QUALITY over quantity goes the old adage and that certainly proved to be true in the Championship last season.

Ten of the 11 teams that finished in the top half of the table used the fewest amount of players during the campaign.

In contrast four of the five sides that used the most, Blackpool (50), Bolton Wanderers (44), Rotherham United (42), Wigan Athletic (41) and Millwall (40), finished in the bottom four.

Losing play-off semi-finalists Brentford utilised just 24 players followed by champions Bournemouth (25) and seventh-placed Wolves (27).

Then came losing play-off finalists Middlesbrough (30) followed by the team that beat them in the Wembley showpiece, Norwich City (31), runners-up Watford (31), losing play-off semi-finalists Ipswich Town (31), eighth-placed Derby County (31) and 10th-placed Birmingham City (31).

And ninth-placed Blackburn Rovers? They used 30.

The bad news for Rovers is that come the start of the new campaign their squad will be able to contain no more than 24 established players under the terms of the club’s Financial Fair Play embargo.

Brentford showed, though, that a small squad need not be a barrier to a place in the top six.

But, as Gary Bowyer pointed out this week, his side simply cannot afford an injury crisis similar to the one they suffered last time out.

But even if Rovers steer clear of injuries, they will still need to rid themselves of the inconsistency that blighted their hopes of progress last season.

Bowyer and his coaching staff must get more out a talented group of players who have admitted they underperformed in the league in 2014-15.

Additions in key areas – the centre of midfield and more pace – are also needed. That, however, is easier said than done.

Whereas rivals will be able to spend what they want on who they want, Rovers will be restricted to free transfers and loan signings – and, if Chris Taylor puts pen to paper on a new deal, three at the most.

That is because Rovers’ squad currently contains 20 established players under contract.

That number could reduce if the likes of Rudy Gestede are attracted by the bright lights of the Premier League.

But while cashing in on assets would go some way to getting the embargo lifted, Rovers need to concentrate as much of their efforts on moving on the three established players who are not in Bowyer’s plans.

Josh Morris, after an impressive 18-month loan spell at Fleetwood Town, should not be short of offers.

Shifting Leon Best and Jake Kean on a permanent basis, however, is going to be difficult unless the club can come to financial settlements with the pair.

But if Kean, Best and Morris were to go, that would free up three valuable spaces and give Bowyer wriggle room in, whatever happens, is set to be one of the smallest senior squads in the Championship.