Blackburn Rovers

Andy Bayes
BBC Radio Lancashire Sport Editor

Image source, Rex Features

Four home games (not including the abandoned match against Ipswich), and it's four defeats for Blackburn Rovers.

It's the third game in succession (including the Ipswich washout) that head coach Valerien Ismael has been left angry, frustrated and bemoaning the luck of his team with decisions by officials or authorities.

Ismael must be furious that his team have nothing to show for their efforts, though a lot of it has been self-inflicted.

They led Birmingham in August after 90 minutes and somehow managed to lose, a first-half sending-off against Norwich was a big factor in their next defeat and they surrendered a lead against Swansea by conceding two goals that could have been avoided.

Goncalo Franco's volley on the stroke of half-time was a moment of real quality, but Ismael felt there was a lack of pressure on the ball in the build-up. That was a continuing theme from Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Charlton.

The second goal just can't happen at this level. Substitute Augustus Kargbo was culpable potentially three times. A poor touch, a loss of possession, and for one of the quickest players on the pitch, there was a real lack of intensity to sprint back to make an attempt to stop the counter-attack.

Now, to the real talking point of the match. From high in the Jack Walker Stand, my first instinct was a penalty or potentially a free-kick for a foul on Todd Cantwell. My first instinct at West Brom on the opening day was that Yuki Ohashi should have been awarded a spot-kick, and Saturday's handball at Charlton also looked like a penalty.

You can understand the frustration for the players and management, but, putting those decisions aside, the league table tells its own story. Two victories and five defeats in seven matches. Six goals scored and 10 conceded.

The early signs are that goals may be an issue. If Cantwell isn't scoring, who is? Is whoever is asked to play in the number nine position being given the service to score goals? I don't leave games feeling that Ohashi should have done better or Andri Gudjohnsen could have had a hat-trick. Makhtar Gueye looks surplus to requirements. It's an area of concern.

The centre of defence has had four different partnerships in eight games. They'll be hoping to find the right combination and stick to it if Hayden Carter can stay fit.

On the plus side, the centre of midfield has seen Taylor Gardner-Hickman and Sondre Tronstad look the best pairing, and Ryan Alebiosu has made a very positive start at right-back.

In the past couple of games, the influence of Lewis Travis, Dom Hyam and Danny Batth - who have 1,800 Championship appearances between them - has been missed, but it doesn't really help anyone thinking that way.

Ismael told me last night that the bedding-in process for his new players from overseas has come to an end and he expects results.

"I think we gave enough time to everyone to settle, to adapt to the transition, to come to a new country, a new league," he said.

"We didn't rush players. We gave them time and assessed them, but now I think it's time to assess the performance, and now it's game-to-game with the performance.

"We have an almost full squad at the minute in all positions. So we need that competition."

Rovers host Stoke on Saturday lunchtime before the international break - they'll be desperate to end this wait for a home victory before the majority of the other sides play.

"I can't believe it's not a penalty. When you have skilful players like Todd Cantwell on the park you expect them to do something special. He's driven into the box, he does a great Cruyff turn, the defender hasn't a clue where he is, he slides... for me it's a penalty.

"The officials are 15 yards away and can see it. You can see why sometimes managers pull their hair out because decisions like that can change games and Blackburn had the upper hand at that time.

"I think they have been short-changed a number of times already this season."

BBC Radio Lancashire sports editor Andy Bayes and former Rovers striker Kevin Gallacher reflect on the 2-1 home defeat by Swansea and in particular the decision by ref Leigh Doughty not to award the home side a penalty for Cameron Burgess' sliding challenge on Cantwell as the hosts chased an equaliser late on.

Click here for more Rovers content via BBC Sounds.

Alan Kelly is urging Blackburn Rovers to not "feel sorry for themselves" but to "replicate the performance" against Ipswich Town before the game was abandoned.

Rovers were leading 1-0 against 10 men with 10 minutes remaining when the Championship game was stopped due to heavy rain on 20 September.

Rovers suffered a 3-0 defeat by Charlton last time out - a fourth loss from their opening six Championship matches - and Valerien Ismael's side now languish 20th in the table.

Former Blackburn goalkeeper Kelly is worried they might be treating the Ipswich game as a win without having the points on the board. The rearranged game takes place on 8 October.

