Valerien Ismael rues lack of quality in front of goal as Blackburn draw again

Blackburn boss Valerien Ismael rued his side’s lack of quality in front of goal following a forgettable 0-0 draw at rock-bottom Sheffield Wednesday.

Rovers registered a second successive goalless stalemate in the Sky Bet Championship after Yuki Ohashi failed to capitalise on their best opportunities at Hillsborough.

Blackburn, who are without injured top scorer Andri Gudjohnsen, edged five points clear of the relegation zone courtesy of the draw in South Yorkshire.

“We started the game really well,” said Ismael.

“We had chances but the same as the last week (a 0-0 draw at Middlesbrough on Boxing Day), the quality into the final third, the last pass, the extra touch we take.

“The only thing I can complain is just we are not hitting the target.

“We put ourselves in position to shoot, to create chances, but we are not hitting the goalkeeper, the crossbar or something, so it’s something we have to work on.

“I said that to the boys, this is what we miss in the second half: just that goal to help us.

“On the other hand, we take the positivity: we are solid, three clean sheets in a row now, we defend well.”

In a game of limited chances, Ohashi dithered and was dispossessed when through on goal and later headed wide when well placed, while captain Todd Cantwell and Matty Litherland also threatened for Rovers.

Ismael, who brought on 18-year-old forward Nathan Dlamini for the closing stages and revealed striker Makhtar Gueye is currently out of favour, hopes to strengthen his squad during next month’s transfer window.

“We’ve got the window in front of us so hopefully we can get somebody in quickly in the building,” he said.

“We just need to deal with the next game (at home to Wrexham on Thursday) now to make sure that we come through that period and to get some players back and then get some new faces.”

Wednesday’s winless run stretched to 17 games following a battling performance.

The depleted Owls, who remain in administration amid ongoing takeover talks after a preferred bidder was named on Christmas Eve, move on to minus seven points but are still awaiting a first home league victory of the season.

Manager Henrik Pedersen was forced to make a late change to his youthful line-up, handing a league debut to 19-year-old defender Cole McGhee due to the late withdrawal of Liam Cooper.

Barry Bannan and Gabriel Otegbayo went closest to a winner for the hosts.

“It was a tough evening with a very young team, with four senior players and seven of the young guys,” said Pedersen.

“It was another evening where the boys did everything they could, with their heart for the club, for the fans, for everyone.

“It was a typical game that we could have lost four, five, six, seven weeks ago. I think we have to be proud of this.

“It was a ‘culture point’ today, the culture won the point. I’m happy for this point.”