Blackburn Rovers manager Tony Mowbray has backed his side to overcome West Ham United in today’s Championship fixture at Ewood Park, telling the Lancashire Telegraph that the visitors are “beatable.”
Mowbray has identified West Brom’s 3-1 win at the London Stadium as his tactical template. He told reporters: “Watching West Brom (against them), they had enough of the ball, they aren’t sitting back scared, waiting. I think that’s what we have to do, go and take the game to them.”
He emphasized his preference for attacking play, instructing Rovers to “be positive, aggressive, play on the front foot”, to “get the ball forward, get enough men in the box to cause trouble, and let’s have a real go”.
Mowbray also criticized West Ham’s recent form, noting that manager Scott Parker took over following too many losses. “I haven’t seen a team that I think, ‘wow, they’re miles too good for us’,” he said.
However, Mowbray acknowledged West Ham’s strengths, including their away support of around 7,000 fans, their individual talent, and the pace and power of players like Jarrod Bowen, who “very recently played for England”.
For West Ham, the trip follows a significant turnaround at Cardiff City, where they recovered from 3-0 down at half-time to draw 3-3. Parker made three substitutions at the interval, leading a comeback described as a sign of team fighting spirit. According to the source, a point at Cardiff “was a start,” and the club views the Ewood Park fixture as a must-win opportunity to build momentum.
West Ham’s recent form in the Championship has been poor, with the team winless in three matches. The source notes that another defeat would compound difficulties for the club, while a victory would “turn a rescue job into a run.” The away end at Ewood Park is reported to be sold out, with supporters backing Parker’s efforts.
Key facts
- Tony Mowbray says West Ham are beatable heading into the Blackburn match
- Mowbray plans to follow West Brom’s blueprint of aggressive, front-foot play
- West Ham recovered from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 at Cardiff City under Scott Parker
- West Ham are winless in three Championship matches
- Blackburn is looking to exploit West Ham’s pace through front-foot attacking play