It might have been a difficult summer off the pitch, but the spirit in the Rovers squad is clear to see following their victory against West Brom on the opening day.

Dilan Markanday and Harry Leonard struck during a ruthless two-minute spell midway through the first half.

Matt Phillips pulled one back for the Baggies but Rovers held on to secure a third successive win on the opening day.

Ahead of the game, Tomasson spoke about the togetherness in the squad despite facing an “uncertain” situation during the summer break.

Each player left everything on the field to ensure they secured all three points against a West Brom side many are tipping for a play-off spot this season.

“I saw that from everybody, also the players who came off the bench,” said the Rovers boss.

“We shouldn’t forget we were playing against an exceptionally good team with a very good coach, and the way we handled that was very good.

“I am extremely pleased to see the spirit and intensity off the ball, but also what we did on the ball in periods of the game.”

Tomasson made just one change from the side that faced Girona last weekend, with Aynsley Pears coming for Thomas Kaminski after his move to Luton Town.

Leonard got the nod up front while Sam Gallagher was sidelined by injury. Markanday was preferred to Ryan Hedges out wide, while Adam Wharton and Niall Ennis both made the bench.

The opening stages were cagey, with both sides getting into some decent areas but failing to create openings in the final third.

Phillips had the first shot on goal after cutting in from the left wing but his strike was beat away by Pears.

Rovers went in front when Markanday won back possession high up the pitch and then provided a composed finish past Alex Palmer after combining with Lewis Travis.

It was a big moment for the youngster, who had a tough start to his Rovers career and spent the second half of last term on loan at Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership.

Markanday has impressed during pre-season and will be looking to finally nail down a place in the side in the coming weeks and months.

The winger clearly has potential and is eager to show what he can do at this level. His attitude has pleased Tomasson over the past few months.

Things soon got even better for Rovers, with Sam Szmodics winning back possession almost immediately and teeing up Leonard, who squeezed a shot past Palmer at his near post.

The Academy graduate has been at the club since under-10 level and everyone in the stadium could see just how much his first senior goal meant.

It is yet another testament to the work being done to develop the club’s young talent, and Leonard can take plenty of confidence from his display against the Baggies.

The 19-year-old was up against a couple of physically imposing defenders but used his pace and intelligence to still cause problems in the final third.

It will be a major boost for Rovers if Leonard can continue to chip in with goals following the exits of Ben Brereton and Bradley Dack, who scored 23 times between them last term. Moreover, Iceland international Arnor Sigurdsson is sidelined and Niall Ennis is still building up his fitness.

Jed Wallace went down in the box as West Brom searched for an immediate response, but his appeals were waved away by referee Dean Whitestone.

Brandon Thomas-Asante managed to get past his man with a clever turn on the stroke of half time but his shot across goal was palmed away by Pears.

The visitors came out of the blocks quickly in the second half and could scored when Thomas-Asante’s cut-back fell to Jayson Molumby in the box, but his strike was blocked by Joe Rankin-Costello. There were appeals for a handball but the officials were happy with it.

The Baggies continued to apply pressure and pulled one back when Phillips beat Pears with a lovely strike from the edge of the box.

The momentum had swung and Tomasson brought Wharton and Hedges off the bench in an attempt to wrestle back control.

Wharton’s introduction, in particular, had a big impact on the game. Despite only playing once in pre-season due to a combination of injury and illness, the highly-rated midfielder looked sharp and found himself in the thick of the action straight away.

He seems to glide past defenders effortlessly and looks set to play a key role at Ewood Park over the coming season.

It came as little surprise to see Wharton linked with a couple of top flight clubs over the summer, and his long-term contract extension last year already looks like an excellent bit of business.

Leonard had a big chance to restore Rovers’ two-goal cushion midway through the second half after latching onto Travis’ pass but the slotted wide from a one-on-one scenario.

The young forward managed to get in behind the backline again moments later but dragged wide on his weaker foot. It was a harder chance, with a defending breathing down his neck as he connected with the ball.

West Brom boss Carlos Corberan was sent to the stand 15 minutes from time following a discussion with the referee.

Palmer somehow denied Dolan from close range before Wharton’s strike hit a defender in the box heading into stoppage time. The youngster insisted it had struck an arm but a corner was awarded.

Nine minutes were added on as the new EFL rules came into effect, but Rovers did a good job of maintaining possession and keeping the ball in the opposition half to preserve their lead.

The average age of the side was just 24, but Tomasson’s men showed maturity beyond their years to see the game out.

The result proves that you simply cannot write off this Rovers side under any circumstances.

Steve Waggott’s comments on Friday offered encouragement about the transfer situation following the sales of Thomas Kaminski and Ash Phillips to Luton Town and Tottenham Hotspur respectively.

Swedish goalkeeper Leopold Wahlstedt was pictured at Ewood Park as he closes in on a move from Odds BK. His arrival will provide healthy competition for Pears, who didn’t have a massive amount to do against the Baggies in truth.

Maybe, just maybe, things are starting to look a little bit brighter after a challenging few weeks.

Pears, Rankin-Costello (Brittain 77), Hyam, Carter, Pickering, Tronstad, (A Wharton 59) Travis, Dolan, Szmodics, Markanday (Hedges 59), Leonard. Unused: Hilton, S Wharton, Batty, Garrett, Buckley, Ennis.