Rob DaviesBlackburn boss Tony Mowbray likened the Swans of 21/22 to his side of 20/21, which enjoyed plenty of possession but ended up finishing 15th – also questioning whether there is a need for the team to balance possession with results.
Rovers are flying high in the automatic promotion places, and have impressed despite changing their approach of possession football to a more counter attacking style of play – a variation which many fans suggest could help Russell Martin’s team.
The match is all set up to be the home side holding lots of the ball as always with Mowbray’s men breaking at pace; Blackburn have averaged under 42% possession this season, putting them near the bottom of the stat table.
That matters little, as the away team hope to continue their impressive form and add to their nine clean sheets in 11 games with a win at the Swansea.com Stadium.
Cast your mind back to the opening day of the season and Martin’s first game saw Blackburn come away with a 2-1 win despite the away team having 72% possession – odds on the same tomorrow?
Talking about the Swans approach, Mowbray said: “Russell understands how he wants to play.
“He moved to a back four in midweek against Luton so is looking at ways to win football matches.
“I wouldn’t envisage the playing style changes too much, they play a lot of football, pass it and dominate possession.
“I wouldn’t be surprised to see 60 or 70 per cent possession that Swansea have this weekend but that’s not something that has concerned us this season.
“We had similar stats last season and yet it didn’t win us enough football matches to get us higher than middle of the table.
“They’re finding it difficult at the moment to win football matches, but they’re not finding it difficult to dominate the ball and have possession and feel as though they’re on top in every game.
“Are the stats just a number? They are to a point but can give the players some confidence and belief, if Russell is telling his team that if you have 60 or 70 per cent possession then you’ll win more games than you lose then they have to find the answer to that.”
Big statement from Mowbray – he will be hoping his side can prove that possession doesn’t get you anywhere tomorrow at 5:30pm.
