Rovers have started the season positively with four points from their opening two games. However, there are big boots to fill with Sam Szmodics departing. The goals will have to be shared better this time around whilst John Eustace still hopes for four additions in the final week of the transfer window.
Hyam, who believes Rovers are now a much tighter unit, reiterated the group are aiming high this year. The 28-year-old has experienced two contrasting seasons at Ewood Park, narrowly missing out on the play-offs and then escaping relegation. READ MORE: EUSTACE MAKES FEELINGS CLEAR ABOUT POSSIBLE ROVERS EXITS "I take it home with me, it's one of those things that I am trying to work on, getting back to me off the pitch," he told The Lancashire Telegraph on the defensive improvements.
"It affects me and I do care but the gaffer has said we've done well, six clean sheets in 10 to end last season. These nil-nils and 1-0s add up and help build some momentum and it helped keep us in the division. "It was massive for us.
The lads we've signed are all great lads and plenty of them have experience which we can learn from." He added: "We're ambitious, we don't want to just stay up or just be better than last year. "We want to push high up the division and try to challenge up there.
There is no point just trying to be safe or a little bit better. "We all want to do well and we all want to get promoted. We know it's down to us and our hard work on the training pitch.
We are looking up." H.