David Dunn reveals his verdict on Blackburn Rovers’ campaign | OneFootball

Former Blackburn Rovers midfielder David Dunn believes a lack of consistency stopped Valerien Ismael’s side from reaching the EFL Championship play-offs.

Rovers finished the regular season in 7th position, just two points shy of the final play-off spot, occupied by Bristol City.

Dunn, who made over 350 appearances for the Lancashire-based club over two spells, feels the departure of manager John Eustace to Derby County, and the subsequent appointment of Ismael, was a change the players struggled to adapt to.

“I think a little bit more consistency when the change of managers happened would have got them over the line,” the 45-year-old said to The Football Faithful, in association with William Hill.

“However, that’s a very difficult thing to do because it’s a new style and the players probably really enjoyed working under the old manager. The change came out of nowhere really.”

The current Blackburn boss commenced his tenure in poor fashion, with a seven-game winless run that was punctuated by five straight defeats. Relegated Cardiff City conquered them at Ewood Park, while Eustace came back to haunt his former employers by guiding Derby to a 2-1 victory in March.

However, Ismael won some fans over by ending the campaign with four successive wins before drawing on the final day away to play-off finalists Sheffield United.

Despite the upturn in form, Dunn believes it arrived at the wrong time.

“If you look at the games where they didn’t pick up any points for a number of weeks, it just goes to show those two points could’ve been easily achieved.

“All they needed was a tiny bit of better form in those seven or so games.”

His boyhood club may have fallen short this term, but Dunn remains optimistic about next season’s chances.

“The new manager came in and I’ve got to say finished off the season very well,” the former England international admitted.

“Let’s hope with the right recruitment we can start the new season as good as we ended it.”

Read – David Dunn praises Blackburn academy for son’s development

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