For their third season since relegation from the Premier League, Rovers reached 50 points with an April victory over Derby County at Ewood Park.

In 2013, they did so in their 41st match, goals from Jordan Rhodes and Scott Dan coming in a 2-0 win. That was a first win in 11 matches.

In 2019, Joe Rothwell scored his first for the club to help Rovers to a 2-0 win over the Rams in their 41st game. They had won just one of their previous 11.

Fast forward to April 2021 and it was Derby again on the receiving end as a 2-1 victory, in their 42nd match of the season, moved Rovers to a half century of points having not won in seven games, and in only one of their previous 15.

It is largely accepted that 50 points is enough to ensure Championship safety, even though Rovers did reach 51 in 2016/17 but still got relegated.

The fastest they have reached that, in the Championship, since relegation came last season, a 2-0 win at Charlton Athletic in February saw them reach that mark after 33 games. They went on to finish with 63 points.

Rovers’ highest finishing position, and points tally, since dropping out of the Premier Legaue was in 2013/14 when they ended in eighth spot with 70. They reached 50 on matchday 36, Matt Kilgallon scoring in a 1-1 draw with Leicester City.

They would finish that season with a flourish, six wins and six draws in their final 12 games seeing them climb the table, but it was the draws that would prove their downfall in a late push for the play-offs.

Their second best finish came the following season, in 2014/15, as Gary Bowyer’s side picked up 67 points to end in ninth spot. They also reached the 50 point mark after 36 games, this time courtesy of a Rhodes goal in a 1-0 win over Bolton Wanderers at Ewood Park.

Rovers are five points shy of the 55 points they managed in 2015/16, a figure they will hope to overtake this week in games against Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield Town.

Yet two wins in Paul Lambert’s final two matches in charge were needed for them to reach that mark, getting beyond 50 in matchday 45, an early Shane Duffy goal helping see of Rotherham United.

Games to reach 50 points.

2020/21: 42

2019/20: 33

2018/19: 41

2016/17: 46

2015/16: 45

2014/15: 36

2013/14: 36

2012/13: 41