"In all honesty" - Exclusive: Sky Sports pundit drops big Blackburn Rovers play-off claim | OneFootball

Speaking exclusively with FLW, Don Goodman has given his thoughts on Blackburn Rovers' play-off hopes for the upcoming season.

After finishing strongly at the end of last term, Blackburn Rovers are looking to further progress under Valerien Ismael heading into the 2025/26 campaign.

Ismael was welcomed to the club at the end of February following the departure of John Eustace, now in charge of Derby.

The French coach led Rovers to a 7th-place finish in the Championship, thanks in large part to a six-game unbeaten run at the end of the season which included four wins, but they ultimately fell just two points short of the play-off positions.

"I would be surprised" - Don Goodman issues Blackburn play-off verdict

However, speaking exclusively with Football League World, Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman is not too optimistic regarding another potential play-off push this time around for Ismael's men.

"In all honesty, I would be shocked if Blackburn Rovers were anywhere near the play-offs next season," said Goodman when asked whether he thinks Ismael can deliver a top-six finish next season.

"I know that they had a really strong end to last season, unbeaten in six, winning four of those, while picking up some results against some good sides in Sunderland and Sheffield United."

However, Goodman was keen to quickly address the negative elements surrounding Blackburn ahead of next term: "That's the positive. But they have lost the likes of Danny Batth and Andi Weimann, while Tyrhys Dolan can now leave on a free transfer.

"There is a little bit of a rebuild that has to happen now.

"I also think that the Championship will be a much stronger division this time around compared to what it was last, and for this, combined with other reasons, I would be surprised if Blackburn were fighting for a top six finish."

Blackburn have found themselves outside the Premier League since their relegation in 2012, and while they have come close on multiple occasions, they have been unable to achieve a single play-off finish in that time.

Valerien Ismael needs Blackburn Rovers backing

After losing Danny Batth, Andi Weimann and now potentially Tyrhys Dolan all on free transfers, Rovers now find themselves in a position where they have to address multiple areas that they otherwise might not have had to if it wasn't for contractual reasons.

However, after a positive end to the campaign under Ismael, the club needs to avoid taking multiple steps backwards, directly after taking some forward.

Blackburn have already completed three signings this summer in a bid to bolster Ismael’s side.

Sidnei Tavares has joined the club from Moreirense, while Dion De Neve has made the switch from Belgian side KV Kortrijk, and Ryan Alebiosu also joins from Kortrijk after a loan spell with St Mirren.

Discussions are also taking place between Rovers and Swiss side Yverdon Sport FC regarding a deal for midfielder Moussa Baradji.

An announcement was expected ahead of this weekend's pre-season friendly against Accrington Stanley; however, Elliot Jackson of the Lancashire Telegraph reports that talks have currently stalled.

If Rovers are to continue on the upward trajectory kick-started last term, further backing is going to be crucial to avoid taking backwards steps amid a league now containing relegated Ipswich, Leicester and Southampton, alongside potential promotion candidates Birmingham City with their sky-high ambitions.