Blackburn Rovers fans praise ‘superb’ star in win vs Hull City, he’s the ‘best thing’ in Valerien Ismael era

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While the Sky Sports cameras may have been poised on the clash between Charlton Athletic and Leicester City, the best entertainment on Saturday lunchtime came in the 3-0 away win for Blackburn Rovers at Hull City.

The two sides have both suffered a tough summer, with Blackburn Rovers losing key men in the transfer market, and Hull City being hit by a transfer embargo amid financial issues.

However, it was the Tigers who started the season strongest, with Sergej Jakirovic’s side holding Coventry City to a draw before defeating Oxford United last weekend.

You’d be forgiven for thinking it would be Hull that would be the favourites to win at home against a Valerien Ismael side still searching for a first win of the campaign.

It’s funny how football works, isn’t it? In our Championship predictions this week we gave Rovers no hope, but in the end, it was the Lancashire outfit who ran away comfortable winners in a 3-0 victory on the road, and one man stole the show.

• READ MORE: Blackburn Rovers legends send heartfelt message to fans during 150th anniversary celebrations

Blackburn Rovers fans think Todd Cantwell was ‘different class’

Goals from Ryan Hedges, Yuki Ohashi, and new Rovers captain Todd Cantwell secured all three points for Ismael’s side, and it’s the man with the armband who took most of the plaudits after the match.

One supporter took to Twitter/X to say Cantwell was “superb” while another said the “Cantwell revival has begun, great performance from him today!”

The highest praise came from one fan who wrote: “Todd Cantwell captain is the best thing Val has done. When he plays well, we play well. Dictates every attacking move.”

Elsewhere, one Rovers fan praised Ryan Hedges for his goal and assist but mentioned Cantwell again, writing: “Fantastic game from [Hedges] as well as Captain Cantwell.” Another followed suit, adding: “Him and Cantwell passing and moving was unplayable today.”

Amid all the outgoings this summer, with Lewis Travis set to leave soon, too, one Blackburn fan didn’t seem too concerned, writing: “Who needs Lewis Travis? Who needs Callum Brittain? Adios to anyone who doesn’t want to be here. So proud of the entire team! What a performance. Especially from Captain Cantwell, what a player he is!”

Clearly, Captain Cantwell has been a successful decision from Ismael already, with one supporter tweeting, “will be a masterstroke making him captain,” and another claiming he was “different class.”

• READ MORE: Blackburn Rovers sign Lewis Travis replacement as their captain is set to join Derby County in multi-million deal

Todd Cantwell’s statistics from the win versus Hull City

Cantwell was rightly given the player of the match award for his role in that big win, and he has the statistics to prove that was the correct call.

The playmaker not only scored himself, but also made three key passes on the day. Cantwell ended up with an 89% pass success rate, including two accurate crosses and four accurate long balls.

He also completed 75% of his eight dribbles, won ten out of 18 duels, and had three shots in total. The only downside to his game, really, is the fact he was dispossessed 19 times.

Still, if he can keep playing like this and being so instrumental for his side, they will not miss Lewis Travis at all.