# 2017–18 Blackburn Rovers F.C. season

The 2017–18 season was Blackburn Rovers' 130th season as a professional football club and its first playing in the League One following its relegation from the Championship the previous season. Along with competing in the League One, the club also participated in the FA Cup, EFL Cup and EFL Trophy. Thanks to a 0–1 win against Doncaster Rovers on 24 April, Blackburn were promoted back to the Championship. As of 2024, this remains the only season any former Premier League champion has competed below the second tier of English football. The season covers the period from 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2018.

## Summer activity
### May

On 8 May Rovers announced Paul Senior has resigned from his role as Director of Football and Operations.
On 16 May Rovers owners Venky's have brought in accountancy firms Deloitte and KPMG to carry out an overview of the club.
On 18 May Rovers announced their retained list: Adam Henley, Gordon Greer, Jason Lowe, Hope Akpan, Danny Guthrie, Wes Brown, Ramirez Howarth and Joshua Askew have not been offered further terms. The following academy scholars will not be retained: Ben Ascroft, Alex Curran, Mason Fawns, Callum Hendry, Matthew Makinson, Tre Pemberton, Joel Steer and Ben Williams with non-contracted player Joshua Powell also released.
The club also announced that new contract offers had been made to Connor Mahoney and Lewis Travis. Whilst professional contract offers have been made to youngsters Charley Doyle, Joe Grayson, Tyler Magloire and Stefan Mols.

### June

On 2 June Rovers announced Mark Venus had joined as the club's Assistant Manager.
On 8 June Rovers confirmed Tony Mowbray's backroom staff after the appointment of Mark Venus, David Lowe will take up the role as first team coach, David Dunn will revert to his role as assistant coach of the under 23s and Ben Benson will remain as goalkeeping coach.
On 9 June Rovers announced Tony Mowbray has committed his long-term future to the club signing a new 2-year contract with the option of a further 12 months.
On 13 June Rovers announced the signing of midfielder Peter Whittingham on a free from Cardiff City. The 32-year-old, became manager Tony Mowbray's first signing, putting pen-to-paper on a two-year deal at Ewood Park, which runs through to the summer of 2019.
On 14 June Rovers announced promising young defender Lewis Travis has signed a new 1-year deal.
On 16 June Rovers were drawn against Coventry City at the Ricoh Arena in first round of the EFL Cup, Tony Mowbray old club.
On 17 June Rovers announced three of Rovers rising stars midfielders Joe Grayson and Stefan Mols and defender Charley Doyle had all signed their first professional contracts, signing two-year deals.
On 20 June Rovers announced the signing of midfielder Richie Smallwood on a free from Rotherham United, putting pen-to-paper on a two-year deal with the option of a further year.
On 26 June Rovers announced that another rising star, defender Tyler Magloire, has signed his first professional contract, signing a two-year deal.
On 26 June Rovers announced that first team coach David Lowe has pledged his commitment to the club by putting pen-to-paper on a new long-term contract.
On 27 June Rovers announced the signing of attacking midfielder Bradley Dack from Gillingham for a reported £750,000 plus add-ons, on a 3-year deal.
On 28 June Rovers announced the signing of midfielder Ben Gladwin from Queens Park Rangers for an undisclosed fee, on a 2-year deal.
On 29 June Rovers commenced pre-season training.

