3 hours Ago By Lancashire Telegraph
Valerien Ismael has hinted he would like to keep Adam Forshaw at Blackburn Rovers beyond the end of his contract. The 34-year-old joined on a six-month deal in January and is one of four senior players who could leave in the summer. Rovers are talking to Danny Batth, Andi Weimann is recovering from injury and Tyrhys Dolan's situation is well documented.
Forshaw has quietly impressed the Rovers head coach both on the pitch and with his positivity in the dressing room. Rovers have benefited this season from having more experienced professionals such as Batth, Weimann and, previously, Kyle McFadzean. Ismael has certainly not ruled out an extension for Forshaw after a glowing assessment.
READ MORE: Blackburn Rovers' play-off permutations after helping hand from Leeds United "Forsh is a perfect professional, great attitude, great human being," Ismael told The Lancashire Telegraph. "In a tough period, he was always in front to be positive in a changing room. He has experience.
He's got that energy. You saw how he came in against Sunderland. He was like a lion in every ball.
"He's an example for the young players to learn. Someone like that is good to have around to support. He accepts his role.
"We are very pleased to have him. This is what I said for the new season. We have to think about what we went through and what was really good for the team.
"Where was the stability? Especially for the young players to not doubt too much. Which players were really stable? "Which ones could focus on the next game, who was positive in the changing room and looking for something positive that we can build on. "For sure, for me, it was good to see.
It helps to create a new reflection for the new season about what we need. What is really important for this team and for each player." Rovers will inevitably have contracted players that Ismael does not see as part of his plans.
The head coach will approach talks with honesty and clarity to ensure every member of the squad knows their position in the summer. Ismael feels he has a strong grip on the make-up of his squad after experience highs and lows in his first two months as head coach. "It's always about honesty at some point.
To tell the player what the plan is and be clear where the players are," Isamel said. "The good thing is I have had the chance to let everyone play. So everyone got the chance to show up.
So it makes it easier for my decision to explain. "You have at least had this period of the season to have a proper look at everyone. We went through a bad period and now a good period.
So you see clearly mentally everything as well. "You know that in the Championship we will face a difficult period. It will be very strong next season too.
So you have to be strong mentally and physically. As I say you need to count on player reliability, that the team is able to manage themselves within the changing room. "So there's a lot of facts on the table now.
It makes it easier first to get clarity and to make my decision.".
