CHARLIE Mulgrew admits there is a real belief that Blackburn Rovers can beat the drop after a ‘positive’ start to life under new head coach Tony Mowbray.

Rovers drew 1-1 in Mowbray’s first game in charge at Burton Albion on Friday and remain second bottom of the Championship, three points from safety.

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New head coach Mowbray admits he was surprised by Rovers’ league position having watched them in training, but Mulgrew says it’s down to the players on the pitch to prove they deserve to stay in the second tier next season.

To do that, they will have to overhaul a three-point gap to safety, and improve on a run of just two league wins in their last 14 outings.

Mulgrew said: “The belief is there – we just need to pick up those three points and we’re doing all we can.

“It’s up to us, it’s okay saying we’re doing well and looking good in training but we need to put that in to practice in the matches.

“It’s encouraging the manager saying that but it’s up to us to turn up on the day and get the results.”

Mowbray had taken just one training session before Friday’s game at Burton having replaced Owen Coyle who left the club last Tuesday.

And Mulgrew was pleasantly surprised by how quickly the players managed to take on board the ideas of their new head coach.

“The positive was that the manager managed to get his ideas across quickly, probably quicker than most expected, so it was a positive first half,” the 30-year-old said.

“It’s new but everyone is on board, everyone is positive.

“He’s not been in long but there’s a lot of positive signs, a lot of clear instructions as you could see in the first half.

“We probably surprised ourselves that we took the ideas on so quick but the manager’s ideas are brilliant.

“We might need a plan for when teams press us a bit more, and how to combat that, but I’m sure the manager with more time on the training ground will sort that out.”

Rovers were thoroughly dominant in the first half, and Mulgrew admits there was a slight disappointment they weren’t able to use that as a platform to take on and win all three points.

But he feels the performance was a step in the right direction ahead of three consecutive home games.

“We maybe needed a couple of goals when we were on top that much because second half it was a different game and they scored a great goal,” the Scotland international said.

“Goals change games, and in the end we will take the point after they hit both posts.

“But it was a positive start and we’ll look forward now.

“It’s up to us to face up to the challenges ahead and pick up three points.”

Rovers were backed by around 1,500 fans at Burton, and Mulgrew is hoping for similar support when Rovers return to Ewood Park tomorrow evening in what will be Mowbray’s first home game in charge.

He added: “The fans were class. I heard them every minute of the game.

“We’re all in this together, it’s a cliché, but it’s true.  We’ll stick together and we’ll do our best on the pitch.”