### July

On 4 July Bournemouth announced the signing of midfielder Connor Mahoney on a 4-year deal after rejecting a new contract at Rovers, compensation to be agreed.
On 11 July Rovers announced that Eric Kinder has left his position as the club's Head of Academy.
On 18 July Rovers announced rising stars will continue to compete at the highest level of youth football after the club confirmed it will remain a Category One Academy.
On 18 July Burton Albion announced the signing of midfielder Hope Akpan on a 1-year deal following his release from Rovers.
On 19 July Rovers announced the signing of striker Dominic Samuel from Reading for an undisclosed fee, on a 3-year deal.
On 20 July Rovers announced the signing of defender Paul Caddis following a successful trial at the club on a 2-year deal, he was a free agent following his release from Bury.
On 21 July Rovers announced the departure of striker Anthony Stokes by mutual consent.
On 21 July Rovers announced that defender Ryan Nyambe had signed a new long term contract, signing a 3-year deal, with the option of a further 12 months.
On 22 July Rovers announced the signing of striker Joe Nuttall following a successful trial scoring 5 goals in 2 games for the u23s, on a 12-month deal with option of a further 12 months, he was a free agent following his release from Aberdeen.
On 24 July Rovers announced the appointment of Stuart Jones as Head of Academy, he joined as the Academy as Head of Education in 2011, before moving up to the role of Head of Academy Operations four years later.
On 26 July Rovers announced Jason Steele has joined Sunderland for an undisclosed fee.
On 31 July Kilmarnock announced the signing of defender Gordon Greer following his release from Rovers.
On 31 July Rovers announced Goalkeeping Coach Ben Benson has signed a new long term deal at the club.

### August

On 2 August Rovers announced the signing of Canadian International Goalkeeper Jayson Leutwiler from Shrewsbury Town on a 2-year deal for an undisclosed fee.
On 2 August Hibernian announced the signing of striker Anthony Stokes on a 2-year deal following his release from Rovers.
On 4 August Rovers announced the signing of midfielder Harry Chapman on loan for the season from Middlesbrough.
On 11 August Rovers announced the signing of forward Marcus Antonsson on loan for the season from Leeds United.
On 14 August Rovers announced the appointment of Tony Carss as the academy's Head of Coaching.
On 15 August Kerala Blasters announced the signing of Wes Brown for the upcoming Indian Super League season, following his release from Rovers.
On 31 August Birmingham City announced the signing of Jason Lowe on a 12-month contract following his release from Rovers.
On 31 August Rovers announced the signings of midfielder Rekeem Harper on loan for the season from West Brom, defender Sam Hart from Liverpool on a 2-year deal for an Undisclosed fee and defender Paul Downing on loan for a season from Milton Keynes Dons. It was also announced that midfielder Liam Feeney has gone out on loan to Cardiff City until 1 January 2018.

### September

On 11 September Rovers announced that defender Scott Wharton had signed a new 3-year contract.

### October

On 5 October Rovers announced that striker Daniel Butterworth had signed his first professional contract, a 2-year deal.
On 5 October Rovers announced that midfielder Elliott Bennett had signed a new 2-year contract.

### November

On 3 November Rovers announced that midfielder Willem Tomlinson had signed a new and extended contract until 2019.
On 13 November Rovers announced that goalkeeper Andy Fisher had signed a new and extended contract until 2019.
On 28 November Rovers announced that midfielder Lewis Hardcastle had signed a new and extended contract until 2019.

### December

On 18 December Rovers announced that defender Matthew Platt had signed a new and extended contract until 2019.
On 18 December Rovers announced the appointment of Steve Waggott as the club's new chief executive.

## Winter activity
### January

On 2 January Rovers announced West Brom have recalled Rekeem Harper from his loan spell.
On 5 January Rovers announced that midfielder Liam Feeney will remain on loan at Cardiff City until the end of the season.
On 8 January Rovers announced that defender Paul Downing has signed permanently from Milton Keynes Dons following his loan spell for an undisclosed fee.
On 9 January Rovers announced that striker Adam Armstrong has joined on loan for the remainder of the season from Newcastle United.
On 16 January Rovers announced that attacking midfielder Jack Payne has joined on loan for the remainder of the season from Huddersfield Town.
On 17 January Rovers announced that defender Sam Hart has joined Rochdale on loan for the remainder of the season.
On 18 January Rovers announced that striker Joe Nuttall has signed a new 3+1⁄2-year deal, until 2021.
On 19 January Rovers announced the signing of defender Amari'i Bell from Fleetwood Town for an undisclosed fee on a 2+1⁄2-year contract.
On 26 January Rovers announced that midfielder John Buckley had signed his first professional contract, until 2020.
On 30 January Rovers announced that defender Elliott Ward has joined Milton Keynes Dons on loan for the remainder of the season.
On 31 January Rovers announced that the club has agreed to terminate the contract of young midfielder Connor Thomson by mutual consent, young center-back Scott Wharton has joined Lincoln City on loan until the end of the season, academy midfielder Callum Wright has joined Leicester City for an undisclosed fee.

