Blackburn Rovers boss Jon Dahl Tomasson on Hull City test

Rovers have made a positive start in the league, picking up four points from games against West Brom and Rotherham.

Tomasson expects another tough encounter against the Tigers but hopes his side can build on their momentum from the second half at the New York Stadium.

“In this league, every game is interesting because every team is brilliant,” he told The Lancashire Telegraph.

“But they are playing some good football, I think they are a good side. We drew at home last season and won away. It was an even game, we created a couple of chances where we weren’t successful.

“The good thing with this league, especially this season, it is more competitive. If you look at the teams, and the Premier League experience playing in this league, it is excellent.”

The Rovers boss has previously spoken about wanting to make Ewood Park a ‘fortress’ and is eager to put smiles on the fans’ faces.

“I am looking forward to being back at Ewood,” he continued. “Getting out of your car on a Saturday, you see the fans who want pictures and the children who want autographs.

“You see the expectations and also people who are maybe a bit nervous. You say hello to the fans and the people who are working at the club. That gives me a good feeling, football is in my blood.

“We are unbeaten at Ewood this season and we had a really good record last season. We are playing against Hull, who are a really good team playing good football.

“It will be a good challenge, but football is about those moments where you can make a child happy signing an autograph or stopping for a picture. It is for the fans.”

Leo Wahlstedt made the bench at Rotherham following his move from Norwegian club Odds BK on a three-year deal.

Tomasson hopes the togetherness in the Rovers changing room will help the Swede settle in quickly in East Lancashire.

“It is good to be involved immediately, just getting used to your new team-mates and the staff,” he stated.

“Of course, it can always take a bit of time when you come to a new club and a new country. I have done it many times, it is not that easy to cope with.

“I know that the spirit in the group is always helping players here. A big compliment to the players, they are always trying their best to make sure everyone feels involved and have that great spirit immediately.”

Joe Rankin-Costello on the ball at Rotherham (Image: Camerasport)

Joe Rankin-Costello was moved higher up the pitch during the final half hour at Rotherham, with Callum Brittain slotting into the backline.

Tomasson is pleased to have the ability to make tweaks during games but insists his side must start quicker than they did against the Millers.

“Flexibility is important in football,” he added. “We should have also been able to do it in the first half but we didn’t make all the right choices.

“We were not following our principles and played a slow game with lots of sideways passes instead of forward.

“In the second half, it was 10-v-11 and we had a lot of final third entries, which was really good. Joe was important in that role with the entire right-hand side.”

Sam Szmodics will be keen to keep contributing in the final third, particularly after losing Ben Brereton and Bradley Dack’s goals over the summer.

The Rovers boss has been pleased with the midfielder’s development over the past year and hailed his attitude off the pitch.

“I think he is doing really well,” said Tomasson. “It is great to see. We all know that when players come to a new club, it can be difficult in the beginning.

“First of all, they need to get used to a new manager. That can be tough. They also need to get used to their team-mates and the area.

“If you look at the development Sammie has made, it has been really good. He is a great character and a great footballer.”

Hull head to East Lancashire on the back of a 4-2 victory against Sheffield Wednesday. Ozan Tufan scored a hat trick against the Owls, with Aaron Connolly also getting on the scoresheet.

The points were shared when Rovers faced Hull at Ewood Park last season following a tense goalless draw. Szmodics scored the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory at the MKM Stadium last October.

Rovers have lost just one of their last eight matches against the Tigers – a run stretching back to January 2018.