IF TONY Mowbray’s first foray in front of the media as Blackburn Rovers head coach is anything to go by, we may well need to sharpen the pencils and create plenty of space on the dictaphones.

For Mowbray spoke for well over an hour to the gathered press on what was just his second day in to the job.

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The over-riding first impression of the former Coventry, Middlesbrough and Celtic boss is that this a man who loves his football.

Former Rovers defender Gary Croft told the Lancashire Telegraph Mowbray would be happy to talk football from 8am until 11pm, and on this evidence that might not be long enough!

But there were to be no outlandish statements, no boasts about his previous credentials, or indeed any guarantees that he can be the man to revive Rovers’ flagging fortunes.

He is a very personable man, one who wants to inspire his players and give them a belief and a backing that he felt was vital during his extensive playing career.

He spoke with passion, but assuredness, confidence, but not arrogance.
But what shone through most was his love and passion for the game.
Questions about the owners were answered with conviction, Mowbray expressed a desire to at least try and help repair some of the distance that has grown between the fanbase and Venky’s.

He has done it before, not least in his last job at Coventry City where 20,000 supporters, many previously absent over the discontent with their club’s owners, came back through the doors at the Ricoh Arena to watch Mowbray’s young side’s attacking brand of football as they took League One by storm.

He has been accused in the past of being a fantasist, playing attacking football at all costs.
Here he presented himself as a realist, a man who knows what he has to work with, what he has to improve, and that only results will matter.

Whatever happens to Rovers between now and the end of the season, you get the impression that Mowbray will leave no stone unturned in his quest to bring an about turn to the club’s declining fortunes.

First impressions after 65 minutes in front of the media were positive.
But it’s the 90 minutes at Burton Albion tomorrow night that will be the most analysed.