Tony Mowbray remains firm in his belief that Rovers are making good progress and will continue climbing the table with the numbers they are producing.

 Rovers’ credentials for challenging for a top-six spot this season will be tested again this afternoon with the visit of leaders Norwich City who have won 10 of their 17 games so far.

The Rovers boss feels the Canaries, under Daniel Farke, are “where we are going” as today’s clash pits together two of the division’s best possession sides.

Norwich are one of only two sides in the division to have averaged more possession and passes than Rovers, as well as the only team to have attempted more shots.

While Rovers’ seven-game unbeaten run came to an end at Bristol City in midweek, leaving them 10th in the table, Mowbray is encouraged by what his side are producing.

“At the end of the day, the results are the results, we know where we are as a football team,” he said.

“We’re on an upward trajectory, moving forward, but results like that can knock you back.

“We were dominant for a half-hour spell at Brentford, scored a goal and threatened to score more. Who knows with 11v11 what would have happened?

“Against Bristol City, with the chances we had, we needed to score.

“But it doesn’t matter, it’s done now, I don’t lose much sleep over ‘we should have done this or that’, I look at the performance of the team, the work ethic, the way we’re performing, the chances we’re creating.

“It was another game with 60 per cent possession, 21 shots away from home, you keep doing that and producing that level and you’ll win football matches.

“I think if we keep the level as high as we have then we’re going to win games and accrue enough points that will give us a real opportunity to finish around the top six.

“Let’s see where it takes us. We will keep confidence and belief high and I think it’s important that I keep sending the same, strong message to the team.”

Norwich, relegated from the Premier League last season, arrive at Ewood three points clear at the top, and their style of play, as well as European recruitment, is something Rovers have admired and looked to emulate.

“What I would say about the team we’re playing this week, they are where we’re going I think,” Mowbray added.

“They’re a bit in front of us in their build-up and the understanding of how they play, but that doesn’t mean they’re going to beat us of course.

“They’re a good football team, patterns of play, we’ve studied them enough these last few days since Bristol City.

“Hopefully we’re ready for Norwich who are a very, very good team.”