MX23RW : Saturday, December 28 16:18:35| >> :120:27891:27891:

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 UnitedLeeds23146343152848
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd23155332131948
3Burnley2313823092147
4Sunderland23128336201644
5Blackburn RoversBlackburn2211562720738
6Watford2211473229337
7Middlesbrough23106741311036
8West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom2381142718935
9Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds239683133-233
10Swansea CitySwansea238692724330
11Bristol City237972728-130
12Norwich CityNorwich237883935429
13Millwall227782220228
14Derby CountyDerby2376102929027
15Coventry CityCoventry2376103234-227
16Preston North EndPreston2351172329-626
17Queens Park RangersQPR2351082331-825
18Luton TownLuton2374122539-1425
19Stoke CityStoke2357112332-922
20Oxford UnitedOxford Utd2256112439-1521
21Portsmouth214892637-1120
22Hull City2347122132-1119
23Cardiff CityCardiff2246122137-1618
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth2246122249-2718


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!