IT was a great result against Ipswich. The positivity has been building up in recent weeks, with results beginning to turn, and it is fantastic to go into the international break on a high.

And I really hope it’s a sign of things to come. I’ve always said that when Blackburn have a go at teams they can hurt teams better than when they sit back and counter-attack.

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I was brought up in an era when the best form of defence is attack. You defend from the front, high up the park.

It’s high energy stuff but Blackburn can do that, like they did on Saturday, because they’ve got the fitness levels.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s hard work as striker. But I always thought it was part of my job.

As long as it’s explained properly, and you’re not just chasing around, it can be very important.

You need to know when to do it and when not to do it, and when to conserve your energy. It’s a learning process.

When I went away with Scotland they didn’t want me to do what I did at club level, they wanted me to come back and be compact.

I do think if you can learn how to defend, as a striker, it will make you a better all-round player.

Speaking of strikers it was great to see Jordan Rhodes get another two goals against Ipswich before heading up to Scotland for two massive cup finals.

I think for the first game, against Poland, Gordon Strachan will go with his tried and trusted players.

But if results go in Scotland’s favour, I think there might be a chance for Jordan against Gibraltar because they are going to need goals.

You never know what could happen with injuries between now and that first game against Poland.

But there’s a good chance Grant Hanley will play – and, if he does, it will be a huge challenge for him because he will be up against one of the best players in the world at this time in Robert Lewandowski.

Lewandowski is a guy who never stands on a centre-half’s toes. He gets in between you, around you, over the top, comes short, and scores goals from inside and outside the box. He’s a complete striker and it will be a massive learning curve for Grant.

But hopefully he does well and all the players away on international duty come back unscathed.

I’m sure Gary Bowyer will find it frustrating not being able to work with four or five players who are playing regularly.

But you always have to work with a Plan B anyway, in case those Plan A players are not available, and it will give him chance to work on the system that is working well.