KELVIN WILKINS

WHEN things aren’t going well, the manager is the first to be damned so we must give credit to the manager when our results improve.

In fairness, our meagre points total hasn’t reflected the performances and with a little patience, faith and fortune we’re beginning to show our true colours.

We are playing with greater confidence,  Adam Henley’s form alone has shown that, but importantly when form isn’t favouring players, like Ben Marshall, they are making up for it in work rate. 

 

PAUL YATES

WAS I dreaming? The performance against Ipswich was a revelation. Rovers were a ‘team’ and every individual showed commitment, work-rate and application. Why should this be I ask myself? Hopefully it’s because the team is now gelling together and they have adapted to the ‘new system’ we keep being told about.

The recent performances of Rhodes and Conway have been exemplary and will unfortunately attract the attention of other rivals.

Whatever the reason let’s hope that the progress continues and we are not left with egg on our faces after another false dawn.

 

SAM JONES

A NEW set up usually takes time to come together and having reshaped the squad from last season, following some high profile departures, Bowyer’s task was no different. Coping with the loss of a prolific striker is never easy and especially when he is not only a powerful presence, but also a goalscorer, like Rudy Gestede. Rovers have slowly adapted to this and learned to play a slightly different way.

Crucially, worrying statistics that Rovers had failed to keep a clean sheet since April and also hadn’t scored first in a game since the same time, have both been addressed.

Rhodes’ recent form has clearly played a huge part after his early season drought came to an end. This may have been a hangover from the summer speculation, but Jordan certainly isn’t a player that lets off the field issues affect his game. Professional as ever, he has come back doing what he does best – scoring seven goals in five games.

Keeping goals out at the other end has also contributed. Three consecutive clean sheets at home has gone some way to making Ewood a fortress once more.

The players have rallied in recent weeks and Bowyer must also be given credit for turning the ship around despite much criticism from sections of the support. Now the starting line-up is fairly settled, the consistency of recent performances has continued and the results are now coming too.

Hopefully the international break does not spell an end to the good run Rovers are currently on, as October’s fixtures may determine whether we will be consigned to mid-table obscurity or if we can push into a play-off position.