Tony Mowbray is disappointed with the way his side’s post-January form has threatened to derail their season.

Rovers could have closed the gap to the play-offs to one point had they taken advantage of their 2-0 lead at Brentford last month.

But a 5-2 reverse was the start of a six match winless run, five of those defeats with the latest a 3-2 reverse at Rotherham on Saturday.

That leaves Rovers in 17th going in to the final 11 games, their lowest position since the opening month of the season, ahead of the visit of Preston North End this weekend.

Mowbray has stayed loyal to the players who led the club to promotion last season, but admits there will be changes in the summer.

“I am disappointed for the group because they have had such an amazing season up until the end of January,” Mowbray told the Lancashire Telegraph.

“We were on the cusp of the play-offs but now we need to make sure that we dig in, let this season unfold and prepare in the summer for what we need for next season.

“The flaws are coming to the fore at the moment.”

Mowbray was named the Championship’s manager of the month for January after guiding his side to a maximum 12 points from four games, keeping three clean sheets on the way.

However, that has been followed by a six game winless run which has seen them slide down the table and end any possible hopes of a top six finish.

Apart from bringing in Harry Chapman on a permanent deal from Middlesbrough, Rovers failed to add to their ranks last month.

The squad has become stretched in recent weeks due to the unavailability of Darragh Lenihan and Derrick Williams, while Chapman is yet to feature as he continues to build fitness having been short of game-time since his arrival.

Mowbray has stated he will turn to a number of young players before the season is out, but will only do that once Rovers have passed the 50 point mark, which they are currently two wins away from.

The boss doesn’t feel it is the right time to blood them now, given the current run of form, and defensive frailties.

On the poor defensive record, Mowbray added: “You’re not telling me anything I don’t know.

“It’s right in front of your eyes. It would be great if we had the old rules of football where you could change the team when you wanted.

“But we can’t. We could throw some youngsters in I suppose but I don’t think is the right environment for them.

“Let’s win a few games and then we can throw them in and we will see how the season unfolds.”