Valerien Ismael says Todd Cantwell has shown exactly why he decided to give the midfielder the captain’s armband at Rovers this season.
Cantwell made a big impact during the early stages of the campaign before he was sidelined for a couple of months with a knee problem.
The 27-year-old has picked up where he left off since his return, scoring a timely equaliser from the penalty spot against Oxford United on Tuesday night.
Ismael revealed that he had a long conversation with Cantwell in the summer before handing him the captaincy.
The head coach sensed a hunger from the midfielder to take on extra responsibility and prove that he was a “leader” on and off the pitch.
Ismael is excited about what Cantwell will offer during the second half of the campaign if he can stay injury-free.
“At the beginning of the season when I made the decision, I had a long discussion with him, almost an hour. We discussed everything and he really gave me that feeling that he is ready,” he told BBC Radio Lancashire.
“The way he talks to people in the training ground – if it’s people working at the club, young players from the Academy, the board, the staff, he is always respectful with the right words all the time and everyone listens to him.
“I think the responsibility was a big lift for him, he wanted that. I think it came to a point in his lift where he wanted to prove he was able to do that, and change maybe the image that people had of a ‘soft player’ or ‘not consistent’.
“He has shown that he is a leader. He has plenty of quality, plenty to prove and we have seen already the best Todd Cantwell at the beginning of the season.
“I am pretty sure, if he is able to stay healthy until the end of the season, we will have a lot of joy with him.”
Rovers changed shape while Cantwell was out injured but Ismael is pleased with how the skipper has slotted into the new system.
The head coach still plans to manage the midfielder’s minutes carefully as he builds up sharpness, looking to avoid any setbacks as the games come thick and fast during the festive period.
But getting 45 minutes under his belt on Tuesday night was a positive step for Cantwell after a frustrating spell on the sidelines.
“I think that we found the way and shape for this team, and we have the position for Toddy as well which is really good,” said Ismael.
“It just shows the quality he has, he was on an unbelievable level before his injury. Now, he is able to come back.
“We still need to manage him but we have so many games to come through. Every time there is a discussion with him, how he feels, how long he thinks he can play. (On Tuesday) he gave the green light for 45 minutes which is good, and we go from there.”
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