In the build-up to Rovers’ short-trip to the coast to play playoff chasing Fleetwood Town on Saturday, Rovers’ boss Tony Mowbray sat down with the clubs’ media team to discuss the upcoming game, which could potentially see Rovers move into the top two with a win.
“Training has been good this week after that really important game against Shrewsbury. It’s good to go from Saturday to Saturday and not have a midweek game in the middle. I think training has been boosted with the arrivals of Adam Armstrong and Jack Payne and I think that when new players arrive, the team’s ethic in training increases further as everybody wants to show how good they are to the new guys, who also give their all to try and get into the side. With training being as good as it is, all I think is left, is to pick the right team that can get the job done on Saturday.
“I think in the game against Shrewsbury, it was important that their main strengths, which was their athletic midfield, was closed down and pressurised and I think Elliott Bennett and Richie Smallwood did that perfectly, in the middle of the park, as they matched their midfield’s hunger, desire and energy. I’m pleased with that combination in the middle as Richie always puts in consistent performances. There will be other games where I feel that a different midfield combination is needed depending on whether we have to stop the opposition, or try and focus on breaking them down and we’ve got enough options and the balance now, to rotate.
“Elliott showed us at the weekend that we have a versatile player who’s as capable of playing in the centre as he is on the wing. His shooting prowess is incredible and he’s got a lot of features and attributes that helps his game and allows him to excel in the different positions that we play him in. I think he’s due a goal, and hopefully he can rack them up between now and the end of the season, but we need to focus on where he’s going to play as his versatility is incredibly important to us as we can fully utilise him.”
The manager switched the focus of the interview from his own team, onto Saturday’s opponents in Fleetwood Town, as he discussed their strengths and how we intended to go about the game.
“They’re certainly a difficult challenge. Everyone saw their performance in the FA Cup at home to Leicester, where they displayed copious amounts of energy levels, effort and desire to deny them a goal. The environment at Fleetwood is different to that of Ewood, we have to acclimatise to the surroundings and get ready for a team who will see this as a huge game. We have to go into the game in full concentration as we have to match their endeavour, their drive and their passion in order to come out on top.
“I don’t think we have a desperation to keep the unbeaten run going, I think we just have to keep our standards high and not allow them to drop. I think all the players have bought into that mentality, they understand the demands, hence why training has been so good to watch, and they know that they need to take that intensity out onto the pitch. There’s an acknowledgement that we’re at a really big football club, and the demands of a big club is that, you try to win every game. The supporters, by their numbers demand that you try to, which is seen by their presence at games, as well as their voice. I think the mass support has also energised the players and has increased their intensity, as they know that the supporters have taken a lot of time and money out to come and watch them play, so hopefully we can reward them with a good result.”
