After another difficult season in the Championship, Blackburn Rovers will be hoping to avoid the drop once again in 2017.
Falling victim to the January transfer window, Blackburn Rovers started the year by losing their best player, with Jordan Rhodes departing for Middlesbrough, after Rudy Gestede left for Aston Villa in the summer.
Blackburn Rovers’ Rudy Gestede celebrates with Jordan Rhodes
However, Blackburn did attempt to strengthen their squad over the window, and brought in Jordi Gomez on loan from Sunderland until the end of the season.
Blackburn Rovers’ Jordi Gomez in action
Despite the new signing, Blackburn continued to struggle in the league, eventually finishing the season in 15th place, with fans growing increasingly angry at the owners, the Venkys.
Blackburn Rovers fans display a protest banner
Adding to the frustration, Blackburn’s manager Paul Lambert, who had only been at the club since November, stepped down from his post.
Paul Lambert whilst managing Blackburn Rovers
Moving quickly to replace him, Rovers brought in former Bolton and Burnley manager, Owen Coyle, an appointment which didn’t go down too well with some Rovers fans.
New Blackburn Rovers Manager Owen Coyle poses after the press conference
Despite their initial hesitation, however, Rovers fans were happy to see their new manager work hard to bring in a number of good players, such as Danny Graham, Anthony Stokes and Sam Gallagher on loan.
Blackburn’s Anthony Stokes
The new signings struggled to help lift Rovers initially, as Blackburn suffered a number of defeats over August and September, until finally picking up their first win against Rotherham United (4-2) thanks to goals from Conway, Marshall, Emnes and Gallagher.
Blackburn Rovers’ Sam Gallagher celebrates scoring their fourth goal
After finally picking up their first win, Blackburn Rovers form under Owen Coyle began to pick up, as Rovers went on to pick up wins against Derby County, Nottingham Forest, Brentford and Newcastle United, the latter thanks to a goal from Charlie Mulgrew. A poor December, however, saw Blackburn pick up only 2 points out of a possible 18.
Charlie Mulgrew of Blackburn Rovers celebrates scoring his teams first goal
As Rovers move into 2017, and another transfer window, Rovers fans will be hoping for more reinforcements to retain their place in the Championship, and stop this former Premier League giant sinking any further.
Blackburn Rovers manager Owen Coyle
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