Atkins: Blackburn Rovers Have Play-Off Opportunity

Premier League champion Mark Atkins has stated that Blackburn possesses a reasonable opportunity to secure a play-off spot, provided they navigate the upcoming weeks successfully and make strategic investments during the January transfer window. Following their 1-0 victory over Hull City on Saturday, Rovers have achieved four consecutive wins, securing three clean sheets during this period, which has propelled them back into the top six of the Championship standings. Blackburn is scheduled to play seven matches within a span of less than four weeks. This demanding period begins with an away game against Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday, followed by fixtures against Luton, Millwall, Sunderland, and Hull throughout December. Subsequently, matches against Leeds and Burnley are set for the initial four days of 2025. Speaking to BBC Radio Lancashire, Atkins described Rovers’ current form as “massively impressive,” further stating: “Two or three weeks ago, they’d lost three on the trot. To take that to four wins on the bounce is fantastic and the clean sheets are a massive bonus.” He continued, “It’s a great start, but it’s just a start at the minute, they have got to keep going. December is a big month – if you can get through December and still be in those play-offs then you’re in with half a chance.” With Rovers having scored only 10 goals across their last 13 matches, Atkins expressed his desire for the January transfer window to be utilized for bolstering the team’s attacking options. “The centre forward area is a problem, you need somebody who is going to score goals,” stated the 56-year-old, who accumulated over 300 appearances during his seven years with Rovers and was a member of the squad that secured the Premier League title in 1995. He further commented: “If they can get somebody who is going to get you 10 goals before the end of the Championship season then that would be fantastic. That’s the one position you’d say is a bit weak at the minute.” Andi Weimann and Yuki Ohashi currently stand as Rovers’ joint leading goal scorers, each having netted five goals. Sammie Szmodics holds the third position with three goals, despite his departure from the club in mid-August.