Football Season Guide

Rovers only scrambled to safety in the final game of last season under the stewardship of Steve Kean, who had been brought in by new owners Venky’s in place of Sam Allardyce. The Scot had inherited a solid unit, though they cruelly lacked in the creativity department with playmaker David Dunn spending most of his time in the treatment room. His form will be crucial again to Rovers fortunes this season. In midfield, Rovers have lost Phil Jones to Manchester United while Jermaine Jones, who put in a solid season last term, has returned to Schaalke. Kean will expect big things from the latin duo of Mauro Forminca and Ruben Rochina, whom he brought in last January. Pedersen, Olson, Emerton and Nzonzi should return in the middle of the park, having been steady performers in the second half of last season in the absences of Dunn, Andrews and Grella, who all struggled with injuries. At the back, Givet and Salgado should return in the full back roles but Kean will have to pull all the stops to keep defensive powerhouse Chris Samba. Meanwhile, his central defensive partner Ryan Nelsen should be able to start the season following a knee operation in the summer. In the attack, David Hoillett will look to pick up where he left off last season. The Canadian winger was the standout performer in the second phase in a rather toothless attack. It’s all change upfront this season with Benjani, Santa Cruz, Diouf and probably Kalinic off the roster and only Jason Roberts likely to stay on as a back up striker. Kean will look to get a line of credit for a big name signing to add to the arrival of Dundee striker David Goodwillie in the summer.