STEPHEN Warnock’s transformation from defensive stalwart to midfield dynamo has left even his Rovers team mates dreaming of a chance to reinvent themselves.

The England international has flourished in a makeshift midfield role in recent weeks, leaving boss Paul Ince struggling to return him to the left back position he is more normally accustomed too.

It is not only Ince who has been impressed by Warnock’s seamless transition though, with skipper Ryan Nelsen also hailing the impact of his former defensive partner.

Warnock’s success further forward sums up Ince’s attacking philosophies and also demonstrates the team spirit around Ewood - amid countless critics trying to disrupt Ince’s revolution.

New Zealander Nelsen was quick to offer his help further forward as well having been inspired by Warnock’s contribution and, while quickly knocked back, it is just a further sign of a squad enjoying their football.

Nelsen said: “We were bleeding in the midfield with so many injuries,Stephen was kind of one of those guys we used as a last resort in the centre of midfield.

“You can’t get him out of there now. He has been unbelievable in there and I think he likes it there as well.

“So I won’t be seeing him to my left for a while. His willingness to step into midfield shows how good then spirit is and I have already said to the gaffer that I will go forward you know.

“For some reason he shrugged that off. I would love a stint in midfield. I would be spraying the ball everywhere.”

Having told the Lancashire Telegraph he won’t ever abandon his footballing principles, Ince will know the pressure is building to start rewarding performances with points.

But Nelsen is adamant a five-match winless streak is no reason to panic, insisting the results will come if Rovers continue to play the way they have been.

”If we were not getting points and not playing well then that is a big problem,” he said. “It is a very fine line between winning and losing “You can play extremely well for the majority of the game and end up losing. That is the Premiership.

“Points are the things you need but the performances in the end over a long season will hold you in good stead.

“It does not help we have had some injuries to key players. The manager has not been able to pick a settled side yet purely because of injuries.”

Chelsea are next up at Ewood, with many calling for a return to an old-style tough to beat Rovers, but Nelsen insists the Ince way is still the way forward.

He said: “I think we are playing some of the best stuff we have. Even defensively everything is fine. It is silly goals that have been costing us.

“That is the really disappointing thing thinking you have control of the game but you still lose. When you sit down and look at the nuts and bolts of it, it is a lore more good than bad.

“He obviously wants us to play football but he wants us to be very strong defensively as well. There has to be a nice balance.

“All managers want to play a certain style and Paul Ince is no different. It is enjoyable to play in. Some of the stuff we have played in recent weeks was fantastic football and it was great to be a part of.

“But you know the truth comes down to it that you have to back it up with points.

"I am absolutely convinced it is just a matter of time before it comes, it is not like we are far off.”