He told BBC Radio Lancashire: "What's worrying about that is, is that being portrayed to the players? Like, 'Oh, we've already won.' What it should be is, 'Listen, the standard has to be what got us in the place to nearly win the game against Ipswich.'

"You have to match that now again; you can't feel sorry for yourselves," he added.

"You can't say, 'Oh well, it's unjust' or whatever. Whatever the reasons are about, you have to go out there and replicate the performance. Don't forget that Ipswich were down to 10 men as well, you know, so there's that element to the game as well.

"I think you're looking for performance rather than excuses, and they need a performance [against Hull]."

You can listen to more from Kelly on Blackburn Rovers on BBC Sounds.

Blackburn Rovers boss Valerien Ismael will not get angry with his players despite Saturday's 3-0 loss at Charlton making it four defeats from their opening six Championship matches.

The reverse at The Valley came two days after the EFL ordered Rovers' abandoned game with Ipswich to be replayed in full even though Ismael's side were leading 1-0 against 10 men with 10 minutes remaining.

"It was the first time we were not really present in the way we play, especially with the ball, we lost the ball too easily," the Frenchman told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"Maybe the decision in midweek affected the players at some point because I was really missing something.

"But we are focused on the next game - at the minute it's not the right time to put massive pressure on the players and to be angry, it's still a process and a transition and we still have players who have just arrived at the club."

Blackburn are assessing a foot injury to right-back Ryan Alebiosu which forced him off at half-time against Charlton before confirming their squad to face Swansea on Tuesday.

"We'll have an assessment this afternoon (Monday) and we will take the final decision. So we'll have to wait now to see if his participation is in danger or not," Ismael added.

"It won't be something long for sure. It's just because the game is coming so soon. I think if the next game had been next Saturday there wouldn't be any problem."

Rovers continue to be without defender Hayden Carter as well as midfielders Moussa Baradji and Jake Garrett.

Image source, Opta

Blackburn return to Ewood Park on Tuesday hoping to finally end their home duck as Swansea are the visitors (19:45 BST).

Rovers lost their first three games of the season in all competitions in front of their own fans, but were leading 1-0 against Ipswich in the closing stages when the game was abandoned on 20 September, and will have to replay the full 90 minutes.

Valerien Ismael's side are seeking to bounce back from a 3-0 defeat at Charlton on Saturday while the Swans were pegged back to draw 1-1 at home to Millwall.

The Welsh side have a pretty dismal record at Ewood Park, with just one win in the past 53 years, but would be right back in the play-off pack should they pick up all three points on Tuesday.

• Blackburn have lost just two of their 24 previous home league games against Swansea (W17 D5), going down 1-2 in 1971-72 and 0-1 in 2023-24.

• Swansea have won three of their past four Championship games against Blackburn (L1), more than their previous nine beforehand (W2 D4 L3).

• Blackburn have lost both of their past two home league games, last losing three in a row in March 2019, while they have only lost their opening three at home in a league campaign in 1956-57 and 1996-97.

• Swansea have lost three of their past four away league outings (W1), failing to score in all three defeats.

• Blackburn's Valerien Ismael has won just one of his five previous Championship games against Swansea (D1 L3), a 1-0 win with Watford in October 2023.

Andy Bayes
BBC Radio Lancashire sports editor

Image source, Rex Features

For Blackburn Rovers – you can file this match under the 'bad day at the office' or 'not at the races' column. Straight away it's about the reaction to it.

For whatever reason, these matches happen in the Championship and often without warning.

Rovers might not have the number of wins they'd like on the board so far, but they've been in every game.

The opening day at West Brom might not have been particularly great, but with the score at one-nil, there was always a chance of getting back into it.

In general, football fans don't spare a thought for the predicament of other teams, but I'd imagine a fair few were glad it wasn't their team on the end of the EFL verdict this week to replay a game against Ipswich.

A goal to the good, a one player advantage and somewhere like 16 minutes to hold out (give or take a couple of minutes of stoppage time). The talk pre-match was about the determination to show that frustration at The Valley.

That looked highly unlikely to happen for large parts of the game.

Credit goes to Charlton Athletic. They played well; they have an excellent record on home soil. They won individual battles all over the pitch; they looked sharper and quicker and had far more invention in their play. A look at the BBC stats tells us that they had almost three times more touches in the opposition penalty area than Rovers did.

