The loss of Darragh Lenihan has deprived Rovers of more than just an individual, according to Tony Mowbray.

His partnership with Republic of Ireland international Williams impressed early on with four clean sheets in six matches, having built up an understanding during an extended run together at the back end of last season.

But Mowbray feels the break-up of that combination has hit his side, and defensive partner, hard.

In Lenihan’s absence, Williams’ link-up with loanee Tosin Adarabioyo is yet to convince in its infancy, with neither possessing the dominance of the homegrown 25-year-old.

“I do believe in that area of the pitch it’s about combinations. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Lenihan and Williams played together and had four clean sheets out of six,” Mowbray said of his side’s early season shut-outs.

“When one part of that equation drops out, the confidence level of his partner might not quite be the same, the communication skills between the new partner aren’t the same.

“I played with (Gary) Pallister for five years and it felt like the combination of the two of us worked with us. He was 6’5, quick, good with the ball, I was just a communicator who could head it, but the combination between the two of us just worked.

“Whenever that combination changed and one of us got injured, it was never quite the same.”

Mowbray’s 18-year playing career centred around his aerial ability and leadership skills in the heart of a back four, areas his side have struggled with of late. But despite his experiences and expertise, he doesn’t focus any more of his attentions on that part of the pitch than any other.

“My responsibility is the whole team,” he explained.

“It’s easy for me to transit my thoughts to the defenders, as I did after Saturday’s game, but everyone is a different person.

“You break down your main traits. Are you a leader of people, are you someone who conforms, are you an influencer? Everyone is different.

“I don’t think the balance of 11 leaders isn’t the answer because that can cause friction out there and in the dressing room.

“Getting the balance between someone who takes the lead, so if Lenihan is a leader when he’s playing alongside Williams, encourages and drives him, I think the combination works.

“If we go back to Mowbray and Pallister, and I’m sure he wouldn’t mind me saying this, I was the leader and the driver in that combination but he was the one that went to play for England and Manchester United and won Premier League titles.

“He went on to play with Steve Bruce, another leader, someone who motivates and inspires.

“A combination at the back hasn’t been the right balance, but they are the two that we have available at the football club. Maybe the combination isn’t as good as Lenihan and Williams.

“That doesn’t mean that Adarabioyo isn’t as good as Lenihan, maybe it’s just the fact that the two together isn’t quite working.”

A lack of leadership was apparent during the second half collapse at Preston where Rovers visibly wilted under the pressure and saw their 2-0 lead evaporate.

Mowbray admits he is still searching for the right balance of tenacity and technicality within his team, but doesn’t feel there is an abundance of leaders within his squad, something he is hoping, despite the difficulties, that can be addressed in the transfer market.

“Probably not enough,” he said of leaders within his squad.

“I would say most of the technical, creative footballers don’t have those leadership qualities because they are more ‘go with the flow’ with their nature, happy-go-lucky, fun-loving.

“We have a few people who lead. And that’s the balance.

“When I talk about recruitment It’s one of the things we need to recruit, but it’s very difficult when you go and watch a footballer, you see his talent, how fast he is, how big and strong he is, you can assess on the pitch whether he’s a communicator or whether he’s reacting to situations.

“But it’s difficult until you sit down and meet them whether their personalities are what you want.

“Of course until you’re given permission by the club he’s playing for you’re not allowed to meet players so it’s difficult to sign players knowing 100 per cent whether you’re buying a leader and someone with character.

“You get them in the building and situations arise and then the true nature of people comes out.

“It’s not easy to go and recruit leaders, generally you recruit talent because that’s easier for your eye to see. It’s difficult sometimes to assess their mentality on the pitch.

“Some players stand out, Roy Keane snarling and kicking people jumps out at you, he wants to win every tackle never mind every game, but it’s not so easy to see the creative midfielder whose hitting long balls whether he’s a leader of men or just got lots of talent.

“Some centre halves at our club aren’t leaders, they just have natural talent, they have a good left foot or a good right foot, but when the chips are down they aren’t necessarily rolling their sleeves up and snarling at people to get the job done. It’s a difficult recruitment thing to get right.”

As well as Lenihan, on-loan full back Greg Cunningham has been ruled out for the season with a knee injury, with Under-23s captain Joe Grayson also a long-term absentee with a hamstring problem.

Rovers were also in the midst of a defensive injury crisis when facing today’s opponents, Sheffield Wednesday, at Hillsborough in March.

That was the eighth match that Lenihan missed following an injury at Brentford in January that coincided with Rovers taking just four points from a possible 24.

However, Mowbray doesn’t think his side are alone in feeling the absence of their main central defender, adding: “I think you could say that about any team.

“If you look at the best teams, Thinking of Liverpool and (Virgil) van Dijk, he plays every week and they keep clean sheets and win football matches. Could they do without him? We don’t know because he hasn’t missed any matches.

“Manchester City have dropped points and lost matches because they lost (Aymeric) Laporte for instance.

“When you lose your best players in certain areas of the pitch, does it affect you? Of course it does.

“Never mind our main header of the ball, our main centre half, missing, the underbelly of the club below the core is injured. It seems as when our senior central defenders are injured so are the young players that might have been given an opportunity.”