A LOT had changed in the three weeks since we were last here but the foul weather and the frustration at seeing three points slip away remained the same.

However the telling difference between the draw in Gary Bowyer’s last game in charge of Rovers, and the draw in Paul Lambert’s first game at Ewood Park, was the reaction of the cold and wet crowd.

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Whereas the listless and lacklustre display against Brentford was met by disgruntled boos, on Saturday those jeers were replaced by warm applause after what was, at the very least, a performance unstinting in its commitment.

It is highly unlikely that the reaction was going to be anything but, such is the universal backing that Lambert has received since being named as Bowyer’s successor.

And the renewed optimism generated by the Scot’s arrival would only have grown had Rovers been able to hold on to the lead their first-half showing deserved.

But, despite superb-sub Lucas Joao’s scrappy 84th-minute strike, which earned the Owls the point they merited on the basis of the second half, there was still enough to be encouraged by.

And as much as their burning desire to see Lambert succeed, that was why the home faithful clapped their team off at the end.

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That said there was also enough to underline the new boss’s belief that, in his own words, this isn’t going to be a ‘quick fix’.

But, less than two weeks into Lambert’s reign, there were signs that the ideas he is drilling into his players on the training ground are beginning to take shape where it matters most, on the pitch.

In the opening period Rovers imposed themselves on the contest, winning the 50-50s and second balls, snapping into tackles, and pressing, hustling and harrying their in-form opponents in their own half.

Wednesday, who have now lost just one of their last 14 matches in all competitions, were very much second best.

And that is why it came against the run of play when Modou Sougou cancelled out Hope Akpan’s first goal for Rovers – a powerful near-post header from a Craig Conway corner – after Kieran Lee skilfully but all too easily danced his way into the box.

But the response from Lambert’s side was impressive and they regained the advantage when Akpan’s midfield partner Corry Evans fired in his first goal of the season with the aid of a deflection after another Conway corner broke to him.

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Manager and players have spoken of the need to share the scoring burden with leading marksman Jordan Rhodes.

So strikes in the same game from the duo stationed in the centre of the park – a rare Rovers feat, and something which never happened under Bowyer – is promising.

But at the same time they are going to need to create more for Rhodes who, one late headed opportunity aside, was never given the chance to add to his nine-goal tally for the term.

With attacking players of the talent of Ben Marshall, Tom Lawrence and Conway at his disposal Lambert, given time, can and will make Rovers more of a threat from open play.

Mentally he also has to make them stronger at home.

While this result extended Rovers’ unbeaten run to five matches, and moved them a point closer to the top six and a point further away from the bottom three, it is now five games since they last won on their own turf.

Whether it was nerves or whether it was tiredness, the second Owls equaliser, unlike the first, did not come as a surprise, although whether it would have come about had captain Grant Hanley not been down injured is debatable.

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That new Portugal international Joao got it should come as no surprise either. No player in the Championship has scored more goals off the bench this season than the £3m summer signing.

At half-time Wednesday were also able to bring on Gary Hooper, the Norwich City striker they shelled out a £500,000 loan fee for and whose £32,000-per-week wages they are paying in full.

Lambert has not inherited that kind of game-changing strength in depth.

That could change in January if the club can get its Financial Fair Play embargo lifted.

But for now he can rely on a group of players who have immediately bought into what he wants to do and whose efforts, here and against Preston North End, cannot be questioned.

And, having taken four points out of possible six, that has to represent a good start.