The biggest concern watching from high in the stand was that in order to try and score a goal, bodies were needed forward. They looked too deep all afternoon.

Distances looked out, the midfield pretty much camped in, and when they did get in the opposition's final third – the creativity on the day just didn't match their opponents. Thomas Kaminski made two saves in the Addicks goal; he'll certainly have busier days.

Rovers boss Valerien Ismael told me after the game: "It's been a tough week."

He was adamant that his team should have been awarded a penalty with the score at 1-0.

He added: "I think it's terrible the referee didn't see that [for handball by Lloyd Jones], because it can be a game-changer.

"What's embarrassing is that our captain is allowed to speak to the referee and he has winked at him and laughed at him. This is unacceptable. He made a mistake, but at least treat our player properly and not laugh at our players."

Referee Anthony Backhouse or the governing body is highly unlikely to make any sort of response to that.

Granted, had a penalty been awarded and subsequently converted, then naturally it would have put a different complexion on the game.

But as a contest, this was Charlton's day. They were the better side and more than deserved maximum points.

Two home games to come this week and potentially a rearranged one around the corner too for Rovers; they'll see a fair amount of Ewood Park this month.

Three points on Tuesday against Swansea will quickly draw a line through this one.

Image source, Rex Features

Blackburn manager Valerien Ismael was unhappy with referee Anthony Backhouse's reaction to his captain Todd Cantwell's penalty appeal in the defeat at Charlton.

Cantwell's cross struck the arm of Lloyd Jones but Mr Backhouse turned down shouts for a spot-kick from Cantwell and his teammates.

Ismael told BBC Radio Lancashire: "We had some good moments at the beginning but we were not consistent and the performance was not that good, I don't know why.

"We conceded a goal at a setpiece but the good thing was that it was only one goal at half time.

"Then came the moment we were looking at and I think it's terrible the referee didn't see that [handball by Jones], because it can be a game-changer.

"What's embarrassing is that our captain is allowed to speak to the referee and he has winked at him and laughed at him. This is unacceptable. He made a mistake, but at least treat our player properly and not laugh at our players.

"It's been a tough week but we have a quick turnaround with a game on Tuesday."

Blackburn Rovers will look to end a disappointing week on a high when they make the trip to Charlton Athletic on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Having led a 10-man Ipswich Town 1-0 after 79 minutes, heavy rainfall saw the game abandoned and the English Football League settle on a replay.

It's left Blackburn feeling hard done by after dominating following the dismissal but they will need to get over their ordeal quickly when they visit a side who, while not prolific scorers themselves, make finding the net a troublesome task.

• Charlton have won just one of their last six home league games against Blackburn (D2 L3), with this their first since a 2-0 defeat in February 2020.

• Blackburn have won six of their last nine league games against Charlton (D1 L2), though those two defeats in that run have come in the last three meetings.

• Charlton have lost just one of their last 18 home league games (W13 D4), going down 1-0 against Leicester last month.

• Having won just one of a run of 10 away league games between December and March last season (D1 L8), Blackburn have now won four of their last six on the road (D1 L1).

• Only Sheffield United (1) have scored fewer goals than Charlton (4) in the Championship this season. However, only Stoke and Middlesbrough (4) have conceded fewer than the Addicks (5).

A potential move to take the Championship play-offs down to eighth place would damage the competition's credibility, according to former Huddersfield, Stoke and Middlesbrough defender Tommy Smith.

The EFL board is set to discuss proposals to increase the number of teams in the end-of-season play-offs from four to six but Smith, who was promoted to the Premier League with Huddersfield via the play-offs in 2017 is not a fan of the idea.

"It's not for me - I think it suits teams who don't really have a chance to get in the top six," he told the BBC's EFL podcast 72+.

"From a credibility point of view the top six is there to be aimed at and you have to earn your place in it."

The play-offs were first introduced for the 1986-87 season where sides finishing third down to fifth were involved along with the team third-from-bottom in the top flight.

After two seasons the format was changed to be played out between teams finishing third to sixth in the second tier.

"To finish eighth in the Championship and potentially get promoted to the Premier League it just doesn't sit right with me," added Smith.

"Notoriously over the past years getting into the top six is tough and when you get in there after a long hard season it feels brilliant, so to make it a top eight it dilutes it."

