‘It’s been a curate’s egg of a season so far’

evidence.

On the evidence of performances and results so far, David Raya is proving to be one of the best keepers in the division and if his kicking ever matches the quality of his shot-stopping, a ridiculously tempting bid from a La Liga outfit is inevitable.

The defence, which I thought would be a strength, has shown itself to be brittle and at times; with the concession of a series of daft penalties, a little naïve. The role that Jack Rodwell is to fulfil is as yet uncertain, he might turn out to be a gem but at the moment, we cannot confirm whether he is a diamond or merely cubic zirconium.

The midfield now has strength in numbers, but doubts remain over its enduring quality at this level, especially from out wide. Harrison Reed looks like a shrewd signing and brings versatility as well as a canny eye for goal. The King of Ewood’s crown seemed to have slipped a little, but his absence from the starting XI at Bolton if anything strengthened his case for a starting berth. Evans has looked magisterial in the opening games, discovering his international form.

He is in the last year of his contract cynics might observe.

Up front, Bradley Dack has been his mercurial self. He seems to enjoy life at an elevated level and court cases notwithstanding, his form has inevitably alerted “bigger” clubs to his whereabouts. WBA are apparently set to return in January with a Securicor van full of cash to test Venky’s resolve once more.

My half term prefect though is Danny Graham. He does simple things very well. He bonds the midfield to the attack, linking play, relieving pressure and he does what nobody else in the current squad can do. Ben Brereton would do well to spend the next six months watching and learning.

Rovers will re-assemble next against Sky Sports’ in-house favourites Leeds Utd in a match laced with possibilities. Will it be WMHB, NYSB or could we deliver a WDHV (well deserved home victory) ?

Then it’s off to South Wales to match up with the Swans. In July 2005,a Mark Hughes side played the second match ever (a friendly) at the Liberty and came away comfortable 4-1 winners; back then, much like the new stadium, two tiers between us, not so these days. Here’s to a WDAV notwithstanding.

Old Blackburnian