Boxing Day blues: A look at Blackburn’s post-Christmas record

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We take a look at Blackburn Rovers’ post-Christmas record over the last ten years.

Blackburn Rovers manager Owen Coyle

This Boxing Day, Blackburn Rovers make the trip to Barnsley in desperate need of points. Unfortunately, recent history is not on Rovers side, with just one win in the last ten years on the 26^th of December

That win came over Liverpool in 2006. Mark Hughes’ relegation threatened side battled to a one-nil victory over a Liverpool side featuring Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso and Peter Crouch. Benni McCarthy’s 49^th minute strike won it for Rovers, who would go on to win their following two games against Middlesbrough and Wigan.

Blackburn’s next best Boxing Day result also came against Liverpool. In 2012, Steve Kean’s side came away from Anfield with a point, thanks to Charlie Adams’ first half own-goal. The result ended a run of three successive defeats, but didn’t move Rovers off the bottom of the Premier League table.

Blackburn also held big spenders Manchester City to a draw in 2007. However, Rovers will have felt hard done by after throwing away a two-goal lead in the closing moments at Ewood Park. McCarthy and Jason Roberts looked to have given the hosts their first win in four, but late strikes from Daniel Sturridge and Robinho rescued a point for City.

Most of Blackburn’s Boxing Day games have been tight affairs, which is another way of saying they have been involved in some less than enthralling post-Christmas games. In 2008, Roberts missed a sitter for Rovers as they played out a goalless draw with Sunderland. On Boxing Day 2013, Blackburn couldn’t find a way past relegation-threatened Sheffield Wednesday. Jordan Rhodes and Rudy Gestede both missed golden chances to give Rovers their third win on the bounce.

That being said, Rovers also haven’t been on the end of post-Christmas thrashings. In fact, their heaviest defeat was 2-0 at the hands of Stoke City in 2010. Steve Kean’s first game in charge since being appointed manager until the end of the season, saw Rovers struggle throughout as goals from Robert Huth and Marc Wilson gave Tony Pulis’ side the win.

Bolton Wanderers have spoiled Blackburn’s festive mood in the last two post-Christmas games. In 2014, Joshua King gave Rovers a first half lead before Emilie Heskey and Darren Pratley scored to ensure Bolton took all three points. Last season, Rovers had to wait until the 28^th of December for their post-Christmas game, but it ended with Bolton winning their first match in seventeen games.