Would Joao believe it, working the keeper & feeling of frustration - Norwich City 2 Blackburn Rovers 2 talking points

WOULD JOAO BELIEVE IT

OPPORTUNITY knocked for Lucas Joao, as with Sam Gallagher nursing a tight hamstring, he was sent on by Tony Mowbray just before the hour mark.

A final roll of the dice by Mowbray, the Sheffield Wednesday loanee operated from the left, a role the head coach felt he was more suited to having watched clips of him in action.

Joao had done little in his two previous cameo appearances to suggest what was to come, but he almost scored with his first touch, and was to show good instinct in the six yard box moments later to turn in a Connor Mahoney cross-shot.

Most impressive was his powerful header with 12 minutes to go which handed Rovers the lead.  Norwich had conceded a league high 18 headers coming in to this one, and Joao’s aerial prowess allowed him to steel a march on two defenders and bury a header beyond Michael McGovern.

His brace will certainly give him confidence, and suggests he could have a part to play in the remaining 10 games.

WORKING THE KEEPER

TWO from 10, six from 14, two from 14, three from 16, and now two from 17.  The shots on target to shots on goal ratio by Rovers so far under Tony Mowbray.

All five games have been different in their own way, but one of the only disappointments, is Rovers’ ability to test the opposition goalkeeper.

For all their probing around the Norwich area, Michael McGovern wasn’t overly tested, though a lot of that can be put down to Rovers’ wastefulness rather than their ability to carve out chances.

Danny Graham, Liam Feeney and Elliott Bennett all failed to find the target with first-half strikes, while Marvin Emnes, Connor Mahoney and Lucas Joao were all guilty after the break.

They have carried a real threat going forward in the last five games, but failed to make the most of that pressure.

And in games coming up where they are unlikely to see too much of the ball, they need to make the goalkeeper work more when the chances come their way.

FEELING OF FRUSTRATION

AT THE final whistle was a sense of missed opportunity for Rovers having played against 10 men for 70 minutes.

Rovers toiled hard before levelling, and after taking the lead with 12 minutes go, that should have been enough to see the game out.

Results elsewhere, and dropping back in to the bottom three, only heightened the feeling of frustration, but that shouldn’t detract from the effort the players to put themselves in a position to win the game.

Rovers need points on the road and this was a great opportunity to earn all three.