[h=3]Albion must be on guard warns ex-Rovers star[/h]11:02pm Friday 8th November 2013 in Albion By Brian Owen
Jordan Rhodes is a big threat for Blackburn
Oscar Garcia prides himself on the way his Albion team value possession.
And they might need to take particularly good care of the ball if a former Blackburn star has got it right.
Kevin Gallacher reckons Rovers are at their best hitting teams on the counter attack.
Which means the Seagulls cannot afford any losses of the ball in hazardous areas as they look to complete back-to-back wins.
Gallacher, who played 146 league games for Blackburn in the 1990s, keeps a close eye on them as a pundit for both national and Lancashire-based media.
He admits they do not quite have the craft to break down teams who set out to defend at Ewood Park.
But preying on other side’s mistakes and punishing them on counter raids is a different matter.
Gallacher said: “They have had to win some games ugly. It will be hard with teams coming to Ewood Park and defending.
“Blackburn are more of a counter-attacking side.
“They look better when teams are coming at them.
“If Blackburn have to attack a team who are just sitting back they tend to struggle a bit.
“But I think they are realising how to grind games out.”
Oscar and his team will be planning to keep Championship top scorer Jordan Rhodes quiet.
At the same time Gallacher believes Rovers boss Gary Bowyer will be plotting a surprise or two going forward.
Rovers have David Dunn back from a knee injury and he could come into the side.
The inventive Alan Judge buzzed around just behind Rhodes in their last away game, a high-tempo 2-2 draw at Blackpool.
Josh King can also operate as a striker but DJ Campbell is suspended.
Gallacher added: “They have to make one or two little changes to help Jordan Rhodes, who can score goals for fun. He only needs a couple of chances.
“Teams kept him quiet last season by pushing up and Gary has changed that by playing two strikers now.
“That is giving teams a bit more of a challenge. You can’t just mark Jordan out of the game and let everything go over your head.
“Leon Best can play up there with Jordan or Alan Judge can play just behind him. It will be no different at Brighton. They will look to throw in a surprise when they go on the road.”
Original article
Oscar Garcia prides himself on the way his Albion team value possession.
And they might need to take particularly good care of the ball if a former Blackburn star has got it right.
Kevin Gallacher reckons Rovers are at their best hitting teams on the counter attack.
Which means the Seagulls cannot afford any losses of the ball in hazardous areas as they look to complete back-to-back wins.
Gallacher, who played 146 league games for Blackburn in the 1990s, keeps a close eye on them as a pundit for both national and Lancashire-based media.
He admits they do not quite have the craft to break down teams who set out to defend at Ewood Park.
But preying on other side’s mistakes and punishing them on counter raids is a different matter.
Gallacher said: “They have had to win some games ugly. It will be hard with teams coming to Ewood Park and defending.
“Blackburn are more of a counter-attacking side.
“They look better when teams are coming at them.
“If Blackburn have to attack a team who are just sitting back they tend to struggle a bit.
“But I think they are realising how to grind games out.”
Oscar and his team will be planning to keep Championship top scorer Jordan Rhodes quiet.
At the same time Gallacher believes Rovers boss Gary Bowyer will be plotting a surprise or two going forward.
Rovers have David Dunn back from a knee injury and he could come into the side.
The inventive Alan Judge buzzed around just behind Rhodes in their last away game, a high-tempo 2-2 draw at Blackpool.
Josh King can also operate as a striker but DJ Campbell is suspended.
Gallacher added: “They have to make one or two little changes to help Jordan Rhodes, who can score goals for fun. He only needs a couple of chances.
“Teams kept him quiet last season by pushing up and Gary has changed that by playing two strikers now.
“That is giving teams a bit more of a challenge. You can’t just mark Jordan out of the game and let everything go over your head.
“Leon Best can play up there with Jordan or Alan Judge can play just behind him. It will be no different at Brighton. They will look to throw in a surprise when they go on the road.”
Original article