### February

On 1 February Rovers announced that goalkeeper David Raya has signed a new 3+1⁄2-year deal, until 2021.
On 2 February Rovers announced that young versatile midfielder Lewis Travis has signed a new 3+1⁄2-year deal, until 2021.
On 7 February Rovers announced that midfielder Jack Evans had signed his first professional contract, until 2020.
On 14 February Rovers announced the signing of highly rated young forward Okera Simmonds from Liverpool on a 1+1⁄2-year contract and will link up with the u23s squad.
On 16 February Rovers announced that defender Hayden Carter had signed his first professional contract, until 2020.
On 14 February Rovers announced the signing of goalkeeper Oliver Byrne, who was recently with Cardiff City on a 1+1⁄2-year contract and will link up with the u23s squad.
On 22 February Rovers announced that defender Jack Doyle has joined Derry City on loan for the remainder of the season.

### March

On 3 March Rovers announced that young Canadian midfielder Ben Paton had signed his first professional contract, until 2019.
On 16 March Rovers announced that young attacking midfielder Jack Vale had signed his first professional contract, until 2020.
On 20 March Rovers announced that young defender Lewis Thompson had signed his first professional contract, until 2019.

### April

On 3 April Rovers trio David Raya, Charlie Mulgrew and Bradley Dack have all been included in the EFL League One Team of the Year.
On 15 April Rovers star Bradley Dack has been named as the League One Player of the Year.
On 18 April Rovers players Bradley Dack, Charlie Mulgrew, Danny Graham and Amari'i Bell were announced in the PFA League One Team of the Year.
On 20 April Rovers U23 were crowned champions of the Premier League 2 Division 2.
On 24 April Rovers won promotion back to the Championship, following a 1–0 at Doncaster Rovers.

### May

On 5 May Rovers announced Bradley Dack as the Player of the Season, he also won Goal of the Season with his goal against Peterborough.
On 7 May Rovers held their end of season awards the winners follow:
Young Player – David Raya, Players’ Player – Charlie Mulgrew, Best Newcomer – Richie Smallwood, Unsung Hero – Elliott Bennett, Man of the Match (Seasonal) – Bradley Dack, Goal of the Season – Bradley Dack, Player of the Year – Bradley Dack, Special Achievement – Tony Mowbray.

