Alex Baptiste admits Blackburn Rovers’ unbeaten run masked slump in performances

And now the right back is calling on his team-mates to reverse the trend in Saturday’s showdown at surprise package Brentford.

Rovers suffered their first defeat in 10 games at the weekend after an injury-time goal condemned them to a 2-1 loss to Sheffield Wednesday.

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Baptiste felt the final result was harsh given goalkeeper Jason Steele barely had a shot to save in the second half.

But he had no real cause for complaint as he accepts Rovers have ridden their luck in recent weeks.

Baptiste therefore wants to see a vastly improved and ‘braver’ display in the clash with a promoted Brentford side riding high in fifth.

“The defeat was hard to take as Steeley didn’t really have to do anything in the second half,” said Baptiste.

“But football has got a way of evening itself out and maybe it was our turn because we got away with one at Middlesbrough the week before.

“Don’t get me wrong, it was not the end of the world, we’re still seventh and we’re still in a good position.

“But we said a few home truths in the changing room afterwards as we all knew it wasn’t good enough.

“And we all know we have got away with a few lately. That’s the sign of a good team, picking up points when you’re not playing well.

“But we know we’ve got to starting playing better. We’ll dust ourselves down, have a good week’s training, and then it will be all about Brentford.

“We need to be braver than we were at Middlesbrough – away against a top team – and there’s no reason why we can’t do that.”

Baptiste had brought Rovers level on Saturday after he latched on to a clever knockdown from Jordan Rhodes and fired the ball under Owls goalkeeper Keiren Westwood.

It was the 28-year-old’s second goal for the club following his summer loan switch from Bolton Wanderers and his first at Ewood Park.

But Baptiste said: “It’s always nice to score, especially at home, but it doesn’t mean anything if you lose.

“It was a great header down by Jordan and luckily it went in.”

Baptiste is one of three players, along with goalkeeper Jason Steele and midfielder Ryan Tunnicliffe, Rovers have on season-long loans from Championship rivals.

The trio’s parent clubs do have the option of recalling them next month and Fulham manager Kit Symons has already indicated he wants to take Tunnicliffe back to Craven Cottage.

But Baptiste has not given returning to Bolton a second thought.

He said: “The lads, the gaffer and the staff are fantastic. There are no egos here, everyone is pulling in the right direction.

“I absolutely love it here and we’ll just have to see what happens.

“I’m not thinking about Bolton, I’m enjoying my football here.”

Returning right back Bradley Orr will feature for Rovers in a behind-closed-doors friendly with Crewe Alexandra today.

Orr has spent the last 11 months on loan with FC Toronto.

The 32-year-old cannot play a competitive game for Rovers or any other club until January 1 as he remains registered with the Major League Soccer outfit.