Vital Reading season preview
Club: Blackburn Rovers
Founded: 1875
Nickname: Rovers
Ground: Ewood Park (Capacity: 31,367)
When we face off: Sat 1st November (A), Sat 11th April (H)
Last season finish: 8th – Championship
Manager: Gary Bowyer – After seasons of managerial change and insecurity, the former Rotherham defender appears to have steadied the Blackburn ship. Bowyer had two spells in caretaker charge, before becoming permanent boss in May last year and finished in a respectable 8th position, just missing out on the play-offs spots on the final day (we feel your pain!).
Key player: Jordan Rhodes – Getting the Scotland international down on contract for an extra two-years was a masterstroke by Rovers, considering interest in the prolific forward would have been high. 51 goals in 89 league games is an outstanding record at this level and considering he is only 24-years of age, has many better years ahead of him, most likely in the top division.
Season Preview: As mentioned, Rovers just missed out on the play-offs last season and will want to build on this. The acquisition of Chris Brown and Luke Varney brings experience to their attacking options, but lack experience at the other end in defence, with Matt Kilgallon the most experienced defensive squad member. If Blackburn add accordingly, they could be a dark horse in the promotion race.
Dark Horse? Outright winners I’d say!