Blackburn Rovers Season Ratings with a ten and two fours

Jon Dahl Tomasson's side were fighting for the play-offs at the start of December, only for John Eustace to be leading them to safety from relegation in May.

Injuries have been a major blight on Rovers' season, with key players missing large chunks of the year. Players' form has fluctuated from one extreme to another too.

But, as is customary at the end of the season, here are our Season Ratings, with six representing par for the course, and each score in the context of our expectations for that player.

Aynsley Pears - 5.5

It's been an inconsistent season for the Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper. He's had some matches where he has been Player of the Match and others where high-profile errors have been costly.

Against Leeds United and Leicester City, he made match-winning saves. Yet it's moments like Ipswich Town and Sheffield Wednesday that might be remembered most.

Leopold Wahlstedt - 4

It has been a difficult first season in English football for the summer signing. Having made a bright start in goal after deputising for Pears, things went downhill over Christmas.

Crosses were a big weakness and he was exposed regularly from set-pieces. There have been some good moments, his shot-stopping has generally been steady and his distribution has been good. But overall, it would be disingenuous to suggest it was a successful campaign.

Callum Brittain - 7

After an injury-hit debut season, Brittain has been largely fit and available all season for Rovers. Like most of the defence, he's had good games and bad with his form often mirroring the team.

He made a phenomenal start to the season, showing his best form in September and October. He then struggled over Christmas and the early New Year before rediscovering his form under Eustace.

Dom Hyam - 6.5

The Rovers captain has not been as consistent as last season when he won Player of the Season. Injuries and a lack of continuity around him have definitely played a role in that.

There have been a few games where Hyam has looked uncharacteristically rash. He was arguably rushed back too soon from injury too but needs-must, a time when Rovers were struggling.

There have been some very strong performances too, particularly in the big matches away from home. With a full pre-season, I'd back him to bounce back to his best.

Hayden Carter - 6.5

A mixed campaign for Carter too, who has missed chunks of the season with injury. By his own admission, he started the season below the levels that he ended the last.

He then missed three months with a hamstring problem before returning and making an impact. Another player not helped by the issues around him in defence.

Like Hyam, I would expect to see him return to his best levels next season after a summer with Eustace.

Scott Wharton - 8

Rovers' most consistent centre-back, for me. He didn't come into the team until November but his performances were solid, even under Tomasson.

He then improved further under Eustace. It's a real shame that he will miss the next nine months with a serious knee injury. Hopefully, he'll be back stronger.

Kyle McFadzean - 7.5

Rovers are in talks to hand him another year and I think it's a no-brainer. He has brought experience, leadership and organisational skills to the backline.

There have been a few off-days, Plymouth and Bristol City. But, he has been a big net positive, especially for a free transfer in January.

James Hill - 8

Would have rivalled Tronstad as Rovers' best piece of summer business had he stayed the course of the season. Useful at centre-back and right-back, a good character to boot.

Recalled in January when neither play nor the club wanted him to leave. Expect him to have a good career in the Premier League.

Harry Pickering - 7.5

Mr Consistent for Rovers. Pickering is a very good player but particularly thrives when playing full-back or left of a back three.

His game is less suited to a bombing wing-back role but he is a very intelligent and consistent player. An asset to the club.

Ben Chrisene - 7

As first loans go, this was pretty successful. Chrisene was just back from a long-term injury but found his rhythm pretty quickly.

He grew into the loan move and got better the more he played. Again, not a bad pick-up for a January addition.

Joe Rankin-Costello - 7.5

His score would be a lot higher if he'd been available more often. Two injuries have really stunted his season, which is frustrating because he's been great when fit.

Midfield looks to be Rankin-Costello's home now, having played every game there under Eustace. He made a huge difference coming back into the team for the final dozen matches.

Sondre Tronstad - 8.5

Rovers' best summer signing. He offered a great platform which allowed Adam Wharton to flourish in the first half of the season and then Rankin-Costello after.

He's rarely injured and doesn't often drop below a seven out of ten. 

John Buckley - 5

A very frustrating season for Buckley. He had a loan to Sheffield Wednesday that didn't really work out and a long-term shoulder injury.

He looked good in flashes under Eustace but lost his place in the team. It feels like an important summer for him after a stagnant 18 months.

Jake Garrett - 7

Voted Rovers' Young Player of the Season, it's been a good season for Garrett with the goal against West Brom a highlight.

He could've gone on loan but stayed at Rovers and has looked bright. Minutes dried up in the heat of a relegation battle but that's to be expected. Let's see what the summer holds for him.

Yasin Ayari - 6

With only two starts and circa 300 minutes played, this isn't an easy one to score. There have been flashes from Ayari, most notably against Coventry, but he hasn't played enough.

Lewis Travis - 6

A mid-season exit saw the captain spend the remainder of the season helping Ipswich Town to promotion. 

He is contracted until 2026 and seems like an Eustace-type of player. It'll be interesting to see what happens.

Adam Wharton - 8.5

It was gutting to see him leave but Rovers netted a club-record sale. He has gone on to show his quality in the Premier League already.

Wharton looks destined for the top and Rovers stand to benefit if he makes it. That's his legacy for his boyhood club.

Andrew Moran - 6.5

Started the season ever so well. Some very bright performances in the early months, up until December. Once the injuries hit, he was overplayed and he never rediscovered that form.

Didn't feature very often once Eustace came in. A shame really.

Dilan Markanday - 5

Another frustrating season for Markanday, who hasn't been able to find regular minutes at Championship level.

In cup matches or appearances off the bench, he's been bright. But he hasn't been able to show enough consistency or grasp his opportunity in the league.

Ryan Hedges - 7

How do you score this one? When fit, he's been fantastic and you saw his impact after returning from a long-term hamstring lay-off.

To then suffer another similar problem is a cruel blow. Rovers need to find better cover in the summer if Hedges is unavailable because he's been missed.

Arnor Sigurdsson - 6.5

Sigurdsson started the season injured and it ended that way too. In between, there were flashes of brilliance but also frustrating periods.

The goals at QPR made you think Rovers had found a gem but, at times, he struggled with the physicality of the Championship. I think there is a player in there and with a full pre-season, hopefully, Eustace can unlock it.

Tyrhys Dolan - 7

Some great moments and flashes of the quality he has but everyone wants to see it more regularly. Got injured when he was arguably in his best form, which was a frustration.

His future will come to ahead this summer. He'll either sign a new deal or Rovers may have to move him on.

Sam Szmodics - 10

We're running out of words to describe this man. A simply flawless season from Blackburn Rovers' saviour. Without his goals, they would have gone down.

He ended the season with 33 in all competitions, scoring 10 of Rovers' last 13 league goals. He will be highly sought after this summer but won't come cheaply.

Sam Gallagher- 6.5

Gallagher continues to be a lightning rod for debate. They play better as a team when he's in it.

But he doesn't score enough goals for his pedigree. It's been another troublesome year with injuries too and his future will be assessed in the summer.

Semir Telalovic - 4

It just hasn't worked out for Telalovic. He hasn't scored a goal though the chances have been limited.

But it's clear that neither Tomasson nor Eustace have really fancied him. Even when chasing a game, he's been an unused substitute. That tells the story.

Harry Leonard - 8

A great breakthrough season for Leonard, who would've been my YPOTY. He scored some important goals in the first half of the season.

He'd have been useful from the bench in the final months of the season. He's recovering well from his back injury and should be fit for pre-season.

*Connor O'Riordan, Billy Koumetio, Pat Gamble, Jake Batty, John Fleck, James Edmondson Zak Gilsenan and Niall Ennis did not qualify for a score due to lack of minutes.