A cloud is hanging over Rovers after a run of just one point from six matches.

But manager Tony Mowbray doesn’t want that to overshadow much of the good work that has gone on this season.

In January Rovers put themselves in a position where a play-off charge seemed possible. Six games later, it’s about ensuring their slump takes them no lower than the 17th position they find themselves in.

The fact that such a poor run still sees them 11 points above the relegation places does demonstrate what a strong opening 29 games Rovers had on their return to the Championship.

Mowbray said: “It’s been 23 months of pretty successful, entertaining football, not to be undone by the last month that’s been pretty disappointing for us all. Yet those disappointments doesn’t mean the performance levels have been disappointing.

“The players are still playing at their maximum, giving everything they’ve got, but maybe they just need a little bit of help at the moment, with possible changes in certain areas that’s just not there at the moment.

“We have to keep going, keep believing in each other, keep working hard and let’s stick together while we get a few results.

“Then see if we can rest one or two and give some of the young players a game and see if they will be up to the first team demands for the future.

“So much good work has gone on and the results we’ve managed to achieve shouldn’t be forgotten over a week’s football.

“Their (the players) mentality has been damaged a little bit to the point where no-one likes to lose games, yet they’re strong, they have to stick together.

“These are the conversations that we’re having and we’re looking forward to moving on, understand the challenges of every game.

“Every game has been difficult since the first game of the season and we’ve accrued a decent percentage of points and six weeks ago we were four points off the play-offs and everything was going well.

“You have to be careful you don’t lose sight of that and all the hard work you’ve put. We need to try and finish the season strong by sticking together and working hard.”

Rovers host Preston today knowing there would be no better time to end their winless run.

In preparation for today’s game, Mowbray added: “I’ve been trying to get them happy, smiling, enjoying football.

“We tried to keep the intensity of being a competitive animal going and as the week rolls on the work becomes more tactical we show them situations about the next opposition, what’s coming, their strengths and weaknesses.

“It’s been a good week in the sense that, with smaller numbers than normal because a few played for the Under-23s on Monday so were without three or four of them, we made sure they are enjoying football, working hard, competing with each other and then moved on to more tactical stuff and game-related stuff.”