Blackburn Rovers: Tony Mowbray has been "let down" after Birmingham City transfer miss | OneFootball

FLW's Blackburn fan pundit has given his verdict on Tony Mowbray's position at the club following the close of the transfer window

Blackburn Rovers had a frustrating summer transfer window in which they completed just the four permanent additions to Tony Mowbray’s squad.

The Lancashire outfit did look to strengthen their first-team squad up until Tuesday's deadline, but weren’t able to complete every signing they wanted before Tuesday’s deadline came and went.

Rovers finished 20th in the Championship table last year, narrowly avoiding relegation, so wanted to use the summer to improve the team in order to help climb the standings in 2026/27.

Mowbray made his return to Ewood Park after Michael O’Neill’s exit at the end of the previous campaign, and he wanted to receive plenty of backing in the transfer market.

One player that was linked heavily with a move to Blackburn was Birmingham City’s Patrick Roberts, but he has ultimately stayed at St. Andrew’s.

The playmaker even started on Tuesday night for Blues for the first time this season, providing the assist for August Priske’s 55th minute equaliser in their 1-1 draw at home to Southampton.

Tony Mowbray doesn’t deserve Blackburn Rovers treatment amid Patrick Roberts talk

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When asked about the failure to sign Roberts, FLW’s Blackburn fan pundit Simon Middlehurst claimed that Mowbray doesn’t deserve to be treated this way by the club, and that he’s been let down by the bosses.

He believes the 62-year-old doesn’t need the stress of this job, and that he’s earned the right to be backed by the owners, but instead he’s been hung out to dry.

“You can see Tony Mowbray doesn’t deserve this,” Middlehurst told Football League World.

“He’s come back to the club after listening to people saying things are different, he’s come back after serious health issues.

“He doesn’t need this, he doesn’t need the stress.

“He should’ve been supported by the club, he should’ve been supported by those who brought him back in, and he hasn’t been.

“He’s been let down massively.

“No Blackburn fan can blame him if he walks after this.”

Middlehurst is frustrated that Mowbray had a list of players he wanted to sign this summer, and that none of them made the switch to Ewood Park, and is now worried about the lack of options in the squad.

“It’s just one thing after another,” he added.

“He made a list of players that he wanted, and we’ve not got them in for whatever reason.

“Blackburn have clearly left it late to have outgoings, and we’re not replacing them with any incomings.

“Going into Saturday against Preston we’ve got one fit senior centre-half, we’ve got fit senior goalkeeper.

“We’ve got a list of injuries that seems to be growing.

“Yeah, just no words.”

Blackburn completed moves for Gady Beyuku, Jayden Fevrier and Sam Morsy this summer, with Moussa Baradji also signing on a permanent basis following his initial loan spell last season.

Blackburn Rovers’ start to the season

Blackburn started the Championship campaign by earning four points from a possible six, including a win at home Middlesbrough in their second fixture.

But a defeat to QPR in the following home game dampened the mood around Ewood Park, with a draw away to Lincoln City coming on Tuesday night, in which they had to play much of the second half with 10 men.

Mowbray’s side have earned five points from a possible 12, with four more games still to be played before the September international break, and next up for Rovers is a trip to face Lancashire rivals Preston North End this coming Saturday, where they will be down to the bare bones through injuries and suspension.

Tony Mowbray has been let down by Blackburn’s owners

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A player like Roberts could’ve been quite a useful addition at Blackburn, but instead he remains at Birmingham where he showed on Tuesday that he can still contribute at this level.

Mowbray has been let down by the Blackburn owners, who have been quite unpopular figures for the last several years.

Things haven’t changed behind the scenes since the 62-year-old was last in charge at Ewood Park, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he did cut his return to the club short as a result.

It’s been a disappointing window for Rovers, and it could now be a long season ahead with a squad that is clearly lacking in both numbers and quality.