Three 9/10s stand out - Blackburn Rovers season ratings

A six-game unbeaten rally was not enough for Valerien Ismael's side to make the final cut. It did breathe fresh hope and instil optimism that they can be a force against next term.

Based on pre-season expectations, it was an overachievement by the squad to finish seven. They will need further investment to add depth in the squad to go one step further in 2025/26.

After a valiant effort, here are The Lancashire Telegraph's end-of-season ratings.

Players must have played 300 minutes to quality.

Aynsley Pears - 7.5

It was a strange end to the season for Pears, who found himself on the bench having started the campaign so strong.

The Rovers shot-stopper had a great season up to Christmas. His levels dipped slightly after, as did the teams, though he still had a much better campaign than last year.

However, Balazs Toth started the final six matches which gives an interesting wrinkle to pre-season. Who will be number one next season?

Balazs Toth - 7

This is the first time Toth has qualified for a mark, given his lack of action. But he grew into the number one role after being given a vote of confidence by Ismael.

His handling, shot-stopping and distribution is sold. He was susceptible to crosses into the box at first but improved on that after a few games.

It will be an interesting decision to see which goalkeeper Ismael plumps for next term.

Callum Brittain - 9

There is little argument that this has been Brittain's best season to date as a Blackburn Rovers player. His first year was injury-hit and nobody came out with much credit last term.

Under John Eustace, he improved his defensive work massively. Similarly, Ismael is a huge fan and knows how to get the best from him. His impact at the end of the season was obvious after returning from injury.

Brittain fell just short of winning Rovers' Player of the Year, finishing runner-up. With a year to go on his deal, Rovers must tie him down as a priority.

Joe Rankin-Costello - 4

A difficult season for JRC, with that second-place Player of the Year finish two years ago a distant memory. In pre-season, it looked like he might be a key player.

He has been caught between a rock and a hard place by his versatility. Nobody knows what his best position is having thrived in a very specific role Jon Dahl Tomasson fashioned for him.

After being omitted from the final two squads, it might be time for him to try to get regular football elsewhere.

Hayden Carter - 6

It was a frustrating season for Carter, who missed too much football down to injury. The first was unfortunate, hurting his knee which ruled him out for four months.

Having returned looking fit and impressive, a calf injury ended his season. Given the form of Danny Batth and Dom Hyam, he will have to prove he can be reliable next season to earn a place in the team.

Dom Hyam - 8

Hyam finished the season as one of only three outfielders in the Championship to start every single game. That is a testament to his consistency and availability which is half the battle.

I often think that aspect of Hyam's game goes under the radar. Over the course of his Blackburn career, his durability has been fantastic.

Rovers have retained his services for next season and he will again be an important part of the Rovers defence.

Danny Batth - 8.5

Batth was fantastic for Rovers, a real coup and a shrewd bit of business. Now, they have to make sure they keep him.

It will be hard to find a defender that can produce his level of consistency coupled with immense Championship experience. Even if they can, it would cost a pretty penny.

Batth wants to stay and I believe he will. Rovers need to ensure that happens.

Dion Sanderson - 6

Signed as defensive cover, Sanderson has done his job. He started strong and then had a few wobbly performances but overall has fit the remit.

It's hard to see his stay extending beyond the summer, especially after Eustace's departure, but he has been good for the squad, nonetheless.

Owen Beck - 8

A real shame that Rovers saw very little of Beck in the second half of the season. He was an excellent loan signing.

Beck has the athleticism to play in the Premier League, whether that's for Liverpool or elsewhere. To say it's his first Championship loan, he's been excellent and will go on to have a bright future.

Harry Pickering - 6

Pickering is facing the first major battle of his Rovers career at left-back. Having returned from injury, he was restricted to just one appearance due to the form of Ribeiro.

With both tied down until 2027, it'll be an interesting battle next season and beyond to see who gets the nod at left-back.

Yuri Ribeiro - 7.5

Ribeiro ended the season as he started it, in good form. He is a solid and reliable Championship defender.

