Dom Hyam admitted he's taken Blackburn Rovers' defensive record personally and insisted the team are doing everything to turn results around.

Rovers are currently on their worst run under Jon Dahl Tomasson after one win in their last 10 Championship matches. Their biggest problems have been at the back, conceding more than any other side.

Set-pieces have been a large part of that. No team has been more vulnerable from dead ball situations in the league.

Hyam missed two months with injury but made his comeback to the team last month. As the new club captain, he's taken the run of form to heart and insists the group are working day in, day out, to improve.

READ MORE: JDT sets Blackburn Rovers transfer target

"I know it's been tough and results haven't been good. We know we need to do better results-wise," he admitted.

"Performances have been ok on the whole, some bad ones. We are working hard on it, we know we have to do better.

"I take it very personally, I would take not playing very well and winning 1-0 or even drawing 0-0 at this point. 

"I take it personally, even more so now I've taken the armband, that's the way I am. I take it home with me, it really hurts. We're the only ones that can affect it and change it, we are working really hard to try and change it.

"We're working on it (set-pieces). Everyone knows it's an issue and it needs fixing. We don't want to obsess with it as we have a young team.

"We look back, see what we can change. It comes to a certain point where we have to put it to bed, keep working on it, fix it, but don't obsess on it."

Rovers only need to concede once more to match the whole of last season's tally for goals against. Daniel Ayala and Ash Phillips both left the club in the summer, with the former leaving behind a hole in terms of experience in the squad.

Injuries have played a massive part in disrupting the team too. Aynsley Pears and Hyam have both been out for long periods with Hayden Carter and Harry Pickering now set for spells out too.

"I don't think there is one specific thing that's changed," Hyam said. "We have lost some personalities, maybe partly down to that.

"Other people have to take responsibility. We have to defend our box better. We have to take pride in defending as a team, not just defenders.

"As defenders, familiarity is key. I've usually had Hayden and Pickering to my right and left. You don't have to look. 

"When things change, you do have to adapt. It's disruptive but we're professionals."

He added: "We have to be confident. What is done, is done. We've had some tricky results and performances. We have to look ahead. Only we can change it and everyone in the dressing room is capable of good performances and getting results.

"We all know we need bodies in the building, we have lost a few and we have some injured for weeks and months."

Hyam himself has started all but one Championship game in the last month, which he missed due to suspension. He's been thrown back into the thick of things, returning to the bench at Southampton after one training session, though he was an unused substitute.

It was the second time in 2023 that an ankle problem has kept him on the sidelines. Though he admits a little more preparation would've been ideal before his return, he insists he wasn't rushed back and hopes the injury issue is behind him.

"I don't think I was rushed back, everything went to plan," he said. "I ticked all the boxes of my rehab. Maybe in an ideal world, I'd have played a few Under-21 games or had a few more training sessions.

"With the stretched squad we have, I was required and I needed to play. Maybe in an ideal world, I'd have a few more training sessions and a bit more fitness but I've had to get that in Championship games.

"That's the way it is. I feel good now. It's maintenance with the injury, most players know that as you get older, you get weak spots. That's about maintaining it, doing stuff in the gym, using strapping.

"It could happen again but I don't want to think about that. I give my all and I feel good."