ROVERS striker Dominic Samuel believes a togetherness off the pitch is paying dividends on it as Tony Mowbray’s side eye a fifth consecutive victory.

Tuesday’s win at Scunthorpe United means Rovers have won each of their four games since starting the season with back-to-back defeats.

Samuel says that has brought with it a confidence and belief around the club, one which they will take in to tomorrow’s home game with AFC Wimbledon (3pm).

“It’s a team sport and with football you have to work together as a team,” Samuel said.

“It’s important that you create tight friendships within the squad because you will be playing with them on the pitch for a long period of time.

“That connection off the pitch you take on to the pitch and work hard for each other.

“With this club, it feels like a family, there are no outsiders and everyone is working hard for each other and I think that has been showing in the last few games.

“Everyone in the last four games has been right at it, sticking together.

“Around the dressing room, the training ground and the stadium, the mood is good and it’s important we take that in to the next games.”

The 23-year-old, a summer signing from Reading, admits lessons have been learned from the defeat to Doncaster Rovers on August 12 in the club’s first home game of the season.

They return to Ewood Park tomorrow after a three week absence looking to replicate the performance which saw them beat MK Dons 4-1.

Competition for places is fierce at the minute, with Danny Graham, Harry Chapman and Bradley Dack all pushing for starting spots after impressing off the bench in recent weeks.

Samuel is expected to keep his place in the team tomorrow, after four goals already this season, but knows he need to keep performing to remain in the starting XI.

He added: “Not just the starting team, we have some quality players on the bench who can come on and make the difference.

“There is always going to be competition in the squad and players will fight for their positions within the games.

“There’s no jealousy in the squad, everyone wants each other to do well because that only helps the team.

“I’ve obviously scored a few goals, helped the team in working hard, and the main thing is that we’re winning and we need to keep that going throughout the season.

“As a striker you want to be playing and getting the goals, but the main thing is that you work hard for the team and the goals will come with it.”

The AFC Wimbledon game will be the third in a week for Rovers, after wins at Rochdale and Scunthorpe.

But being in good form, Samuel is welcome the games coming in quick succession.

“Early on in the season the games are coming thick and fast so you have to take each one as it comes,” he said.

“Right now we’re doing well and hopefully we can take that in to Saturday.

“I feel like the team is getting stronger with every game we play and coming back home on Saturday I think we will perform even better.”