Todd Cantwell reckons the Championship play-off race is “as open as it has ever been” as Rovers look to keep climbing the table.
John Eustace’s men currently sit three points behind sixth-place Watford following their victory at Cardiff before the international break.
Cantwell is keen to keep getting points on the board in the coming weeks, starting with the visit of Portsmouth on Saturday.
“We get loads of games in a short space of time and there are loads of points to win,” he told RoversTV.
“We finished with a good win and when we come back, it is important we start to realise that we are good enough to compete this season.
“That top six is probably as open as it has ever been from my understanding. It is exciting for the fans and as players, I think it gives you a bit of excitement as well.
“Early in the season, you are looking and you might be five points from being in trouble and five points from second or third. It is the Championship and we need to strap in and enjoy the journey.”
There were a few frustrating results prior to the Cardiff trip, but Cantwell felt that win had been coming.
The versatile midfielder says Rovers “pieced it all together” against the Bluebirds and wants to keep building momentum after the break.
“Obviously, I came in when the team were in a really good place, playing some good stuff and had some good results,” he recalled.
“It was tough to have a little drop-off in form but over the last two or three games, I feel like we have been playing quite well.
“Not getting all the points we felt like we deserved was a bit disappointing, but we pieced it all together (at Cardiff) and that was good to see.
“Watford, I think we were the better team. If we score against Sheffield United, I think it changes the game as well but I know it is football and it is easy to say.
“Losing 2-0 to Stoke was one of those games where you could play it 10 times and we would win it nine with how we played. It’s the Championship, it was great to go to Cardiff and put in an impressive performance.”
The midfielder is eager to kick on in the Championship (Image: CameraSport – Dave Howarth)
Some of Rovers’ attacking play at Cardiff was a joy to behold, with Andi Weimann slotting home after a 42-pass sequence from back to front.
“It was big for us as players,” Cantwell continued. “We needed that win, it had been a couple of games.
“I know the fans were starting to get a little bit frustrated but when you are playing, you understand that we are playing the right way and starting to get better.
“That is the important thing – it will not happen overnight and you get all the results, it doesn’t work like that. It was important for everyone to get that win to go into the break.”
The 26-year-old has been adjusting to life in East Lancashire after joining late in the transfer window.
Moving can be a difficult process, especially with a young family, but Cantwell is now feeling settled on and off the pitch.
“It has been hard,” he admitted. “I laughed about it with my family, I didn’t realise how much stuff I had boxed up!
“That is another factor, you are coming back from training and trying to unwind but you have all sorts to do.
“It has not been the most fun but I feel settled now. I have a good relationship with everyone and am looking to kick on.”
Cantwell was initially phased into the team as Eustace managed his minutes on the back of a tricky pre-season on Glasgow.
The midfielder was itching to play straight away but knew that it was the right thing to do as he built up his sharpness.
He was instantly impressed by the Rovers head coach and now hopes to play a big part for the team heading towards the busy Christmas period.
“Me and the manager saw eye-to-eye instantly really, which is probably the biggest reason I came here,” Cantwell stated.
“Our (goals at Cardiff) probably show you how we want to play but it is not as easy as clicking your fingers and having it on.
“It gives the squad a lot of confidence scoring goals like that and putting in that performance away from home.
“It shows when we are patient with each other and trust each other with the ball, that is when we can show our quality and beat teams.”
