NOTHING more than a good start is Elliott Bennett’s assessment of Rovers’ opening 17 games.

Tony Mowbray’s men are within striking distance of the top six more than a third of the way through the season ahead of Saturday’s trip to Preston.

But Bennett isn’t getting carried away with the start, knowing how easily things can change given the competitive nature of the league.

Sheffield Wednesday, who are due at Ewood Park next week, have slipped from sixth to 17th in the space of five winless matches, with Bennett keen for Rovers to maintain focus.

“I think it’s a good start, but that’s all it is,” the 29-year-old said.

“We’re 17 games in now, we’re in touching distance of the top six.

“I think if you ask anyone in the dressing room how it’s played out then I think we would be disappointed we haven’t picked up a few more points from some of the games we’ve dominated, like Aston Villa, Ipswich on the opening day, they are disappointments.

“But we are where we are and we fully deserve to be there at this stage of the season.

“We will keep taking it game-by-game, each opponent as they come and hopefully we can spring a surprise because I don’t think anyone would have expected us to be where we are now.

“In that dressing room, with the manager the way he is, that’s what we expect of ourselves every week, to give everyone a tough game.

“We go in to every game trying to win.”

Mowbray echoed the words of his manager that the only aim for Rovers this season is to be competitive in every single game.

Only Birmingham City, have trailed in matches for less time than Rovers, while only four teams have been ahead for longer.

But when asked when a good start turns into more, Bennett said: “When the end of the season comes along.

“If we start thinking about ‘we’ve done so well to get to this stage’ the league is so tight you can end up falling away.

“Some teams were right up there and then you lose a few games on the bounce and you find yourselves at the wrong end of the table.

“We’re taking each game as it comes, the gaffer never lets us get too high when we win or too low when we lose.

“We try and stick to the principles of the gaffer and on any given day we’re more than a match for anyone.”

Rovers are set to be backed by more than 5,000 fans at Preston this weekend on their return to action, before heading to Wigan on Wednesday, a ground where Bennett was controversially sent off in a 0-0 draw last October.

“It’s a brilliant game to come back to, two on the bounce with Preston and Wigan,” he said.

“We have recent history obviously after last season with Wigan.

“We’re looking forward to both of those games.”