With 16 games gone in the Championship, it's a decent opportunity to pause and reflect on Blackburn Rovers' season to date.

Jon Dahl Tomasson's side are 12th in the table on 22 points, having won seven, lost eight and picked up one solitary draw. Many, including the Rovers head coach, would argue they could have more for their efforts, though.

Considering the financial restraints and the crippling injury list, Tomasson has eked out every ounce from his young squad. The football has been exhilarating, if not sometimes suicidal, keeping fans entertained throughout.

So as we approach the mid-way point in the season, it's time for some player ratings for the season to date. We've scored every player that has reached 300 minutes in all competitions this season, with six deemed as par for the course.

Aynsley Pears - 5.5

The Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper started the season as number one but has been out for six weeks with an ankle injury, opening the door for Leopold Wahlstedt.

He hasn't been able to hit the level of form that saw him keep Thomas Kaminski on the bench last season. There have been good moments and a few mistakes too. 

It will be interesting to see how Tomasson judges the goalkeeping battle when he returns to full fitness.

Leopold Wahlstedt - 6.5

Wahlstedt has done well since coming in, though there have been a few nervy moments. His distribution has been excellent and his shot-stopping decent.

There have been two low moments, a mistake against Millwall and then away at Chelsea. The biggest room for improvement is in the air, as he prefers to punch crosses rather than catch them, which can sometimes look unconvincing.

Overall, the 24-year-old has done enough in my opinion to retain his place in the Championship for the foreseeable future.

Callum Brittain - 8

After an injury-hit debut season at the club, Brittain has shown his best form this season. He earned back his place in the team at right-back and hasn't dropped out since, playing a multitude of roles.

His versatility has been a major asset, whether at right-back, left-back or higher on the wing. He has managed to stay injury-free too with 14 starts in all competitions.

He has dovetailed nicely with Rankin-Costello or Hill down the right side and been proactive in his attacking and defensive play. Definitely one of the most consistent performers this season.

Joe Rankin-Costello - 7

It's a real disappointment that Rankin-Costello will be on the sidelines for the next three months having found his best form. Having transitioned into midfield, he's added energy and a goal threat to the team.

He drifted out of the team during September but came back in central midfield and looked at home. His combination play with Brittain, either as a right number eight or right-back has been particularly impressive.

It's a major blow to lose him for an extended period of time. Hopefully, he'll be back soon.

Dom Hyam - 7.5

Blackburn Rovers have missed their Mr Reliable in the last few games, with an ankle injury set to sideline him for another month. When Rovers have been at their best, Hyam has played well.

He admitted he wasn't pleased with the poor run of goals conceded in a four-game period that saw them ship 16 times. Despite that, his performance have always been good.

An underrated skill is his calmness in possession when playing out of the back too. Rovers need him fit and available as soon as possible.

Hayden Carter - 7

Carter has continued to be a first-choice pick for Tomasson and deservedly so after his form last season. There have been games where he hasn't hit the same heights but he had started every Championship game up until his suspension at Norwich.

Tomasson clearly trusts him and his development is clear for everyone to see in the last 12 months. He is one of their larger assets and it's important he's tied down to a long-term contract.

With Hyam injured, he's started to step into a leadership role in defence too. Fortunately, he'll be available again after the international break.

James Hill - 8

Hill had to wait patiently for his opportunity, not starting a Championship game until October 4. Since then, he's started every game and he hasn't looked back.

Whether at right-back, or in the centre, Hill has been fantastic. His arrival in the team coincided with the team's defensive record improving drastically.

He's added height and athleticism to the defence and looks a real prospect. I think he'll be a big player for Rovers for the remainder of the season.

Scott Wharton - 6

Had to wait his turn for an opportunity at centre-back with Carter and Hyam the established pairing. But since coming in, he has been solid.

He was very good at Millwall in tough circumstances, arriving at half-time, and relished the physical battle against Preston North End. There have been a couple of shaky moments playing out from the back but that's understandable given the lack of football in 2023.

With Carter coming back after the international break, it'll be intriguing to see whether Tomasson keeps him in the side and moves Hill to right-back.

Harry Pickering - 6.5

The left-back had his best game of the season in the win over Norwich, both out wide and then when he moved to centre-back.

Defensively, he's usually very assured though looked vulnerable, at times, during that period when Rovers were leaking goals. Since Hill has come into the side, his role has changed and he's been tasked with moving into midfield more often, rather than playing a key role in build-up.

