Fixture release day has brought no real shocks or surprises, Blackburn Rovers will play every Championship team twice this season.

However, for those who like to plan and sketch their season, it's a pretty exciting day. Early negotiations can take place to skip weddings, birthday parties and other sacred events in favour of watching the football.

Whilst there's only so much you can read into a fixture list, there are some important things to consider. Here are a few of the talking points to come out of Rovers' calendar.

READ MORE: ROVERS' FIXTURES IN FULL

A chance to start well

Rovers' opening six weeks of the season doesn't look that bad, on paper. Of course, there is plenty for everyone to do in the transfer market and so it's impossible to judge teams at this stage.

Derby and Oxford at home in the first month is a good opportunity for points. Those fixtures are generally tougher on the road, with teams still finding their feet after promotion away from home.

Norwich were a play-off team last year but we're not sure how quickly they will acclimatise to a new head coach. Johannes Hoff Thorup is the new man at the helm and they might be a side still in transition when Rovers arrive at Carrow Road on August 17. They are expected to lose some key players this summer.

Then it's Burnley before the first international break, at Turf Moor. A nice two-week break follows for everyone to sulk or gloat.

Bristol City (H) and a trip to Deepdale follow. Again, these are not the most daunting games. The first six matches are an opportunity for a healthy return, I think.

Spare a thought for Portsmouth, who have Leeds, Luton, Middlesbrough, Sunderland, West Brom, Burnley and Sheffield United to start with. Yikes.

A kinder Christmas

December is commonly known as the month where Rovers' season fell apart last year. They played seven matches in a month, including Leeds and Southampton.

This year, there are only six games, with the way the calendar falls. That's an early bonus.

Luton Town are the only relegated Premier League side they face that month and it's at Ewood Park. Otherwise, Hull City are the only top-half opponent in December, who they remarkably play twice in three weeks.

It certainly looks more favourable, when we know the fixtures come thick and fast. It's a better spread than last year, that's for sure.

From Boxing Day to New Year's Day, it's Sunderland (H), Hull (H) and Leeds United (A). Not too much travelling to worry about either.

A tough run-in

Let's be fair, it's not as bad as last year but the last five games look tricky for Rovers.

There are trips to Kenilworth Road, The Stadium of Light and a final-day showdown at Bramall Lane. Again, we don't know who will be playing for what but you'd imagine two of those teams will have plenty riding on the game, at least.

Millwall and Watford are not the toughest home games but there could be pressure on those matches to get points if Rovers are competing at either end of the table.

A small victory for the fans

Rovers fans can pretty pleased with the midweek away trips they have been served up.

Last year, there were long treks to Millwall, Bristol City and Cardiff, albeit the latter was moved due to the FA Cup.

This time around, it's Coventry City, as was the case last year, Middlesbrough, Sheffield Wednesday, West Brom and Stoke City. Quite palatable really.