Ever since Blackburn Rovers were relegated from the Premier League in 2012, the club have become an inconsistent Championship side.
Rovers have threatened to challenge for the playoffs over the past three seasons, but their lack of stability cost them last term as they finished 11 points behind the top six in ninth spot.
Gary Bowyer has done a fine job of harmonising the club since taking charge two years ago, but the board will be looking for him to achieve something of note in 2015-16.
Here, Sports Mole has assessed whether Bowyer can now lead his side towards a promotion push, or if they are more likely to fall short once again.
In
Sacha Petshi (Bastia), Bengali-Fode Koita, Danny Guthrie
Out
Tom Cairney (Fulham), Rudy Gestede (Aston Villa), Jake Kean (Norwich City), Joshua King (Bournemouth), Josh Morris (Bradford City), Anthony O'Connor (Plymouth Argyle) Jordan Slew (Cambridge United), Luke Varney (Released), David Dunn (Oldham Athletic),
Last season - 9th
Manager - Gary Bowyer
© Getty Images
Bowyer took charge of Rovers in 2013 after the club had gone through three permanent managers in the space of a season. The former reserve team boss steadied the ship at Ewood Park and went on to guide the team to a credible 8th-placed finish in his first full season at the helm.
Last season's ninth-placed showing was a disappointment to some supporters, but Bowyer will be determined to improve on that this term. Question marks remain over his ability to push the side on, though, and it looks as if they will struggle to better last season's showing, especially considering the quality they have lost this summer.
Key Player - Jordan Rhodes
If Blackburn are to be successful this season, they need to keep hold of Rhodes. The striker has been prolific in his three years at Ewood, netting 73 goals in 134 Championship appearances. He has attracted plenty of interest from Premier League sides but Blackburn have resisted all offers for him so far.
Having sold Gestede to Villa this summer, it makes it even more imperative that they persuade Rhodes to stay. The Scotland international scored 21 goals last season and Rovers cannot afford to lose even more firepower before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.
© Getty Images
Possible starting lineup
Steele; Henley, Hanley, Duffy, Olsson; Marshall, Guthrie, Petshi, Lowe, Conway; Rhodes.
First game: Wolverhampton Wanderers (H), Full fixture list
Sports Mole says
Blackburn have been handed a tough opening-day fixture against promotion hopefuls Wolverhampton Wanderers, and it looks like it will be a tough season overall for their supporters. The club have allowed several key players to leave, most notably Gestede, Cairney and King, and will struggle to deal with those departures, especially as a transfer embargo limits who they can bring in.
With other sides around them strengthening their squads, Blackburn could find it tough to even break into the top half of the table this time around. The goals of Rhodes will be vital, should they keep hold of him, but the team must start to perform to their potential on a regular basis if they are to silence to doubters.
Prediction - 17th
Steven Toplis
