Tony Mowbray can see similarities between Swansea and his side last season with tomorrow’s game to throw up a contrast in styles.

Swansea are sitting in lower mid-table despite dominating the possession statistic this season, just as Rovers were in 2020/21 when they finished 15th despite their excellent ball-retention numbers.

Russell Martin has instilled his philosophy on the Swans, who are averaging around 66 per cent possession per match, with Rovers bottom of those particular standings with under 42 per cent after a move to a more counter-attacking approach this term.

That is of no concern to Mowbray given his second are riding high at the top of the Championship and with a defensive record that has seen them keep nine clean sheets in their last 11 matches.

The game is a re-run of the opening day fixture where despite having 72 per cent of the ball, Rovers managed three times as many shots in their 2-1 victory at Ewood.

On the contrast in styles, Mowbray said: “Russell understands how he wants to play.

“He moved to a back four in midweek against Luton so is looking at ways to win football matches.

“I wouldn’t envisage the playing style changes too much, they play a lot of football, pass it and dominate possession.

“I wouldn’t be surprised to see 60 or 70 per cent possession that Swansea have this weekend but that’s not something that has concerned us this season.

“We had similar stats last season and yet it didn’t win us enough football matches to get us higher than middle of the table.

“They’re finding it difficult at the moment to win football matches, but they’re not finding it difficult to dominate the ball and have possession and feel as though they’re on top in every game.

“Are the stats just a number? They are to a point but can give the players some confidence and belief, if Russell is telling  his team that if you have 60 or 70 per cent possession then you’ll win more games than you lose then they have to find the answer to that.”

Rovers managed only two goals in their five January matches, but their defensive platform still enabled them to pick up two 1-0 wins and a pair of 0-0 draws, including one at Luton Town last time out.

“For us the clean sheets are very important for this team at the moment, giving us the platform to go and win games, and it’s something that the team are feeding off,” Mowbray added.

“They take a lot of pride in denying the opposition team space and playing the way they want to play.

“Let’s see how it goes. I think it’s an interesting game, a contrast of styles, but one that could go either way.

“Swansea get into wonderful positions with the ball and let’s see how we get on against them, and them against us, and we’ll wait until Saturday and see what the score is.”