Kristi Montgomery is determined to maintain his momentum after becoming a fixture in Blackburn Rovers' midfield. The Academy graduate has started every Championship match this season, a run of form he is eager to extend.
"I am really enjoying my football at the moment," Montgomery said. His seven starts already equal his total from the entire previous campaign, a clear sign of his growing importance under manager Tony Mowbray. The manager has praised the player's physical presence and technical development, qualities that were on full display when Montgomery scored a brilliant strike in the recent 2-1 defeat to Sheffield United.
That goal was a personal highlight during a challenging period for the team, which saw them play seven games in 21 days with limited training time. The schedule took its toll, but a 3-1 victory over Millwall before the international break provided a welcome lift. Oladapo Afolayan scored twice and Andri Guðjohnsen added a late third in a performance that showed the impact of substitutes and defensive resilience.
Montgomery acknowledged the relief that win brought after a run of frustrating results. "It's great to be in this rhythm but the job isn't ever done," he stated, emphasizing the need for the squad to keep creating chances. The team now sits 16th in the Championship table with eight points from seven games, six points adrift of the automatic promotion places.
With a week off before the next match, the focus is on rest and recovery ahead of a trip to face 18th-placed Portsmouth. The last meeting between the sides ended in a 1-1 draw back in March. Blackburn will be without several key players for the contest, including Scott Wharton and Yuki Ohashi, whose absence is detailed on our injuries list. The aim is to use the two empty weekends that follow to build momentum and finish this phase of the season strongly, starting with a positive result at Fratton Park on September 19.
Further reading: Lancashire Telegraph
