Blackburn Rovers

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Altrincham have signed defender Charlie Olson from Blackburn Rovers on a permanent deal.

Last season Olson, 21, spent seven months on loan with the Robins, where he played 20 games.

He had a loan spell with Oldham Athletic in League Two before Christmas, but only played three cup ties.

Andy Bayes
Sports editor, BBC Radio Lancashire

Image source, Getty Images

To announce the departure of a head coach five hours before the transfer window closes is a little different, but the executives at Blackburn Rovers probably felt that they had no choice following an eighth home defeat of the season on Saturday.

When I spoke to Valerien Ismael after the defeat by Hull City, he couldn't defend that record, and he didn't particularly back himself to turn things around either, after a run of one win in 15 games in all competitions.

In a little under a year in charge, he won 11 of his 43 games. A win percentage like that is always going to be scrutinised, and rightly so.

The playing roster has undergone enormous change under his tenure. Experienced Championship stalwarts have been replaced by those with little or no experience of the level. Some have settled, while others have found it tough. This was a decision made above Ismael and one that they admitted in September was a risk.

Only Adam Forshaw and Todd Cantwell started both Ismael's first and final game in charge.

He inherited a team sixth in the Championship but ultimately failed to make the play-offs after five straight defeats in the run-in. Four wins and a draw from the final five saw them come close, but not close enough, and it never really felt that the fanbase was entirely won over.

This season, a run of four wins in five during October and November was a positive sign that things were moving in the right direction, but Ismael only tasted victory once more from that point on.

He had horrendous luck with injuries. For weeks on end it was double figures in terms of absentees; for the recent visit to Swansea, that number rose to 14.

But he remained convinced that once those injuries cleared up, the results would come. Time was against him to make that happen.

He did admit to me before Christmas that managing Rovers was the most challenging experience of his career, completely different from what he had experienced before.

Whoever comes next is a huge call. Staying in the second tier is absolutely imperative.

Transfer deadline day is never without drama and Blackburn Rovers took centre stage after boss Valerien Ismael left the club by mutual consent mere hours before the window closes.

Was it the right call, Rovers fans?

With the winter transfer window all but closed, is now the time to be in the managerial market?

Who do you want to see tackle the remainder of the season?

Let us know your thoughts here and check back later to see a selection of your verdicts on Ismael's departure.

Image source, Getty Images

Today is the final chance of the season for your Championship team to do transfer business.

The window closes at 19:00 GMT, meaning teams - and fans - can avoid the usual late-night transfer scramble.

It has already been a busy window - for some teams anyway - but whether it turns out to be a day of transfer action or a pretty quiet one for your club, you will be able to keep across it all on BBC Sport.

Follow our live text coverage throughout the day here

Blackburn Rovers and Sheffield Wednesday are looking to change their fortunes with both sides coming into the clash on Tuesday (19:45 GMT) holding two of the worst forms in the Championship.

Rovers' narrow 0-1 loss to Hull City on Saturday was their 14th of the season and leaves them three points from safety in 22nd (W7 D8 L14).

They haven't won a league match since their 2-0 victory against Millwall in December whilst Wednesday's home defeat to Wrexham over the weekend was their seventh consecutive in all competitions. They are rooted at the bottom on -7 points (W1 D8 L20).

• The last two league meetings between Blackburn Rovers and Sheffield Wednesday have finished level, with the reverse fixture this season ending goalless in December – the pair have only previously drawn three in a row between October 1914 and October 1919.

• Sheffield Wednesday have lost only two of their last nine Championship away games against Blackburn Rovers (W3 D4), going unbeaten on each of their most recent three trips to Ewood Park (W1 D2).

• Blackburn Rovers have won just one of their last 13 home league games played in midweek (Tue/Wed/Thu – D6 L6), going winless in eight (D3 L5) since a 3-0 win over Portsmouth in January last year.

• Sheffield Wednesday are winless in their last 10 away league games (D3 L7), last going longer without victory on the road between April and November 2013 (12). Only Shrewsbury Town (6) have won fewer away points in the EFL so far in 2025-26 than the Owls (7 – P13 W1 D4 L8).

