ROVERS will once again be backed by sold-out away followings in their away-day double header at Walsall this afternoon and AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday.

That is something Tony Mowbray has enjoyed since his first game in charge a year ago to the day, a 1-1 draw at Burton Albion.

Mowbray has created a feel-good factor at the club in his 12 months in charge, but says that is not something he set out to do when taking over at Ewood Park.

However, he acknowledges that the way he likes to set out his teams often resonates with supporters.

Rovers have averaged away following of around 2,000 for their 16 away games to date, with over 2,700 making the trip to the Banks’ Stadium this afternoon.

“I don’t purposely do that, I manage every club I manage in the same way,” Mowbray said of his close bond with the supporters.

“I try and be honest, tell people what they see.

“Football fans aren’t stupid, they know what they see, they understand football and I think it’s a mistake when you try and pull the wool over people’s eyes that they are not saying.

“I demand hard work from the team a brand of football and a game-plan for each match.

“I appraise the games honestly with the players but also with the supporters.

“I just come to work and try and bring home honesty and integrity and bring my personality and if it’s successful great, if it’s not then let someone else have a go.

“That’s what this job is.

“I don’t purposely go and try and create a bond with the fans, other than work hard and supporters like to see their team running, chasing, fighting, giving everything they’ve got and if they are going to get beat on every given day then get beat going all guns blazing.

“That’s how I’ve always managed teams and I think that’s why the affinity is created between a team and its supporters.”

Rovers go in to the game sitting top of League One, one point clear of Shrewsbury in second and three ahead of Wigan in third.

And Mowbray is hoping for a third consecutive victory to give the away end something to cheer.

He added: “We’ll have a big travelling support and hopefully we’ll make it a good day for them.

 “The away support has been amazing in the year I’ve had at the club. I remember the stand in my first game away at Burton being full that night.

 “They’ve been superb all season for us.”