Blackburn Rovers have made an encouraging start to the Championship season, but manager Tony Mowbray is refusing to let his squad settle. Speaking to BBC Radio Lancashire, Mowbray was unambiguous: "There's lots and lots to improve." It is the kind of message that supporters will either find reassuring or unsettling, depending on how much faith they have in a manager who has seen this division long enough to know that four decent results mean very little if the underlying work is not there.

A positive start, but context matters

Blackburn have shown enough early in the season to suggest they are competitive at this level. A hard-fought 2-2 draw at Wolves and a 2-1 win over Middlesbrough in recent weeks demonstrated resilience and a capacity to grind out results when it matters. Those are useful qualities in the second tier, where the fixture list has a habit of exposing any side that mistakes a short run of form for genuine progress.

That, in essence, is Mowbray's point. A positive start earns nothing beyond the points already banked. The Championship table shifts quickly; a side that looks comfortable in late August can find itself in a very different conversation by November. Mowbray has managed in this division across multiple spells, and he knows precisely how deceptive early-season momentum can be.

What still needs fixing

The source does not itemise every area of concern Mowbray raised, but the tone of his comments suggests he is not satisfied simply with results. Organisation, consistency and the ability to control matches rather than just survive them are typically the standards a manager sets when he uses phrases like "lots and lots to improve". Blackburn have the squad to be competitive, but converting competitiveness into a genuine promotion push requires more than winning individual battles.

It is also worth noting that the market has closed and Mowbray must now work with what he has. Ryan Hedges has already departed for Derby, trimming options in wide areas. The manager will need the players currently at the club to collectively raise their level, rather than looking for external solutions.

The bigger picture

Blackburn sit inside a Championship division that, as ever, will be shaped not by August but by the run-in from February onwards. The promotion places will require somewhere in the region of 85 to 90 points, a figure that demands consistency across 46 league games. The play-off threshold typically falls between 70 and 75 points. Neither target is achieved by being pleased with a positive start.

That is the wider context behind Mowbray's challenge to his players. He is, essentially, resetting expectations before the season can develop a false rhythm. The caution is warranted. Blackburn's pitch overhaul during the summer addressed some of the logistical issues at Ewood Park, and the hope is that the improvements off the pitch translate into a more settled environment on it. But Mowbray's message is clear: the environment alone will not be enough.

A manager who trusts a good run of four games is a manager who has stopped asking the harder questions. Mowbray, to his credit, is still asking them. Whether Blackburn's squad can supply the answers across a full 46-game Championship campaign is the real test, and it is one that will not be settled until the spring.

Frequently asked

How has Blackburn Rovers started the Championship season?
Blackburn have made a positive start, picking up results including a 2-1 win over Middlesbrough and a 2-2 draw at Wolves, though manager Tony Mowbray insists there is still plenty of room for improvement.
What has Tony Mowbray said about Blackburn's early-season form?
Mowbray has challenged his squad to keep improving despite a positive beginning, telling BBC Radio Lancashire that there is 'lots and lots to improve' as the team looks to sustain its early momentum.
Can Blackburn Rovers challenge for promotion this Championship season?
It is far too early to say. Automatic promotion typically requires around 85 to 90 points across 46 games, and Mowbray's own comments suggest he believes the team has significant progress still to make before that kind of target becomes realistic.