DANNY Graham believes a strong team spirit at Ewood Park can carry Rovers a long way this season.

A number of long-serving players left the club in the summer and were replaced by fresh faces, with 14 departures and 13 incomings following relegation from the Championship.

Graham was one of those who remained but he has started just three league games so far this season. He ended a six week wait for a start in the league at Shrewsbury Town on September 23 but was back on the bench for wins over Rotherham and Gillingham before the international break and has scored just once so far this season.

But he insists there is a strong bond between starters and substitutes and believes that will benefit Rovers in their pursuit of promotion.

“I would say so,” Graham said when asked if there is a feel-good factor among the players.

“I think we lost some good players and some good personalities in the dressing room throughout the summer, but the gaffer has replaced them with similar kind of guys and very good players.

“The team spirit is massive and I think that’s going to be a big factor in getting us to where we want to go.”

Rovers head to Oldham this weekend looking for a third League One win in a row.

Their best results this season have come away from home, with 13 of their 19 points being collected on the road.

Rovers have been backed by an aggregate away following of more than 9,000 fans in their first five away league games, with more than 3,000 supporters set to make the trip to the Sports Direct Arena this weekend.

And Graham has paid tribute to the loyal backing and hopes the players can send them away happy.

He added: “I think it is credit to every single supporter.

“When you get relegated that might not be the case but we have had a great following on the road.

“Hopefully we can do the same on Saturday and they are going to play a massive part in helping us get to where we want to at the end of the season.”