Cantwell on being Blackburn Rovers' talisman and pre-season...

Cantwell on being Blackburn Rovers’ talisman and pre-season

Todd Cantwell must perform if Blackburn Rovers are to break their ten-year streak of missing out on the playoffs.

Cantwell, who was signed as the star player after Sam Szmodics moved to Ipswich Town, wouldn’t deny that he

didn’t perform up to par the previous season. That includes background and subtleties that have been thoroughly

documented.

Additionally, it was unclear if he was a Valerien Ismael player. Five of his first eight starting lineups did not include

him. A reminder that the person with the talent should be listed first on the team sheet.

It turned out to be so, as Cantwell finished the previous season in outstanding form. After missing the entire

schedule at Rangers a year ago, he has carried that into what will be his first full preseason at Rovers.

The warm-weather friendly was a further example of the physical improvements he’s made since coming into the

club.

“It’s nice to wake up to the sun, that’s for sure,” Cantwell told The Lancashire Telegraph.

“It’s testing temperatures, but it’s part of pre-season. We need to get fit, so it’s only going to help us in the long run.

“I believe that when I missed it last season, I felt it. As I’ve already stated, it’s not the most fun time because there is

undoubtedly a lot of labour involved.

“There is no doubt that it makes a difference. I believe that it just enables you to focus on playing games without

worrying about little aches and pains that you may have. must be able to perform at your best, which does need

physical fitness.

“Both the exam and the outcome were good. Although it is really different, we must adjust. You could probably

notice the first one, in my opinion.

“But I think we are a team, we’re a group. The manager’s clear on that. You know, everyone’s important and will be

throughout the season.

As you say, there’s obviously going to be injuries. There’s going to be suspensions, more than likely with our

midfielders. So, you know, that’s kind of part and parcel of it.

“I think everyone’s in it as a group. I think the boys that came on in the last part of that, I think they put their foot

down a little bit as well and showed that they’re here. Some good performances.

I think Kristi was brilliant. Igor’s looking really good in training. So, no, it’s enjoyable to see them get a run as well.”

Last season, Cantwell only had two penalties before scoring his first goal from open play in April. More is expected of

a player of his calibre.

There is a yearning to do more, even though he will never be fixated on figures. After riding two challenges and

lifting it over the custodian, he was clinical in the box to give Rovers their third goal.

“I think it’s something that I know I can bring and I can give,” he said.

“I believe I will have a little more control over the manager and the style of play we want to play this year. I am

therefore thrilled about it.

“I feel good. At the moment, I feel really good and numbers are important, but not really in pre-season. It’s also good

to get that feeling again and get that going.

“At times, the team’s going to need a little bit of magic and I need to be the one that provides that. Not all games are

going to go as smoothly as we’d like. At some moments in those games, we’re going to need someone to step up.