Blackburn Rovers boss Tony Mowbray believes that Darragh Lenihan has benefited from his role as one of Rovers’ leaders this campaign.

The central defender has been crucial for Blackburn Rovers so far this season, making 29 starts for Tony Mowbray’s side as they look to sneak their way into the play-offs when the EFL returns to action. Rovers are just three points behind Lancashire rivals Preston North End in the fight for a return to the Premier League, a division that Blackburn won in 1995.

Rovers have won 13 out of the 29 games that the Irishman has started and have kept all their clean sheets this season during the games that he has been a part of the starting XI.

Lenihan has been suspended in recent weeks with the defender collecting his tenth booking of the season in the draw against Stoke and missed the games with Swansea City and Derby County, both games that Blackburn failed to keep a clean sheet in.

Lenihan has grown into an influential member of the squad so far this season with the defender being made captain for much of the 2019/2020 campaign. Mowbray believes that the Irishman has demonstrated his influence and his ability in the dressing room in recent months, he told the Lancashire Telegraph:

“He now sees himself I think as a team leader, and I think he’s only getting stronger and better and taking more responsibility.

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“He understands how we play and the processes that we go through and what we expect of the team and he tries to take them onto the grass for the team to follow instruction without me having to be red in the face shouting on the sidelines all the time.

“I think every good team needs people who make the processes happen on the grass, demand of the players around them and keep the game-plan moving forward and Darragh definitely does that for us.”

Lenihan has been used in both a back-four and a back-three on occasions this season, mainly playing alongside Manchester City loanee Tosin Adarabioyo.

The pair have formed a great partnership in recent games with Lenihan showcasing his captain qualities by taking the young defender under his wing and giving him an understanding of how Mowbray wants his defenders to play.

The Verdict

It is always good to see a manager come out and talk about the development of one of his key players and how he is becoming a leader behind the scenes, especially one that has come through the club’s own academy system.

It has been clear to see this season how the Irishman has progressed which has come in line with Rovers’ rise up the Championship table.

As well as improving his abilities on the grass, it is clear to see that he has come on leaps and bounds off the field with his relationship with the younger players in that Blackburn squad. If they have ambitions of finishing in the play-off places, then Blackburn will need characters like Lenihan to motivate and inspire other members of the squad to perform to the best of their abilities.