DERRICK Williams says Rovers are frustrated but optimistic after a mixed start to the season.

Williams accepts there is a level of expectancy on the shoulders of the Rovers players and believes they must learn to channel the pressure into positive results.

Defeat at Oldham and Tuesday’s frustrating draw with bottom side Plymouth Argyle has left Rovers 10th in the table and two points off the top six going into this afternoon’s game with Portsmouth.

But Williams believes that more performances, if not results, like the one against the Pilgrims in midweek will see Rovers move in the right direction.

“Playing for a big club there’s pressure on you every game but you have to use that pressure in the right way,” Williams told the Lancashire Telegraph.

“There’s a few players that are maybe new to this pressure having come from smaller teams to sign for Blackburn and they are still getting used to that.

“It’s our job to be used to do it, that’s what we have to expect at a big club.

“It’s a pressure but you have to be able to thrive on that pressure.

“We’re going in the right direction, there’s a few things to work on but we’re still close to the top and I’m excited because if we can keep putting in performances like Tuesday then I think we’re going to get better.

“We’re optimistic, a bit frustrated, but we know that we can do a lot better.”

Rovers went into the season as heavy favourites to win promotion back to the Championship at the first time of asking.

But they have struggled to live up to that billing, recording six wins from their opening 12 league games.

And Williams added: “The fans have high expectations of us all and we have high expectations of ourselves.

“We are a bit disappointed with where we are in the league but it’s not the end of the world.

“If we win those games in hand then we’re six points off the top two and we play Wigan next week so that’s another chance to close that bridge.

“We’re still optimistic, if we can bring the performance from Tuesday into every game, home and away, it will really give us a chance.”

Williams signed for Rovers last summer from Bristol City and went on to be named as the club’s player of the season after a string of consistent display at left-back in his debut campaign.

But the 23-year-old is one of a number of players yet to find a level of consistency in their performance this time around, with Williams believing he has plenty more to offer, particularly as an attacking threat.

He said: “Personally, I need to get that consistency back.

“Tuesday night I thought it did well but before that I wasn’t too happy with how I was playing.

“I’m still working hard and going forward I think I can offer a bit more.”