Never done one of these before but figured, given it was my first visit to Ewood (something i've dreamed of for the past 23 odd years growing up on the other side of the world), I'd give some thoughts. First, big thanks to those who gave the seat recommendations a while back! We ended up sitting towards the back of NO4, and the view was fantastic. Anyways, some thoughts in no particular order;

Lineup - well I was really really looking forward to seeing Dack in home colours for the first time (i'd previously had the pleasure of attending the away fixtures at Millwall and Brentford - which i'd prefer not to talk about) and was really disappointed when the lineup was released. Not sure if i was more disappointed in Dack's omission or the rest of the lineup with the addition of the usual suspects of Evans, Smallwood and Bennett (in a 10 role this time - i'm starting to feel Mowbray uses a Magic 8 Ball to confirm his selection proclivities). No creativity from this lot and at that point confirmed (in my mind at least) it would be much of the same stuff we've seen for the past 15 off games.

Regarding the Dack fiasco, i'm not looking for sympathy, just trying to provide an alternative perspective - to get to the game my missus and I spent £120 on trains, £70 on accommodation for the night (granted, we didn't have to stay the night) and £55 on tickets. That's almost £90 each (£125 including accomm). To not see our star player (for any reason besides injury, or an egregious personal issue) was extremely disappointing. My girlfriend recalls how much my mood changed from the pre-game excitement, to when the lineup was announced. So that was a real dissapointment, especially considering he may not be here next season, so that opportunity has sailed into the sunset. Anyway, sob story over.

Mulgrew - how is this guy our Captain? After the first goal it was hands on hips and zero talk. My missus doesn't watch any football but when I pointed out Mulgrew was our captain she was shocked. She remarked something like 'Why isn't he trying to pick up the team? Or encouraging them? Or ripping into them? Or saying ... anything? Why isn't anyone saying anything!?'. 

We were directly in front of the foul that led to the penalty and Mulgrew just looked like he didn't care. If you watch the replay, the hoof ball caught him (actually, the entire defence) off-guard and he seems to plod back to catch Afobe for about 20 metres, before finally putting the burners on to meet him in the box. Once the foul was given he just sits there, spits a couple of times, and plods to the penalty box like a sulken teenager. No reaction after Raya pulls off that fantastic save either. Not sure how this guy makes the team (on account of his 'wand foot', sure), let alone has the armband. It's either an indictment of Mowbray or an indication of how bereft we are of leaders in the team. Most likely both.

Ref - he was woeful. Not sure how you can give a penalty for the Mulgrew foul but no card? A heap of hands in the back fouls that weren't called, Brereton was pretty much body checked and there was no call, and Graham was copping elbows and full-nelsons all game and didn't receive a thing. Not the least of our worries but added to the frustration.

Brereton - wow, his positioning was bonkers. When he wasn't man-marked and within 5 metres of the ball-holder he might well have not been on the pitch at all. Does he have a 'highlight reel' or something that gives me faith he's a professional footballer and not one of the guys I play 5 a side with?

Reed - I feel for this guy, I really do. I understand why he isn't playing as I doubt he'll be here next season, but to be sidelined for the likes of Smallwood or Evans continually is embarrassing. The small vocal crowd in the corner of the BBE were chanting his name (to which he clapped) but you can see the guy burning up inside. If Mowbray is using that logic to bench Reed, then it gives me chills that Smallwood and Evans will play roles in the team next season.

Rothwell - glad he got a start, and although he's not the final product, he's very exciting to watch. It would have been fantastic to see him, Dack and Graham as the threats up-front. He pushes forward with purpose and speed, but it's such a shame the rest of the team doesn't share the same attacking nous. No one running off him, or moving in general. I don't care if he lost possession a few times (generally due to holding the ball for too long), i'd prefer he attacks and lose possession a handful of times than stay stagnant like the rest of the team and pass it mindlessly around.

Raya - MotM for me - two world class saves.

General Performance - thought we dished up much of the same, stagnant, boring and toothless 'football' we have for the last 15 games. The crossing was nothing short of abysmal. If it managed to actually clear the first defender, then it sailed either out of bounds, or 5 metres beyond the intended receiver. The missus actually asked how does this level of football compare to the A-League (Australia's domestic football comp) and it pained me to say that I thought the top few A-League teams could probably get a result against this lot. There were mostly boos when we pushed forward (or tried to) but I don't think it was enough. Felt for Nyambe being burnt on the right a fair few times, but think this was mostly due to being so far up the pitch and not having any defensive help from Armstrong or Smallwood. Nothing more I can say about Bennett that hasn't already been said here - he was rubbish. I'm somewhat sick of 'putting effort in' absolving you of not having the footballing ability to compete at this level. If i 'put the effort in' at work, but it's of sub-standard quality, then i'd be having performance management meetings with my boss, not being promoted to playing an even more integral position in my team.

Mowbray - I like the guy, but I think he's well and truly run his course. 4 points from 33 games is woeful, and if we hadn't secured so many points in the first half of the season, there's no doubt we'd be scrapping it out with Bolton and Rotherham in the relegation zone. Do I think he's going to turn it around in the Summer? No. Do I want him to turn it around in the Summer? Yes?? ..... Maybe?? The more I think about it the more i'm of the opinion the club should sack Mowbray now, appoint Damien Johnson until the end of the season and ruthlessly pursue some of the better available managers.

Anyway, those are just (some of) my thoughts! I don't want to let the above imply I didn't enjoy myself. I've followed Blackburn for as long as I can remember, and growing up in Australia I could easily have switched teams to follow any of the successful Big 6 teams in the Premier League. But I haven't. Seeing the Rovers play live at Ewood for the first time in my 26 years was an experience i'll cherish forever. Sure, I wish it was under better circumstances, and with a different result, but football is football.

That Sunday hike up to and around Darwen Tower was really nice though!