Jon Dahl Tomasson believes the Rovers ownership are fully supportive of the club’s project after a positive transfer window in challenging circumstances.

Tomasson said Rovers’ behind-the-scenes structural changes left the club playing catch-up during the transfer window, with director of football Gregg Broughton arriving in June and head of recruitment Gus Williams taking up his post last month.

Rovers finished the month with six incomings, three on permanent signings, and while Tomasson says every manager would always like an extra signing, he has pleased with the window as a whole, particularly given the club held on to top scorer Ben Brereton.

He said: “The owners are on this project in a positive way and supporting this project which is always important.

“On the other hand the people who came in, Gregg and the recruitment team, they are working hard and it’s difficult when you are coming from behind.

“A big compliment for that, but it will never be a perfect window because of that and we have to be realistic about that.

“We would always like to prepare in March but that wasn’t the circumstances and we have to deal with that and do the best with it.

“The boys have really been working hard.

“I have to thank the owners for supporting the club and bringing players in, but also buying new players.

“I think it’s been a difficult transfer window for the club which is logical.

“Gregg came in late, the recruitment team came in late, and they’ve been working extremely hard.

“That says something about how much they like this project.

“I would say it was above average, I’m happy with the players who came in, happy with the guys how they want to help to the team and I’m extremely happy that Ben is staying.”

Rovers rejected the late advances of Fulham, Everton and Leeds United in their quest to sign Ben Brereton, with the 23-year-old remaining at Ewood Park until at least the January window.

Tomasson joked: “After the game against Blackpool I brought him home, closed the door and he wasn’t allowed to leave the house.

“There was no opportunity for him to go away.

“First, a big compliment to Ben the way he’s been acting, he’s been very professional, not every player is like that in a difficult situation.

“He’s 23 and done all the right things to help his team-mates, the club and his only focus has been on the pitch.

“A big compliment for Ben and I’m happy we kept him.”

The summer departures of five loanees and six players at the end of their contracts left Rovers with gaps in their squad, ones Tomasson feels have been filled with the new arrivals and emergence of Academy prospects.

He added: “I think if you look at the difficulties of this window, with Gregg coming in late, the recruitment team coming in late, they’ve been working very hard and we’ve been coming from behind.

“At the end of the day you always want more as a manager, but you also need to be a realist.

“This is also about developing players, which we are doing, but if you look at the big squads in the Championship they have bodies and the league is extremely tough and hard.

“That’s always important if you want to go higher. That’s also one of the reasons why we aren’t favourites to go up there, not at all, but this is a great project and we are working extremely on that every day.”

Adam Wharton impressed on his first league start at Blackpool, while 17-year-old Ash Phillips was named in four consecutive Championship line-ups.

Jake Garrett, Jake Batty and Louie Annesley are three others to have been handed their debuts by Tomasson, who said: “We shouldn’t forget something very important with this project is that we already gave minutes to the young players who are involved in this project and new chapter.

“That’s a lot in a very short while because this project and philosophy is to develop players and create value over time and going in a special direction.

“I think that’s very positive to see that players have got better.

“New signings are always extremely important because you need flexibility and you need enough bodies so I’m pleased with the guys who are working extremely hard since coming in.

“From day one I tried to bring everyone up from the Under-21s and tried to help them and get my philosophy on how we want to play football, but also to see who is good enough.

“I got a good idea of who is good enough and some of them are okay, some are really good, so in that way a big compliment to the Academy.

“The Academy love young players and them getting minutes because they’re working so hard to get them minutes in the first-team which is great for them and also for the club because then you can see a pathway that young players will get a chance.

“Regarding the numbers they are getting closer, but there has been more experience that has left the club, as opposed to coming in, and we have to be honest about that.”

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