Replaying the full game between Blackburn and Ipswich would be "hard to bear" for Rovers, says BBC Radio Lancashire pundit Jimmy Bell.

Saturday's Championship clash with the Tractor Boys was abandoned 10 minutes from time because of heavy rain at Ewood Park with Rovers leading 1-0 and Town down to 10.

A decision has yet to be made on whether the result will stand or if a replay will take place.

Bell told BBC Radio Lancashire: "Was it the right decision (to abandon it)? I would have to say yes.

"It's not fair. I think Blackburn would have gone on and won that game which would propel them right up the league and two points outside the play-offs.

"It's a hard one to take for the Blackburn fans, (but) it's very difficult."

Asked whether Blackburn may be awarded the win, the former Accrington assistant manager added: "I don't think that will happen. For me, as it stands, I think it can only be replayed.

"I would be amazed if the result stood. In the integrity of football, if it did stand, that possibly might be the right decision but the rules and regulations would only be pointing one way and that would be replayed and it would be 11 v 11 and a minimum of 90 minutes, which is hard to bear."

You can listen to more on BBC Sounds.

Image source, Rex Features

Blackburn Rovers have announced the exit of long-serving youth coach Mike Sheron.

Sheron had been at Ewood Park for a decade and helped bring through stars like Crystal Palace and England midfielder Adam Wharton.

The former Manchester City, Stoke, Barnsley and QPR forward had been in charge of Blackburn's under-21s for the past four years following spells with Rovers' academy and under-18s.

"Rovers wish to thank Mike for his dedication and valuable contribution to the club over the past 10 years and we wish him well in his future career," the club said in a statement, external.

Sheron, 53, arrived at Blackburn as academy coach in July 2015 after spells with Manchester City, Bury, Oldham Athletic, Liverpool and Rotherham United.

He became under-18s coach in 2019 and guided them to the FA Youth Cup semi-finals.

Sheron then took charge of Blackburn's under-21s in Premier League 2, where he worked with the likes of Wharton.

Blackburn boss Valerien Ismael is focused on turning around Rovers' home form in a bid to encourage a great atmosphere at Ewood Park.

Rovers have won back-to-back away games to move away from the lower reaches of the Championship but have lost to Birmingham and Norwich at home, where they were also knocked out of the EFL Cup by League One Bradford.

Here are some of the key points from Ismael's interview with BBC Radio Lancashire ahead of the visit of Ipswich to Ewood Park on Saturday (15:00 BST):

• "Next step for us is a first win at home in front of our fans. We want to get it right. You can create a great environment at the stadium if you win games and rely on your strength at home. It helps to build momentum."

• "If you're not winning at home, it puts you under more pressure away."

• "It's a transitional process - solving problems and improving as a team. We want a performance the fans can enjoy."

• "Ipswich is a top Championship side, one of the favourites for automatic promotion and very well managed."

• "We have to be strong, focus on ourselves, we need a perfect game in and out of possession but it's a good opportunity to test ourselves against top opposition."

• Ismael said Rovers have no new injury concerns after last week's 1-0 win at Watford.

• "We will need everyone at some point, even the boys in the academy; everyone has to be ready to grab their opportunity."

Blackburn will seek to avoid unwanted history when Ipswich head to Ewood Park on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Though Valerien Ismael's side have picked up six points from their past three Championship games, both wins came on the road and they are seeking their first points infront of their own fans this season, having also suffered a home defeat to League One Bradford in the EFL Cup.

Kieran McKenna's Tractor Boys have also taken six points from their opening five games following their return to the Championship, though the 5-0 thumping of Sheffield United at Portman Road sees them two places ahead of Rovers on goal difference.

• Blackburn Rovers have won only one of their past seven league games against Ipswich Town (D2 L4), a 2-0 home win in January 2019 under Tony Mowbray.

• Ipswich completed a league double over Blackburn Rovers when the pair last met in the 2023-24 season – the last time either side went on a longer winning run in this matchup was between 1990 and 1992 (6 in a row by the Tractor Boys).

• Blackburn have lost both of their home Championship matches so far this season – they've only lost their first three home league games in two seasons before (1956-57 and 1996-97).

