The former Celtic and Middlesbrough manager has picked up a win and a draw from his first two games in charge of Blackburn Rovers.
Blackburn Rovers manager Tony Mowbray
Looking destined for relegation a few weeks ago, Blackburn Rovers are in a desperation position. Just after their FA Cup tie against Manchester United, where Rovers put in a spirited performance, the club were sat just above Rotherham in 23rd place.
Knowing they needed a change, Rovers took the tough decision to let manager Owen Coyle, who only arrived at Ewood Park in the summer, go. Replacing him with former Celtic and Middlesbrough manager, Tony Mowbray.
A figure who splits opinion amongst football fans, Tony Mowbray has enjoyed both success and failure in his managerial career. Popular among Middlesbrough supporters, Mowbray enjoyed good spells at Hibernian, West Bromwich Albion and Boro. However, Mowbray also became the first Celtic manager to not win a trophy while in charge since the year 2000, and struggled at his last club, Coventry.
With Blackburn Rovers’ place in the Championship vulnerable, the club have taken a big risk in bringing in the former Celtic man. But so far, Rovers have looked good. Picking up a point in their first game under Mowbray, against relegation battlers Burton Albion, Mowbray grabbed his first win as Blackburn Rovers boss last night against Derby County, winning 1-0 thanks to a goal from Craig Conway.
Blackburn manager Tony Mowbray and Derby manager Steve McClaren
Well organised, strong at the back and at times deadly on the counter-attack, Rovers did an excellent job of keeping Derby County quiet, taking advantage of the slump in form which their opponents are experiencing.
It was clear that Mowbray had done is research on Derby’s style of play, as Rovers managed to keep all of Derby’s more dangerous attacking players, such as Tom Ince and David Nugent, quiet all evening.
Clearly taking the role very seriously, this kind of preparation could hold Blackburn Rovers in good stead as they now face a battle each week to stay within a chance of survival, making the appointment of former Celtic and Middlesbrough boss Mowbray look like a potential masterstroke.
Blackburn manager Tony Mowbray and Elliott Bennett celebrate after the match
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