The gaffer has given us lots of responsibility, but that is good for such a young team because we are only going to develop.”
According to James Hill, Jon Dahl Tomasson feels his defenders will be successful at Rovers because he trusts them to be courageous with the ball.
Since joining on loan from Bournemouth, the 21-year-old has made four appearances, three of which have been in the league.
Rovers’ successful summer transfer campaign included players like Andy Moran and Hill, who are settling into their new home in East Lancashire thanks in large part to the team’s appealing brand of football.
“Adding different things to your game is massively important,” he told RoversTV. “The way the Premier League is going now, there are also more ball-playing teams in the Championship and centre-halves are getting better on the ball.
“That is something everyone needs in their game – to be composed on the ball and take it from the back. It is really helping myself and other players as well, it gives us confidence.
“(Tomasson) wants us to try things and not worry too much if mistakes happen because we will get after it as a team.
“We want to maintain acting morally, and we will only grow from our mistakes when it comes to the ball. We’re learning, and I believe we’re becoming much more proficient at it. The trip seems to be headed in the correct path, in my opinion.
“We are playing good football and look like a threat going forward,” he continued. The play patterns have been excellent.
We have a nice tempo going, and I believe we can only go better from here. All we have to do is keep working hard on the training pitch.
Hill has adapted to Ewood Park rapidly and is eager to pick up tips from teammates in the backfield, such as Dom Hyam and Hayden Carter.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed it,” he stated. “The lads have been incredible with me and I am really comfortable.
“I am really enjoying the football. I’m learning lots from the gaffer and players around me like Dom and Hayden.
“It has been great for me. I am learning so much and that is what I want to do – keep soaking in information, improve my own game and help the team as much as possible.”
The youngster says there is a hunger to improve every day on the training pitch at Rovers and is relishing the environment.
“I think that is when a player feels like they can play their best football – when they are confident and feel settled in at the club they are at,” he explained.
“It is a young group here and we can all relate to different things. On the pitch, we all want to improve and get results on a Saturday.
“It is a group that really wants to develop. Not just on Saturdays but on the training pitch as well, we all want to develop and get to that next level.
“It is a group you want to be involved in and get amongst because you know you are only going to improve from being in this environment.”
While Hill is naturally a centre-back, he has been happy to slot into the right-back role when called upon.
The 21-year-old has embraced the challenge of coming up against “different types of opponents” and is confident it will have a positive impact on his development.
“I think that is something you need to add to your game at times,” he continued. “Sometimes you haven’t got a choice and you need to play that position.
“It can be massive for my development because I am coming up against different types of opponents each week and it will only help me in the long run.
“I always want to be part of the team and if I am playing right-back on matchday, it is amazing and I just have to give it everything I have got.
“It’s the same with playing centre-back or any other position. All you can do is help the team as much as you can.”
Hill’s first start came in the 5-2 victory against Cardiff in the Carabao Cup second round, playing the full 90 minutes alongside Scott Wharton.
“The gaffer and the staff have helped me step onto the pitch knowing exactly what I need to do,” he insisted.
“The Cardiff game was really good for me to settle in and experience the home fans. They really showed their support on that day. Even the away fans, they have been superb and they support us all the way.
I think that breeds confidence into the team and for us to get to where we want to, I think that will be massive throughout the season.”
The youngster managed an assist against the Bluebirds, sending Jake Garrett through on goal with a clever ball over the top of the backline.
“It was a nice assist but that is what we have been working on in training – where we can hurt teams. We can’t take away from Garrett’s run, it was a superb touch as well when he brings it down and puts it in the back of the net,” he said modestly.
Cardiff travel to Ewood Park again this weekend, this time in the league, and Hill is hoping for a similar outcome.
Tomasson’s side currently sit 17th in the Championship table, although few would argue that their performances have warranted more since the start of the campaign.
The decisive 4-0 win over Queens Park Rangers prior to the international break had several positive aspects. At Loftus Road, Arnor Sigurdsson scored twice, and Tyrhys Dolan and Sam Szmodics also registered goals.
Rovers are now only three points behind West Brom in 11th position, and a string of wins may see them surge up the standings.
If the team follows its strategy and continues to put in the hard work in training, Hill is certain they will be able to establish consistency.
He said, “Some of the football we’ve been playing has been really good.” “I believe that we have occasionally been unlucky in not being able to put the ball in the back of the net.
If we maintain
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