COMMITMENT

You could not question Rovers’ effort on Friday night. That was reflected by the support they received from the stands when, for the second home game running, the Blackburn End did their best to suck the ball into Ben Amos’ badly underworked goal. Of course, endeavour and toil should be the minimum requirement for any player who has the privilege to pull on the blue and white halved shirt. But, at a time when they just cannot buy a win, at least you could take some heart from the fact that Gary Bowyer’s boys never gave less than 100 per cent, best summed up by Shane Duffy’s heroic goal-line clearance which denied Emile Heskey the 14th goal of his career against Rovers.

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QUALITY

But while the commitment was there, sadly the quality was not, particularly in the final third. The tireless Craig Conway’s delivery was excellent throughout, especially from corners, and there is no question one of the major reasons why Tommy Spurr is back in the side is the threat he possesses from long throws and, in a pleasant surprise, free kicks too. But while Rovers once again looked dangerous when whipping and launching balls into the box, a resolute but limited Bolton side were rarely opened up from the middle of the park. Rovers improved on that front when Danny Guthrie came on, but with Ben Marshall out-of-sorts and Tom Lawrence left on the bench, ultimately they did not do enough.

 

CLEAN SHEET

Rovers are still waiting to go in front for the first time this season, let alone record their first win. But at least another ‘first’ was achieved on Friday night. Granted Bolton were as toothless a team as we have seen in these parts for some time – well, at least until the dreaded arrival of Emile Heskey. But credit where credit is due, Rovers defended well and deserved their maiden clean sheet of the campaign. Shane Duffy is getting better by the game and Grant Hanley, along with Craig Conway, has been Gary Bowyer’s most consistent performer this season. There are signs that centre-backs Hanley and Duffy are forming a strong partnership. And if Rovers are going to continue to struggle to score goals, that partnership is going to be vital.

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