RICHIE Smallwood is hoping Rovers’ goalscoring exploits on the road can continue as they head for Peterborough United this weekend.

Rovers have netted 11 times in their last three away games which has brought victories at Blackpool, Oxford and Bury.

And while admitting that manager Tony Mowbray wants his side to return to their stubbornness in defence, having shipped four goals in their last three outings on the road, Smallwood says the players are in confident mood after earning a maximum haul of 12 points in November.

“We know the games are coming fast and it’s a tough month ahead,” the midfielder said.

“We’ve been scoring three and four away from home and want to continue that on Saturday.

“The manager isn’t happy with us conceding sloppy goals but we’ve been scoring plenty and hopefully we can continue that goalscoring and form.

“The run we’re on is good, but we want keep things ticking over and maybe go on a ten-game run and more to really push us on.

“We want to keep scoring, keep it tight at the back and hopefully push up that table.”

Smallwood is an ever-present in the league so far for Rovers since his summer move from Rotherham United.

He was part of the Millers’ promotion campaign in 2013/14 and believes Rovers are starting to find their feet in League One after a stuttering start in which they lost their opening two league games.

The central midfielder added: “We’ve hit form at the right time and with the games in hand we’ve ended up taking advantage in recent weeks.

“We’re three points off second and five off the top. It’s only a week’s worth of football and as long as we keep winning we’ll let the other teams deal with themselves.”

Mowbray is yet to name an unchanged side in Rovers’ 19 league games and seven across three cup competitions.

And with suspensions and injuries starting to bite, he says the squad is needed now more than ever ahead of the festive period.

“It’ll be a busy time with some big games and also with the FA Cup replay thrown in there,” he told the club’s official website.

“Everyone will be needed in the squad with the likes of Elliott Bennett and Rekeem Harper out.”