It was about this time last season that Blackburn Rovers' season began to unravel. Thankfully, there are no worrying signs that history will repeat itself to the same extent.

With John Eustace at the helm, the likelihood of a similar mid-season collapse feels low, even if there is still a gut feeling that this squad are overachieving at present.

The Rovers head coach has again stated that trying to hit 50 points is the team's first aim. That is representative of a safety-first tone in public ahead of what is always a challenging winter schedule.

Eustace has done an eight out of ten job at Ewood Park, if not better. If Rovers remain in touching distance of the play-offs by the time everyone swaps over their calendars, that will be bumped up further.

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The result, rather than the performance, against Cardiff City was the perfect tonic before the international break. Because if Rovers had not turned up and picked up that first away win, there would've been some negativity filling that vacuum of two weeks without a match.

But I think that would've been short-sighted. Regardless of what happens in the next month, Rovers are going to be, at worst, where many predicted they would be at the start of the season. Lower mid-table. 

That has to remain the yardstick to which Eustace is judged. This early-season (now a third of the way through) form shouldn't be used as a stick to beat him with, if they drop down the table.

The winter months are always the biggest test of your squad and indeed, summer recruitment. Rovers have more depth, experience and options than last year so you'd think they'll remember to bring their hat and woolly gloves.

Last term, Rovers' youthful squad froze midway through December. They never really thawed out until April when a clutch win at Elland Road went a long way to keeping them in the division.

Rovers have a budget that would place them around 16th/17th in a theoretical table. They spent around £2million in the summer and lost their top goal-scorer. All of this context has to be remembered.

I believe that, in this last month, some have perhaps lost sight of that after a quick start. Yes, the goals dried up and results dipped but performances did not nosedive. Ultimately, what did you expect from the strikers that were recruited in the summer? There will be, and have been, peaks and troughs.

Rovers will at least be boosted by, hopefully, four returnees this weekend. Owen Beck will offer competition at left-back again, whilst Arnor Sigurdsson and Tyrhys Dolan are welcome additions back to the squad even if they may have to impact from the bench against Portsmouth.

Amario Cozier-Duberry is the one that Rovers fans have been waiting for. He would've made his first Championship start had it not been for an ill-timed ankle injury on the eve of the first game back following October's pause.

The tricky wide player has shown in bursts what he can offer. He will be a very welcome ally, particularly when you look at some of the fixtures to come.

In the next month, the Ewood Park matches get a lot trickier. Portsmouth is one many will put a ring around and say 'three points'. That's fair given the form Rovers have shown at home but they are starting to find their feet at Championship level.

Leeds, in my opinion, are the best team in the division, so that will be tough. Throw in Luton Town, who could be in a Cardiff-like situation where form has improved by December 14, and a Boxing Day clash with the current league leaders, it is a tricky run.

The away trips are not exactly 'gimmes' either. Middlesbrough are in their best run of form this campaign whilst Hull City and Sheffield Wednesday are this year's mid-table teams with Dissociative identity disorder. Millwall is never a fun place to go and their form at The Den this term would suggest there will be no Christmas gifts handed out four days before Mr Claus arrives.

That is not to suggest Rovers will, or should, fear these teams. As Lewis Travis pointed out, they should easily have another four points to their tally after the last batch of six games. But this run will really test not just the quality but the depth of the squad that was assembled this summer.

It undoubtedly was the catalyst for what followed last year. But a year older, wiser and with a new captain of the ship, Rovers are far better prepared for any upcoming choppy waters.

Rovers have averaged 1.47 points per game after 15. If they were to match that rate and collect 12 from those next eight, I would say that would be a big statement considering the difficulty.

Whatever the next six weeks bring, it is important to judge this squad by the expectations set in August.