Why Cantwell reckons Rovers can kick on next season under Ismael
Rovers playmaker Todd Cantwell reckons he can thrive under Valerien Ismael in the Championship next season.
Ismael's men had a strong finish to the campaign, winning four of their final five matches as they narrowly missed out on the play-offs.
The head coach initially had a tough start in the hot seat as the Rovers squad adapted to his style of play, failing to win any of his opening six games and losing five on the bounce.
But the Sheffield Wednesday comeback, in which Cantwell provided a couple of assists, proved to be a turning point.
Rovers have tended to enjoy more possession since Ismael took charge and that suits the midfielder down to a tee.
But Cantwell insists that the squad have shown they can do both sides of the game under the new boss and is confident it will serve them well next season.
'I think it is obvious I'm the type of player who wants and needs to be on the ball more than I have been at times this season,' he admitted. 'We have played for moments at times and I don't think I'm a moment player.
'I think I'm more of a rhythm (player) and I would say a player who needs to be on the ball to create and to feel confident to make that final pass.
'But at the moment, the last four or five games have definitely shown exactly what sort of team we will be moving forward.
'It makes us a really difficult team to play against because I think we are a team that can do both.'
The 27-year-old ended his first campaign at Ewood Park with three goals and seven assists in 27 league starts.
Questions have been asked about Cantwell's role out of possession at times, particularly when the team were struggling to get points on the board.
However, the former Norwich man proved during the final weeks of the campaign that he can be effective in Ismael's system.
Cantwell says he has learnt this season that it is important to stay consistent and not get carried away with the highs or lows.
'I think as a luxury player or as a player who maybe can create something that other players can't, you are always first to be attacked when things aren't being created,' he added.
'The good moments come now where everyone says, 'You are playing great and things are good'.
'A lot of people see very much past the small details as to why those performances are not clicking together.
'This season has been important for me because I think I am still growing mentally and physically to know that you have got to balance yourself out.
'You've got to enjoy the good moments but also remember that you will be the problem when it's not happening.
'Not to get too high and not to get too low and to ride the wave, but also perform at a certain level that keeps you clear of that as well.'
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