Tony Mowbray continually talks about the balance of his team.

He regularly operates with what he calls ‘two-and-a-half attackers’, Bradley Dack often being the half, with ‘two soldiers’ as holding midfielders.

In Rovers’ last 17 matches that pairing has been Richie Smallwood and Corry Evans, with the boss believing the pair ‘understand his expectations’ of how to play that position in his team.

Smallwood has started all 52 league matches since signing from Rotherham United last summer and asked to explain those expectations, he said: “He likes you to be in certain positions when we’re attacking to recycle the attacks and break up the play in case they try and break out.

“It’s something I need to learn and get better at of course, but it’s a role I’m really enjoying.

“I think me and Corry are playing quite well together at the minute and long may it continue.”

Rovers have so far kept three clean sheets in six league matches, helped by Evans recording the second most tackles (20) in the Championship, the most interceptions (15) and second most ball recoveries (49).

“If you play from behind the ball you should have a decent shape and when the ball goes in to the box you can position yourself to stop the counter-attacks and recycle the ball,” Smallwood added. “That helps to keep the pressure on and that’s something we like to play. The clean sheets are an added bonus.”

The pair’s places will come under threat after the international break as Harrison Reed settles in following his loan move from Southampton, while Jacob Davenport is closing in on full fitness. Lewis Travis is also in the mix after missing out on a deadline day loan move.

Of his partnership with Evans 27-year-old Smallwood added: “You build that up over the amount of games you get to play with each other.

“I think we bounce off each other quite well, we have both got similar qualities, we can both get stuck in and work hard, Corry can play a bit as well.

“The more games you play and experience you get with each other there’s a better understanding.

“I think Corry has a great start to the season and long may that continue.”