IT was one of the most baffling turnarounds of the season, as Rovers’ defensive unit went from being watertight to leaky over the course of a summer.

For 17 painful games this time round, Paul Ince’s men were shipping goals galore and seemed destined for the Championship as they looked incapable of coping with the Premier League’s best - and even the mediocre.

When Ince was finally given the bullet - after a humiliating 3-0 defeat at Wigan - Rovers were sitting second from bottom in the table, having conceded 34 goals, more than anyone else in the top flight.

Just what had happened to the usually dependable Ryan Nelsen, Chris Samba, Andre Ooijer and Stephen Warnock. A unit that has served Rovers well in the past looked ready for a break-up.

Young full-backs Danny Simpson and Martin Olsson were also given a torrid time at times, although left back Olsson has at least shown promise for the future.

It could not continue and thankfully it didn’t. Under the new guidance of Sam Allardyce, the obvious talents of Nelsen and co again flourished as they remarkably returned to their hard to beat best.

Nine clean sheets from the last 21 games, saw the blue and white army comfortably climb away from relegation and give the Ewood Park faithful renewed.

There were still off days. Batterings at Liverpool and Arsenal come to mind, but, in general, the improvement under new management sensational.

While under fledgling Premier League boss Ince, it seemed they were encouraged to bomb forward to leave themselves exposed, Allardyce made sure Rovers returned to what they have long been good at - keeping things tight.

It is important to note, a significant chunk of the early season woes were down to having little protection from their attacking team mates, but there can be no arguments the individual displays improved tenfold as well.

PAUL ROBINSON
IS starting to establish himself as a firm fans favourite at Ewood Park but that certainly has not always been the case after a rocky start to life in East Lancashire.

Clearly lacking in confidence after his summer move from Spurs, he did little to shine in front of his new supporters for much of he first half of the season.

Few blunders can be pointed to for goals conceded but a lack of saves being made was growing increasingly concerning.

A concern that has rapidly disappeared as he grew in confidence throughout the season, culminating in some top-class performances towards the end of the season.

Grade: B

JASON BROWN
CAN consider himself as one of the most unfortunate players at Ewood Park this season.

Performed well whenever called upon but will be disappointed at just making three Premier League starts this campaign.

Grade: C-

ANDRE OOIJER
THE Dutchman has had a solid end to the season but his start to the campaign was one to forget, in what turned out to be his last season in a Rovers shirt.

Injury problems meant he only made six appearances before December and his absence could well have played a part in their early defensive nightmares.

The versatile defender was a regular under Allardyce and made up for his lack of pace with astute positional awareness as he helped steady the ship.

Helped out capably at centre back at times and his two winning goals, against Everton and Tottenham, ultimately proved crucial.

Grade: C+

CHRIS SAMBA
PLAYED a pivotal role in Rovers’ top-flight survival - even though his biggest contribution was during his makeshift role as a striker.

The African defender looked totally out of sorts for large spells of the first half of the season, struggling to come to terms with Ince’s footballing philosophies.

What a difference under Allardyce though. Some heroic defending, topped with a memorable spell as a striker sees him as one of the season’s heroes.

Grade: B+

RYAN NELSEN
HAS been a rock during Rovers’ Premier League revival and a key player in Sam Allardyce’s pragmatic approach.

Has admitted it has been his hardest season yet in a Rovers’ shirt, especially during a nightmare start to the season, but came good when it really mattered.

The skipper has led by example, with his defending during the vital wins at Hull and Fulham absolutely superb.

Grade B+

GAEL GIVET
THE French loanee has been a revelation since arriving at Ewood from Marseille in January.

His performances at left back have allowed Warnock to continue in midfield and in recent weeks has shown himself to be an even better centre back.

His permanent signing looks inevitable and that can only be good for the future. Has barely had a bad game since arriving.

Grade: B

ZURAB KHIZANISHVILI
IS like the boy at the back of the class who never gets noticed by the teacher.

Zurab’s Ewood Park frustration continued this season and, with just three Premier League starts to his name, will surely be looking for a move.

A dependable performer but his lack of pace is a concern.

Grade: D-

DANNY SIMPSON
ARRIVED at Ewood on loan from Old Trafford with high hopes of earning himself a permanent move this summer.

The regular right back under Ince flattered to deceive though and struggled to cope with the Premier League’s flying wingers.

Went back to United early, after it was clear there was no place for him in Sam Allardyce’s plans.

Grade: D

MARTIN OLSSON
Made an instant impression when he scored on his first appearance of the season - the winner against Everton in the Carling Cup.

The young Swede has produced some impressive performances but a relegation battle was not the place to blood a young player.

Has shown promise for the future.

Grade: C

STEPHEN WARNOCK
DESPITE playing most of the season in centre midfield, Allardyce insists Warnock’s natural position is left back.

The former Liverpool man has had a superb season for Rovers and, even in troubled times, was the one player showing the fight and desire to get them out of the mess.

His Wigan nightmare aside, Warnock has done himself proud this campaign and is an important player to keep hold of for next campaign.

His combative performances in the middle of the park helped ease a growing injury crisis and his performances at Hull and Fulham could have proved key to the whole season.

Grade: A
* Don’t miss tomorrow’s Lancashire Telegraph when headmaster Cryer gives his view of the Rovers midfield