People often say the table doesn't really take shape until at least 10 games. 

After nine, Blackburn Rovers can be pretty pleased with the start they have made. Whilst the two defeats before the international break were disappointing, it does not detract from an otherwise impressive opening two months.

Scatter those back-to-back away reverses amongst the nine and there'd be even fewer drawbacks. John Eustace will no doubt be delighted internally when you consider the derby games played, the red cards, injuries, late signings and everything else that goes in the melting pot.

Coming up for Blackburn Rovers are six more fixtures before the final international break of 2024. Those are spread across four separate weeks, with two more infamous three-game weeks to prepare for.

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As we wrote last week, it feels like Rovers squad now is pretty levelled out. Those that arrived late are up to full speed, if not they're very close, the bans are completed and it feels like Eustace can now properly try and establish a first-choice XI, if such things exist in modern football.

I think the next six matches will also give a strong indication of what this Blackburn team are capable of. I would argue that this batch of fixtures are the toughest, compared to the blocks of four and five they've had so far.

There are no easy passes in The Championship but Swansea at home is pretty friendly-looking on paper. Especially considering Rovers' fantastic start at Ewood Park.

Luke Williams' side can be awkward customers but look like they will be mid-table again this year. They're also without their star attacker and so Rovers will be targeting three points as they did against similar opponents, Bristol City and Queens Park Rangers.

West Brom, like Blackburn, had back-to-back defeats before the break but are a cut above the opponents they've hosted so far. The week is ended off at Vicarage Road, where Watford have surprised a few with a decent start, particularly at home.

Sheffield United follow, the team who have taken the most points in the division at the time of writing. It will again be another strong test at home and I'm intrigued to see how Rovers cope. 

Stoke City, like Swansea, is another game to target three points from. Before a trip to strugglers and currently manager-less Cardiff. But that could be a very different dynamic come November 9.

You must also consider the travelling aspects of the away fixtures, which don't look terribly daunting. But throw in Wednesday night matches, albeit at home, plus the Saturday 12:30pm timeslots and distance to travel, they become tougher.

I think this next block will help to establish exactly what Blackburn Rovers are. Perhaps this next six will actually give us more of a fair reflection on what the aims should be for this squad, than the nine beforehand.

You've got a step up in class at home. Awkward away fixtures with the timings. And plenty of congestion in there too. If Rovers are to be play-off contenders, and there would be no shame if they're not quite at that level yet, they have an opportunity to really showcase it.

I think I'm most interested to see how the home improvements stack against West Brom and Blades. Rovers have been excellent at Ewood Park in both results and performances, whilst there are a few question marks still on the style and set-up away. 

How does that translate against a cut above? We will see. There are also two more 'winnable' home games, with four of these six in front of their own fans. Watford and Cardiff are also in the 'nothing to hugely fear' category.

You never win or lose anything by November. But this next block might answer a few more questions for the fans and Eustace as to what levels might be reachable for Blackburn Rovers this season.