It was an easy decision to sign him to a longer deal. A position that Rovers don't need to worry about now next season.

Lewis Travis - 9

After a small dip in form, along with the team, Travis was back to his snarling best to end the campaign. When Rovers play well, it's usually because he's setting the tone in midfield.

It's hard to imagine he wasn't a Rovers player 12 months ago. The club must tie him down to ensure he is next year too.

Sondre Tronstad - 9

Rightly named as Rovers' Player of the Year. Incredibly reliable, consistent and impressive.

Tronstad is a great influence on the squad and leads by example on the pitch. He even added a couple of belting goals before the season ended.

Lewis Baker - 6

It was quite typical that after getting few opportunities in the first half of the season, Baker was recalled when Rovers needed him most. It was a bigger blow than realised, really, given the hamstring issues sustained to their two regulars.

Whilst Baker was never sparkling for Rovers, he provided good experience and competition. Eustace used to rave about his standards in training and how that would rub off on others. Out of contract at Stoke in the summer, which is interesting.

John Buckley - 4

It's been another frustrating season for the Rovers midfielder. Opportunities have been limited and he's struggled to build momentum, as a result.

He was left out of the last two squads with Adam Forshaw, now released, ahead of him. I think that says plenty.

As sad as it is, it's time for Buckley to leave and forge a career for himself elsewhere.

Adam Forshaw - 6

Forshaw has done what he was asked to do. He's provided cover and experience for the squad. It was a low-cost deal which has filled a hole for six months.

Rovers released him but could bring him back later this summer. If they do, it'll be a low-risk squad role.

Tyrhys Dolan - 8

Dolan turned moments of quality into consistent performances in the final months of the season. He was Rovers' best player in the final run-in.

He timed it perfectly, being out of contract. His goals and assists numbers were a career-high and something that will be expensive to replace.

Rovers now face an anxious wait to see if they can keep him.

Amario Cozier-Duberry - 5

First loans are always a gamble. They often start well and fizzle out, as we have seen in recent seasons with Andrew Moran, Tyler Morton and Co.

Cozier-Duberry looked electric against Luton but hasn't really built on that. He is a young player making his first steps and shouldn't be relied on too heavily. Wouldn't shock me if he thrives next season elsewhere in the division.

Todd Cantwell - 6

A difficult season to assess really, given the expectations and hope when he signed in the summer. A lot was expected and he has disappointed at times.

But in the run-in, his obvious talent came to the fore. He scored a crucial goal and began to dictate games, being a match-winner.

His quality is clearly there but he needs to show it more regularly and decide games.

Andi Weimann - 8

Like Batth, Weimann has been a fantastic pick-up for Rovers. His impact on the pitch has been notable enough with nine goals in all competitions.

Whilst his season has been curtailed, it was a no-brainer to offer him another year. He offers fantastic experience in the dressing room too and can contribute next term on the pitch as well.

Ryan Hedges - 5

It's been a frustrating season for Hedges, who has thankfully been able to avoid serious injuries. His output has been disappointing though with one goal and two assists.

Ismael rates him though and the club have triggered his option. His form in the final six games was more encouraging and, hopefully, he can get back to pre-injury levels in the final third.

Makhtar Gueye - 7

It's been a very up-and-down season for Gueye in his debut campaign in England. He started well but struggled in the middle portion of the season with a long wait for his first goal.

After Christmas, he was far more effective. Whilst I don't think he'll ever be a 20-goal-a-season striker, he has plenty of attributes that make him a good weapon in the squad.

Yuki Ohashi - 8.5

For a couple of hundred grand, Ohashi has been a great buy. He's a very intelligent player and 10 goals is not a bad return considering all the acclimatisation he's had to cope with.

He's had to embrace a new culture, learn a new language and play a season-and-a-half's worth of football without stopping. I believe he could kick on even more next season after more time to adapt.

Ohashi is well-suited to Ismael's system and finished the season in good form. A break and a proper pre-season could do him the world of good.