Tony Mowbray knows his side will need to be ‘right at it’ against Millwall on Saturday as Rovers bid to claw back points on the Championship’s top six.

Rovers ended a run of three consecutive defeats with victory over West Brom on New Year’s Day.

Having played the Championship’s top four sides over the festive period they have now have, on paper, a more favourable run.

Mowbray’s men have dropped to 15th and now sit two points off a top half spot, and nine behind the play-off places.

The boss afforded his players an extra day off after their endeavours over the Christmas and New Year period, and hopes to be rewarded with a performance at The New Den on Saturday.

But it will be no easy task as they look to arrest a run of seven games without an away win against a Lions side who have won 22 of their 28 points at home.

“We gave them Sunday and Monday off,” Mowbray said.

“It’s been a tough run and they deserve a break.

“We were back to work on Tuesday and preparing for what is another really tough game.

“Millwall have been in good form at home, and can beat anyone.

“If you’re not right at it against Millwall then you can get bullied.

“We need to prepare properly for a tough trip to London and try and get a result and we’ll have two home games on the back of that, as well as the replay, and it would be great to win away before that.

“After that let’s see where we are and if we can get back in to contact with the top six.”

Rovers have conceded 18 goals in their last seven away matches since a 1-0 win at Bolton on October 6 and it is now two months since a clean sheet in any fixture.

That is one area they will need to improve on if they to move up the table.

A tough December threatened to undo much of Rovers’ good early season work, but despite the run of results Mowbray has still seen positive signs from his players.

He believes it has been a ‘big jump’ after promotion from League One, but hopes his side can keep progressing.

“The intensity that this team has played with has been amazing really to try and stay with Leeds at Elland Road and to play as well as we did at Bramall Lane, in front of huge crowds with amazing atmospheres,” he added.

“Norwich City showed why they’re at the top of the division when they came here, they asked lots of questions with their ball retention and speed in the wide areas, so we’ve been at a stretch.

“I put all that in to context of coming out of League One and playing the teams we are now playing, it’s a big jump, with most of the same players.

“They are showing they are coping and are trying to improve, learn and get better every week.

“I think they have done amazing, I understand fans want to win every game yet we can’t be in too much of a rush.

“This team have done fantastic with what they have done so far and we’ll just try and keep progressing.”