Blackburn answer critics as big players prove their quality

Whilst those problems have not gone away, winning football matches does plenty for the mood of a football club. Four successive wins have rescued Rovers' season from the dead.

It puts them in the hunt on the final day of the season to complete a remarkable turnaround. They answered the big questions against Watford with Todd Cantwell and Tyrhys Dolan scoring to keep the play-off dream alive.

Here are all the key takeaways from a fantastic afternoon at Ewood Park.

Big players produce key moments

It has not been a straightforward season for Cantwell or Dolan, who have not always produced the goods. But in this four-game winning run, they have delivered for Blackburn Rovers.

Dolan, in particular, is enjoying a real purple patch at a great time for him personally. It looked as though he was waving goodbye to Ewood Park in his lap of appreciation and if that is the case, what a perfect way to sign off.

He was already one of Blackburn's best players even before the match-winning goal, his seventh of the season. Even in the losing run, he was one of few to come out with any credit.

He is running at players, playing with confidence and producing end product. It is what Rovers fans have craved and it's important to remember that he is only 23. He is now on seven goals for the season, a career-best.

When Dolan is in this form, he can play for anyone in the Championship. I have no doubt he will have plenty of suitors in the summer.

For Cantwell, he is one of the first names on the team sheet when he's in rhythm. It hasn't been often enough but he is producing big moments at the end of the season.

We all know his undeniable quality and ability to split defences. But his work rate, pressing and endeavour has particularly stood out in recent weeks. He is proving that he can be an important player for Ismael moving forward.

He is now producing more quality too. Both goals were fantastic attacking moves. It was not an easy finish for the equaliser and we have seen him snatch at similar chances.

Similarly, it's a clever dart in-behind to break down Watford's low block. At a time where Rovers looked to be running low on ideas, his movement created and then cutback created the goal.

They are both match-winners on the day. Whilst Dolan might not be here next season, Cantwell could be after proving his suitability in recent weeks.

Answering the critics

Rovers hadn't won from behind since August, the only time they had done so this term. That was against Oxford in the third matchday of the season.

It's been levelled, quite fairly, that his group doesn't handle pressure well. Not even this squad but the football club. Well, they answered some of those critics.

At 1-0 down, it would've been very typical Blackburn Rovers to lose at home to a team with nothing to play for, having got themselves back in contention.

But instead, they dug in and ground the result out. They got the three points which means their season is very much alive and kicking next weekend.

The squad is far stronger now with key players back and in form. Add the likes of Augustus Kargbo and Emmanuel Dennis into that mix, they have options. Hayden Carter should be back next week too.

Ismael turns it around

This result again validates Ismael's assessment of what was wrong before. Fair play to him, he has turned it around with the supporters. His calm and composed nature looks to have paid off.

He needed some results, regardless of the top-six picture, to earn buy-in and belief heading into the summer. Not just from the fans but the players too.

In my early dealing with the new head coach, he has been great. He answers questions honestly and openly. There is clear respect and an understanding of the job, which is all you ask for.

That doesn't make him the right or wrong head coach but it does earn favour. I would be delighted to see him succeed at Ewood Park on a personal level, whether that be at Bramall Lane next weekend or in the future.

Of course, results will dictate that, not engaging press conferences, but it's nice to have both.

After such a difficult start, it's good that he will, at least, be judged on next season with his group of players, regardless of what happens next week.

The season is alive

It's an outside shot but at least Blackburn Rovers have got one. It was unlikely they'd win at Leeds and Leicester last season too. It can happen.

Rovers need some favours and to do their job. They didn't get the former two years ago at Millwall after a roaring comeback.

Sheffield United are a great side but they have nothing to play for. We don't know what strength of team Chris Wilder will field. It is not mission impossible by any means, though tough.

The bonus for Rovers is each of their rivals plays an opponent with something on the line. Burnley want the league title, Preston North End need something to survive. Coventry playing Middlesbrough speaks for itself.

As Callum Brittain put perfectly post-match, if you'd have offered every fan this scenario in August, you'd have snatched their hand off. So let's just enjoy the ride. A journey nobody expected to be on at the start of April.