Blackburn's 'abject' start compounded by key departures

Disappointing.

I have picked up my pen (well, really my phone) to sum up my thoughts on the start to the season and the transfer window many times and that is the word that I keep coming back too.

One win and three defeats in the league see us sitting 19th. The win at Hull away a shining light in what otherwise has been an abject start.

I was also disappointed to see us exit the Carabao Cup in the first round to an in-form Bradford. While some see the competition as a distraction, I love a cup run. The chance of a new ground and to give new and fringe players some extra minutes.

How much can you read into the start is a topic for debate, but it is only compounded by the spine of a squad who narrowly missed the play-offs last season being ripped apart as the transfer window ended.

Five of the team who started the final day have moved on. Three of the bench also no longer wear the blue and white halves.

While my head says we cannot allow players to leave for free, which has historically been a problem for the club, my heart says it is a bold (at best) policy to move on so many players with Championship experience, including your captain.

I was also sad to say goodbye to Harry Leonard but the move to Peterborough with their history of developing young players could and should be a wonderful move for him.

Everyone who knows me is reading this thinking when is she going to mention Dom Hyam? Well, here it is.

The most frustrating, and I fear costly, sale of the window came on the final day.

While the reported fee of £2.7m feels a fair price, and it is a wonderful move for him and his family, the decision to move on a man who played every minute of every game last season without a replacement is baffling.

For balance, Rovers have made 10 summer signings and spent some cash. There are some exciting signings, but these players will need time to bed in and in such a competitive league and with our disappointing start this is a luxury we may not have.

That being said, the decision by Valerien Ismael to make Todd Cantwell captain seems a master stroke and it feels like much of what will work this season will be created by Todd.

You can find more of Lindsey's Rovers views on X here.