Blackburn Rovers

Image source, Getty Images

Valerien Ismael wants more from his Blackburn Rovers attackers after they lost their opening game at West Bromwich Albion.

Isaac Price's early goal was all that separated the sides at The Hawthorns, yet Rovers only forced Albion goalkeeper Josh Griffiths into one save in the whole match.

So Ismael knows that must change as the Championship season kicks into gear.

"From the performance, it was a good away game from us," he told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"We had a lot of new faces, the players arrived this week, it was a little bit hectic and chaotic.

"But I think throughout the 90 minutes we were really solid.

"What we have to work on is our work in the final third - we should be doing better with the last cross, the last pass. We didn't really test the goalkeeper, so we must shoot more on target."

Blackburn boss Valerien Ismael has said that his side are in a "transition season" following a busy summer of incomings and outgoings.

Rovers missed out on a top six finish last campaign by just two points and told BBC Radio Lancashire that this season is a "fresh start" for the club.

"It will be a fresh start, that is very clear now. We are fully in that transition, it is all about integrating the new players," the Frenchman said.

"We are very pleased with the team we have got, but we know that we still want to do something in the transfer market."

The 49-year-old has previous experience in the Championship, with stints at Barnsley, West Bromwich Albion and Watford.

Speaking on the level of quality in the league this season, he said: "It is really competitive. It maybe the best Championship season we have ever faced.

"If you look at the transfer market, the teams that have been really active isn't Leicester, Southampton or Ipswich, but it has been Birmingham and Wrexham.

Blackburn kick-off their season with a trip to the Hawthorns on Saturday.

"It is always a tough away game, but there is no easy game in this league. It is clear that they are a strong team with a good new manager," he said.

"We have had a good pre-season and are looking forward to it."

Listen to the full pre-match press conference and more on BBC Sounds.

Former Tottenham Hotspur coach Ryan Mason makes his league debut as West Bromwich Albion boss when the side host Valerien Ismael's Blackburn Rovers on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Mason was appointed in June for his first permanent managerial role, having previously been caretaker for Spurs during his seven-year coaching career at the Premier League club.

Though his first game will be a tricky one, with Rovers boss Ismael all too familiar with the Hawthorns' patrons after a seven month spell with the club during the 2021-22 season.

• West Brom have lost just one of their last seven home league games against Blackburn Rovers (W3 D3), though that sole defeat did come in last season's meeting at the Hawthorns (0-2).

• Blackburn Rovers have lost just one of their last seven league games against West Brom (W3 D3), keeping clean sheets in both their matches vs the Baggies last season.

• West Brom have lost on the last two occasions their first league game of the season has been at home, with this the first time they're playing at the Hawthorns on MD1 since 2020-21 (0-3 v Leicester).

• Blackburn have won their opening league match in each of the last four seasons, though is the first time they're playing away from home on MD1 since a 3-2 loss at Bournemouth in 2020-21.

• Blackburn boss Valerien Ismael's only previous meeting with his old club West Bromwich Albion was a 2-2 draw with Watford in September 2023.

Middlesbrough are expected to complete a deal for Blackburn Rovers defender Callum Brittain. (Lancashire Telegraph), external

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

Manchester City defender Max Alleyne has caught the eye of Blackburn Rovers for a potential loan move that could see the 20-year-old Bristolian head to Ewood Park to pick up some first-team minutes. (Manchester Evening News), external

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

Blackburn Rovers left-back Yuri Ribeiro says he believes they can "achieve great things" in the upcoming Championship season.

Rovers missed out on a play-off spot last season by two points and while Ribeiro says he would like to see some depth added to the squad, he also believes they already have the players to challenge once again.

"It's not my part to talk about who we sign or if we need more but, in football, it's like this - you need quality. You need a really good group of players who know where they want to go," Ribeiro told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"This season, I think we can achieve great things. I hope we can add more quality players but we have here a really good group."

There has been a turnover at Ewood Park this summer, with both forward Andreas Weimann and defender Danny Batth departing to join former boss John Eustace at Derby County.

