ONE look at the league table and things are looking really healthy for Blackburn Rovers.

And that's because the team is built on a solid foundation and there is a good squad of players there, chomping at the bit to play.

Right through the team we look impressive.

Brad (Friedel) has not changed one single bit over the years. He's not had too much to do so far this season, but concentration-wise, he's always there and when he's asked upon he always produces the goods.

The basis of any successful team has to be a good goalkeeper. He's the last line of defence and if the opposition breaks through, he's got to be a rock. Brad has been that rock this season, last season and throughout his whole time at Rovers.

He must provide a huge confidence boost for the defenders, who have also been consistent.

The only problem there has been when Ryan (Nelsen) has been out. He and Chris Samba have developed an excellent partnership and I really like Samba. Stephen Warnock on one side and Brett Emerton on the other have also been impressive.

It's no coincidence that our great start to the season coincided with a settled back four playing week in, week out.

Since then, we've had one or two injuries, chopped and changed things a bit, and although players like young Martin Olsson and Andre Ooijer have come in, I think results have suffered a little.

In the middle of the park, Mark is able to pick from about six or eight players. He can change the shape of the side as we've seen in the last few weeks and he's already experimented with different systems, which has included playing David Bentley in the middle, a move that has paid dividends.

However, I prefer him out wide. He's been creative and he scored a goal at the weekend, but I must admit, when he played there against Larissa, he looked lost. It was very boggy in there with all the players, but when he went out wide he was outstanding.

That's the thing with David, he can play in different positions, but he always does well.

Another one who has had a blistering start is David Dunn. He's got his head down and worked really hard and he's enjoying his football again. He's playing regularly and the more he does that, the more psychologically he'll get over any doubts there ever was about his fitness.

And what can I say about the strikers?

Matty Derbyshire shows everyone how eager he is to be in the team, he is always chasing down balls and he's scored a few as well.

Then there's big Roque up front who has also been excellent. But I still don't believe he's a 20-goal-a-season player. I think he'll help Benni (McCarthy) to get that amount and maybe Derbyshire into double figures for the season, but there's no doubting the impact he's had already.

The disappointing thing for me has been Morten Pedersen. He's been non-existent and posted missing so far. I'd like to see the real Morten come back to Ewood Park and do well.

He's a fantastic player and we all know what he can do, but we haven't even seen glimpses of that this season.

Benni McCarthy is another one who has struggled so far to find any form. I don't know if it's second-season-syndrome, but there are big expectations for him. He showed a little against Birmingham at the weekend.

Let's hope for more of the same from him - and the rest of the team!