While tonight’s visitors are chasing a top six spot, Tony Mowbray says the points are just as important to Rovers ‘to calm a few nerves’.

Rovers have lost nine of their last 11 matches, including four of their last five at Ewood, ahead of the visit of the Rams.

Mowbray says he and the players are ‘conscious’ of the drop in form which has seen them take just four points from the last 33 available.

Defeat to Stoke was the fourth 1-0 reverse in front of their home fans in their last five matches, with Mowbray saying only hard work can turn their fortunes around.

He said: “We know they are coming with a real purpose about trying to get points, but the points are really important for us as well to calm a few nerves.

“The run has gone on for too long and yet we understand the only way to get a result is to work as hard as we have been and wait for the breaks to fall our way.

“We’re all really conscious of the run we’re on, we’re all hurting and are working really hard.

“The next game is in front of us against a team who, along with Villa in the first half, were the best team we’ve played against in terms of passing the ball at speed and attacking menace.

“We know it will be a tough game for us but one we’re ready to go to battle in and see if we can make life uncomfortable for them.”

Mowbray believes the club supporters are continuing to back the team whose effort hasn’t come in to question.

The visit of Frank Lampard’s side is the first of three remaining home games, with Mowbray hoping Rovers can finish with a flourish.

“We are trying really hard and I hope the supporters can see that. I felt the game at the weekend they were really with the team, particularly second half when we got on top and were pushing and pushing,” he added.

“My view of the supporters is that you show them that you care, that you’re in for the challenge every game and they will get right behind you. That’s what we have to show in these final three games.

“We have to have a real positivity about us and aggressive about how we play, as we have done in the last two years.

“We have to be positive, try and play forward, compete for every ball and see if we can get a positive result.”

Reflecting on the weekend, he added: “There was a lot of desire to get a result, but ultimately, like a lot of games at home recently, the Wigan win apart, we’ve struggled to find the back of the net against some decent teams.

“It was a bit Groundhog Day with lots of effort, play around their box, especially second half. At this moment it’s not happening for us around the opposition box, particularly at home, but the answer is to keep working.”