Wrexham make it three league wins in a row; Blackburn now with just one win in nine

Wrexham make it three league wins in a row while Blackburn now with just have one win in their last nine. matches.

Before the game, Valerian Ismael said he hoped his side would start well. Blackburn had not conceded a goal in three matches.

But Sam Smith put Wrexham in front just 10 minutes in, and Wrexham came close to a second shortly after slack defending saw Smith pick out Ollie Rathbone in space, but Sean McLoughlin couldn’t put it in the back of the net.

Just 25 minutes in and the home crowd were full of moans and groans, then on 37 minutes, Dan Scarr kept the the ball alive with Ollie Rathbone turning on the volley and smashed it into the top corner to make it 2-0.

Shortly after, boos from home fans but this time for referee with Ollie Rathbone going recklessly into a challenge on Ryan Hedges. Thomas Kirk waved play on while Hedges remained down for lengthy treatment.

Ian Mitchelmore (BBC Sport Wales): “What a half from Wrexham, but Blackburn have been way off it.

“The final stages of the opening half turned rather feisty too.

“You can fully understand the boos from the Blackburn fans as the half time whistle was blown there.”

Kevin Gallacher (on BBC Radio Lancashire): “Not the best first half I’ve seen from Blackburn.

“They’re very disjointed, the midfield are all over the place. The front two aren’t getting any service whatsoever. The defenders are too slow on the ball and they’re allowing Wrexham to press them.

“Wrexham look like they want it a bit more. Valerien Ismael has to go in there sounding alarm bells because that was a very poor first half.”

On 56 minutes, Blackburn came close to getting one back, Moussa Baradji going into the box, had Arthur Okonkwo to beat, and his shot came off Dom Hyam’s challenge and against the underside of the bar.

Then down the other end Aynsley Pears made a cracking save with his right hand to keep out an chance by Lewis O’Brien on the counter.

Kevin Gallacher (on BBC Radio Lancashire): “I don’t think any of the players can moan about the manager taking them off because I don’t think there’s anyone who has merited anything.

“It just shows the inconsistencies when you’re trying to put a team together. It becomes frustrating for the manager, it’s up to the players to play the best they can.

“The players don’t understand how to do it as a team, they can do it as individuals and I think that’s where they’re struggling.”

Wrexham fans could be heard with ole’s as the game went into the final 10 minutes.

Ahead of the 3pm kick offs, the result takes Wrexham to a point off the playoffs, while concerns increase for Blackburn as they sit 5 points above the drop zone.

🗣️ “They showed REAL character.”

Phil Parkinson praises Wrexham’s performance and commends his players 👏 pic.twitter.com/4eAXYuZjrQ

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 1, 2026

🗣️ “I thought we was at good value for all of the three points.”

Sam Smith and Oliver Rathbone reflect on a huge win for Wrexham! pic.twitter.com/Xftb8ixEUF

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 1, 2026

Blackburn’s Valerien Ismael:

“It’s tough, another setback in terms of result. But, on the other hand, I can’t complain about the boys. They tried to go again. I think the lack of energy today, decision making, always coupled with tiredness.

“We lost the game in the first half. I think that we concede the first goal, we can avoid it. The second goal is a great shot.

“We tried to find some energy for the second half and were much better. We said at half-time we have to be the next team scoring and maybe you can have the game on.

“Moussa (Baradji) got the big opportunity (when he struck the underside of the bar) but apart from that we tried. We are at limit. We lost two players again (to injury).

“It’s clear we touched the limit with the squad. The boys try to go again, to give their best, but at some point, if you don’t have the possibility to rotate, it will be difficult.”

Wrexham’s assistant manager Steve Parkin:

“Team selection was really important to start with, great lads coming in, all in good nick, all training well and bounced into the game.

“Smudge (Smith) has gone through and got us off and running with the goal he scored, beautiful ball from Matty James.

“We were pretty much in control of the game in the first half. Second half Blackburn came into it, but I think the damage had already been done.”