## Squad information

| Squad No. | Name | Position(s) | Date of Birth (Age) | Contract Expires | Other |
| Goalkeepers |||||||
| 1 | David Raya | GK | (1995-09-15) 15 September 1995 (age 29) | 2021 | |
| 13 | Jayson Leutwiler | GK | (1989-04-25) 25 April 1989 (age 35) | 2019 | Option for 1-year extension |
| 37 | Andy Fisher | GK | (1998-02-12) 12 February 1998 (age 26) | 2019 | |
| Defenders |||||||
| 2 | Ryan Nyambe | DF | (1997-12-04) 4 December 1997 (age 26) | 2020 | Option for 1-year extension |
| 3 | Derrick Williams | DF | (1993-01-17) 17 January 1993 (age 31) | 2019 | |
| 5 | Sam Hart | DF | (1996-09-10) 10 September 1996 (age 28) | 2019 | On loan at Rochdale |
| 14 | Charlie Mulgrew | DF/MF | (1986-03-06) 6 March 1986 (age 38) | 2019 | Club Captain |
| 15 | Elliott Ward | DF | (1985-01-19) 19 January 1985 (age 39) | 2018 | On loan at Milton Keynes Dons |
| 16 | Paul Caddis | DF | (1988-04-19) 19 April 1988 (age 36) | 2019 | |
| 17 | Amari'i Bell | DF | (1994-05-05) 5 May 1994 (age 30) | 2020 | |
| 25 | Paul Downing | DF | (1991-10-26) 26 October 1991 (age 32) | 2019 | Option for 1-year extension |
| 26 | Darragh Lenihan | DF/MF | (1994-03-16) 16 March 1994 (age 30) | 2019 | |
| 34 | Scott Wharton | DF | (1997-10-03) 3 October 1997 (age 27) | 2020 | On loan at Lincoln City |
| 35 | Lewis Travis | DF/MF | (1997-10-16) 16 October 1997 (age 27) | 2021 | |
| 36 | Jack Doyle | DF | (1997-02-02) 2 February 1997 (age 27) | 2019 | On loan at Derry City |
| 39 | Matthew Platt | DF | (1997-10-03) 3 October 1997 (age 27) | 2019 | |
| Midfielders |||||||
| 6 | Richie Smallwood | MF | (1990-12-29) 29 December 1990 (age 33) | 2019 | Option for 1-year extension |
| 7 | Liam Feeney | MF | (1987-01-21) 21 January 1987 (age 37) | 2018 | Option for 1-year extension On loan at Cardiff City |
| 8 | Harry Chapman | MF | (1997-11-05) 5 November 1997 (age 26) | 2018 (loan) | On loan from Middlesbrough |
| 11 | Peter Whittingham | MF | (1984-09-08) 8 September 1984 (age 40) | 2019 | |
| 19 | Jack Payne | MF | (1994-10-25) 25 October 1994 (age 30) | 2018 (loan) | On loan from Huddersfield Town |
| 22 | Ben Gladwin | MF | (1992-06-08) 8 June 1992 (age 32) | 2019 | |
| 23 | Bradley Dack | MF | (1993-12-31) 31 December 1993 (age 30) | 2020 | Option for 1-year extension |
| 28 | Willem Tomlinson | MF | (1998-01-27) 27 January 1998 (age 26) | 2019 | |
| 29 | Corry Evans | MF | (1990-07-30) 30 July 1990 (age 34) | 2019 | |
| 31 | Elliott Bennett | MF | (1988-12-18) 18 December 1988 (age 35) | 2020 | |
| 32 | Craig Conway | MF | (1985-05-02) 2 May 1985 (age 39) | 2018 | |
| 42 | Joe Rankin-Costello | MF | (1999-07-26) 26 July 1999 (age 25) | 2019 | |
| 43 | Stefan Mols | MF | (1999-01-31) 31 January 1999 (age 25) | 2019 | |
| 44 | Lewis Hardcastle | MF | (1998-07-04) 4 July 1998 (age 26) | 2019 | |
| Forwards |||||||
| 9 | Dominic Samuel | FW | (1994-04-01) 1 April 1994 (age 30) | 2020 | |
| 10 | Danny Graham | FW | (1985-08-12) 12 August 1985 (age 39) | 2018 | Option for 1-year extension |
| 18 | Adam Armstrong | FW | (1997-02-10) 10 February 1997 (age 27) | 2018 (loan) | On loan from Newcastle United |
| 20 | Marcus Antonsson | FW | (1991-05-08) 8 May 1991 (age 33) | 2018 (loan) | On loan from Leeds United |
| 38 | Joe Nuttall | FW | (1997-01-27) 27 January 1997 (age 27) | 2021 | |
| 41 | Lewis Mansell | FW | (1997-09-20) 20 September 1997 (age 27) | 2018 | |
| 45 | Daniel Butterworth | FW | (1999-09-14) 14 September 1999 (age 25) | 2020 | |

## Pre-Season Friendlies

As of 17 June 2017, Blackburn Rovers have announced six pre-season friendlies against Barrow, Morecambe, Grimsby Town, York City, Carlisle United and Sparta Prague.

## League One
### League table

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
| 1 | Wigan Athletic (C, P) | 46 | 29 | 11 | 6 | 89 | 29 | +60 | 98 | Promotion to the EFL Championship |
| 2 | Blackburn Rovers (P) | 46 | 28 | 12 | 6 | 82 | 40 | +42 | 96 | Promotion to the EFL Championship |
| 3 | Shrewsbury Town | 46 | 25 | 12 | 9 | 60 | 39 | +21 | 87 | Qualification for League One play-offs |
| 4 | Rotherham United (O, P) | 46 | 24 | 7 | 15 | 73 | 53 | +20 | 79 | Qualification for League One play-offs |
| 5 | Scunthorpe United | 46 | 19 | 17 | 10 | 65 | 50 | +15 | 74 | Qualification for League One play-offs |
* ↑ Four teams play for one spot and promotion to the EFL Championship.

