£500k man lauded for Blackburn Rovers impact - 'he's been the best signing we've made' | OneFootball

Ryan Alebiosu has had an impressive individual start to the Championship season

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

It has been an extremely mixed start to the Championship season for Blackburn Rovers following the first transfer window of Valerien Ismael's spell in charge.

The Frenchman's time at Ewood Park has also been extremely tumultuous thus far, having initially been the subject of major frustration after failing to get off to a positive start after replacing John Eustace following his predecessor's switch to Derby County, before ending last season in strong form and only just missing out on a first play-off berth at Championship level since being relegated out of the Premier League in May 2012.

However, as has so often been the case over the past decade or so, Ismael was forced to work rather smartly when it came to making the squad in this part of East Lancashire firmly his own, with controversial ownership group, the Venky's, hardly known for ploughing millions of pounds into the club, particularly when it comes to a transfer budget.

That is despite the well-documented high-profile sales of Adam Wharton and Sammie Szmodics in recent windows, with the money recouped used to balance the financial books rather than it being immediately reinvested into the playing squad.

As frustrating as that has been for supporters, that isn't to dispute that the occasional hidden gem has been unearthed, and the latest to fall into said category could well be full-back Ryan Alebiosu, who has enjoyed an impressive start to the season on an individual level, earning praise from the likes of Football League World's Rovers fan pundit, Simon Middlehurst, in the process.

Blackburn Rovers lauded for striking £500k Ryan Alebiosu agreement despite Callum Brittain, Middlesbrough exit

Alebiosu was one of 10 new players to come through the door at Ewood Park in the summer, and not the only figure capable of filling the void at right-back which was left by Callum Brittain, who joined divisional rivals and early-season pace-setters Middlesbrough in a deal which could be worth up to £3.5m.

The 23-year-old was signed from Belgian side, KV Kortrijk for a reported figure of just £500,000, weeks before the aforementioned Brittain made his anticipated switch to the Riverside Stadium.

His current spell in the North West is Alebiosu's fourth taste of senior football in England and Scotland combined, having previously had loan spells with Crewe Alexandra, Kilmarnock and St Mirren after previously coming through Arsenal's academy.

Despite earning mixed reviews during his loan spell at St Mirren last term, during which he posted two assists in 14 appearances, Alebiosu has already gained a strong reputation for his performances on the right side of defence or midfield for Rovers, which were rewarded through his first goal for the club in Saturday's 2-1 home win over Southampton.

As such, Middlehurst believes the club may have landed a significant coup with this particular incoming.

"He's settled in really well," he told FLW. "He's probably been the best transfer we've made regarding performances, and he's probably been the biggest positive in our season so far.

"In regards to Callum Brittain, I think it's always going to be quite hard to replace a player of that calibre. He was one of our best players in the past couple of years, and was always a player we were going to miss.

"But, if you look at the money that we made on him and what we spent on Alebiosu, I do think we got a really good deal on that," Middlehurst added.

"He's still quite young and has got a lot to learn. Hopefully he can keep getting better and better and continue to have a positive impact for Blackburn."

Ryan Alebiosu will hope Southampton contribution aids upsurge in Blackburn Rovers form

As previously mentioned, Ewood Park hasn't exactly been the most joyful of environments in recent times, with a poor start to the current season contributing to such factors.

However, a first success since September 13th and first home win of the campaign will have eased such frustrations, at least in the short-term, with Blackburn now back above the relegation zone, albeit it is still very early in the season.

Alebiosu's confidence will no doubt have increased tenfold after his first goal for the club, and he will hope that this helps mark a much-needed upturn in fortunes ahead of the congested winter fixture list, during which the fates of clubs are so often decided.