Lee Hendrie, former Aston Villa midfielder turned EFL pundit, has weighed in on the controversial decision by the EFL to replay the Blackburn Rovers and Ipswich Town match in full due to unplayable conditions. While he finds the decision “harsh,” Hendrie believes it can fuel Blackburn Rovers to victory in the replay.
The original game was halted with Blackburn leading and Ipswich down to ten men, only for the match to be rescheduled from the beginning following an extended decision process. Despite the challenges faced in making such a decision, the EFL determined a full replay was necessary.
Hendrie shared his thoughts on the matter, recognizing the difficulty for both teams but choosing to see the situation from Ipswich’s standpoint as well. Although some suggested replaying only the final 10 minutes, Hendrie highlighted the impracticality of such a short revisit and the unfairness it would bring to Ipswich.
Acknowledging the frustration felt by Blackburn, who had previously squandered a late lead this season, Hendrie suggested that the replay could motivate Rovers to secure a definitive win over Ipswich.
With the replay looming, it presents an opportunity for Blackburn to channel their frustration into a strong performance against Ipswich. While the decision may seem stringent, Hendrie believes it could be the catalyst for Blackburn to showcase their potential and secure a victory against Ipswich.
The rearranged fixture is likely to draw attention and interest, given the unusual circumstances surrounding the match. Blackburn will be eager to make a statement and produce a more convincing result than the suspended 1-0 scoreline from the previous encounter.