### Result by round

| Round | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 |
| Ground | A | H | A | H | A | A | H | A | H | H | A | H | H | A | H | A | A | H | A | A | H | A | H | H | A | H | A | H | H | A | H | A | H | A | A | H | H | H | A | H | A | A | H | A | A | H |
| Result | L | L | W | W | W | W | L | D | W | W | L | D | W | D | D | W | W | W | W | W | W | D | W | D | D | W | W | D | W | L | D | W | W | W | W | D | W | W | W | W | D | D | W | W | L | W |
| Position | 15 | 22 | 17 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |

### Matchday
## EFL Cup

The first round draw of the EFL Cup took place on 16 June 2017 and Blackburn Rovers were drawn away to Coventry City. A home tie against Burnley was confirmed for the second round.

## FA Cup

In the FA Cup, Blackburn Rovers would face Barnet at home in the first round and Crewe Alexandra at home in the second round.
* ↑ On 12 December, both clubs agreed to reschedule the fixture 24 hours later due to adverse weather conditions.

## EFL Trophy

The first round fixtures of the EFL Trophy (named Checkatrade Trophy for sponsorship reasons) are scheduled for week commencing Monday 28 August.
Blackburn entered the competition at the first round group stage and were drawn against Bury, Rochdale and Stoke City u23s in Northern Group C.
2017–18 EFL Trophy Group C Northern Section

### Group C

| Pos | Lge | Teamvte | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | L1 | Rochdale (Q) | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | +4 | 6 | Round 2 |
| 2 | L1 | Bury (Q) | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 5 | −1 | 6 | Round 2 |
| 3 | L1 | Blackburn Rovers (E) | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | |
| 4 | ACA | Stoke City U21 (E) | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | −3 | 2 | |

## Backroom staff

| Position | Staff |
| Manager | Tony Mowbray |
| Assistant manager | Mark Venus |
| First-team coach | David Lowe |
| Goalkeeping coach | Ben Benson |
| Head of Academy | Stuart Jones |
| Head of Academy coaching | Tony Carss |
| Under-23 lead coach | Damien Johnson |
| Under-23 assistant coach | David Dunn |
Last updated: May 2017 Source:

