Cantwell reveals change he's noticed with Blackburn Rovers

Blackburn Rovers captain, Todd Cantwell. <i>(Image: RoversTV.)</i>
Blackburn Rovers captain, Todd Cantwell. (Image: RoversTV.)
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Todd Cantwell believes Blackburn Rovers have stepped up their intensity this week after rounding off their Portugal trip with a good win against Strasbourg.

The captain scored an impressive goal to round off the victory on Saturday. He controlled Ryan Alebiosu's cutback to take the defender out of the equation before slotting into the bottom corner.

That ensured a 2-0 victory against a European side, finishing their warm-weather training camp on a positive note.

Whilst the result was immaterial, Cantwell was enthused by the performance and feels there are signs of the team starting to gel.

"It obviously doesn't mean much in terms of results, points, whatever, but momentum for sure," Cantwell told RoversTV.

"We've had two really good tests out here and it's nice to get a win to finish the camp. It was good.

"I think this week's been mainly around games. So we're still trained, but we've kind of geared up for the game.

"It's always nice to score. These games are important. You're building up. You need them. You need them in your energy. You need them in your legs, but to score is always nice.

"So to then put the effort into the game and get the result is really satisfying. We're starting to turn the clock nicely, I think."

Pre-season training camps can often be geared towards heavy sessions but Rovers have also done plenty of tactical work, playing against a higher class of opposition.

Cantwell has been open in his belief that Mowbray's desire to play a more dominant style will suit those in the squad. Rovers need to find a way of being more free-flowing and the captain feels there are early signs that is happening.

"I think the way that we want to play our composure, I think at the moment it's definitely bringing the best out of some players," he said.

"I think the way that we are set up is still solid, but we've added that attacking threat and we've added that decisive pass into our game.

"I think it'll make a load of difference. It's been more about game momentum this week. So we've looked at it and we've really put everything into the games, but we've worked a lot off the pitch in terms of the tactical details. So it's always nice to then implement that in a game.

"It's a very solid outfit so to get the win, it's really positive."

"It's been lovely this week. The weather's lovely. It's a lovely part of the world to be in," he added on the trip.

"We're very lucky boys to be here and to enjoy such good facilities all week. To be able to do that as our job, we're very fortunate. So we're very thankful and we've definitely enjoyed it."

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