• Blackburn manager Valerien Ismael has only lost one of his six Championship games against Sheffield Wednesday (W2 D3), suffering a home defeat with Barnsley in a Yorkshire derby in March 2021.

Blackburn Rovers head coach Valerien Ismael lamented his side's failure to convert their chances following their 1-0 home loss to Hull City.

Mathias Jorgensen's close-range header over the bar before the hour mark was one of the spurned opportunities at Ewood Park before Lewis Koumas slid in a late winner for the Tigers.

Rovers could not find an equaliser and defeat left them in 22nd place, rooted in the Championship relegation zone.

"I think it's not about the performance today, it's not about the desire or the mentality," Ismael told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"What we have to complain about is (not to) take our chances, it's as simple as that. At some point you have to take your chances when you dominate the game like this.

"You're on the front foot, on top of the opposition, and you have to get the reward and make sure you score a goal.

"All of a sudden, in the second half from nothing, we concede that goal and after that late in the game, it's tough for the players because, as I said, they try to give everything in the game."

Blackburn Rovers are looking to sign attacking players before the transfer window closes on Monday, says head coach Valerien Ismael.

Rovers have been linked with Barnsley forward Reyes Cleary but Ismael says one deal has already gone by the wayside.

"We were interested in a player and then the player got injured so it made no sense for us to take them so we had to move on," he told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"We are talking about attacking players. This is what we are looking for - we have some players back but some who will take time."

Blackburn are one point adrift of safety in the Championship's relegation zone and signed striker Mathias Jorgensen from Bodo/Glimt this month as well as defender Eiran Cashin on loan from Brighton, but Ismael says they will need more reinforcements.

"We have to ensure we have enough power for the final push so we have to think about everything, and if we have the possibility of adding another one we will - Sunday and Monday have to be busy for us."

Blackburn host promotion-chasing Hull City on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

Sheffield United have joined Blackburn and Bristol City in the hunt for Barnsley winger Reyes Cleary, 21. (Sheffield Star, external)

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Friday's gossip column here.

Image source, Opta

Relegation-battling Blackburn will aim for their first win in eight games when they welcome promotion-chasing Hull City to Ewood Park on Saturday (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Rovers are a point adrift of safety in 22nd and have recorded just one victory in their past 13 games (D7 L5).

By contrast, the Tigers have won three on the bounce and seven of their past nine (D1 L1) as they sit fourth - five points off the automatic promotion places.

• Each of Blackburn's past three Championship wins against Hull have come away from home - they are winless in their previous three league games against the Tigers at Ewood Park (D1 L2), losing the past two.

• Hull are one of only two visiting teams with a 100% league record at Ewood Park since the start of the 2023-24 season (minimum two visits), along with Sheffield United (two wins in two games for both).

• Of the four teams Valerien Ismael has managed in the Championship, his win percentage (27.5%) and points-per-game ratio (1.1) with current club Blackburn are both his lowest.

• Hull have been ahead on the scoreboard for 38.9% of their total match time in the Championship this season - the highest percentage of any team (marginally ahead of Coventry, 38.8%).

• Oli McBurnie has scored 11 goals in 19 league appearances for Hull this term, with his minutes per goal ratio (125) being his best in a single Championship campaign in his career.

Blackburn Rovers have made an improved bid of £1.5m for Barnsley forward Reyes Cleary, with Bristol City also keeping an eye on the 21-year-old Englishman. (Alan Nixon - requires subscription), external

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Monday's gossip column here.

Blackburn Rovers boss Valerien Ismael has claimed the side are going "in the right direction" despite a 1-1 draw with Watford.

Rovers right-back Lewis Miller scored their equaliser two minutes after Edo Kayembe put the Hornets in front but neither side were able to find a winner.

"It was a great game, the main message is we got five players back in the squad and more options on the bench," Ismael told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"It has given us more possibilities, flexibility and energy - we are pleased with the performance but not the result.

"It's a step in the right direction to show you have to compete with your best players, and with at least half of the injured players back it will help us to compete.

"We were on the front foot and close to winning the game - we feel another energy on the pitch, and when we are able to keep our players together and build our momentum we will be much better."

