BLACKBURN Rovers have scored 55 league goals in 2014.

It is an impressive tally that no team in the Championship, both past and present, has bettered since the turn of the year.

But over the course of those 30 games Rovers have also conceded 49 times.

And it is that figure which will be troubling Gary Bowyer going into tomorrow’s trip to West London to take on managerless Fulham.

After insisting his battling side deserved at least a point from Wednesday’s 3-2 home loss to Derby County, the Rovers boss conceded they have to work harder to keep the opposition out.

“We’ve got to start keeping clean sheets,” speaking after Rovers’ first home loss since March 12.

“We haven’t done that this season so we’ve got more work to do and we know that.

“But the spirit, character and attitude we showed was phenomenal.

“We’re working very hard and it’s something we’re aware of.

“It took us a while last season to get our first clean sheet and we then went on a run.

“I think we got 15 or 16 in the end so we have to get back to that quickly.

“It’s about getting out, closing the ball down and blocking shots.

“We’re disappointed again with the manner of the goals but we’ll keep working away at it, keep recovering, and get ready for Fulham.

Rovers, who have conceded at least one goal in each of their last 11 competitive matches, were more solid and had better balance after the arrival of midfield new boy Ryan Tunnicliffe shortly after Derby scored their killer – and controversial – third.

Bowyer said: “He’s a good player but we knew that when we brought him in as we’ve watched him throughout the years growing up as a kid at Manchester United.

“The disappointment now is we’ve got Fulham and he can’t play in that one.

“But I think he showed people what he can do and what was really pleasing was the way he picked up the tempo straight away.

“Some of his passing was also excellent.”

Tunnicliffe, who signed for Rovers on a season-long loan from Fulham on transfer deadline day, will be ineligible to face his parent club tomorrow.

But Bowyer, who remains without Tommy Spurr, Jason Lowe, David Dunn and Chris Brown, will be able to name an otherwise unchanged squad.

And the players who take to the field at Craven Cottage will do so with the backing of their manager.

Bowyer was adamant that Derby were fortunate to leave Ewood Park with three points after they were hit by a late barrage of pressure.

“I think a draw was the least we deserved – I thought we were outstanding,” said Bowyer who felt that Craig Conway had been fouled in the lead up to the Rams’ final goal of a thrilling game.

“Steve McClaren was running up and down the technical area with five minutes to go – the sense of relief from their bench and their players just showed the amount of pressure we put them under.

“We’ve had a right good go and we’ve been excellent against a team, by the way, who are very, very good with a top coach.

“The way they play is magnificent and we’ve pushed them and pushed them.

“If there is ever such a thing as positive out of a negative of losing game then that was certainly it from our players.

“They were a credit and the crowd really got behind them.

“The fans are always a gauge and at the end they stayed to clap them off.

“If you’re not giving it a go the Blackburn public will let you know.

“But they’ve given them a round of applause so that shows you what they thought.”