Here’s the social media reaction as Wrexham make it three league wins in a row and Blackburn now with just one win in nine…

@CoryBeck10: Genuinely what are we watching here. Worst side we have had in years relegate us now #Rovers #BRFC

@F_err44ri: I mean to be fair to the lads I’ve not seen a performance this bad since last year #Rovers

@UKLightCreation: I dont even know why I’m still watching this #Rovers

@SalfordRover: Absolutely abysmal the lot of them, professional athletes my arse! Have a good day people 👍🏻 #Rovers

@HandOfBarnes: What can be said that hasn’t been said before. This is the worst rovers team in modern history. 70% of the team aren’t good enough. VI provides nothing and were 1000% getting relegated. Best thing for the club would be scorched earth right now and start again without any of them

@ReportRovers: New year, same old shit. Performance & energy levels today were completely unacceptable. Need to do some serious business this window. The next 30 days are make or break and with this board, I have no hope. #VenkysOut

@MTRovers1875: Apart from not showing any attacking threat. Being wide open in defence. Players giving up. Players playing out of position. 0 composure. 0 squad depth. No plan B. Constant wayward passes. Not playing until the whistle. I think we did everything else well. #Rovers

@mattkirkbright: Boycott the club! We talk about support the ‘players’ watching this game and seeing peoples body language from the first minute, not just after we went behind, over half of them don’t want to be out there. This club will NEVER CHANGE with these in ownership and VI in charge.

@Monty5493: Shite. The players we are fielding right now are so poor. Lack so much quality. Needs a good handful of players, at least. Toth needs to get back in the net also. The first goal we conceded is embarrassing from Pears. Awful display. #Rovers

@RoryLarmer: What a way to kick off 2026. It 2025 is anything to go by, we are in a for another abysmal effort of running our club. 2025 in review. Eustace walks in February after a disastrous transfer window. Woodrow and Dennis were two of the worst signings we have ever made. This time was pivotal. It divided Ewood Park. Senior players made their minds up at this moment. Women’s Team was pulled and was covered nationally and via The Athletic/New York Times. “Every question that anyone asked on the call was met with ‘We can’t speak about that yet’,” a source said. “They were unapologetic. They said not to speak to anybody, we were still under contract. It was like speaking into a vacuum.” According to sources, the club initially planned on announcing the news via a statement on social media at 4pm on Tuesday, almost immediately after senior management were told of the decision, but agreed to first-team coach Simon Parker’s request for a delay in making the decision public so that players could be informed personally and not find out about it on social media. Our Ladies team is now bottom of Division One North. Having lost 0:12 and 0.13 to Burnley during the season. Steve Waggot left his post shortly after the Ladies team debacle. In my opinion, he was done taking the heat. As Suhail said in the Fans Forum, it was the owners decision. Alan Nixon, who is the number one communicator from Ewood Park, a freelance journalist, stated the new CEO role was “watered down”. No actually Chief Executive wants to be dictated to by Suhail. Who’s only interest is himself and if the Issa brothers send him a birthday card. Mass Redundancies throughout the club. In August banned Ismael from talking to the media. Same thing happened in 2024 with the previous manager JDT. Not the New Year’s resolutions we want you to keep. Lewis Travis sold – no adequate replacement. Callum Brittain sold – good replacement. Dom Hyam sold – no adequate replacement. Harry Leonard sold – no adequate replacement. There is an obvious lack of leadership and quality throughout the squad. We face another Summer of upheaval with players leaving. Valerian Ismael tells Rovers TV that the squad is stronger than the start of the Summer. This tune has now changed. September Game Called Off against Ipswich. Lancashire Telegraph was banned from Ewood Park. The pathetic nature of the first statement led to another hours before the game against Charlton. Amateurs. Cheap and cheerful was the order of the day to celebrate our 150th anniversary. Jersey leaked on a third party site. What better way to sum up a celebration. Blackburn Rovers Supporters call for a boycott. The club decide to ignore and boycott their own fans. Sheffield Wednesday game abandoned. Alan Nixon is back to tell us that the pitch was looked at by Specialists. Thank god. The club then said the same thing. Taking no responsibility. Thank god for Alan. Wonder who leaked that, excuse the pun. Anniversary shirt is announced on the Monday after Christmas, after the anniversary and will be debuted in our 151st year.
Report Card
Raos- F – They have no interest in Blackburn Rovers
Suhail Pasha F – A virus to Blackburn Rovers
Rudy Gestede E – A couple of good signings give him an extra grade. He hasn’t replaced the leadership or quality. And is still incapable of protecting assets with new contracts.
Yasir – F – Season tickets, 150 anniversary and anniversary kits were pathetic.
Rob Gill – F – Another year of embarrassment in the media. As many statements as home wins. Banned the local media.
2026 Wishes
Suhail Pasha leave and takes the rest of his buddies with him.
New CEO given the attomoney to do their job
Investment to the Ewood Park Pitch
Survival this season
The Raos sell
The club is spiralling into oblivion. I expect a few leaks of transfers within 24 hours of this.