Being signed because his qualities fit a specific role in Jon Dahl Tomasson’s set-up has given Sam Szmodics huge belief as he embarks on the next stage of his career at Ewood Park.

Rovers identified Szmodics an energetic and flexible attacker with an eye for goal who can fit into the front four that the head coach is looking to implement.

Szmodics felt his return of six Championship goals in a Peterborough side that was relegated was a respectable one, but believed he flourished under Grant McCann, with four in his final 10 appearances.

Those came in the No.10 role that he feels best suits his game and where he looks most likely to feature under Tomasson.

Rovers’ new structure means director of football Gregg Broughton, and the club’s recruitment team, are tasked with bringing in players that suit the demands of head coach Tomasson.

That gives the 26-year-old plenty of positivity that he has been signed based upon plenty of research.

He said: “They’ve watched clips so they know exactly what they’re getting.

“I feel as though I’m coming here with a point to prove, but they also know my qualities and what I need to work on.

“It helps you settle in better because the manager knows who he’s signed, rather than learning over the next couple of weeks.

“The season has started, there’s no time to get used to the lads and how we play, the season has started and you have to learn quickly.

“It’s good to know the manager knows my qualities, I’ll get to know his and hopefully we can work together and have a successful season.”

Tomasson’s style will focus on flexibility in attack, but also intensive pressing off the ball.

And Szmodics explained: “My game suits exactly how the manager wants to play.

“I’m a very enthusiastic person on and off the pitch, I like to press, and it’s what the manager wants here.

“That’s my game down to a tee.

“It’s quite nice to join a team who know how I play.

“Bristol City signed me off stats but here they’ve watched clips and know exactly what I can bring and what the manager wants.

“I’m looking forward to getting started.”

While outlining that operating behind the striker is his preferred role, Szmodics has also previously played in a deeper midfield role or off the flanks.

But he feels a strong end to last season, in which he scored twice on the final day and also against Rovers in April, came as a result of a switch in position.

“That’s where I played my best football at the end of the season and I enjoyed my time under Grant McCann at Peterborough,” he added of the spot behind the striker.

“Before Grant McCann I felt limited to the No.10 position and it was a case of just running in behind.

“I like to go and find the ball, pick the ball up and Grant McCann coming in gave me license to rotate and I ended up with four at the end of the season and flourished under him.

“That’s the form I want to bring here.

“The manager isn’t fussed about the set positions and that would suit me with my energy.”

Szmodics’ arrival at Rovers was confirmed on Monday night, two days after he made his final Peterborough appearance.

Playing on the opening day for Posh at least gave him the chance of a farewell, and despite being desperate to make the move to Ewood Park, kicking up a fuss certainly isn’t his style.

His conduct was praised by Posh who banked an undisclosed fee for a player who hit 16 goals in their 2020/21 League One promotion campaign.

But of his opening day outing, he admitted: “It was a tough one.

“I’m an enthusiastic boy, I’m no trouble, I do everything by the book, I don’t like to upset coaches and staff and maybe I’m not selfish enough because I know some players wouldn’t have played in the game.

“But it was the opening weekend, it’s what everyone looks forward to, I wanted to play.

“The manager took me off after 80 minutes, we won the game, I got a nice ovation from the Peterborough fans as like a goodbye because I know it was basically done and it would be my last game.

“But it was tough. I knew that I could get an injury and it’s not just me that suffers but both clubs.

“Thankfully everything went alright.”

Szmodics proved himself in League Two with Colchester United, scoring 31 times and adding 15 assists in 99 appearances.

In League One he also was a standout performer, with 23 goals and 12 assists in 96 appearances.

However prior to last season he had played only 107 minutes of Championship football for Bristol City, who Posh signed him from, first on loan and then a permanent deal last summer.

But back in the second tier, he’s eager to take his chance at this level with Rovers.

“(At Bristol City) I played twice and didn’t get an opportunity for reasons that I don’t know,” he said.

“Then we (Peterborough) were fighting relegation last season, we played some good football but we were up against it from day one.

“It’s a bit of a relief for myself personally because when I left Bristol City it was my aim to get back into the Championship.

“I went to Peterborough which was a big move for me going down to League One, and it was about proving to people that I was better than that level and that I can play in the Championship and earned my move back to the Championship.

“It’s not about just showing Blackburn fans but myself, and fans of clubs I’ve played for before that this is the level I deserve to be at and it’s the hard work I’ve put in that’s given me the opportunity and the chance at a team like Blackburn Rovers I’m thankful for but I know I’m good enough and I can’t wait to get going.”

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