The point has helped to lift keep the side out of the relegation zone but only by the small margin of two goals.

Image source, EFL

A new initiative highlighting the work of football club charities has been launched by the English Football League (EFL).

'Scan to Smile' will be rolled out in stadiums across the EFL from Friday until the end of January, with supporters invited to scan QR codes on posters displayed around grounds.

Each scan will unlock a short, uplifting story from a person whose life has been positively impacted by the support of their local club charity.

The subjects tackled include mental health support, combating loneliness, improving physical wellbeing, employability and confidence.

The EFL said it hoped the initiative would use "the reach and influence of football to offer fans a moment of positivity on matchday".

Trevor Birch, chief executive at the EFL, said: "Behind every club are people whose lives have been positively changed through the work and dedication of their local EFL club charity.

"This initiative gives supporters the chance to see that impact first-hand and reminds us that football truly is a force for good."

Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Aynsley Pears is not for sale, according to head coach Valerien Ismael.

The 27-year-old former Middlesbrough keeper's future has been the subject of speculation but Ismael is adamant he will remain at Ewood Park.

"We have no intention to sell him in this window," the Frenchman told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"He was injured and he had an operation. He played with pain and knew we were in a difficult situation with our squad with a lot of injuries and he carried on anyway to help us."

Pears has made 13 appearances for Rovers this season, the last of which was a 2-2 Championship draw with Charlton on 4 January.

"With bodies coming back, he had the possibility to have a breather and assess his injury in the wrist and took the decision to have an operation which took him out for another two or three weeks," added Ismael.

"So you see there is no intention for anyone to leave the club or to sell him."

Blackburn host Watford in the Championship on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

Blackburn Rovers' injury concerns meant they were forced to give first league starts to defender Connor O'Riordan, midfielder Brandon Powell and forward Aodhan Doherty in their 3-1 loss at Swansea on Tuesday.

Rovers are now in the relegation zone as they prepare to host a Watford side who could finish the weekend in the top six with a win at Ewood Park.

• After winning the reverse fixture 1-0 back in September last year, Blackburn Rovers will be looking to complete just a second league double over Watford after doing so in 1969-70.

• Watford have lost each of their past two league games against Blackburn Rovers. The Hornets have never lost three in succession in this fixture.

• So far during the 2025-26 Championship season, Blackburn have won just two of their 13 home league games (D4 L7), with only bottom side Sheffield Wednesday (0) managing fewer.

• Watford have won each of their past two away league games and will be looking to win three in succession on the road for the first time since December 2023, the third game of which was at Blackburn.

• Blackburn have won just one of their past 12 league games (D6 L5), and have conceded at least twice in all four so far in 2026 (D1 L3).

Image source, Shutterstock

All English Football League games across a four-day period in February will begin one minute late to raise awareness for the Every Minute Matters campaign.

The initiative will be in place for 36 matches across the Championship, League One and League Two between 5 and 9 February.

EFL sponsor Sky Bet and the British Heart Foundation (BHF) have been working together since May 2024 to highlight the importance of speed when it comes to performing live-saving CPR.

Later kick-off times will serve as "a stark reminder that every minute matters", the EFL said.

Bristol Rovers defender Tom Lockyer collapsed while playing for Luton Town eight minutes into the Championship play-off final against Coventry in May 2023.

Lockyer then suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch seven months later during a Premier League game at Bournemouth.

"What happened to me can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time," said Lockyer, who is now a BHF ambassador.

"Every year, more than 40,000 people in the UK suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and most of them never make it home.

"I'm here today because of the transformative power of CPR as every minute matters when it comes to saving a life.

"This February, we want everyone to get behind this life-saving initiative, learn the skills and be ready to step in because your actions could give someone else the chance I was given."

Throughout February, the Every Minute Matters campaign will call on fans to learn CPR using the BHF's online RevivR, external tool.

"Each minute without CPR reduces a person's chance of survival, so we're urging fans to learn the skills now, before you ever need them," said Dr Charmaine Griffiths, chief executive of the BHF.

EFL chief executive officer Trevor Birch added: "The one minute kick-off adjustment is a simple, powerful reminder that swift CPR can be the difference between life and death."