THE RESPONSE

ROVERS were rightfully praised for the way they came from behind to beat Rotherham United and Derby County.

They therefore leave themselves open to criticism for their failure to truly lay a glove on Sheffield Wednesday and now Birmingham after conceding what proved to be the winning goals.

It’s true that Owen Coyle’s side’s last two opponents were nowhere as brittle as Derby were at the time or as open as Rotherham continue to be.

And it’s true that they were not helped by a contentious refereeing decision against Wednesday and by injuries to key players at St Andrew’s on Saturday.

But it remains disappointing that Rovers could not muster more of a response in defeats which have brought supporters crashing back down to earth.                       

LENIHAN’S LEARNING CURVE

THE development of Darragh Lenihan was perhaps the only legacy left behind by Paul Lambert. By the end of last season the youngster was one of the first names on the team-sheet.

That has not been the case this season and, after earning a recall to the side, he could have no complaints if he finds himself back on the bench for the visit of Ipswich Town to Ewood Park after the international break.

Lenihan started well enough but, after being booked in an attempt to rectify his own mistake, his passing went awry and it was his poor ball out to the wing which led to Birmingham’s winner.

The promising midfielder is suffering somewhat from second season syndrome but, providing he learns from it, he will come through this tough period a better player.

THE REFEREE

ROVERS did not lose because of referee James Linington. They lost because they gave away yet another cheap goal and then failed to offer any sort of retort until goalkeeper Jason Steele came up for a last-gasp corner and free kick.

But that does not disguise the fact that Linington’s performance was infuriating.

With his whistle seemingly permanently in his mouth, the man in the middle handed out an FA fine-inducing six bookings to Rovers compared to one for Birmingham, who committed just one fewer foul.

Had the final outcome been different Linington may have come in for more stick from the Rovers fans.

Instead they turned their anger on Coyle after another self-inflicted loss.