Tony Mowbray believes Rovers’ problems stretch further than tactics and formations and has called on his players to stand up to the challenges ahead.

Rovers fell to a fifth defeat in six matches at Rotherham United, where their defensive failings contributed to them conceding three more goals.

They have now shipped 38 goals in 18 away fixtures, the most in the division, with Mowbray’s options at the back limited with first choice central defender Darragh Lenihan out injured for up to another four weeks.

Fellow Republic of Ireland international Derrick Williams will come back in to the fold against Preston this weekend after serving a two match ban following his red card against Middlesbrough last month, but Mowbray wants to see more emotion from his players in a bid to improve their goals against column.

Rovers have kept just one clean sheet since the October win at Bolton, and have conceded 26 goals in their last 10 away fixtures.

Rotherham opened the scoring inside two minutes on Saturday, prompting Mowbray to switch to a back three, but that didn’t stop Rovers conceding twice more in the second half as they slipped to a 3-2 defeat.

Mowbray said: “We had worked on a couple of things and we knew we were going to look at different things.

“That’s the job, you have to have options of how you’re going to set up.

“I just think the formation gave us more control of the ball, gave us the opportunity to get higher up the pitch and create opportunities.

“We did, there wasn’t a bag full of them, but it allowed us to have more men around how they played and gave us a level of control of the ball at times.

“But it wasn’t good enough. I’m not a big believer in formations, ultimately it’s what’s in your stomach, what’s in your brain, the emotion of a footballer is what is a true reflection, never mind what formation you play.

“It’s whether you do your job and stand up as a man and get it done.”

The boss, an uncompromising defender during his playing days, had warned his side of the aerial threat that Rotherham posed prior to their trip to the New York Stadium.

Semi Ajayi scored with two headers, the first of which came from a Will Vaulks long throw and the second from a right wing cross.

Rovers goalkeeper David Raya was punished for his hesitancy for the Millers’ second as Rovers’ poor run of form continued.

“Groundhog day is the description of the day I think,” said Mowbray, whose side have conceded at least two goals on 14 occasions this season.

“I’m sick of it, the supporters are sick of it and I hope the players are sick of it again.

“The problems are there, they’re in our face. Is it tactical? I don’t think so.

“Whether we play a back four, whether we play five in midfield, we lose three goals every game almost.

“It’s about what’s in your stomach.

“We have to defend, head it, use your body, be a man.”