You have to be crazy to be a goalkeeper, they say. The best ones usually are.

It's an up-and-down life and probably the hardest position on the pitch to excel. It can be a lonely world when things go wrong, there is nowhere to hide.

It would not be unfair to say there have been highs and lows in Aynsley Pears' Blackburn Rovers career. His journey to becoming number one has not been straightforward.

But whisper it quietly, he's having a very good season. Helped by an impressive defensive unit in front, he has been a consistent performer and delivered when called upon.

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Having mental resilience is key to that. Pears is a confident speaker and clearly backs his own ability. That is key to succeeding in a position with so much scrutiny.

"I felt good at the back end of last season bar the one dodgy mistake I've made (Sheff Wed) which happens," he said.

"People might make that out as a huge deal but it's one goal. You can't dwell on one goal, you have to be positive. I think I've started this season well and I'm happy.

"Things change very quickly in football and you can't get ahead of yourself. I'm older now, I'm 26 and I've played a lot of games. I understand if you concede it looks like the end of the world but it's one goal.

"It's a split-second decision. Every goalkeeper would agree with me that you have to move on quickly. The bad moments are highlighted much more than the good ones. It's started well this season but I have to keep going.

"I'm very focused on myself. I want to play every game and if I keep doing what I'm doing then I'll stay in the team."

Pears' career at Ewood Park changed pretty quickly in six months. He was heading to Portsmouth on loan in January 2023, only to turn back around.

An injury to Thomas Kaminski saw him get his chance. Jon Dahl Tomasson kept faith in him and, despite others struggling with his direct management style, Pears had no issues.

"I think he's done a great job, the lads love him and his staff," Pears said on John Eustace, reflecting on the two styles.

"The way he presents the game to us and how we want to play, the principles. He gets the best out of the players and we have surprised a few people. We want to continue doing that, stay in the top half, push up the league.

"My experience with Jon Dahl was always good, he was fair to me. I think he said things how they were and I think some of the lads didn't like that, those that were here.

"I think what John does, if you're playing or not, he keeps you working very hard and at 100% so you're ready to play. I think he has a great management style to keep the players happy.

"It's different to the previous regime, perhaps more positive, you could say. My experience with both was very good but particularly with John Eustace and the lads would say the same."

Rovers are seventh ahead of facing Stoke City in midweek. Bar a disaster, the team will likely end the third international break in the top ten which, after last season's struggles, is big progress.

The Championship is a more even landscape this year and Pears sees no reason why Rovers shouldn't be hunting in that pack for the play-offs.

"It's about trying to limit the bad runs to a couple of games and extending the good ones," he said.

"We had a good one to start the season and now a tiny blip. There are 33 games to go. We're trying to be consistent and we'll be fine.

"It's been a good start defensively. Obviously, we need to try and score a few more goals but the relationships are good and it feels positive.

"I don't see why top-six isn't realistic as a target, at this stage. It's such a tight league, I think we could beat anyone and the same for others. If we keep this level of consistency, I don't see why we can't be hunting the top six.

"There have been much bigger shocks than if we got in the top-six and that is our aim."