Cantwell backs Rovers after ‘unlucky’ Rangers spell
Todd Cantwell claims that after returning to “the right environment” at Blackburn Rovers, he is “70%” back to his peak.
After losing favour with manager Philippe Clement and submitting a transfer request, the former England Under-21 player left Rangers in the summer.
After playing a key part in the Rovers’ victories over Middlesbrough and Leeds United, which saw them climb up the Championship table to within two points of the play-off spots, current manager John Eustace referred to Cantwell as the team’s “focal point” last week.
Cantwell scored his first goal for the club against Leeds, netting the only goal of the game from the penalty spot.
The former Norwich City midfielder alluded to the unhappy ended to his 19-month stay at Ibrox, telling BBC Radio Lancashire: “To have a few of those moments in my career so far is probably uncommon. It felt a bit unlucky.
“Situations and different things have followed me around – I’ve got on with the manager and they’ve gone, or I haven’t maybe seen eye to eye with the tactical side of things.
“You know that your career is brief when you reflect on it. I’m 26 years old now, so I’m not a little boy anymore. If you don’t feel like you’re at the ideal place to perform your best, then be content too.
“In football, happiness is something that is frequently overlooked. There’s a lot to be said for simply being content with your surroundings and yourself, but it’s mostly centred around numbers and your position in the league.
“I thrived in the environment at Rangers but circumstances changed, different people were in charge and it didn’t feel right any more.
“I’m proud of myself for taking that step (the transfer request) because the younger me would probably have sat for another season, and it might have been a season that I looked back on and say I lost.”
“I didn’t realise how match-unfit I was when I first came here and didn’t give enough respect to the fact that I wasn’t really ready or as close as I thought, in my own head, to play,” Cantwell says of his mental and physical deficiencies, which he has since corrected since arriving at Ewood Park.
“I’m touching 70% at the moment so I know there are gears to go up.”
Having won three on the bounce, Rovers go to Hull City on Saturday and Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday, and Cantwell believes they can be in the promotion shake-up.
“Even though the manager was here before I did, it was evident that there was clarity in his expectations about what we should believe we are capable of.
Results like last week give some people hope that we can be serious this season because I’m joining a team that found points in the final few games of the previous season to stay in the league.
“Compared to previous championship seasons, this one feels rather open. So, we have the chance, and outcomes like last week should give everyone the assurance and proof that, with enough effort, we can succeed.”
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