Sitting 18th in the table after 16 games, Bradley Johnson says there is universal agreement in the squad that Rovers are underachieving - something they aim to put right after the international break.

Rovers have won five matches so far, and are seven points behind their tally at the same stage last season, following an inconsistent start to the 2019/20 campaign.

Back-to-back home games, against Barnsley on Saturday and Brentford next Wednesday, offer Rovers the chance to kickstart their season following a two-week break from action since the defeat at Leeds United last time out.

They ended a six game winless run against Sheffield Wednesday seven days earlier, but that is their sole victory since a 2-1 success at Reading on September 21.

Johnson was one of seven summer additions brought in by Mowbray to boost the level of competition and quality within the squad, and the midfielder agrees that Rovers are yet to show their true potential.

“Yeah, and I think everyone in the squad would agree with that. We haven’t had a complete 90 minutes,” Johnson said when asked if Rovers were underachieving.

“We’ve either been below par first half and come out and given it a go in the second half or vice versa.

“We know we need that complete 90 minutes and we’re all trying for that.

“We’re working hard on the training pitch with the manager and the coaching staff and we know that we’re capable of doing it, it’s just putting that in to play on Saturday and hopefully we can do that.”

The Rovers players were afforded last weekend off, with the third international break taking place, but were back to work on Monday in preparation for the weekend game with Barnsley.

The three breaks in the opening three months of the campaign has made it a stop-start opening but they return to three games in the space of seven days.

Rovers host Brentford next Wednesday and then travel to Stoke City on November 30 looking to arrest a run that has seen them take five points from the last 24 available.

“We have had some time off over the international break and we’ve reflected on our last game,” the 32-year-old added.

“We want to put things right and having been working hard on the training pitch.

“We have another tough game on Saturday but hopefully we can put right the wrongs from our last game and get the three points.

“You want that consistency and it can be hard with the breaks especially if you’ve not got the wins.

“We want to get a run of results going and hopefully we can start that on Saturday.”

Inconsistency, and a failure to put two halves together, has blighted Rovers in the early stages of the season.

They capitulated in the second half at Preston, having led 2-0 at half-time, having been well off the pace in the opening 45minutes against Birmingham last month. And Johnson says Rovers will continue to be punished should they not maintain their levels for the full game.

The former Derby man said: “That’s the league. I’ve always said that. I’ve played in all the leagues in this country and this is the hardest one.

“Anyone can beat anyone on any given day and you have to be 100 per cent at it in every game.

“I think we’ve had spells in games where three or four of us haven’t quite been at our best.”

Johnson took time out after training, alongside captain Elliott Bennett, to visit Avondale primary school in Darwen where the pair got involved in a rugby session organised by club’s Community Trust.

They also took part in a question and answer session, with Johnson hoping the visit will have helped inspire a next generation of Rovers supporters.

He added: “It’s good to come down here and see the kids.

“I was their age once and fortunate enough when I was at school to have local players come down and that was a good day for me.

“I hope they’re all Blackburn fans, they noticed us as soon as we came in, and it’s good for us to come down, show our faces and take part in their PE session.

“The community work is great, they will be the next generation of fans so I’m sure they will be supporting us and be life-long Blackburn fans.”