Tony on top of the world
DOMINANT Blackburn helped boss Tony Mowbray celebrate his new long-term deal in style by brushing aside a dismal Wednesday.
Mowbray (55) penned a new three-and-a-half year contract on Friday, and his players did him proud as they bounced back after successive defeats.
Danny Graham was the star turn, bagging a clinical hat-trick in front of a buzzing Ewood Park crowd.
Mowbray, who guided Rovers to promotion from League One last term, said: “That really was a performance we can all be proud of.
“The nature of the goals particularly pleased me.
“We just kept powering forward when Wednesday came back at us, and that just highlights our intentions.
“I’m really pleased for Danny too. He’s proved once again that he is a really special finisher.
“It’s been quite a tough week in terms of results to be honest, so it has ended positively.
“The intensity was right up there again, and that’s what you need consistently at this level.”
Rovers were good value for their interval lead as the shot-shy Owls produced precious little up front.
After eight minutes Harrison Reed grazed the outside of a post as he charged in to meet Craig Conway’s cross.
Two minutes later the hosts struck when Graham pounced to slammed in a rebound after Bradley Dack’s initial strike was parried by ‘keeper Cameron Dawson.
Graham turned provider seven minutes after the restart, squaring perfectly for Dack, who side-footed home his 11th goal of the season.
The boos rang out from the sizeable travelling faithful, but they turned to cheers on the hour mark when Lucas Joao crashed home from 30 yards with the Owls’ first attempt on target.
The Dack/graham combo were at it again for Rovers’ third.
Midfielder Dack’s low strike thumped the base of a post, but there was Graham who converted another rebound.
Barry Bannan dinked home Wednesday’s second via Rovers’ ‘keeper David Raya’s glove with six minutes left, but the final word had to go to Graham, who converted yet another Dack tee-up to slot in Rovers’ fourth, and his eighth of the campaign.
The Owls’ Dutch boss Jos Luhukay is feeling the heat after a sixth defeat in eight games.
He’s clearly a fighter, however.
He said: “I understand the fans’ reactions. I’m also frustrated and irritated after that result.
“It’s not a situation anyone likes.
“The expectations are very high at this club – I know that–- but we all have to believe that we can turn the results around.”