Pundit raises "problem" at Blackburn Rovers after Sammie Szmodics exit | OneFootball

The goals have dried up recently at Ewood Park.

EFL pundit Sam Parkin believes that finding a natural goalscorer, after the departure of Sammie Szmodics, will be the key to Blackburn Rovers getting back to better form.

After a scintillating, unexpectedly strong start to the new season, Blackburn's performance levels plateaued and have now started to drop off.

A run of three losses in their last five matches followed an undefeated four wins and three draws start to the new campaign.

Not much was expected of John Eustace's side after they lost Szmodics - their key talisman - in the summer. He left Ewood Park to join newly promoted Ipswich Town for an initial fee of £9 million, as per The Athletic. He has scored twice in nine appearances since getting his Premier League move.

People wondered where the goals would come from in this Rovers side without the Republic of Ireland international. That question seemed to be answered by some of their new signings early in the season, but that well has dried up.

Blackburn Rovers' recent struggles put down to lack of goal threat

Even with their dip in form in the last five games, Rovers still sit in a very comfortable sixth place in the Championship, a start which Parkin, an EFL pundit, believes they would have absolutely taken if you'd have offered it to them before the campaign began.

But he added that the recent lack of spark that Blackburn have had in front of goal is something that needs to be fixed.

"Oh, they would have snapped your hand off to be in this position," said Parkin on the What The EFL?! podcast. "The form at Ewood Park is sensational, but on the road, complete contrast. I don't think they've won, actually, away from home, three defeats and three draws.

"Obviously, the goals have dried up. I think after leaving Sammie Szmodics, I, for one, was really positive at the early weeks of the season, at the players they brought in: (Andi) Weimann, (Makhtar) Gueye and (Yuki) Ohashi.

"Ohashi, none in seven appearances since that brace against Bristol City. Gueye has not scored yet in the league, and Weimann none in eight appearances, so I think therein lies your problem, basically.

"They've dried up, the goals. They're never going to be the most creative side in the division. It's going to be based on a strong foundation and a good defense, and that's despite losing, I think, Hayden Carter for a few weeks.

"Looking at some of the other personnel, Harry Leonard, remember him from last season? Came in, young striker, got a few goals. More of an out-and-out goalscorer maybe than those guys I've just mentioned. Ohashi, still obviously early days for him and he's shown what a real impact he can be off the bench. But yeah, it's a little bit of a concern, this most recent form.

"I don't know why I've done it over five games, but 20th over the last five. So it's been a little bit of a struggle, but absolutely, it's been a fine start to the season. Positives, I think Cantwell is beginning to show signs of what he can do. Very much a signing that I completely missed until a couple of weeks ago, he goes into that club.

"But yeah, it's something they need to address. I think it's Sheffield United up next, and that will be a low-scoring, tight affair, I would imagine, but I wouldn't be surprised if Blackburn took something from that game because they're set up incredibly difficult to beat."

Blackburn's problems are bared out in the numbers

In Rovers' last five fixtures, they have scored just three goals and they have failed to score twice in a game since they beat Queens Park Rangers 2-0 in late September.

These attacking struggles can be partially attributed to poor finishing and to a lack of clear-cut chance creation. They have created only seven big chances and an expected goals (xG) of 4.3, according to Sofascore.

A general underperformance in front of goal is infecting Blackburn. It's a problem they will have to deal with pretty quickly if they want to keep their current position in the league.