Winger Tyrhys Dolan, whose contract expired at the end of last season, and defender Callum Brittain, who is also being linked with a move to the Rams, are yet to sign new contracts.

The club has made four new signings - Dion De Neve, Sidnei Tavares, Ryan Alebiosu and Sean McLoughlin - and so far, the Portuguese defender has been impressed by what he has seen.

"Everyone who signs here must know that he has to be on top and he has give 100%," Ribeiro added.

"We have a good group, a really solid group with the guys that are hard workers. The guys that are coming in are also showing this in training."

Derby County have reportedly met the £3m asking price for Blackburn defender Callum Brittain, 27, after the Englishman rejected a new contract at Ewood Park. Rams boss John Eustace managed Brittain at Rovers last season. (EFL Analysis), external

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

Blackburn Rovers' new signing Sean McLoughlin says the club was his number one choice after joining from Hull City on Saturday.

The defender initially drew Rovers' interest last season but ended up staying with the Tigers, who he signed for in 2019 from his hometown side Cork City.

"There was one or two that were interested but my agent phoned me and said that Blackburn Rovers were interested again and I told them out of all of the clubs, that would be my preference to go to," McLoughlin told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"There was a bit of interest last summer but for some reason or another it never happened. It was nice, better late than never."

The 28-year-old is particularly looking forward to playing at Ewood Park.

"I've been here plenty of times playing here, it's never a nice experience as an away player, but hopefully I'll get to play here as a home player," McLoughlin added.

"I've got my work cut out, got to earn the jersey and put in the performances in training to show that I deserve to play."

Lindsey Lewis
Fan writer

Image source, Rex Features

"I'm going to have a quiet summer..."

The famous last words I uttered whilst wiping away tears as yet another play-off dream came to an end at Bramall Lane back in May. But I've been a Rovers fan long enough to know there isn't such a thing as a quiet day, never mind a quiet summer.

Within days of the season ending came the decision from the club to withdraw the women's team from the Championship and relegate themselves to National League Division One North (tier four).

Then came the announcement in a 35-word statement that CEO of seven years, Steve Waggott, had left the club. It's a position that remains vacant.

We've had leaked kits (the green third kit is a thing of beauty!) season ticket price debates and rumours aplenty about who is leaving and who is coming through the door.

Of the XI which started the last game of the season, Danny Batth has been reunited with our old gaffer at Derby and Tyrhys Dolan is now a free agent as he continues the hunt for his big move.

Confirmed incomings of De Neve, Taveres, Alebiosu and McLoughlin offer reassurance business is being done early for a change and some funds are available. However we definitely need more, a stance on which Valerien Ismael seems to agree.

With Andi Weimann also making a move to the Rams, his nine goals last season will be missed.

Tying down our key players is something we have historically failed to do and remains at the forefront of many of our minds. With rumours swirling of Callum Brittain going to Middlesbrough, the club must decide whether to cash in if a new deal is not accepted or allow players to run their contracts down.

On the pitch, wins against Accrington Stanley and Everton (see photo) in our first two pre-season friendlies have offered us a chance to see the new lads in action. We have also seen the return of Scott Wharton, a fan favourite, after an extensive lay-off.

The squad - and many Rovers fans - are now in Spain for some warm weather training. For the boys, it is friendlies against Qatar SC and Elche. For the fans, it is a chance for some sun, sea, and shenanigans. So much for that quiet summer.

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

Blackburn boss Valerien Ismael says defender Callum Brittain will be allowed to run out his contract if the club do not receive an offer for him that meets their valuation.

The 27-year-old's deal expires at the end of the 2025-26 season and while Rovers are hoping to extend his stay, he could end up leaving for free.

Brittain has rejected the offer of a new Rovers contract amid reported interest from other clubs.

"If he has to leave, he will leave, but he will only leave if the price is right for the club," Ismael told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"We are happy with Callum and if we have to go until the end of the season and risk that Callum goes for free, we'll do it. We are clear within the club.

"We made a strong offer to extend his contract and, at some point, maybe the thing can change."

Brittain had refused to play in Rovers' friendly against Accrington Stanley but did make an appearance during their 1-0 victory over Everton on Saturday.

