New-look Blackburn built on familiar foundations

Scott Wharton (centre front) made his Blackburn debut nine years ago

A second successive away league win for Blackburn - last season they had to wait until November before they took maximum points on the road. Now it is time to work on the home form.

After a fortnight to think about a home defeat to Norwich and transfer activity that has come under a lot of scrutiny, this was exactly what they needed.

The turnover of players may have been pretty vast over the summer months, but a look at the starting XI at Watford showed that eight players on the teamsheet were actually Rovers players last season: Sidnei Tavares, Ryan Alebiosu and Ryoya Morishita being the exceptions.

The centre-back pairing two weeks ago was Dom Hyam and Sean McLoughlin. Suspension ruled out McLoughlin, and Hyam's run of playing every minute of the last 50 Championship matches came to an end as he sat on Wrexham's bench.

Hayden Carter and Scott Wharton were asked to step up to the plate. Both talented academy graduates, both having their fair share of injury frustration over the last year or more. Both can be delighted with their contribution at Vicarage Road.

For Wharton, this was a first Championship appearance from start to finish since 6 April, 2024. A horrendous knee injury saw him miss all of last season.

For Carter, this was the first league outing of the season after a summer injury added to his catalogue of issues that he went through last year.

They complimented each other. One naturally right-sided, the other left-sided.

Wharton in particular was colossal. He relished the aerial challenges, his positional play was on the money, and his ability with his vision of pass has never been in question. If both can stay fit, Rovers have two players with the club at heart.

Carter will be 26 before Christmas, and Wharton is 28 next month. Great ages for centre-backs who have both shaken off the young academy product tag.

The only goal had genuine quality sprinkled all over it. Japanese internationals combining, Ohashi to Morishita (on full debut), and the finish was as cool as you like.

Earlier in the game, he'd rattled the bar from range. You could see why he was Valerien Ismael's number one transfer target over the summer. He's got great feet, a willingness to get involved in dangerous areas, and he's a very likeable personality.

With 12 goals and 12 assists in Poland last season for Legia Warsaw, he's off the mark already.

The bench also played a key role in the victory. Two more debuts came on and impressed.

Andri Gudjohnsen, after one training session with his new team-mates, made an instant impact.

Intelligent touches, good link-up play and will feel he should have been awarded a penalty.

He'll be compared to his father Eidur Gudjohnsen for obvious reasons. They play the same position; it's very early days, but he can be highly satisfied with his first appearance.

Taylor Gardner-Hickman was an important introduction too on debut. As soon as Sondre Tronstad felt his calf, Ismael was quick to make the change.

They also went to a back three with Lewis Miller joining the defence. I think we might see that switch with regularity. It helped to see the game out with another imposing presence on the pitch.

Full marks to Ismael and his players. In three away games, they've conceded one goal and have six points from nine.

There will be far bigger tests than Watford, who were pretty toothless in front of goal, but this is a confidence booster for Rovers.

Ipswich and the return of Sam Szmodics are next.