## 1st Team squad statistics
### Appearances and goals

    As of 7 May 2018
| No. | Pos | Nat | Player | Total | Total | League One | League One | FA Cup | FA Cup | EFL Cup | EFL Cup | EFL Trophy | EFL Trophy |
| No. | Pos | Nat | Player | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| 1 | GK | ESP | David Raya | 47 | 0 | 45+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 2+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 13 | GK | CAN | Jayson Leutwiler | 5 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 4+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 37 | GK | ENG | Andy Fisher | 3 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 3+0 | 0 |
| 2 | DF | NAM | Ryan Nyambe | 35 | 0 | 27+2 | 0 | 2+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 3+0 | 0 |
| 3 | DF | IRL | Derrick Williams | 51 | 1 | 45+0 | 1 | 3+0 | 0 | 2+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 |
| 14 | DF | SCO | Charlie Mulgrew (C) | 46 | 14 | 41+0 | 14 | 3+0 | 0 | 2+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 16 | DF | SCO | Paul Caddis | 20 | 0 | 13+1 | 0 | 4+0 | 0 | 2+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 17 | DF | ENG | Amari'i Bell | 12 | 0 | 6+6 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 25 | DF | ENG | Paul Downing | 30 | 1 | 26+2 | 1 | 1+1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 26 | DF | IRL | Darragh Lenihan | 14 | 1 | 13+1 | 1 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 35 | DF | ENG | Lewis Travis | 10 | 0 | 0+5 | 0 | 0+3 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 2+0 | 0 |
| 39 | DF | ENG | Matthew Platt | 3 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+2 | 0 |
| 6 | MF | ENG | Richie Smallwood | 52 | 3 | 46+0 | 2 | 1+1 | 0 | 2+0 | 1 | 1+1 | 0 |
| 8 | MF | ENG | Harry Chapman (on loan from Middlesbrough) | 16 | 1 | 1+11 | 1 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 | 2+0 | 0 |
| 11 | MF | ENG | Peter Whittingham | 23 | 0 | 14+6 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 2+0 | 0 |
| 19 | MF | ENG | Jack Payne (on loan from Huddersfield Town) | 18 | 1 | 7+11 | 1 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 22 | MF | ENG | Ben Gladwin | 11 | 0 | 0+5 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 | 3+0 | 0 |
| 23 | MF | ENG | Bradley Dack | 45 | 18 | 37+5 | 18 | 1+2 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 28 | MF | ENG | Willem Tomlinson | 7 | 0 | 0+4 | 0 | 2+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 |
| 29 | MF | NIR | Corry Evans | 36 | 1 | 26+6 | 0 | 3+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 1 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 31 | MF | JAM | Elliott Bennett | 47 | 2 | 40+1 | 2 | 2+1 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 |
| 32 | MF | SCO | Craig Conway (VC) | 28 | 2 | 19+5 | 2 | 2+0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 |
| 42 | MF | ENG | Joe Rankin-Costello | 1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 |
| 43 | MF | ESP | Stefan Mols | 1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 |
| 44 | MF | ENG | Lewis Hardcastle | 0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 9 | FW | ENG | Dominic Samuel | 41 | 8 | 19+17 | 5 | 2+0 | 2 | 1+1 | 1 | 1+0 | 0 |
| 10 | FW | ENG | Danny Graham | 48 | 17 | 29+13 | 14 | 3+1 | 3 | 0+0 | 0 | 2+0 | 0 |
| 18 | FW | ENG | Adam Armstrong (on loan from Newcastle United) | 22 | 9 | 17+5 | 9 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 20 | FW | SWE | Marcus Antonsson (on loan from Leeds United) | 33 | 8 | 22+8 | 7 | 1+1 | 1 | 1+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 38 | FW | ENG | Joe Nuttall | 19 | 5 | 3+10 | 2 | 2+1 | 1 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+2 | 2 |
| 41 | FW | WAL | Lewis Mansell | 0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 45 | FW | ENG | Daniel Butterworth | 0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| Players out on loan: ||||||||||||||
| 5 | DF | ENG | Sam Hart (on loan at Rochdale) | 7 | 0 | 0+3 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 2+0 | 0 |
| 7 | MF | ENG | Liam Feeney (on loan at Cardiff City) | 4 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 2+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 |
| 15 | DF | ENG | Elliott Ward (on loan at Milton Keynes Dons) | 15 | 0 | 9+1 | 0 | 2+0 | 0 | 2+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 |
| 34 | DF | ENG | Scott Wharton (on loan to Lincoln City) | 2 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 |
| 36 | DF | ENG | Jack Doyle (on loan to Derry City) | 2 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 |
| Players that played for Blackburn Rovers this season that have left the club: ||||||||||||||
| 4 | MF | ENG | Rakeem Harper (on loan from West Bromwich Albion) | 9 | 0 | 1+3 | 0 | 3+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 2+0 | 0 |

### Goalscorers

    As of 7 May 2018
| Rank | No. | Pos. | Name | League | FA Cup | EFL Cup | EFL Trophy | Total |
| 1 | 23 | MF | Bradley Dack | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| 2 | 10 | FW | Danny Graham | 14 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| 3 | 14 | DF | Charlie Mulgrew | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| 4 | 18 | FW | Adam Armstrong | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| 5 | 20 | FW | Marcus Antonsson | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| = | 9 | FW | Dominic Samuel | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 8 |
| 7 | 38 | FW | Joe Nuttall | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 |
| 8 | 6 | MF | Richie Smallwood | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 9 | 31 | MF | Elliott Bennett | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| = | 32 | MF | Craig Conway | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 11 | 3 | DF | Derrick Williams | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| = | 8 | MF | Harry Chapman | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| = | 25 | DF | Paul Downing | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| = | 29 | MF | Corry Evans | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| = | 26 | DF | Darragh Lenihan | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| = | 19 | MF | Jack Payne | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| — | — | — | Own goal | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Total | Total | Total | Total | 82 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 94 |

