Blackburn Rovers

Lindsey Lewis
Fan writer

Image source, Rex Features

"We have done more interviews this week than we have points."

A line from a friend that could not have been more accurate. As chief operating officer at Blackburn Rovers, Rudy Gestede did the media rounds after the transfer window closed and all the talk was about the comings and goings.

How fitting then that the man of the match on Saturday went to one of our own, Scott Wharton. Scotty completed his first game in the Championship from start to finish since April 2024. He and Hayden Carter are a centre-back pairing blessed with talent and blighted by injuries. Keeping them fit will be the key to the calm and resilience shown in what felt like a comfortable 1-0 victory against Watford.

For me, Watford started brightly but Rovers quickly found their way into the game. Had Ryoya Morishita's screamer gone in in the first half, you would never have heard me moan again about paying £35 for the privilege of watching Championship football.

As it was, his first goal came early in the second half with excellent play between him and compatriot Yuki Ohashi. Then came the much-anticipated helicopter celebration - I am sure we are all hoping to see a fair few more of them this season.

I got a bit nervy when the changes came, they felt too soon but this why I am not a football manager as the switch to a back three worked beautifully. Lewis Miller looks to have all the attributes to become a fan favourite.

The change which excited those around me most was the introduction of Andri Gudjohnsen. Even in his brief cameo, the talent he possesses and his football brain was clear. His link-up play with Todd Cantwell is an exciting proposition for the season ahead.

The celebrations at the end are some I will not forget in a hurry. Our kit man running the length of the pitch to celebrate with his family (if you have not seen the video, do!), Morishita lapping up his praise and even the normally very calm Valerien Ismael joining in the fun.

With two away wins under our belt, attention needs to turn to picking up points at home. Ipswich visit on Saturday and the homecoming of Sam Szmodics. Sammie will receive a warm reception no doubt, his exploits for us two seasons ago are something I will always be thankful for. But let's hope we don't see his salute celebration.

Hopefully, Saturday's game allows some of our new boys and indeed some of the old guard to become our new heroes and help us make some new memories.

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

On making his first Championship start after a near 18-month injury nightmare, Blackburn defender Scott Wharton said he'd doubted he'd be the same player again.

The 27-year-old suffered an ACL injury against Sheffield Wednesday in April 2024 but after two appearances off the bench in the Championship and 90 minutes in the EFL Cup first round, Wharton impressed in his first league start since in Saturday's 1-0 win at Watford.

He told BBC Radio Lancashire: "It's been a long time coming for me. Obviously I had a really bad injury so I've had to wait a long time for this day.

"I was nervous before the game. I just wanted to start the game well and just do your job basically.

"Obviously, after a serious injury I've had my doubts whether I'd be the same player or be able to play in the Championship. I felt like there was a lot on my shoulders to put in a good performance, even to prove to myself I could do it.

"I am proud of myself. It's been a long road but I'm back."

Rovers' second win of the campaign took them up to 16th the table.

Wharton added: "We massively deserved the win. There's early signs we can do well this season in the league. I think we're only going to get better."

Andy Bayes
BBC Radio Lancashire sports editor

Image source, Rex Features

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.

Blackburn boss Valerien Ismael does not expect new signing Moussa Baradji to return to fitness until after the next international break in October.

The midfielder joined Rovers in August but was suffering with a pre-existing injury and is yet to make an appearance for the side.

"We need to deal with his injury now, it takes time so we cannot say now when he will be back," Ismael told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"I would say mid-term so we will see if he will be back for the next international break."

Midfielder Adam Forshaw has returned to training but will not be ready for the Championship game against Watford on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Neither will fellow midfielder Axel Henriksson, who broke his hand on Wednesday.

Ismael added: "[Henriksson's] injury is not that bad but it's too fresh to take any risk for the game."

Henriksson is the only player to have been injured during the international break and while the time away from the Championship might not have given the new-look squad a chance to gel, Ismael sees the disruption as a positive.

"[There is] less experience in the Championship but we've got players who played against [Cristiano] Ronaldo, played against [Kylian] Mbappe and we've got international experience," Ismael said.

"It means our players have a new feeling, a new confidence so they need to take it into the game [against Watford]."

Taylor Gardner-Hickman was a regular during Birmingham City's record-breaking League One title win and he hopes to take that experience into his season-long loan spell with Blackburn Rovers.

"[Last season] definitely helped me, giving [me] loads of experience both on and off the pitch," the midfielder told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"It was a very good season personally and collectively, something that I'll remember the rest of my life for sure, and I just want to build on that."

The 23-year-old signed for Blackburn just before the transfer deadline and has used the international break as an opportunity to become fully integrated and comfortable in his new environment, without the pressure of an upcoming fixture.

"The boys who have been here for a while have welcomed me in. There's a real feeling of togetherness already around the place," he said.

"It feels like a really big family club. That's due to the players, the staff and people around Lancashire who I've met and are lovely.

"It definitely helps us new boys settle in really quickly. We've got a great bond already and it's something that will grow throughout the season and help us on the pitch too."

Gardner-Hickman is looking forward to his first opportunity to showcase his ability on the pitch, with Blackburn visiting Watford on Saturday (15:00 BST).

"I just want to give my all for this club," he said. "I give 110% every week so hopefully that will reflect in my performances and I can put on a bit of a show."

Listen to more Blackburn Rovers content on BBC Sounds

"Blackburn Rovers felt they did all they could.

"They have a ceiling with regards to their pay structure and the highest available wage was offered to three players who all turned that wage down because they were offered better deals elsewhere."

Andy Bayes and Adam Cottier discuss BBC Radio Lancashire's exclusive interviews with Blackburn Rovers head coach Valerian Ismael and head of football operations Rudy Gestede.

