Blackburn Rovers full-back Derrick Williams admits that defending against route-one football is something he is happy to do so long as his side is winning.

Blackburn had to dig in on Saturday to overcome a dogged Charlton Athletic side at Ewood Park but they ground out a 2-0 success, their sixth straight League One win. Tony Mowbray’s side have put a poor start to the season behind them and are now up to third in the table, just outside the automatic promotion places. Williams made his 200th senior career appearance against Charlton, something he admits he was not aware of until after the game.

He is happy to be clocking up the appearances and feels momentum is key for Rovers at this busy time of the season. “I feel really good now. It took me a while to get going at the start of the season, which I think was the case for a few of the lads at the beginning, but we’re all in a good place at the moment,” the 24-year-old said. “I didn’t know it was my 200th appearance, to be honest.

I’m racking up the games now, which is good.” On a cold December afternoon, Williams admits it was basic stuff at times in the win over Charlton, with an own-goal from Leon Best and a late Danny Graham strike sealing another three points for in-form Rovers. “In this league teams look to kick it long and you have to simply defend, which we had to do at times against Charlton,” he added.

“In those situations when balls are being launched in, you just have to stay concentrated and stay clear minded and positive.”

Blackburn are 1.22 to be promoted this season and 3.80 to win the League One title.