MX23RW : Wednesday, February 5 17:39:17| >> :600:202273:202273:

Grant Hanley talks up defensive stability at Blackburn Rovers

Blackburn Rovers centre-back Grant Hanley admits that playing in a more settled defence this season has helped the club remain strong at the back.

Grant Hanley has suggested that Blackburn Rovers' improved defensive record is down to a "more settled" back four.

The Ewood Park club have shipped just five goals in their last eight outings, three of which came on an afternoon to forget at MK Dons.

Only four sides in the division can boast a better clean sheet ratio than Rovers, which Hanley puts down to some stability alongside central-defensive partner Shane Duffy in the heart of defence.

"I think it has helped because we have been a bit more settled," he told the club's official website. "Last year there was a lot of injuries, people were coming in and going out, and playing in different positions.

"So touch wood we've been a bit luckier with injuries this year and we've been a bit more settled and that always helps. I think me and Shane have played more games together this season than we did last season already.

"Especially at centre-half you need to let relationships build and the more we play with each other the better we can get. We've a long way to go yet, we're both young as centre-halves, but we are enjoying it."

Blackburn play host to Rotherham United at the weekend looking to push up the table from their current standing of 15th place.

ID:255945: cacheID:255945:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2309:
Written by
Daniel Lewis
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Manager of Blackburn Rovers Gary Bowyer looks on during the Sky Bet Championship match between Blackburn Rovers and Derby County at Ewood Park on September 17, 2014
Read Next:
Bowyer unhappy with "bad" Luke Murphy challenge
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds30189360194163
2Burnley31161323792861
3Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd30196541212061
4Sunderland301610445261958
5Blackburn RoversBlackburn31136123531445
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom301014639271244
7Middlesbrough301281049391044
8Norwich CityNorwich30119104942742
9Bristol City30101283835342
10Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds30119104346-342
11Coventry CityCoventry30118114138341
12Watford30125134042-241
13Queens Park RangersQPR311011103540-541
14Millwall301010103027340
15Preston North EndPreston3081393338-537
16Oxford UnitedOxford Utd31910123445-1137
17Swansea CitySwansea3097143242-1034
18Stoke CityStoke30711122837-932
19Cardiff CityCardiff30710133351-1831
20Portsmouth3079143652-1630
21Hull City3078153140-929
22Derby CountyDerby3076173241-927
23Luton TownLuton3076173049-1927
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth30510152963-3425


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!