Derrick Williams says the Rovers players aren’t naive enough to think they won’t suffer setbacks this season.

But he believes they have a perfect opportunity to show how far they’ve come when they travel to Bolton Wanderers.

Rovers lost just six League One matches last season and have tasted defeat twice in their opening 11 Championship fixtures.

Losing isn’t something they want to be accustomed to, but the Irishman says there has to be an acceptance it will happen in what is an increasingly competitive Championship.

And the 25-year-old, recalled to the starting line-up against Sheffield United on Wednesday, says three points at Bolton wouldn’t be the perfect response.

“We said before that we’re going to more defeats than we did last year so it’s about bouncing back,” Williams told the Lancashire Telegraph.

“Saturday is the perfect chance to show how far we’ve come from having a defeat but turning that in to a positive result.

“We’re all looking forward to going out there and seeing how we do.”

Rovers are back in action just three days after suffering a first league defeat at Ewood Park in almost 13 months.

Williams was gracious enough to accept Rovers were beaten by an impressive Sheffield United side who moved joint top with the win.

But getting the chance to put it right so quickly was the most pressing thing on his mind.

He added: “You don’t over-dwell on the loss and have the chance to put it right straight away.

“You can over analyse (with a week between matches) and it’s probably a good thing that you can move on.

“They were a good side and you have to hold your hands up sometimes and they deserved to win.

“They say the Championship is the most competitive league in the world and anyone can beat anyone.

“You’re naïve if you think you’re going to win every game, we’ve had a good start to the season, we’re thinking positive, in a decent position and I think if you have us this start then I think most people would have snapped your hand off.

“One defeat, we have to be positive again and look to put in a good performance.

“We have to put that behind us and look forward to Bolton now.”

The short trip to Bolton is Rovers’ final match before a two week international break which Williams will hope to spend with the Republic of Ireland after being named in their 32-man provisional squad.

They were beaten 4-1 by Bristol City in the final match before September’s break.

But ahead of what could be his 100th Rovers appearance, the left sided defender is hoping to mark it with a positive result which could move them in to the top half.

“Three points going in to a break is nice to see yourself higher up the table,” he said.

“But it’s just another game, we take every game as it comes and focus on putting in good performances.

“We’ve been doing that and we will be looking to put (Wednesday) right at Bolton.

“It will be a good atmosphere and we’re looking forward to it.

“It will be a tough game, they look experience, they’re strong, and they have been doing well recently.

“Personally I feel as though we should be going there and getting three points.”