### Disciplinary record

    As of 7 May 2018
| No. | Pos. | Name | League One | League One | League One | FA Cup | FA Cup | FA Cup | EFL Cup | EFL Cup | EFL Cup | EFL Trophy | EFL Trophy | EFL Trophy | Total | Total | Total |
| 1 | GK | David Raya | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | DF | Ryan Nyambe | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | DF | Derrick Williams | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | MF | Rakeem Harper | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 5 | DF | Sam Hart | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | MF | Richie Smallwood | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | MF | Harry Chapman | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | FW | Dominic Samuel | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| 10 | FW | Danny Graham | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | MF | Peter Whittingham | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | DF | Charlie Mulgrew | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | DF | Elliott Ward | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 17 | DF | Amari'i Bell | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 19 | MF | Jack Payne | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 20 | FW | Marcus Antonsson | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 23 | MF | Bradley Dack | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| 25 | DF | Paul Downing | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| 26 | DF | Darragh Lenihan | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 28 | MF | Willem Tomlinson | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 29 | MF | Corry Evans | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| 31 | MF | Elliott Bennett | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 1 |
| 32 | MF | Craig Conway | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 34 | DF | Scott Wharton | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 35 | DF | Lewis Travis | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 38 | FW | Joe Nuttall | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | Total | Total | 62 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 72 | 1 | 5 |

## Transfers
### Summer
#### Transfers in

| Date from | Position | Name | From | Fee |
| 27 May 2017 | CF | Kyle Connell | Motherwell | Undisclosed |
| 27 May 2017 | CF | Callum Dolan | Manchester United | Undisclosed |
| 27 June 2017 | CM | Bradley Dack | Gillingham | £750,000 |
| 28 June 2017 | CM | Ben Gladwin | Queens Park Rangers | Undisclosed |
| 1 July 2017 | CM | Richie Smallwood | Rotherham United | Free |
| 1 July 2017 | CM | Peter Whittingham | Cardiff City | Free |
| 19 July 2017 | CF | Dominic Samuel | Reading | Undisclosed (~£500,000) |
| 20 July 2017 | DF | Paul Caddis | Free agent | Free |
| 22 July 2017 | CF | Joe Nuttall | Free agent | Free |
| 2 August 2017 | GK | Jayson Leutwiler | Shrewsbury Town | Undisclosed |
| 13 August 2017 | GF | Charlie Albinson | Free agent | Free |
| 13 August 2017 | GK | Aaron Dillon | Free agent | Free |
| 31 August 2017 | DF | Sam Hart | Liverpool | Undisclosed |
* ↑ Caddis joined Rovers following his departure from Bury.
* ↑ Nuttall joined Rovers following his release by Aberdeen.
* ↑ Albinson joined Rovers following his release by Manchester City.
* ↑ Dillon joined Rovers following his release by Galway United.
Total outgoing: +/- ~£1,250,000 (undisclosed fee)

