Jon Dahl Tomasson says Rovers’ perfect start to the season has enabled belief in the club’s project to grow among both the players and supporters.

Rovers made it three wins from three in the league, their best start to a season since 1988/89, having beaten West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.

They remain the team with the only remaining 100 per cent record heading into tomorrow night’s trip to Reading.

Tomasson says Rovers must mix ambition with patience, not least having seen a host of players leave in the summer and only three new signings arrive.

The squad has been left threadbare by injuries, but a strong team spirit and togetherness has helped see Rovers over the line, much to the delight of the head coach.

“I think you should always be very honest to the fans,” he said.

“They have a passion, they love the club and they’re not stupid. They’ve seen players coming in and players going out.

“In that way it’s nice because belief is important, for the Rovers fans it is important, but the players who have been buying into my ideas from day one.”

Tomasson is two months into the Rovers job, with his team so far yet to taste to defeat in their four competitive outings.

As well as nine points from nine in the league, they also progressed in the Carabao Cup with little fuss, seeing off Hartlepool United.

Asked if the start had been better than he could have imagined, Tomasson said: “I never thought about that.

“I’m enjoying every day at the club, every day on the pitch when we train because I see the development.

“If you want to become better then you need to see development, I see that.”

Rovers are in the market for fresh faces as they look to add to their squad before the September 1 deadline.

Defence had always been a priority in the window for Rovers, but so far only right back Callum Brittain has arrived.

With Scott Wharton sidelined by a calf problem, and set to miss at least two matches, Rovers’ need to strengthen has become even more imperative.

Their bid to add Liverpool defender Sepp van den Berg on loan is in the hands of his parent club who are equally experiencing a shortage of numbers in defence, and keen to ensure they don’t leave themselves light.

The likelihood is that Ash Phillips will need to shake off a bout of cramp which saw his league debut cut short in the second half against West Brom to make the starting line-up against Reading tomorrow night.

Rovers central defensive target Sepp van den Berg was on the bench for Liverpool against Crystal Palace last night.

That comes as the Reds face similar defensive injuries to Rovers, as Ibrahima Konate and Joel Matip were both absent against Palace, with Joe Gomez not fit enough to start.

TAKE OUT A SUBSCRIPTION...

GAIN UNLIMITED AND UNRESTRICTED ACCESS TO THE LANCASHIRE TELEGRAPH WEBSITE WITH A PREMIUM DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION