Mowbray's Rovers return has transformed Blackburn

[BBC] [Getty Images] The impact of a managerial appointment can be measured in many ways, but results will always be the ultimate judge. More often than not, when the results improve, everything else follows. That is exactly what is happening at Blackburn Rovers under Tony Mowbray. Mowbray's return to Ewood Park in the summer already looks like one of the most important decisions the club has made in recent years. In a short space of time, he has restored belief, given the team a clear identity and, perhaps most importantly, made Rovers an entertaining watch again. Mowbray is a football purist. He told me last week that, given the way he wants his team to play, they are unlikely to be troubling the clean sheet charts any time soon. That is a trade-off he is willing to make. His teams are built to attack, to excite supporters and to back themselves to score more than the opposition. Saturday's third home win of the season was a case in point. Rovers had 17 attempts on goal against Cardiff, with eight on target. Compared to this stage last season, the difference is remarkable. Nine games into the previous campaign, they lacked creativity, confidence and a recognisable style of play. Twelve months on, they have scored six more goals and conceded only one more. The numbers tell a story, but the eye test tells an even stronger one. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Rovers' start is that it has not been driven by a complete overhaul of the squad. Far from it. The summer window was underwhelming to say the least. Ten of the players who started against Cardiff were at the club last season. This is not a case of expensive recruitment transforming fortunes. It is the product of coaching, organisation, belief and a manager who has quickly got the best out of the players already at his disposal. The improvement in the team's attacking structure has been obvious. There is purpose to their play, greater movement in the final third, a presence up front with Andri Gudjohnsen looking the part and a willingness to commit bodies forward when opportunities arise. Just as significant has been Mowbray's man-management. He is a natural communicator, someone who takes the time to understand his players and build relationships. Those qualities often go unnoticed from the outside, but they have clearly had an impact. Some questioned his decision to retain Todd Cantwell as captain. Mowbray stuck to his guns and that faith is being rewarded. He appreciates players with imagination, vision and personality, but demands substance alongside style. Creativity is encouraged, provided it contributes to the collective. So far, Cantwell has embodied those principles. Dapo Afolayan is another player thriving under the current regime. Signed by Valerien Ismael, who was dismissed on the day of his arrival last season, and then used sparingly by Michael O'Neill, he now looks like a player full of confidence and belief. Kristi Montgomery has also emerged as one of the season's early success stories. His energy, consistency and maturity beyond his years in midfield have made him impossible to leave out, and his performances continue to improve with every game. There are still areas where the squad could do with greater depth, but even that picture is improving. Mowbray was able to turn to Moussa Baradji, Jayden Fevrier and Augustus Kargbo from the bench against Cardiff, and all three contributed positively to seeing out the victory. It remains early in the season and nobody at Blackburn Rovers will be getting carried away. There will undoubtedly be challenges ahead. Yet there is no escaping the fact the mood around the club has changed dramatically. Off the pitch, tensions between supporters and the hierarchy remain. On it, however, Rovers are playing with confidence, purpose and freedom. For the first time in a while, there is a genuine sense that supporters are enjoying what they are watching, and that is a credit to the influence Mowbray has had since walking back through the door.