#### Transfers out

| Date from | Position | Name | To | Fee |
| 1 July 2017 | CM | Hope Akpan | Burton Albion | Released |
| 1 July 2017 | LB | Joshua Askew | Salford City | Released |
| 1 July 2017 | CB | Wes Brown | Kerala Blasters | Released |
| 1 July 2017 | CB | Gordon Greer | Kilmarnock | Released |
| 1 July 2017 | CM | Danny Guthrie | Mitra Kukar | Released |
| 1 July 2017 | RB | Adam Henley | Real Salt Lake | Released |
| 1 July 2017 | LW | Ramirez Howarth | Skelmersdale United | Released |
| 1 July 2017 | CM | Jason Lowe | Birmingham City | Released |
| 1 July 2017 | LB | Ben Williams | Barnsley | Released |
| 1 July 2017 | CM | Connor Mahoney | Bournemouth | £425,000 (+ add ons tribunal) |
| 1 July 2017 | CF | Callum Hendry | St Johnstone | Released |
| 12 July 2017 | RW | Tre Pemberton | Stoke City | Released |
| 21 July 2017 | CF | Anthony Stokes | Hibernian | Mutual Consent |
| 26 July 2017 | GK | Jason Steele | Sunderland | Undisclosed fee |
* ↑ Akpan joined Burton Albion following his release.
* ↑ Askew joined Salford City following his release.
* ↑ Brown joined Kerala Blasters following his release.
* ↑ Greer joined Kilmarnock following his release.
* ↑ Guthrie joined Mitra Kukar following his release.
* ↑ Henley joined Real Salt Lake following his release.
* ↑ Howarth joined Skelmersdale United following his release.
* ↑ Lowe joined Birmingham City following his release.
* ↑ William joined Barnsley following his release.
* ↑ Mahoney joined Bournemouth following his rejection of a new contract offer.
* ↑ Hendry joined St Johnstone following his release.
* ↑ Pemberton joined Stoke City following his release.
* ↑ Stokes joined Hibernian following his release.
Total incoming: +/- ~£ £425,000 + further Undisclosed fee's ( * Connor Mahoney transfer fee £425,000 as determined by tribunal including additional add on fee's – ** Jason Steele transfer Undisclosed, however estimated to be around £560,000 with add ons.)

#### Loans in

| Date from | Position | Name | From | Length |
| 4 August 2017 | MF | Harry Chapman | Middlesbrough | Season-long |
| 11 August 2017 | CF | Marcus Antonsson | Leeds United | Season-long |
| 31 August 2017 | CM | Rekeem Harper | West Bromwich Albion | Season-long (recalled 2 January 2018) |
| 31 August 2017 | DF | Paul Downing | Milton Keynes Dons | Season-long (signed permanently) |
* ↑ On 2 January 2018, West Brom recalled Harper.
* ↑ On 8 January 2018, Rovers signed Downing permanently.

#### Loans out

| Date from | Position | Nationality | Name | To | Length | Ref. |
| 31 August 2017 | MF | | Liam Feeney | Cardiff City | 5-month loan (extended) | |
* ↑ On 5 January 2018, Cardiff extended the loan until the end of the season.

### Winter
#### Transfers in

| Date from | Position | Name | To | Fee |
| 8 January 2018 | DF | Paul Downing | Milton Keynes Dons | Undisclosed |
| 19 January 2018 | DF | Amari'i Bell | Fleetwood Town | Undisclosed |
| 14 February 2018 | FW | Okera Simmonds | Liverpool | Undisclosed |
| 17 February 2018 | GK | Oliver Byrne | Cardiff City | Free |

#### Transfers out

| Date from | Position | Nationality | Name | To | Fee | Ref. |
| 31 January 2018 | CM | | Connor Thomson | Halifax Town | Contract Mutually Terminated | |
| 31 January 2018 | RW | | Callum Wright | Leicester City | Undisclosed Fee | |
* ↑ Thomson joined Halifax Town following his release.

#### Loans in

| Date from | Position | Nationality | Name | To | Length | Ref. |
| 9 January 2018 | FW | | Adam Armstrong | Newcastle United | Season-long | |
| 16 January 2018 | MF | | Jack Payne | Huddersfield Town | Season-long | |

#### Loans out

| Date from | Position | Name | To | Length |
| 17 January 2018 | DF | Sam Hart | Rochdale | 6-month loan |
| 30 January 2018 | DF | Elliott Ward | Milton Keys Dons | 6-month loan |
| 31 January 2018 | DF | Scott Wharton | Lincoln City | 6-month loan |
| 14 February 2018 | GK | Aaron Dillon | Bray Wanderers | 5-month loan |
| 22 February 2018 | DF | Jack Doyle | Derry City | 5-month loan |