This week, the Rovers' Jury were asked for their predictions ahead of the 2024/25 Championship season.
Ryan Hildred
Position: 13th.
There's no doubting that losing Callum Brittain, Danny Batth and Tyrhys Dolan (in particular) are big blows for Rovers. Although they've been replaced in a numbers sense, the new signings from Europe are still unknown quantities who we need to hit the ground running if we are to flirt with the playoffs again. For that reason, I expect Rovers to dip a little but hover comfortably in mid-table.
POTY: Yuki Ohashi
He's looked sharp in pre-season and had a fantastic debut season in English football. Therefore, I expect him to kick on, taking advantage of a first full pre-season and calendar year in English football. With him being such a likeable character too, it will be very easy for fans to give him their vote come April.
Top scorer: Yuki Ohashi
For all the reasons above, Ohashi. We're not blessed with too many attacking options who I think will threaten Yuki this season. That said, 15 goals should be his aim and it would be a magnificent achievement if he can.
Best signing: Sean McLoughlin
As I've mentioned, I think the abroad signings come with an element of risk and I have no idea how they will do. I think McLoughlin will turn out to be an astute 'ready-made' signing, and someone who we can rely on if Hayden Carter continues to struggle with injuries, Scott Wharton needs a rest, or if Dom Hyam's ever-present record stops at some point.
Mark Hitchen
Position: 14th.
Looking at our fitness and intensity in pre-season, I think it’ll be a similar story to previous seasons. We’ll make a fast start but won’t have the depth to keep it up and will falter mid season. Should we not start well and we don’t address the concerns about, other than Ohashi, where the goals will come from and it could be a nervous, long season.
POTY: Yuki Ohashi
His goals will seal it and there isn't another outstanding candidate. Todd Cantwell could always be the man, should he turn up as he has in pre-season and Rovers fans are notorious for picking a hard-tackling full-back so they’re the wildcards.
Top-scorer: Yuki Ohashi
Only one contender, Ohashi. I think the system we play is designed to get him within the width of the box and on the shoulder of defenders. We’ve seen he’s bulked up and know he can finish. Could see him getting above 15 this time.
Best signing: Dion De Neve
Alongside Lewis Miller, I think he’ll be the one who plays the most games but I think De Neve will have more impact. Looking at Ryan Alebiosu, Sidnei Tavares and potentially Axel Henriksson, they’re likely to figure more regularly next season.
Rory Larmer
Position - 11th
My first thought was 9th. I decided to do my own 1-24 prediction, and my gut feeling was that there is a cluster of clubs that could finish anywhere between 10th and 16th. So I landed on 11th.
I would be confident in saying there are 10 teams that will be better than us, and although we have made signings, I struggle to see where we have improved the starting 11, and depth will be a huge issue.
You could argue that the signing of Tavares will improve our midfield, but we need to find goals. The loss of Dolan, Baath and Weimann equates to losing 16 goals and we have not improved the attacking positions at the time of writing.
We can guarantee that we will suffer injuries and have at least two really bad runs, which is part in parcel of the Championship.
I think our best 14 players will make us competitive with anyone, but the Championship is ruthless and we will need goals and depth to make the season a success.
Player Of The Year - Todd Cantwell
This coming season is huge for Cantwell if he aspires to play in the Premier League again, and I have a feeling we will see the real version of him this season. After a modest return of three goals last season, he should be aiming for double figures, and if he performs to the level we know he can, he will have a massive season for Blackburn Rovers.
Top Scorer - Yuki Ohashi
As the starting striker, this will come as no surprise to anyone. Ohashi deserves enormous credit for his performance last season. A very respectable nine goals, and I fully anticipate him kicking on and getting to 15 goals and beyond next season. He looks stronger and refreshed in preseason, and I am excited to see him in action on Saturday.
Best Signing - Axel Henriksson
I want to cheat on this one. Of all the players we are linked with or signed, Moussa Baradji is the one I am excited to see, if he signs. Of those signed, Henrickson seems to have an eye for the spectacular, so at the time of writing, I will go for Henrickson. I am keen to see where he will fit, as I don't believe he has been signed as a midfielder or to play on the right. The alternative is to provide competition for Cantwell. Like many supporters, an attacking, foreign player with exceptional hair gets me excited.
Mike Delap
Position: 12th.
It's a really, really tough league to predict this year - I feel like we say this every season?! - and I've not really shaken from my opinion that Rovers' prospects are broadly the same as the last 3-4 seasons.
Our starting XI is strong enough to keep us out of trouble but our squad isn't robust enough to propel us towards any sort of glory.
POTY: Yuki Ohashi.
Looks sharp based on pre-season and should fire this term. He's also not had to play about 400 games before his first Rovers game this time around. So not jinxing any injuries, expecting our Japanese boy to go well.
Top scorer: Yuki Ohashi.
I can't see tons of goals across the squad, so the options looks scarily minimal. So, the same pick for top scorer as for POTY.
Best signing: Sidnei Tavares.
Rovers haven't had a player of his profile for a while. Someone who can do the yards, game after game, box to box. I think he'll be popular and (again) if he stays injury-free, I can see him making the biggest impact. For some reason, I've now got a Pitbull song in my head...
You can listen to Ryan on The Lancashire Telegraph's Arte et Labore and find Mark on The Blackburn End. Available on all podcast platforms.
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