--- source: thedugout.football generated: 2026-07-24T19:00:10.597Z last_updated: 2026-07-16T04:00:00+00:00 data_provider: API-Football canonical: https://thedugout.football/clubs/blackburn-rovers/news/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGFuY2FzaGlyZXRlbGVncmFwaC5jby51ay9zcG9ydC8yNjI4MTcyNC5tb3dicmF5LWNhbi1nZXQtYmVzdC1jYW50d2VsbC1ibGFja2J1cm4tcm92ZXJzLz9yZWY9cnNz --- # How Tony Mowbray return can help skipper Todd Cantwell get back to his best - **Source:** - **Published:** 16 Jul - **Club:** Blackburn Rovers - **Original URL:** https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/26281724.mowbray-can-get-best-cantwell-blackburn-rovers/?ref=rss Blackburn Rovers FC Championship Football Sport Todd Cantwell is feeling strong for the new season and believes that Tony Mowbray can help bring the best out of him after a tough spell. Cantwell took on the captain’s armband at Ewood Park last summer but his momentum on the pitch was disrupted by injuries. The 28-year-old reckons Mowbray’s experience, and existing knowledge of the club, will make for a smooth transition as Rovers aim to hit the ground running in the Championship next season. “I can only really speak for myself because I have not sat in the changing rooms and asked the lads what they think. But for me, I think he is everything the club needs,” he told BBC Radio Lancashire. “He has got a wealth of experience and has coached here, so he knows the club, which I think is an important thing to have. “Like any club, they all have their own challenges, different support bases and different situations going on. “He has been here before, he has been successful before and coached some top players at top teams. “For me, the foundations of a manager who has complete clarity behind his words are all their to be seen.” Confidence is important for players; especially attackers who are often judged on their goals and assists. Rovers skipper Todd Cantwell (Image: Blackburn Rovers) Cantwell is no different. The midfielder has had some good spells since heading to Lancashire two years ago but is looking to find more consistency after his injury problems. “I have always said it, ever since I was old enough to do interviews, it is really important as a player. I think you are two players; one with confidence and one without,” he added. “The best version of you is normally the one with confidence. It is a player’s responsibility to find that confidence, but it is also the responsibility of the coach, I believe, to make players feel wanted, appreciated and show the best side of themselves as frequently as possible. “I think we can all agree that no matter what you do for a job, if your boss makes you feel good about yourself, like you are doing everything you can and get that appreciation, you probably become at your job. Sometimes it is quite basic but also quite effective.” The skipper returned for pre-season with a new look and refreshed mindset as Rovers get ready for the fixture list to ramp up. READ MORE: First bookmakers reveals Blackburn Rovers promotion and relegation odds Cantwell reckons he is in a good place, physically and mentally, to attack the challenges ahead next season. “It was something I had thought about for a while,” he smiled. “It is quite a drastic change but in a way it kind of energised me a bit. “I feel good, I feel refreshed mentally which I think sometimes is just as important as physically. A lot of challenges on and off the pitch for me recently, but now I feel in a position where I feel confident, strong and ready for what the season has for me.”