TONY Mowbray says the Rovers players understand the pressure and expectancy on their shoulders, but feels it isn’t weighing heavy on them.

Rovers were favourites for the League One title going in to the new season, but have now lost their opening two fixtures.

They were humbled by Doncaster Rovers at Ewood Park on Saturday as they fell to a disappointing 3-1 defeat.

But Mowbray wants his squad to stay strong as they look to get their league campaign up and running at Bradford City on Saturday.

“I talked to them afterwards about the support base and the expectation and the anticipation of this season and there was a frustration at letting them down,” Mowbray said.

“You could feel the fans’ frustrations and we have to accept that, stick together and find a way of winning some football matches.

“I think the important thing is that the players stick together. They have to work hard.

“These days come along, you have to put them behind you and move on.

“I have every confidence in the players that we are going to have a lot of good days and we have to deal with this and get ready for the next game.”

Rovers have made nine summer signings to date, with Mowbray keen to bring more new additions to the club before the transfer window closes on August 31.

It will undoubtedly take time for them to gel but the Rovers boss couldn’t hide his disappointment and frustration after defeat on home turf.

And when asked if he thought the pressure was telling on his players, Mowbray said: “I don’t think so – it shouldn’t.

“There are nine new players, we lost 12 at the end of the season so it’s half a new team really.

“Footballers and managers have to deal with expectation, the pressure, and whatever you try and create you have to go and produce.

“This team has to produce performances that get results and at the moment we have not done that in the first two games.

“We have to work hard in the week, regroup, and get ready to go again and look forward to the next challenge.”