Sondre Tronstad - 7.5

Like Hill, Tronstad was not an automatic selection for Tomasson at the start of the season. He had a period of adjustment and spent time with the Under-21s too.

However, since coming into the Championship team at QPR, he's started every game. He's given Rovers more defensive protection in midfield and that has also freed up Adam Wharton.

Tronstad, at 28, also adds experience to the group. They've looked a better side with him in it.

Lewis Travis - 7

I thought the Rovers captain was quite unfortunate to lose his place in the side. He had been performing well despite the four-game losing run before he came out.

Against Preston, he did really well against Liam Millar considering his lack of minutes recently. Rankin-Costello's injury could open the door for a return in midfield too.

Adam Wharton - 7.5

Playing every minute of every game is the target for Wharton this season and it started off well. Playing as the deepest of the midfield three left him vulnerable, at times, though his quality on the ball is obvious.

I personally prefer him next to or slightly in advance of Tronstad, where he has more license to impact the game. It worked really well against Norwich and he embraced the freedom he was given.

The challenge will always be consistency. We shouldn't forget he is only 19 and not expect too much despite his talents.

Jake Garrett - 6

Garrett could've gone out on loan in the summer and, perhaps, that might have been better for his development. He's yet to start a Championship game and has made just four substitute appearances.

In the cup, he's had a great time. He scored in each of the first three rounds and has improved the offensive side of his game. He's now playing much higher up and has been praised by Tomasson for his progression.

But with Rovers now out of the Carabao Cup, the challenge for Garrett is obvious as he tries to break into the Championship side.

Sam Szmodics - 10

Rovers needed players to step up to the goal-scoring mantle and Szmodics has done that and then some. He's already blown last season's tally out of the water with 10 goals.

The Championship top-scorer has taken his game to new levels. He is far more composed in front of goal and has taken responsibility to be the leading man in the team.

Keeping him fit is vital and ensuring other players are chipping in too.

Andrew Moran - 7.5

The Brighton & Hove Albion loanee has settled well at Ewood Park. Considering this is his first senior loan, I think he has done well.

He's had quiet games and then moments of real quality, most recently with three assists in his last two games. That's been noticed at international level too with a senior call-up to the Republic of Ireland squad.

Moran has flexibility too. He can play centrally, where he's probably best suited, or off the left. He's a hard worker and does have the quality to pick a key pass.

Dilan Markanday - 6

Markanday has been in and out of the side, starting five Championship games. His best run came before the last international break where he got a run in the side.

Whilst he hasn't underperformed, he hasn't grabbed the chance with both hands either. He has been more impactful in the cup games and off the bench.

With Hedges still out, there remains a big opportunity for Markanday to prove he's ready to play every week in the Championship.

Ryan Hedges - 6

Hedges' season has been abruptly interrupted by a serious hamstring injury picked up in September. He's been out for seven weeks and faces another seven to nine on the sidelines.

It won't be until next year that he's back and that's a blow to Rovers considering the experience he brings and his quality on the right side.

Tyrhys Dolan - 7

It was a difficult start to the season for Dolan, as was well documented. He wasn't playing well and that was a real disappointment with Brereton Diaz gone and Sigurdsson injured.

However, since scoring his first goal, Dolan has gone from strength to strength. The last month has been far better and more consistent, scoring goals and creating chances.

He's had to play slightly out of position as a false nine, which he's done well. I still think his best role is off the left but he can still drift into those areas in that position too.

Arnor Sigurdsson - 7

It's been a tale of two halves for Sigurdsson so far. Before the last international break, he was electric, scoring for fun. He looked like an unbelievable pick-up and a difference-maker for Rovers.

Since his brace at QPR, he's been a fair distance from those high standards. He hasn't been at the races in some games and was subbed at half-time twice in a row at Millwall and against Swansea City.

That is a young attacker still adjusting to the pace of a new league, a new culture and new club. Hopefully, he can produce some of his early-season form after this latest juncture.

Harry Leonard - 7.5

The 20-year-old has made massive strides this season, starting six Championship games. He has been Tomasson's first-choice pick as the number nine for large portions of the season.

He's scored two goals and could have more. The next part of his development is adding that coolness in front of goal but considering his age, his link-up or hold-up play is very impressive.

The big hope is too much isn't expected of him too soon. But there is plenty for Tomasson to work with there as he looks to mould him into a star for the future.

*Pat Gamble, Jake Batty, Zak Gilsenan, James Edmondson Sam Gallagher, Niall Ennis and Semir Telalovic did not qualify for a rating due to lack of minutes.