ROQUE Santa Cruz steals most of the headlines when you talk about Blackburn Rovers’ firepower this season – and unfortunately mostly for the wrong reasons.

The Paraguayan striker has quickly slumped from hero to zero among the Ewood Park faithful, after an injury-plagued few months of pleading for a Rovers exit.

To be fair to Santa Cruz, his injury problems have meant he has been unable to repeat his goal-scoring heroics of 2007/08 but a continual undercurrent of ‘want away’ demands has soured his relationship with the club.

With Santa Cruz out of action for the majority though, and Matt Derbyshire almost always out of favour, it has been left to Benni McCarthy and Jason Roberts to carry the fight to the Premier League.

Just having two fit strikers is a dangerous game and so it proved when Roberts broke his metatarsal, forcing Sam Allardyce to throw defender Chris Samba into attack as a makeshift striker.

It proved a masterstroke though as Samba’s presence in attack unsettled a host of defenders and helped Rovers to a strong finish to take them to Premier League safety.

Some drastic surgery is needed to Rovers’ front line next season though with just McCarthy and Roberts likely to still be at the club next season.

ROQUE SANTA CRUZ

There were such high hopes after his first season exploits and his new deal being signed after Mark Hughes’ departure.

After a decent start though, scoring in the opening day win over Everton, Santa Cruz gradually lost his way due to injury problems and constant transfer speculation.

Manchester City’s pursuit of him did little for his mindset and has spent the latter part of this season pleading for an Ewood exit. Four goals in 20 Premier League appearances is not what is expected of him.

Grade: D+

BENNI McCARTHY

The South African striker has had his critics this season but the stats don’t lie - his goal scoring record is sensational.

Sometimes it may look like he lacks in effort, and at times he probably does, but without his goals Rovers would probably be playing Championship football.

Struggled for form and confidence under Paul Ince but has enjoyed a revival under new boss Sam Allardyce. A fit McCarthy would still be a huge asset next season.

A 13-goal tally in just 20 starts this season can not be complained about.

Grade: B

JASON ROBERTS

Another striker who has enjoyed a mixed season.

After a powerful start to the season, partnering Santa Cruz, Roberts found himself playing a bit-part role for a time under previous boss Paul Ince.

When fit, he was a first-choice selection for Allardyce but has been guilty of some horrendous misses this season. His miss against Sunderland was the worst.

Roberts though has scored seven goals this season and his late winner at Fulham proved the turning point in a troubled season for Rovers.

Grade: B-

MATT DERBYSHIRE

Many Rovers fans are still confused as to why the striker was allowed out on loan to Olympiakos in January, leaving only three strikers at the club.

The Blackburn-born striker though had done relatively little in the early part of the season at Ewood Park, mainly due to lack of opportunity, and it is hard to see him having a future at Rovers.

Derbyshire was often played out of position on the wing when he was played by Ince, but did manage to score two goals in just five Premier League starts.

Grade: D