• Ipswich's 5-0 win over Sheffield United equalled their total league wins across their previous 23 games (W1 D7 L15) and their total clean sheets across their previous 38 combined (1).

• Jaden Philogene bagged a hat-trick against Sheffield United last time out, Ipswich's first Championship hat-trick for nine years, since Grant Ward netted on the opening day of 2016-17 versus Barnsley. Philogene now has seven goals in his last 11 Championship appearances.

Lindsey Lewis
Fan writer

Image source, Rex Features

"We have done more interviews this week than we have points."

A line from a friend that could not have been more accurate. As chief operating officer at Blackburn Rovers, Rudy Gestede did the media rounds after the transfer window closed and all the talk was about the comings and goings.

How fitting then that the man of the match on Saturday went to one of our own, Scott Wharton. Scotty completed his first game in the Championship from start to finish since April 2024. He and Hayden Carter are a centre-back pairing blessed with talent and blighted by injuries. Keeping them fit will be the key to the calm and resilience shown in what felt like a comfortable 1-0 victory against Watford.

For me, Watford started brightly but Rovers quickly found their way into the game. Had Ryoya Morishita's screamer gone in in the first half, you would never have heard me moan again about paying £35 for the privilege of watching Championship football.

As it was, his first goal came early in the second half with excellent play between him and compatriot Yuki Ohashi. Then came the much-anticipated helicopter celebration - I am sure we are all hoping to see a fair few more of them this season.

I got a bit nervy when the changes came, they felt too soon but this why I am not a football manager as the switch to a back three worked beautifully. Lewis Miller looks to have all the attributes to become a fan favourite.

The change which excited those around me most was the introduction of Andri Gudjohnsen. Even in his brief cameo, the talent he possesses and his football brain was clear. His link-up play with Todd Cantwell is an exciting proposition for the season ahead.

The celebrations at the end are some I will not forget in a hurry. Our kit man running the length of the pitch to celebrate with his family (if you have not seen the video, do!), Morishita lapping up his praise and even the normally very calm Valerien Ismael joining in the fun.

With two away wins under our belt, attention needs to turn to picking up points at home. Ipswich visit on Saturday and the homecoming of Sam Szmodics. Sammie will receive a warm reception no doubt, his exploits for us two seasons ago are something I will always be thankful for. But let's hope we don't see his salute celebration.

Hopefully, Saturday's game allows some of our new boys and indeed some of the old guard to become our new heroes and help us make some new memories.

You can find more of Lindsey's Rovers views on X here, external.

On making his first Championship start after a near 18-month injury nightmare, Blackburn defender Scott Wharton said he'd doubted he'd be the same player again.

The 27-year-old suffered an ACL injury against Sheffield Wednesday in April 2024 but after two appearances off the bench in the Championship and 90 minutes in the EFL Cup first round, Wharton impressed in his first league start since in Saturday's 1-0 win at Watford.

He told BBC Radio Lancashire: "It's been a long time coming for me. Obviously I had a really bad injury so I've had to wait a long time for this day.

"I was nervous before the game. I just wanted to start the game well and just do your job basically.

"Obviously, after a serious injury I've had my doubts whether I'd be the same player or be able to play in the Championship. I felt like there was a lot on my shoulders to put in a good performance, even to prove to myself I could do it.

"I am proud of myself. It's been a long road but I'm back."

Rovers' second win of the campaign took them up to 16th the table.

Wharton added: "We massively deserved the win. There's early signs we can do well this season in the league. I think we're only going to get better."

Andy Bayes
BBC Radio Lancashire sports editor

Image source, Rex Features

A second successive away league win for Blackburn - last season they had to wait until November before they took maximum points on the road. Now it is time to work on the home form.

After a fortnight to think about a home defeat to Norwich and transfer activity that has come under a lot of scrutiny, this was exactly what they needed.

The turnover of players may have been pretty vast over the summer months, but a look at the starting XI at Watford showed that eight players on the teamsheet were actually Rovers players last season: Sidnei Tavares, Ryan Alebiosu and Ryoya Morishita being the exceptions.

The centre-back pairing two weeks ago was Dom Hyam and Sean McLoughlin. Suspension ruled out McLoughlin, and Hyam's run of playing every minute of the last 50 Championship matches came to an end as he sat on Wrexham's bench.

