An eighth win in 12 games partnered together, including six clean sheets, the Darragh Lenihan and Derrick Williams partnership is delivering results for Rovers.

Williams grabbed the headlines at Hull City by scoring the only goal of the game and putting in a fine defensive display.

The contribution of Christian Walton also cannot be overlooked, the Rovers ‘keeper making a fine penalty save to deny Jarrod Bowen in the 12th minute.

Boss Tony Mowbray says the decision not to add more central defenders to his squad this summer, with Manchester City loanee Tosin Adarabioyo the sole arrival, was because of the encouraging displays of Lenihan and Williams in the final six games of last season.

And he has seen those signs continue at the start of this season after clean sheets in wins over Middlesbrough and Cardiff.

“I think these two players playing at the moment have a rapport, they enjoy each other’s company,” Mowbray said.

“They play for the same international team, have huge respect for each other, their chemistry is that they feel they can say anything to each other and get the job done.

“Sometimes chemistry is really important in a central defensive partnership.

“I think the chemistry of these two is good and it’s not a bad start.

“But there will be tougher tests and days when goals fly in and then it’s about how we react and you have to have it in your belly that you don’t want the ball to hit the back of your net.

“Clean sheets are what you should live for as a central defender in my opinion.”

Walton is a new name between the sticks for Rovers, after the departure of David Raya.

Mowbray highlighted his height as a key addition to the backline, and said after the Hull win: “He came and took his crosses which is important for our team because neither Darragh or Derrick is 6’5. They need help at times against big strikers.

“He came and helped them out and it was a good performance.”

Williams became just the second Rovers player this season, after Danny Graham’s penalty against Middlesbrough to score in the league, with an own goal on the opening day against Charlton completing their three goals to date.

That is one area the boss wants to see Rovers improve, though positive signs were there at Hull as they were denied by the woodwork on three separate occasions.

“It was only one goal again,” Mowbray added.

“One goal against Charlton, none against Fulham, one against Middlesbrough, it’s not as if we’re ripping it up. We shouldn’t get too carried away.

“That’s where the improvement has to come. They have fine margins wins, as they were fine margin wins.

“That’s the Championship and we have some tough matches coming up.

“It was an important win.

“Cardiff at home, they were in the Premier League last year, it’s really tough.

“West Brom away, massively tough.

“The games we need to win we have to and then we have to go up against these big sides and give our all.”