Season ratings for the Rovers midfielders and attackers

HARRISON REED 7.5

Became a fan favourite in his 36 appearances, which brought three goals, the most memorable being in an outstanding display at West Brom in October. Mowbray didn’t feel he had the discipline to play regularly in central midfield Inconsistent at times, but never lacking in effort and unlucky not to get more game-time in his natural, and more favoured, position.

RICHIE SMALLWOOD 5.5

An ever-present last season but finished this campaign struggling to make the matchday squad. Started 29 games, the majority of those coming in the first half of the season which was derailed by a red card at Sheffield United in December. The emergence of Lewis Travis saw him slip down the pecking order. Found it hard going at times, but another whose effort never wavered.

LEWIS TRAVIS 8

Has established himself as first choice in the centre of Rovers’ midfield, despite looking set to leave on loan, first in August and then again in January. Has added a drive and enthusiasm to the middle of the pitch and featured in 23 of Rovers’ final 24 matches. The 21-year-old opened his account with a goal at Norwich last month and has been the star man in 2019.

CORRY EVANS 6

The midfielder has started 33 matches and appears now to be over the groin issues which blighted his early years at the club. His work often goes unnoticed, but not by Mowbray who handed the 28-year-old a new deal in December. Will be more competition for his place next season, however.

BRADLEY DACK 7.5

Finished with 18 goals, the same as last season, with 15 of those coming in the Championship in his debut year at this level. Has proven that he can carry forward his weight of goals and the theme has continued that Rovers play well when Dack is on his game. Like the team, has had ups and down, with hamstring concerns and losses of form at times. Seems to have thrived when playing alongside Joe Rothwell.

CRAIG CONWAY 5.5

Nine Championship starts in a mixed season. Has never let Rovers, or his manager, down when selected, but struggled to have a prolonged run in the side. Showed his value in games against Sheffield Wednesday and Derby, but too often was picked in experimental sides, and most his appearances came away from home. Out of contract this summer.

ADAM ARMSTRONG 7

For the second successive season, narrowly missed out on reaching double figures. Excelled in January when winning the Championship’s player of the month. Has looked more effective when staying out wide on the right of late, rather than coming in on the left, with his pace adding a unique angle to the Rovers attack. Hasn’t been given much of a go as a striker, and while his end product needs work, could prove to be a bargain at £1.75m.

JOE ROTHWELL 7

Finished the season by playing all but nine minutes of Rovers’ final seven games. Involved in 33 Championship matches, but only 13 from the start, with the manager having been unconvinced by his end product and workrate off the ball. But boosted by his increased fitness, and adding goals and assists to his goal, the 24-year-old has shown he has a bright future. His ability to drift pass players, aligned to his close control and range of passing, he’s added a unique angle to the Rovers attack. Definitely one to watch moving forward. Took the goal of the season award for his strike at Nottingham Forest.

DOMINIC SAMUEL 5

Worked tirelessly throughout the summer to get himself in to good shape to hit the ground running at the start of this season, and the signs were promising, not least after good displays in pre-season against Liverpool and Everton. Started on the opening day at Ipswich, before sustaining a serious knee injury in the draw with Reading in August which ended his season. Will be keen to show he remains an option in pre-season.

DANNY GRAHAM 8

Won the player, and players’ player, of the year awards and deservedly so. The 33-year-old triggered an extra year at the club and finished with 15 Championship goals, and 16 in all competitions. His importance to the side couldn’t be underestimated as Rovers struggled without him. Rovers will try and ease their reliance, and the burden, on the striker but Graham is keen to show he has more to his game than simply a back-to-goal target man.  A first hat-trick in 10 years against Sheffield Wednesday in December was a real high point.

BEN BRERETON 5

Opened his Rovers goalscoring account against Bolton with a well taken finish. That was just his sixth Rovers start, only four of which have come in the Championship. His manager has continued to urge patience around the 20-year-old who signed from Nottingham Forest last summer. Is yet to find a role in this team, with Mowbray having preferred Danny Graham and Bradley Dack in attack. Made an impact off the bench against QPR and Rotherham at Ewood but more will be expected next term.

JOE NUTTALL 5.5

Has been in and out of the first team squad this season, and Rovers’ failure to bring in a new striker in January saw him stay rather than leave on loan. His two Championship goals came in January when he looked to have benefited from a prolonged spell in the side, but has struggled to fill Danny Graham’s big shoes thereafter. Rovers will have a decide what is the best step for Nuttall moving forward when he is expected to command interest once again.