Blackburn Rovers: Hayden Carter praised for ‘massive improvements’

Jon Dahl Tomasson put his faith in the pair for Rovers’ final 12 games and saw them build up a strong understanding.

Hyam swept the board at the club’s end of season awards, though the contribution of 23-year-old Carter, playing his first season of regular Championship football, was recognised with the unsung hero prize.

Carter started 24 Championship matches, and last month signed a new long-term contract extension, having impressed with the quality of his performances alongside Hyam.

Those have put Carter at the head of the queue, with Scott Wharton struggling to win back his place in the starting line-up, as Tomasson kept faith in the pair.

On his defensive partner, Hyam said: “Massive improvements and congratulations to him for being the unsung player.

“I think there is massive improvement in him, he’s still only 23.

“I think about what I was doing at 23 and it was my first year in League One and he’s played regularly in the Championship.

“It’s about improvement for him and in-game learning, that’s a massive thing and you can learn a lot from watching clips and listening to the coaching staff, but I think you learn a lot when you’re in the trenches and got to battle for points and up against it.

“I think he’s doing really well.”

Hyam was a virtual ever-present after signing from Coventry City, making his debut just the day after making the move to Ewood Park.

It was alongside Carter that he made his Rovers bow and the pair finished the season strongly.

It has been a learning curve for all the players, as well as head coach Tomasson, during the 2022/23 season, but one Hyam feels they will take plenty from.

He was Rovers’ most experienced addition last summer, taking on the captaincy at times during the season, and believes in a bright future for the club despite the disappointment of missing out on the top six with only one win in their final nine matches.

“I’ve played a few games but still feel as though I’ve got a load of improvement in me, particularly coming to a new club with a new manager, new team-mates,” Hyam said.

“It’s another test but it’s been a good experience and learning new things from the manager.

“I feel like performances have got better and it’s looking positive.

“It’s about an identity and putting building blocks in place as a team and I think that’s really important.

“While results are important it’s good to see improvement in the style.”

Hyam will hope to be in action again next month with the Scotland national team.

He earned a first call-up to Steve Clarke’s squad for the March internationals as reward for his fine form with Rovers.

Although he didn’t make his debut, the 27-year-old will hope to make his Scotland bow in European Championship qualifiers against Norway (June 17) and Georgia (June 20).