Hayden Carter and Scott Wharton were asked to step up to the plate. Both talented academy graduates, both having their fair share of injury frustration over the last year or more. Both can be delighted with their contribution at Vicarage Road.

For Wharton, this was a first Championship appearance from start to finish since 6 April, 2024. A horrendous knee injury saw him miss all of last season.

For Carter, this was the first league outing of the season after a summer injury added to his catalogue of issues that he went through last year.

They complimented each other. One naturally right-sided, the other left-sided.

Wharton in particular was colossal. He relished the aerial challenges, his positional play was on the money, and his ability with his vision of pass has never been in question. If both can stay fit, Rovers have two players with the club at heart.

Carter will be 26 before Christmas, and Wharton is 28 next month. Great ages for centre-backs who have both shaken off the young academy product tag.

The only goal had genuine quality sprinkled all over it. Japanese internationals combining, Ohashi to Morishita (on full debut), and the finish was as cool as you like.

Earlier in the game, he'd rattled the bar from range. You could see why he was Valerien Ismael's number one transfer target over the summer. He's got great feet, a willingness to get involved in dangerous areas, and he's a very likeable personality.

With 12 goals and 12 assists in Poland last season for Legia Warsaw, he's off the mark already.

The bench also played a key role in the victory. Two more debuts came on and impressed.

Andri Gudjohnsen, after one training session with his new team-mates, made an instant impact.

Intelligent touches, good link-up play and will feel he should have been awarded a penalty.

He'll be compared to his father Eidur Gudjohnsen for obvious reasons. They play the same position; it's very early days, but he can be highly satisfied with his first appearance.

Taylor Gardner-Hickman was an important introduction too on debut. As soon as Sondre Tronstad felt his calf, Ismael was quick to make the change.

They also went to a back three with Lewis Miller joining the defence. I think we might see that switch with regularity. It helped to see the game out with another imposing presence on the pitch.

Full marks to Ismael and his players. In three away games, they've conceded one goal and have six points from nine.

There will be far bigger tests than Watford, who were pretty toothless in front of goal, but this is a confidence booster for Rovers.

Ipswich and the return of Sam Szmodics are next.

Blackburn boss Valerien Ismael does not expect new signing Moussa Baradji to return to fitness until after the next international break in October.

The midfielder joined Rovers in August but was suffering with a pre-existing injury and is yet to make an appearance for the side.

"We need to deal with his injury now, it takes time so we cannot say now when he will be back," Ismael told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"I would say mid-term so we will see if he will be back for the next international break."

Midfielder Adam Forshaw has returned to training but will not be ready for the Championship game against Watford on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Neither will fellow midfielder Axel Henriksson, who broke his hand on Wednesday.

Ismael added: "[Henriksson's] injury is not that bad but it's too fresh to take any risk for the game."

Henriksson is the only player to have been injured during the international break and while the time away from the Championship might not have given the new-look squad a chance to gel, Ismael sees the disruption as a positive.

"[There is] less experience in the Championship but we've got players who played against [Cristiano] Ronaldo, played against [Kylian] Mbappe and we've got international experience," Ismael said.

"It means our players have a new feeling, a new confidence so they need to take it into the game [against Watford]."

Taylor Gardner-Hickman was a regular during Birmingham City's record-breaking League One title win and he hopes to take that experience into his season-long loan spell with Blackburn Rovers.

"[Last season] definitely helped me, giving [me] loads of experience both on and off the pitch," the midfielder told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"It was a very good season personally and collectively, something that I'll remember the rest of my life for sure, and I just want to build on that."

The 23-year-old signed for Blackburn just before the transfer deadline and has used the international break as an opportunity to become fully integrated and comfortable in his new environment, without the pressure of an upcoming fixture.

"The boys who have been here for a while have welcomed me in. There's a real feeling of togetherness already around the place," he said.

"It feels like a really big family club. That's due to the players, the staff and people around Lancashire who I've met and are lovely.

"It definitely helps us new boys settle in really quickly. We've got a great bond already and it's something that will grow throughout the season and help us on the pitch too."

Gardner-Hickman is looking forward to his first opportunity to showcase his ability on the pitch, with Blackburn visiting Watford on Saturday (15:00 BST).

"I just want to give my all for this club," he said. "I give 110% every week so hopefully that will reflect in my performances and I can put on a bit of a show."

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