Rovers Jury: Blackburn Rovers’ undroppables and WBA dilemmas
We’ve received a lot of hints about the possible starting eleven at the Hawthorns from the preseason games thus far.
Yuri Ribeiro and Balazs Toth have pushed their way into Valerien Ismael’s starting lineups as left back and
custodian, respectively. Along with Yuki Ohashi up front, Dom Hyam is a surefire centre defender. Both players have
seemed incredibly sharp and have profited from enough rest and preseason.
Given their calibre and significance to the club, Todd Cantwell, Sondre Tronstad, Lewis Travis, and Callum Brittain
will all start. Given his minutes, I would anticipate that Kristi Montgomery would be given the go-ahead even if
Brittain were to go. Therefore, right back doesn’t feel like it’s up for grabs.
Out wide and at centre back are the final three spots that could be up for grabs. I anticipate Ryan Hedges to start as well because there aren’t many wide options and Ismael has faith in his defensive prowess.
As a result, there are actually two spots available and two options: Scot Wharton or Sean McLoughlin to replace
Hayden Carter due to injury, and Dion de Neve or Augustus Kargbo wide left.
De Neve may need some time to reach championship level, but thus far, he appears to be doing well. Kargbo provides
us with genuine speed out wide to intimidate opponents, which may be helpful when we’re playing away from home.
Scott Wharton needs to keep building up, but he also looked good in preseason. McLoughlin is a ready-made
performer for the Championship. I would choose Kargbo and McLoughlin if forced.
Mark Hitchen
If there are no transfers between now and the season opener, in or out (which I think there will be), then I think
Ismael is pretty set on his starting XI.
At the minute, the only debate will be between Wharton and McLoughlin, otherwise I think it will be the team that
started against Qatar SC.
That said, I think, in the longer term, Ismael will be looking at someone more dynamic than Hedges. The challenge
with that is twofold, whilst Hedges has his detractors, his tactical knowledge and the work he does for the team is
key.
The right full-back operates extremely high up the pitch, which probably means the right winger will play infield
anyway. I think Kargbo, Pickering and possibly Tavares could force their way in but against WBA, I think the starting
XI will hold few surprises.
Rory Larmer
I believe Ismael knows his first 11 for the opening day, with maybe one exception and a possible condition.
The team that lined out against Qatar SC this week will be the team that takes the field, with the only point of
contention being who plays left back, and the condition is whether Brittain’s asking price has been met or not.
Left back is the one I am genuinely struggling to pick. I believe Harry Pickering offers a little more than Ribeiro, so it
will be interesting to see what the manager does.
Some may debate the defensive partner for Hyam, but I think McLoughlin will get the nod to ease Wharton back in
gradually. The midfield two picks itself, for the moment. Cantwell and De Neve will get the starting jerseys, and as we
are away from home, I expect Hedges will be given a starting berth. Ohashi is our starting striker.
A lot has been made of our new tactical approach, and Ismael has spoken about the profile of player we are looking
to recruit in numerous interviews since he arrived.
I wonder if Tronstad fits the manager’s profile. Tavares has been signed for a fee, and although there is a doubt about
the move, Rovers are looking to add Moussa Baradji. That is two centre midfield additions for fees, which is not
common for Rovers.
what happens on the opening day of the season and how Tronstad adapts and influences the game. His role may be
up for debate, which is incredible to think about for the current Player of the Year.
Mike Delap
The obvious disclaimer is that Rovers will be extremely active in the transfer market in the upcoming weeks, and
with some players possibly leaving, this could look a little silly by the time everything starts on August 9.
I believe that a good number of starting positions have already been decided upon: Toth will start in goal, Brittain
will start at right back, Hyam and Wharton will start at centre back, and Yuri Ribeiro will start at left back.
Ohashi will start at striker, Cantwell will play in his advanced midfield role, and Travis and Tronstad in the midfield
are a lock (particularly with Tavares suffering an injury).
That’s nine of the eleven fairly well fixed, but of those three – Brittain, Travis and Tronstad – have outgoing transfer
potential, which would blow things wide open, in potentially catastrophic fashion.
I currently have two doubts about those broader forward positions. The club should hire in these areas, in my
opinion. There is a clear contest between De Neve and Kargbo on the left (assuming De Neve wins first), while
Hedges is the most experienced but somewhat lacklustre choice on the right.
Because he has no other options, you could say he’s also perfect for day one. I’m not sure, but in the upcoming weeks,
I would prefer Rovers to have a more capable option down the right than the Welshman.
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