ATTACKING OPTIONS

TONY Mowbray made no secret of his desire to bring in a new striker after the game at Port Vale on Saturday.

Rovers created precious few opportunities through open play and, although the clash was only a friendly, it’s clear that reinforcements in that area are needed.

Danny Graham was absent with a minor knock meaning there was a 60-minute run out for Dominic Samuel. He worked hard but is in desperate need of a goal having not found the net since last year.

Joe Nuttall was given 30 minutes and he possesses plenty of promise but if Rovers are going to hit the ground running in the Championship then you feel a striker needs to arrive at Ewood Park.

Bradley Dack is more than capable of providing plenty of magic while Joe Rothwell showed enough in his cameo at Vale Park to suggest he has the potential to unlock second tier defences.

Indeed Rovers look well stocked in midfield, perhaps missing just a pacey wide player, and the defence may well have enough to compete in the Championship.

So it is up front where attention needs to be focussed.

TRAVIS VERSATILITY

LEWIS Travis was the only Rovers player to complete the full 90 minutes at Vale Park.

The 20-year-old is been given the chance to impress this summer having made 10 appearances for Rovers last term.

Tony Mowbray sees something in the midfielder and his versatility could make him a key squad player this season.

He began Saturday’s match in the middle of the park and impressed with his forward running and tenacity to win back possession, even if it did result in one too many fouls.

The second half saw him play on the right of midfield where he more than held his own while several of his outings in the first team last season were at right back as cover for the injured Ryan Nyambe.

Mowbray is an admirer of Travis and should he continue to progress at the rate he is, then he’ll be a player the boss will want to keep around, rather than send out on loan.

FISHER POTENTIAL

WITH Jayson Leutwiler out injured and David Raya restricted to a 30-minute cameo, young goalkeeper Andrew Fisher was given the nod to start for Rovers at Vale Park.

He was unfortunate to concede an own goal 10 minutes in. Fisher advance a couple of yards to come and meet Charlie Mulgrew but the centre back didn’t realise and instead looped a header into the net.

But Fisher didn’t let that misfortune affect his game with the 20-year-old showing safe hands on more than occasion and coming for several high crosses in a strong display.

He and Rovers can take confidence from the performance.