Listen back to the interviews with Gestede and Ismael on BBC Sounds.

Watford will be donning a special edition one-off kit for their home game against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday (15:00 BST) - but can they find victory in it?

The Hornets have only managed one win out of their four opening league games (D2 L1) so far, but a busy end to their transfer window has seen the side bolster their defence and given fans room for optimism.

While key departures for Blackburn has drew criticism, with boss Valerien Ismael asking for "time" to settle and develop their new squad.

Time is something the Lancashire side have little of though if they are hoping to improve a lacklustre start to their Championship campaign (W1 L3) on the weekend.

• Watford have won five of their last eight home league games against Blackburn Rovers (D2 L1), including this exact fixture in October last season (1-0).

• Blackburn Rovers have won three of their last six league games against Watford (D1 L2) and could win successive league matches against the Hornets for the first time since October 2012.

• Watford have lost just two of their last nine league games at Vicarage Road (W4 D3), scoring in eight of those matches.

• Blackburn are looking to avoid losing four of their opening five league games of a campaign for the first time since 2016-17 in the Championship, a season that ended in them being relegated to League One.

• Teenager Nestory Irankunda has been involved in a goal in all three of his league starts for Watford this season (2 goals, 1 assist), with both goals coming from direct free kicks.

Image source, Rex Features

Sheffield Wednesday forward Bailey Cadamarteri scored his first goal for Jamaica on Tuesday in just his second senior international appearance.

The 20-year-old made his debut for the Reggae Boyz earlier in the week during their 4-0 win over Bermuda, before scoring the opener during their 2-0 victory against Trinidad and Tobago.

Meanwhile, Coventry City teenager Kai Andrews made his senior debut for Wales during their 1-0 friendly loss to Canada.

West Bromwich Albion had an international debutant of their own after striker Aune Heggebo replaced Manchester City's Erling Haaland in added time during Norway's 11-1 thumping of Moldova, while Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Balazs Toth made his first start for Hungary during their 3-2 defeat by Portugal.

Lindsey Lewis
Fan Writer

Image source, Rex Features

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., external

Image source, Rex Features

Blackburn Rovers' newest addition Taylor Gardner-Hickman is keen to be reunited with boss Valerien Ismael after the international break.

Ismael handed Gardner-Hickman his league debut at West Bromwich Albion in 2021, a move which launched the midfielder's career.

"He put his trust in me, he gave me my debut and now it's time to repay the favour, which I'll be doing my best to do," Gardner-Hickman told the club website., external

Gardner-Hickman was just 19 years old when Ismael decided to put his faith in him.

"He helped me tremendously," Gardner-Hickman added. "He helped me make that transition from a boy to a man, really, and helped me off the pitch as well.

"He knows what I'm about, he gives me confidence, and I know what he's about and what he wants, how his teams play. I'm ready to give him my all. I can't wait to see him again."

Blackburn take on Watford next up in the Championship on 13 September (15:00 BST), with each side having won one of their four games to start the league season.

Image source, Getty Images

Blackburn Rovers manager Valerien Ismael felt his team's defeat by Norwich City hinged on the penalty incident which saw his defender Sean McLoughlin sent off.

Josh Sargent scored from the resulting spot-kick and added a late second despite a strong fightback by his 10-man team in the second half.

Ismael told BBC Radio Lancashire: "One moment decided the game - a long ball that we didn't defend that well. The penalty and red card completely changed the game so at half-time we had another game plan.

"The first half was a typical 50-50 game, with [fewer] chances for us. We played some good football but the last passes, the penetration, was not there.

"I told the players [at half-time] now it's all about managing the game as we're down to 10, make sure we stay in the game as long as possible, and at some point Norwich would start to get nervous about whether to go for the second [goal] or defend the first one, and that's exactly what happened.

"The second thing I said was when we got the chance we would have to be ruthless, and unfortunately when we got the two big chances to score, we didn't score. One point would have been a fair result."

Listen to full Valerien Ismael interview by clicking here.

Blackburn boss Valerien Ismael has been speaking to BBC Radio Lancashire ahead of Saturday's home game against Norwich City.

Here's how the squad is shaping up...

• Rovers are set to be unchanged from the side that won 3-0 at Hull last time out.

• New signing Ryoya Morishita has trained and will be part of the matchday squad.

• Fellow new signing, Moussa Baradji will have further assessment but isn't fit to be involved. He arrived at Rovers with an injury.

• Midfielders Adam Forshaw and Jake Garrett remain out.

Listen to the full interview and more on BBC Sounds.

Blackburn are keen on 30-year-old Sunderland midfielder Alan Browne, who is surplus to requirements at the Stadium of Light. (Alan Nixon, external)

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Friday's gossip column here.

After picking up their first points of the season with a 3-0 drubbing of Hull City, Valerien Ismael's Blackburn Rovers will seek to get on track at Ewood Park as Norwich visit on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Liam Manning's Canaries have suffered three home defeats already this season but will seek to stay unbeaten on their travels after the 2-1 win at Portsmouth in their only previous road game in the Championship.

• Blackburn Rovers have won just two of their past 14 league games against Norwich City (D5 L7), though are unbeaten across their last four against the Canaries (W1 D3).

• Norwich City are unbeaten across their past seven away league games against Blackburn Rovers (D2 L5), drawing both of their last two such visits to Ewood Park 1-1.

• After losing their home opener 2-1 to Birmingham City, Blackburn will be looking to avoid losing each of their opening two home league games of a campaign outside the top tier for the first time since 1956-57.

• Norwich have lost two of their opening three league games this season (W1), and will be looking to avoid losing three of their opening four outside the top tier for the first time since 2000-01.

• Norwich have won just one of their past 11 league games against sides from Lancashire (D5 L5), though that victory did come on the road at Preston in April 2024 (1-0).