Blackburn Rovers demand issued to Valerien Ismael over Makhtar Gueye - "What's the worst that could happen?" | OneFootball

Makhtar Gueye is yet to start for Blackburn Rovers this season

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

It hasn't been an ideal start to the season for those associated with Blackburn Rovers, with Valerien Ismael's side left frustrated in several league encounters so far.

The Frenchman is currently in the thick of a first full season at the Ewood Park helm after replacing current Derby County boss John Eustace back in February.

Despite a tumultuous run of results, the man who guided Barnsley into the play-offs against all odds in 2021 almost replicated a similar feat in East Lancashire despite prior calls for a swift departure, with Rovers ending last season's Championship campaign just one place and two points behind the top six.

Since then, Ismael has overseen a rather chaotic few months throughout his maiden transfer window and pre-season, with plenty of changes made to the playing squad and general staff at Ewood heading into the current second tier term.

Whilst the 50-year-old and his chargers can count themselves rather unfortunate in some cases to have not received the rub of the green - such as the well-documented abandonment of their home clash with Ipswich Town on September 20th - some will argue that he hasn't always done his and Rovers' collective prospects any favours with his team selections.

With that being said, Football League World quizzed our Blackburn Rovers fan pundit, Simon Middlehurst, whether Makhtar Gueye deserves a run of starts amid Yuki Ohashi and Andri Gudjohnsen's recent struggles in front of goal.

Gueye is yet to start a league game for the North West side this term, despite the season now heading into the October international break.

In fairness to Gudjohnsen, the aformentioned summer recruit has also started just twice since his move from Gent in the latter stages of the window, whilst Ohashi has scored just once so far whilst registering six of his eight appearances from the starting lineup.

Meanwhile, the Senegalese's six league appearances so far this season have all come as a substitute, with his most recent outing coming through a one-minute cameo in last Saturday's 1-1 draw with Stoke City.

In his first season at Ewood Park following a transfer from RWC Molenbeek, the 27-year-old accumulated a tally of six goals and as many assists in 44 league appearances, albeit only one of those contributions came during Ismael's first months in charge.

After a potential loan switch to Turkish Süper Lig outfit, Kocaelispor, came to nothing, Middlehurst has urged Ismael to offer the powerful striker a run of consistent games to help improve Blackburn's struggles when it comes to hitting the back of the net.

"If I was Valerien Ismael, I'd look to start giving Makhtar Gueye more of a chance," Simon told FLW.

"Gudjohnsen hasn't really hit the ground running, and Yuki Ohashi is another player who's not kicked on from last season.

"Towards the back end of last season, Makhtar Gueye really did start hitting some form," Middlehurst added.

"He started to look more confident and comfortable in front of goal.

"We need to start scoring goals. He's a big, powerful and strong player. I would start to give him a chance. What's the worst that could happen?"

Makhtar Gueye will hope for a greater involvement at Blackburn Rovers

So far this season, Gueye has only played 71 minutes of Championship action, which is nowhere near enough if he is to impact games and swing results in Blackburn's favour.

Whilst much more is expected of Ohashi, the fact Gueye offers Ismael a different dimension over the Japanese forward is another reason why a starting berth is considered.

Yes, Gueye has the attributes which make him a force to be reckoned with against opposition defenders due to his build, but his assist tally from last season showcases that he is much more than a powerful striker capable of winning aerial duels, as he is able to bring others into play on a regular basis.

This would certainly complement the likes of Todd Cantwell, who has been, by far and away, Rovers' standout performer with four goals in eight games, with only three further goals scored throughout the entire squad.