Tom Atcheson is enjoying working under Tony Mowbray and getting to tap into his knowledge of the game.
Mowbray was a centre-back for Middlesbrough, Celtic and Ipswich Town before hanging up his boots and moving into coaching.
It is Atcheson’s first full season as a regular member of the senior squad at Rovers, and having a head coach who knows the position inside out has been a big help.
“He wants to know what everyone is like and their lives behind football so he can know them as a person,” he told RoversTV.
“We talked about football and my aspirations, where I wanted to be and how I wanted to play this season.
“He was comparing me to him, people he has played with and things like that. That is what you want as a player – a coach, a staff member of even better a manager who has played in your position.
“They are first hand to help you, and I feel like it is very helpful that he played the same position as me because I can learn from him and he knows all sorts about the game.”
Atcheson’s breakthrough came during the second half of last season due to injuries in the squad, and the 19-year-old kept his place following Mowbray’s return to Ewood Park.
“That was massive for me,” he reflected. “That was a big goal coming into pre-season, I wanted to start the season in the team. I tried to work for my place and now I just need to try and play consistently well to keep that place.
“I learn every game I play. I learn all sorts about the game, the dark arts and things like that. I need to continue learning and hopefully it makes me into the player I want to be.”
The defender has started six of the seven Championship games so far, only missing the trip to Preston North End due to suspension.
“I thought we had a very promising start against some massive teams,” he said. “Then we came up against teams who maybe aren’t looked at as the best in the division, and we definitely have had games where we could and should have come out on top.
“But we will learn how to come out of those games on top and I feel like it still could be a very good season for us.
“(Belief) is very important. I feel like we are playing good football this season and the fans can see that. We were just not getting that last bit right, and it will come.
“I think it will be very good for us, the football we play, and we will be able to compete against all the teams in this division.”
Atcheson is comfortable on the ball and has been given the freedom to help build attacks from the back in Mowbray’s system.
“That is what I enjoy doing,” he added. “I enjoy the defending part of the game but I also love having the ball, being able to start attacks and help the team get forward.
“(Mowbray) has given me the licence to do that and it is what I enjoy doing. I am very happy with that.”
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