Mowbray's Shocked By Favourites Shimpers

Bookies’ pick are taught a lesson.

- Chris Phillips

BLACKBURN Rovers boss Tony Mowbray urged his side to learn lessons from their opening-day defeat at Southend United.

Rovers kicked off the new campaign as favourites to win the League One title following their relegation from the Championship in May.

But first-half goals from Ryan Leonard and Michael Kightly saw the Shrimpers secure all three points at Roots Hall.

And Mowbray knows Rovers must adapt quickly if they are to bounce back this season.

“The players have to get used to the physicality and directness of this league and the willingness to get to the second balls,” said Mowbray.

“It will test you every week but it doesn’t matter to me if we’re favourites or not, if I’m honest.

“We work with the team and the message had been drummed into them all week about what to expect and we got what we expected too.

“Southend have a lot of experience and their two strikers have been in the Premier League, so they’re not a bunch of kids.