Blackburn Rovers had a decent start to the EFL Championship 2021-22 season and are currently in seventh position and level on points with QPR in the sixth position. The Rovers entered the international break after a comfortable 3-1 victory over Sheffield United. Their Chilean striker Brereton Diaz is the most in-form player in the team. Other players have also contributed, and one of them is striker Sam Gallagher.
Sam Gallagher has featured in 13 games for the Rovers this season. He has made 12 starts and was subbed on in the match against Queens Park Rangers. The 26-year-old has scored five goals and also has three assists to his name. Gallagher has attempted 25 shots, with eight being on target. The player has a high expected goal rate of 4.43, and the highest rate was created against Cardiff City. Sam Gallagher has taken 35 touches inside the opposition penalty box and has also attempted 49 dribbles. The player has also made 33 interceptions and has contested a lot of aerial duels. Gallagher has made 27 recoveries, with 16 being made inside the opposition’s half.
The above chart shows the pass receiving locations of the forward. Gallagher has operated from the right side and has received most of the passes towards the wide right side. The player has also received more than ten passes inside the opposition box. Lewis Travis has attempted 25 passes towards Gallagher, creating an xT rate of 0.29. The highest threat rate is created from passes by Thomas Kaminski and Darragh Lenihan.
Sam Gallagher has attempted 25 shots with an accuracy rate of 0.32%. 80% of his shots were attempted from inside the opposition’s penalty area, and five shots were attempted from outside the opposition’s box. Gallagher has scored a goal from outside the opposition’s box and one goal from inside the opposition 6-yard box. The forward player attempted seven shots against Cardiff City and scored a goal in that match. He has more than one shot on target only against Cardiff City and Reading.
The above chart shows all the duels won by Sam Gallagher in his 13 appearances this season. He has contested 152 aerial duels, averaging more than 11 aerial duels per match. The 26-year-old contested 24 aerial duels in the match against Millwall. This chart shows that he has won most of his aerial duels towards the wider sides. He has also won more 50/50 duels in comparison to the defensive duels. Gallagher has won 11 aerial duels, six loose ball duels, and one defensive duel inside the opposition’s penalty area.
Sam Gallagher has made the second-highest goal contributions for the Rovers this season. The player has operated from the wider positions and has created a lot of threats with his passes and shooting ability. He is also good in the air and has contested a lot of aerial duels. The player is an important part of the Rovers plan, and he will look to contribute more to help his side reach the promotion places.