Andy Bayes
BBC Radio Lancashire sports editor

Image source, Getty Images

Callum Brittain's contract situation at Blackburn Rovers has taken a number of twists and turns since the final match of last season at Sheffield United.

Links with moves away have been followed by reports of positive talks about a new deal. But, following my conversation with Valerien Ismael on Saturday, it's pretty clear that he, right-back Brittain, sees his future somewhere else.

"Callum decided not to play today, on his own," the Frenchman said.

"I spoke with him, I said clearly that I will pass this game but I hope from next week we have clarity because we cannot do that every week.

"Let's see what happens in the next few days, but some clubs are very interested, especially one, in Callum."

Ismael could have kept his cards close to his chest, but his communication couldn't have been clearer as to what was happening. He wants a resolution as soon as possible.

This situation isn't anything new. Blackburn Rovers have form for key players running down their deals and walking away for nothing. Tyrhys Dolan is currently a free agent after severing ties with the club this summer. Compensation will be the fee for him if he stays on these shores.

Dom Hyam, Lewis Travis and Sondre Tronstad – three key players are going into their final season under contract and simply can't be allowed to do the same as Dolan, Andi Weimann, Danny Batth, Ben Brereton-Diaz, Joe Rothwell, Ryan Nyambe and Darragh Lenihan have since 2022.

The question is… could Blackburn be more proactive when a player has 18 months to two years remaining? They probably could. But the player holds the cards with a year to go.

Callum Brittain will be 28 by the end of next season; can anyone begrudge him the opportunity of a bumper contract for his peak years?

Ruling himself out of last weekend's friendly at Accrington hasn't gone down particularly well with some supporters who believe that while he's on the payroll, he should be available.

But surely every supporter would prefer a fully committed player to be selected, and an asset who wants away should be protected from injury while the clubs thrash out a fee.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Blackburn Rovers winger Kevin Gallacher has praised Rovers boss Valerien Ismael for his honesty regarding the future of defender Callum Brittain.

Ismael confirmed that Brittain has not signed a new contract and is being courted by other clubs after the 27-year-old refused to play in a friendly against Accrington Stanley on Saturday.

"[Ismael] is telling everyone what it's all about. There's a contract there; it's not been signed, it's possibly been rejected," Gallacher told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"He doesn't want to play in the [pre-season friendly], it tells me he wants to move away from the football club and the manager being honest has said, 'fair play then you're not playing, get yourself a club'.

"It looks like Callum Brittain could be moving somewhere else now."

Finances may also influence Blackburn's decision to sell Brittain.

Rovers may potentially take a financial hit on striker Tyrhys Dolan, who was offered a new deal upon the completion of his contract at the end of last season but is now being linked with a number of other clubs.

"Unfortunately today's Blackburn need money, we need the money from the players," Gallacher added.

"If we can extract a club to come in and pay what we are asking then unfortunately we are going to lose probably, for me, one of the best full-backs in the league, but we have to move on."

Listen to Gallacher's full thoughts on X via @BBCLancsSport., external

Kristi Montgomery says he wants to be around the Blackburn Rovers first team this season and fight for a place in Valerien Ismael's plans.

The 21-year-old, who has played in defence and midfield, made his Rovers debut against Sheffield Wednesday in April when Ismael recalled him from a loan spell with National League North side Chorley, following a loan at Marine in the first half of the campaign.

He went on to start the 1-0 win over Luton, only to be sent-off just before the hour, and after serving a one-match ban came off the bench as Rovers won by the same scoreline at Sunderland later in the month.

"Football changes quickly. Anything can happen. You've just got to take your opportunity when it comes," he told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"This time last year I was probably thinking about going on loan to Marine, so it's a big contrast from last season but you've just got to be ready.

"I want to strive for the first team here at Blackburn. Obviously the gaffer is putting some trust in me and I just want to repay that and do my best on the field."

Montgomery says he relishes the competition for places in pre-season, adding: "Everyone is fighting for a position. That's the healthy competition there is at the club.

"There are a lot of good players and it's going to be tough but you've just got to back yourself."