DANNY Guthrie admits it’s down to the Blackburn Rovers players to make sure the Tony Mowbray effect isn’t shortlived by continuing their upturn in fortunes.

Rovers moved out of the bottom three by making it back-to-back wins, and clean sheets, with a 1-0 victory over Wigan Athletic at Ewood Park on Saturday.

That made it seven points out of a possible nine in the three games under head coach Mowbray ahead of another home game against Cardiff City tomorrow.

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Guthrie acknowledges teams often receive a boost with a change in manager, but with still 12 games to go, the midfielder feels Rovers can keep moving in the right direction.

“You always see when a new manager comes in that there is a new lift around the place and it’s up to us to make sure that’s not shortlived,” he said.

“Confidence is going to be high, but we know we’re going to lose games along the way and these points we’re picking up at home are vital.

“That’s two big wins and two big clean sheets, we probably feel that we can play better, but given the circumstances, to get the results is a great feeling.

“The lads dug in, there was a togetherness and we looked solid.

“We are looking solid, we’ve been playing well in spells and the manager is always going to demand more of us with the ball, but given where we are needs must sometimes and we dug in, got our goal, and then saw the game out.”

Marvin Emnes’ second-half winner saw Rovers leapfrog Bristol City and Wolves to move up to 20th in the table.

It is the first time since the middle of December that Rovers have been out of the dropzone, but the aim will now be to kick on in the remaining games of the season.

Guthrie added: “Mentally it is nice, but there are still loads of games to play, lots of points to play for.

“We have another tough home game on Tuesday that we have to pick ourselves up for and go again.”

Guthrie has started all three games under Mowbray, with the head coach believing the midfielder to be enjoying his role within the team.

The 29-year-old says he is becoming stronger with each performance and wants to continue playing his part in Rovers’ upturn in results under their new boss.

“I’m enjoying it – I think I will get stronger with the games and I didn’t feel as bad on Saturday as I did the other night,” he said.

“The other night (against Derby) was a tougher night, they were a better side and moved us about a lot, but I’m not going to say I’m too tired to play, no chance.

“The manager wants us to play with the ball and probably my biggest strength is getting on the ball and getting the team playing, but I’m also learning new things about the shape the gaffer wants us to get in, and I’m enjoying working hard to try and stop the opposition playing on the transition.

“I’m fully enjoying it and the gaffer has given us plenty to think about.”