WELL, this international break has come at an awkward time, hasn’t it?

Now that the new players have settled, the essential ones are fully fit and the defence has developed some level of unity, we have seen a game-on-game progression from initially shaky and shambolic to silky and steely. The more games we play whilst the lads are in this mood the better.

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Key changes have been made, if not the one some fans wanted, and, with all due respect to young David Raya, it is the reintroduction of Jason Steele that has, for me, led to relative defensive stability.

Confidence spreads just as quickly as panic did in the initial fixtures and Steele certainly inspires calm.

And as some footballers make the game nowadays seem like it’s just another humdrum job of work (albeit one that pays handsomely) it is refreshing to see the current Rovers team visibly enjoying their football.

In particular, much praise must go to Tom Lawrence. Since his productive cameo in the Charlton game he has shown those qualities that all fans can agree on – those of the club motto.

His tireless closing down and commitment to the team cause has been matched by his ‘dancing on eggshells’ feet and deft touch.

Some Premier League players come to lower-division clubs on loan for a ‘doss’; a couple of months out of the shadows in a new town, or city, with new nightclubs, new females and first dibs on the dressing room mirror.

Fortunately Tom Lawrence is more Harry Kane than Todd Kane. His industrious example in the last three games seems to have inspired Ben Marshall into a similar attitude and has taken the burden off Jordan Rhodes, who has responded like the goal-happy model professional he is.

There will always be small dark spots to blight this gushing praise but whilst the sun shines we should make hay. We are all quick to slam players and staff when they don't get it right, so let’s bask in the glow of goals, glorious moves and clean sheets.

There will be enough football-related sleepless nights and worries leading up to the 24th, so enjoy your stress-free weekend as Rovers’ unbeaten run continues into another week.