Four positives for Blackburn Rovers to build on after play-off near miss
DEFENISVE RESILIENCE
Rovers conceded 48 goals in the league this season (1.04 per game) and only five sides in the division shipped fewer. Those were Burnley (16), Leeds (30), Sheffield United (36), Sunderland (44) and West Brom (47).
Moreover, Rovers were one of only three sides in the second tier who didn't lose any of the games in which they took the lead along with Leeds and Burnley.
Only three other clubs in the EFL achieved that feat - Charlton and Stevenage in League One and Port Vale en route to automatic promotion from League Two.
One of John Eustace's first priorities when he arrived at Ewood Park was to tighten up the defence and he built on that work over the summer.
Valerien Ismael had a tough start in the hot seat but Rovers managed to combine their stubborn defending with the new head coach's style of play during the last five games of the campaign, only conceding three times.
The side took 14 out of a possible 18 points from their final six games and that form certainly bodes well for next term.
SETTLED IN
Yuki Ohashi and Makhtar Gueye both had their first tastes of English football at Ewood Park this season.
Ohashi hit the ground running, scoring in his first three appearances for the club, while Gueye had to wait until December for his first league goal.
The pair ended up with a combined 18 goals and nine assists, which represents a solid platform to build on next season.
Ohashi will benefit from the summer break, having already been playing in the J League for several months when his move to Lancashire was finalised.
Gueye has also spoken about the transition to Championship football and why it took time to build up his confidence, although the towering forward has shown in spells how effective he can be at this level.
Gueye celebrates a goal (Image: PA) Todd Cantwell is another player who headed to Ewood Park last summer and his quality is clear to see, although the playmaker had some tougher spells when the team were struggling to pick up points.
Cantwell already had plenty of Championship experience from his spells at Norwich and Bournemouth but will still benefit from a full pre-season with the squad, having joined late in the last summer window.
Augustus Kargbo has also had a bit of time to settle into life in Lancashire following his January switch from Cesena, although the 25-year-old's playing time was limited by injury.
LOAN MARKET
Rovers had mixed success in the loan market this season but Owen Beck's performances were a major plus.
The club utilised its relationship with Liverpool once again to land Beck, who enjoyed an impressive campaign before injury struck.
Beck had been thrown in at the deep end at the start of the campaign, with his debut coming in a fierce East Lancashire derby at Turf Moor, but he did an admirable job up against Luca Koleosho.
The Welshman managed to get on the scoresheet against Luton in December as Rovers made it six successive victories in the Championship.
It was a blow to lose the full-back for the final weeks of the campaign as Rovers battled for a play-off spot.
Lewis Baker also had a positive impact during the first half of the campaign before he was recalled by Stoke following Mark Robins' appointment.
Baker netted against Cardiff and got a run of games under his belt alongside Sondre Tronstad while Lewis Travis was out injured.
The midfielder kicked on at Stoke in the second half of the campaign, scoring a further six goals as the Potters avoided relegation.
Amario Cozier-Duberry also spent the second on loan at Ewood Park from Brighton, playing 23 times and scoring once, but saw his momentum hampered by injuries.
Dion Sanderson, Cauley Woodrow and Emmanuel Dennis all arrived on loan in the January window, although the trio saw their playing time limited.
The Dennis deal came with risk, having not played any competitive football during the first half of the campaign, and unfortunately the striker picked up an injury as he was starting to build up his sharpness.
ACADEMY SUCCESS
It was yet another productive campaign for the Academy with Leo Duru, Kristi Montgomery, Igor Tyjon and Harley O'Grady-Macken all making their senior debuts.
Several other youngsters made the bench for the first time, while some gained valuable experience out on loan.
Regardless of who is in the dugout, it is clear that the club still views the Academy as an important part of its long-term strategy – and why wouldn't they after all the success stories in recent years?
Rovers have already secured the futures of O'Grady-Macken, Matty Litherland, Brandon Powell and George Pratt this summer.
The club also tied down England youth international Harvey Higgins to a scholarship deal despite strong interest from a top Premier League club and he could be one to watch for the future.
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