'Great feeling' - Baker hopes first Rovers goal is just the start

Lewis Baker is hungry to kick on at Ewood Park after picking the perfect time to open his Rovers account.

The Stoke loanee slotted home in the final stages at Cardiff last weekend as John Eustace’s men returned to winning ways in the Championship.

“It was really good,” he told RoversTV. “The performance was brilliant and I managed to come on at the end and help the team get over the line.

“Everyone wants to win every game, but it is not always possible. The performances have been top from the lads.

“We just haven’t quite had that clinical edge at times in the previous games. As you saw (on Saturday), we managed to put it all together.

“It was a great feeling, Ranks (Joe Rankin-Costello) found me with the ball over the top. I managed to stay onside and was just waiting for the space to open up a little bit, and then guide it into the bottom corner.

“That relieved a bit of pressure for us and celebrating with the fans, it was fantastic.”

The midfielder headed to East Lancashire late in the window and has had to be patient at times, starting twice in the league so far.

Baker is eager to keep making the most of any opportunities that come his way, either off the bench or from the first whistle.

The 29-year-old has plenty of Championship experience under his belt and also hopes he can help the younger members of the squad where possible.

“That comes every day in what you do – training and the bits after that to get you best prepared to step up when you can,” he explained.

Baker celebrates his first goal for Rovers (Image: CameraSport - Ian Cook)

“It is a team game and I just have to be ready for every opportunity that comes along. With the age I am and experience I have, even if I am not in the team I will still try to help the team in any way I can.

“It is just about being prepared in those situations and when I do play, giving the best account of myself.

“Just giving everything you can when you are in the team or not, it is important because we are all pulling in the same direction and want the best for each other, the club. Anything I can give to my team-mates, I will carry on doing that.”

Baker was one of several late additions at Ewood this summer but says the togetherness in the squad helped him feel at home quickly.

He hopes that team spirit will continue to pay off on the pitch as the fixtures come thick and fast after the international break.

“Credit to the boys, as soon as I came in on the first day it was an easy transition,” he smiled. “It’s a great dressing room, great people and they made me feel very welcome.

“Now, it is just about trying to keep improving, keep helping the team as much as I can and being ready for when my opportunities come.

“It is not just coming off the bench, it is day-to-day and in training you need to give 100 per cent every day, pushing your team-mates.

“Everyone knows the games we have got coming up after the break and then into the Christmas period and New Year, they come thick and fast. Everyone will be needed and must be 100 per cent at it.”

Next up is Portsmouth, who have had a tough start following their promotion from League One and currently find themselves in the drop zone.

“I think so far, (the season) has been good,” Baker reflected. “We know the levels we can reach and with the break, we will have some good days training and some time off. It is just about being prepared to hit the ground running when we get back.

“The Championship is a roller-coaster of a season but the amount of times we can keep putting in good performances, being relentless in front of goal, keeping it out of our net, we will keep building. Hopefully, by the end of the season we can be really in the mix.

“It is going to be about small margins but I think - with the culture and belief the gaffer has instilled in the whole squad and around the building - there is belief there that if we hit those levels, we can get there.

“We have had some great wins at home and with Portsmouth coming up, it is going to be a difficult game but I am sure we will be ready for it.”