Blackburn Rovers look a team reborn after a damaging first seven games under Valerien Ismael, and they have the chance to sneak into the top six with a win over Sheffield United on Saturday.
It’s been a season of two halves for the Lancashire outfit, with the side looking incredible under John Eustace earlier in the campaign. However, his departure to Derby County in February rocked those at Ewood Park.
While David Lowe was able to steady the ship in his interim role, Ismael had less luck in his first weeks with Blackburn but he has been able to put four wins together in the last four matches and his team are now just a point off the play-off places heading into the final day.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 5 | 45 | 17 | 16 | 12 | 57 | 53 | 4 | 67 | |
| 6 | 45 | 19 | 9 | 17 | 62 | 58 | 4 | 66 | |
| 7 | 45 | 18 | 12 | 15 | 46 | 46 | 0 | 66 | |
| 8 | 45 | 19 | 8 | 18 | 52 | 47 | 5 | 65 | |
| 9 | 45 | 18 | 10 | 17 | 64 | 54 | 10 | 64 | |
| 10 | 45 | 14 | 19 | 12 | 52 | 44 | 8 | 61 |
Blackburn’s Callum Britain has full confidence that his side can do the job, and with Coventry City facing Middlesbrough, they do have the opportunity to leapfrog the Sky Blues and Millwall, who face Burnley.
Nevertheless, contract issues surrounding Tyrhys Dolan have been a source of frustration for Rovers in recent months and a conclusion to the saga looks as though it may be on the horizon.
Todd Cantwell’s recent Instagram post about Tyrhys Dolan suggests the winger is leaving
With Valerien Ismael concerned about Dolan’s Blackburn future, there is a strong possibility that Saturday could be the final time that Rovers’ number 10 dons blue-and-white shirt, as Bristol City and Coventry are still perhaps the favourites to end the weekend in those final two play-off places.

Keeping hold of the winger was always going to be difficult, particularly after Eustace left considering they had a very good relationship and he may be about to look for pastures new.
Cantwell will certainly have not helped ease the nerves of Rovers supporters, as the winger took to social media ahead of Saturday’s clash in South Yorkshire.
Cantwell wrote: “Just me and my boy, you are a credit to yourself and your family Ty. Been a pleasure starboy 💫.”
The 23-year-old replied to the post: “My brother! Locked in always 🔗🫶🏾💙.”
While it is not an official announcement of Dolan’s departure, the post will only increase the worry of supporters with it seeming likely that he could be on his way out of the club if Blackburn fail to finish in the play-offs and ultimately win promotion to the Premier League.
Championship clubs will be prepared for Tyrhys Dolan’s potential exit
This season has been a strong one for the ex-Preston North End youth player and he has relished the opportunity to play both out wide and in the pocket behind the striker.
It has allowed him to show his attacking threat on a more regular occasion, with Dolan enjoying his most fruitful year in terms of goal contributions. The 23-year-old has seven goals and six assists in 43 games, and he has been crucial to Blackburn’s play-off push.
| Appearances (starts) | 43 (39) |
| Minutes played | 3117 |
| Goals (assists) | 7 (6) |
| xG | 7.13 |
| Shots (on target) | 50 (22) |
| Pass accuracy | 80.2% |
| Chances created | 42 |
| Dribble success | 42.5% |
While Rovers are relying on results elsewhere to go their way, those who may be departing the club have the opportunity to end their time at Ewood Park excellently.
Nonetheless, they will be keeping a keen eye on results at Ashton Gate, the CBS Arena and Turf Moor as they look for at least two of the three sides above them to drop points this weekend.
