge at Ewood Park but the shape and personnel in that system looked markedly different.

Young talent Tyrhys Dolan played in a false nine role at the heart of the Rovers attack, having tended to play as a winger throughout his time in professional football so far.

Dolan looked to interchange with Bradley Dack during the entirety of the game and that meant that Steve Cooper’s Swans were not able to settle, with Marc Guehi hooked at half time after having a torrid first 45 minutes being dragged out of position by Dolan’s movement.

What shone through was the intelligence of the hot prospect.

Dolan was well aware that he could loiter deeper in play and attract Swansea defenders to press him in attacking positions, then opening up space in behind for the likes of Dack to exploit.

Ben Brereton and Sam Gallagher, both regarded as centre forwards, sat wide in the front three but in attacking phases they came in narrow to offer support to Dolan, but also to prepare for the run in behind once Dolan’s movement had facilitated space.

Tom Trybull would screen the back four and break the lines with his passing.

Trybull’s vision for a risky out ball that would open up space in between the lines was clear all night, he was without a doubt the other difference maker for Rovers in enabling them to take control of possession against a Swansea side that are known for doing the same to others.

His break up play and reading of the game allowed him to cut out approaches to Jamal Lowe, who looked isolated and void of ideas on a poor night for the visitors.

The only saving grace for Swansea is that, even when performing so poorly, they were still able to take a point away from a very difficult venue.

What is important for Tony Mowbray is that, even if this season tails off into a mid-table venture, the building blocks are there to show encouragement for the next campaign particularly with Adam Armstrong expected to leave the club.

To perform so well in their last two games without their top goalscorer and talisman and to rely on a system rather than moments of individual quality, is exactly what has been required for Rovers to recover.

Their reliance on individuals to provide the moments has long been a concern once those players aren’t at their best level.

Mowbray bizarrely came out in recent weeks and said he “wasn’t a fan” of formations, but it is clear that he has identified a system that works to the strengths of his team and allows them to remain fluid in attack against any type of side.

There is an adaptability to playing this system that suits them well when trying to break low blocks down but when also trying to catch teams on the break.

Trybull sitting and dictating possession in defensive phases, playing the ball through to Dolan who can draw defenders out of position and lay off to Dack who can in turn feed the runs of Brereton and Gallagher in behind seems a sensible choice to make.

If there were any concerns for Rovers it was their composure on the ball under pressure at the back.

Swansea’s penalty award and practically every of their minimal chances came from forcing a misplaced pass from the Blackburn defenders.

Having said that, there are still players to return and they naturally have the quality to improve their ball retention when they need to.

Ultimately, Mowbray was on the verge of losing his job just a week ago, but now he is implemented a system that will see Rovers through regardless of the availablity of players.

Maybe Tony Mowbray is a stylistic tactician after all.

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