Blackburn Rovers: Markanday keen to build on pre-season form

Last season wasn’t easy for the winger, who made just one league appearance before heading out on loan to Aberdeen during the second half of the campaign.

He found opportunities hard to come by in the Scottish Premiership, only playing three senior games for the Dons.

But the former Tottenham youngster has impressed during pre-season and was on target against Girona at the weekend, slotting home after pouncing on an error by the goalkeeper.

“Obviously, you want to build up momentum going into the season and peak at the first game,” he said.

“I feel like I am in good shape at the moment. The last time I played 90 minutes was in the cup against Norwich in January, so it has been a while.

“But I am feeling really good and happy to keep getting minutes against good opposition. It was a good test.”

Markanday arrived at Ewood Park from Tottenham in January 2022, but his initial months at the club were impacted by an untimely injury against Hull City on his debut.

The 21-year-old believes the new season is a “clean slate” and is determined to show what he is capable of.

The youngster scored twice last season before heading out on loan (Image: Camerasport)

“Everyone knows how demanding the Championship is, especially this season with good teams coming down from the Premier League and up from League One,” Markanday continued.

“Mentally, last season was tough. But I have put that aside and feel really to go and have a clean slate.

“I feel really fresh and sharp. All the boys have been so good to me and the staff have been top as well. I feel really good and hopefully I can keep that going.”

The winger also impressed during the recent behind closed doors friendly against Barnsley, winning two penalties and managing an assist.

Markanday is pleased with his performances over the past few weeks and hopes he can continue that form into the league campaign.

“To score as an attacker is always great,” he said. “My job is to create chances for my team-mates, score and defend. I feel like I have been doing a bit of that in recent weeks.

“I feel like confidence is high right now. When I am confident, I feel good on the pitch and feel like I am a great player. Hopefully, I can take that confidence and help the boys win some games.

“I don’t put a lot of pressure on myself. I just go out there and play the best football I can. Hopefully, as a result of that more opportunities will come my way.

“It is more of a case of trying to be the best the best player I can be in training during the week and then just taking it from there. Hopefully, the process will carry on and fall into place.”

The youngster relished the chance to come up against Spanish top flight opposition at the weekend and believes the experience will stand the squad in good stead ahead of their curtain raiser against West Brom.

“They are a La Liga team, you could see the quality out there on the pitch,” he stated.

“I think that is what we all wanted, coming up against great opposition and I feel like we held our own and did well.

“We could have easily got a draw or maybe a win if a couple of our chances had gone our way. It was a great test and hopefully we can take that momentum into the season.

“All those patterns of play we do in training, it is about getting those habits into the games. I think all the fans saw what we try to do in training.

“The manager is instilling those thoughts and practices into our heads, and hopefully they saw a bit of that.”

Harry Leonard was also on target against the Spanish club after signing a new four-year contract at Ewood Park. Meanwhile, Cristian Stuani, Viktor Tsyhanlov and former Manchester United man Daley Blind struck for the visitors.

Rovers are set for another tough test when Carlos Corberan’s Baggies make the trip to East Lancashire this weekend.

Markanday knows it will not be easy but is eager to get off to a good start against the Midlands club and build some early momentum.

“It is going to be a test,” he added. “Every game in the Championship is tough as we all know.

“Hopefully, we can start well and it will be the start of a really good season. I can’t wait. Being in front of our home fans, it is going to be good.

“We want to start as we mean to go on so that first win will be extremely important to give everyone loads of confidence.

“But it will only come from the process of doing all the good things we have been doing – playing well, defending as a team, creating chances and scoring goals.”

The winger would love to be named in the starting line-up against the Baggies this weekend, but he is keeping his feet firmly on the ground.

“I am not getting too far ahead,” he continued. “All the boys have put decisions into the manager’s head in terms of starting places and things like that.

“If I am picked in the starting XI, I will do the best I can to help the team and hopefully do a good job.”