TONY Mowbray says strong away followings are having a positive effect on his Rovers players as they aim to make it five consecutive victories on the road.

Rovers have sold out their allocation for this afternoon’s trip to league leaders Shrewsbury Town, taking their aggregate following from the opening five away games to more than 9,000.

Mowbray has seen his side win three successive league games on the road, without conceding, but they face a stern test against a Shrewsbury side who have won seven and drawn one of their opening eight fixtures.

Around 1,500 fans will make the journey to the Montgomery Waters Meadow, two weeks on from Rovers taking more than 3,330 fans to Rochdale.

And when asked about the level of away support, Mowbray said: “What I do know is that it is having a positive effect on the team.

“Having 3,000 fans travelling to an away game really heightens the intensity in the players.

“We went to Rochdale with that whole stand filled with Rovers supporters, if we had not performed on the day then I’m sure they would have let us know about it.

“Thankfully it turned out that we won and the fans seemed to really enjoy the day.

“It had a positive effect on the team and they know they are playing for a big club with big expectations and you have to produce the goods.

“I’m sure the Rovers fans will go (to Shrewsbury), fill the stand behind the goal, make a lot of noise and we have to make sure they have a good day.”

Rovers got their first success of the League One campaign with a 1-0 win at Bradford City on August 19, becoming the first side to win a league game at Valley Parade since March 2016.

The three consecutive away victories have come against sides who had the fifth, second and third best home records in League One last season after Mowbray’s men also defeated Rochdale and Scunthorpe on their travels.

And despite seeing their four game winning run come to an end last weekend, Mowbray says Rovers are travelling in confidence, rather than fear.

He added: “To go away to Bradford who had not lost at home in 18 months and be the first team to beat them, it was nothing too miraculous, just more about work ethic, team work and overcoming the adversity that was there after the first two games.

“After those two defeats for the team to go to Bradford away, who had not lost at home for such a long time gave us a lot of kudos and then we went to Rochdale and won 3-0, then 1-0 at Scunthorpe who were a long time unbeaten at home and that was their first loss of the season.

“That is another positive for us and why we are looking forward to this (game).

“The atmosphere around the training ground hasn’t been one of trepidation and fear, it’s one of this being the next challenge in front of us and one we should be looking forward to.

“I have to try and give them a game-plan so they can find a way to win to win football matches.

“We have to find a way to win matches and hopefully the journey will be an enjoyable one for the supporters.”