JASON Steele believes Tony Mowbray’s arrival as head coach has brought a ‘positive energy’ to everyone at Blackburn Rovers.

Steele has been reunited with Mowbray, who was his manager at Middlesbrough between 2010 and 2013, after he was installed as Rovers head coach last week.

The keeper believes the 53-year-old’s footballing philosophy will ‘capture the imagination’ at Ewood, but admits Championship survival has to be the first aim.

Rovers host Derby County tonight (7.45pm) and the Rovers No.1 believes the Rams clash and the remaining 13 league fixtures that follow, are among the most crucial in the club’s history.

“If we can get everyone pulling in the same direction then I think we will ok, that’s my own opinion,” Steele said.

“It’s going to take a collective effort from everyone, from Sue in the kitchen to the gaffer, it’s going to take us all to be as one and be a collective unit. 

“I think over the last few days there’s been a really good positive energy and hopefully we can go and get a positive result.

“I think his philosophy can capture the imagination of the players, and the fans who come and watch because they will see a football team that will be transformed.

“It doesn’t need to be pretty for the next 14 games, it just needs to be three points.

“I’ve obviously worked with him before but I think the lads bought in to it straight away on Friday and I think you could see it working.

“But we have to win football matches and by hook or by crook we have to start doing that.”

Steele joined Rovers in 2014, with Mowbray the fourth man to take charge of the club since then, having been preceded by Owen Coyle, Paul Lambert and Gary Bowyer.

But the 26-year-old hopes Mowbray, who signed an 18 month deal last week, can bring some much needed stability to the club.

“Getting reacquainted with the gaffer was good, but it was straight down to business,” Steele added.

“There wasn’t any time for formalities.

“He had us for one session and straight away I think you could see what the ideas were he wanted to bring to us.

“I’ve played a lot of games under him and obviously he gave me a lot of confidence when I was a young boy.

“He was brilliant for me and we had some good times (at Middlesbrough).

“Hopefully the gaffer can bring some stability.”

The Derby clash is the first of three home games in a week and Steele is hoping the Rovers fans can play their part, just as they did in the FA Cup tie with Manchester United on February 19, and Friday’s trip to Burton Albion.

“I must say, the away fans wherever we’ve been have been fantastic,” he added.

“In terms of the positivity and the positive energy they gave the boys I thought it was good.

“I think they also bought in to the fact that we were looking to be more possession-based. A lot of fans when you pass the ball backwards there might be a bit of a moan, but I think after 10 minutes or so they appreciated what we were trying to do.

“The last home game against Manchester United the fans were unbelievable – it felt like a cup final in itself.

“We have seven home games left and if they can re-create that atmosphere then it will stand us in good stead.”