Ireland talks up squad mentality

"The difference between this season and the last is the team spirit.

"From the moment we arrived back for pre-season the manager has been drumming it in to us about how we had to be better and mentally stronger this season.

"He said we had to have a better attitude and he was right. There were some bad habits in this squad last season.

"The manager and the coaches were trying to get us out of them last season but because we were in Europe and had so many games and so much travelling I always felt as though we just didn't have enough time on the training field and away from match situations to sort it out and put things right.

"What he has done this time is get players who have the right attitude. They are quality players of high calibre but they are also winners and that's the difference.

"These guys are inspirational. There is a hunger there and a desire and they have the right approach to everything. I want to play with these players. This journey is only just beginning."

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Another plus with Stephen Ireland is that he does always interview well, and is generally far more open and revealing than the majority of footballers when it comes to discussing the situation within the squad and dressing room.

The mentality is something that no doubt impresses Ireland, given the way he has spoken previously of the lack of intent and commitment at times from certain members and factions of the squad.

Equally telling is that it is also backing for the change in culture that Mark Hughes has tried to effect within the club - something that has seen the departure of one or two high profile members who clearly didn't fit in with this ethos.

One game does not a season make, but the signs at Blackburn were positive. To come away with an away win as we did it after the woes of last season marked a huge change, and that it came following a performance where we displayed quality to get the goals, but also a resolve and intensity about our play was perhaps most pleasing.

Ireland also makes an interesting point regarding the lack of European football this season. There is no doubt that the constant grind of the UEFA Cup last year hampered results on the pitch, yet is also revealing as to the effect the involvement had in what Hughes and his staff were trying to implement.

I suspect that Hughes is not too disappointed to be without the distraction of European football this season, and that when the time comes that we do qualify (be it Europa League or Champions League), the squad will be in a far healthier position - both in terms of numbers and approach - to cope with the extra demands it brings.