Aynsley Pears reckons there are plenty of positives to take from Rovers’ start to the season and hopes they can keep heading in the right direction.

The goalkeeper started against West Brom and Rotherham, while youngster Joe Hilton got the nod against Walsall in the Carabao Cup opening round.

Pears, who signed a new four-year deal at Ewood Park over the summer, has been encouraged by performances of late and is eager to continue building momentum against Hull City this weekend.

“The lads have played well and getting four points from six available has made it a really promising start for us,” he told RoversTV.

“Everyone has got a game and we’ve got through in the cup as well, so it has put us in good stead for the next game.

“That first win gives you belief as there is always uncertainty going into a new season. 

“Getting that first win makes everyone think, ‘Yeah, we are good enough to get good results this season’.

“It has been easier this year because everyone knows the job they have to do. Last year, with the gaffer coming in, we had to learn his style of play.

“We have looked good so far this season, we are creating chances. It is about putting the ball in the goal.”

Meanwhile, Jon Dahl Tomasson says he started to see evidence of Rovers’ new “identity” during the second half of last season.

The side finished seventh in the Dane’s first campaign in charge at Ewood Park, missing out on a play-off spot by the slimmest of margins after winning a seven-goal thriller at Millwall on the final day.

While Rovers didn’t manage to rack up as many wins as they would have hoped during the final run-in, Tomasson felt there were still signs of progression.

He knows it isn’t easy to adapt to a new way of playing but hopes the squad will reap the rewards in the coming weeks and months.

“I think if you look at the last 15 or 16 games of last season, we saw that,” Tomasson explained. “In the beginning, they were used to playing a different way. Not better or worse, just different.

“Then you need to try to change it and they were very open minded. They wanted to develop and become better, that is really great.

“I also think you can see the benefit of the way of working this season, not only the first team but also some of those young guns against Walsall. That is nice for the club that it has a clear identity.”