THE dust may still be settling on Rudy Gestede’s Ewood Park exit but it seems clear that Gary Bowyer has been planning for his departure for some time.

With the towering targetman having swapped the famous blue and white halves for the claret and blue of Aston Villa, Rovers no longer have the out-ball which, at times last season, they were sometimes too quick to fall back on.

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Instead their summer friendlies, which concluded with this late but ultimately comfortable success, have saw them attempt to implement a more patient, possession-based approach, built out from the back and built around a three operating behind a lone striker.

That has led to Ben Marshall and, in particular, Craig Conway becoming greater goal threats but, with the big Championship opener just five days away, it is an approach which the players are still getting to grips with.

And, here, it was not until Conway rocketed a shot against the post, six minutes into the second half, that Rovers clicked into gear, but once they did, they ran out convincing winners courtesy of stunning strikes from Willem Tomlinson and Marshall, sandwiched between a more routine goal from captain Grant Hanley.

It rounded off a pre-season that has not only been largely overshadowed by the uncertainty over the futures of star strikers Gestede and Jordan Rhodes, but also impacted by the consequences of failing Financial Fair Play.

But whereas Gestede has followed 13 other players with first-team experience out of the door, Rhodes remains and, after returning from the knock that had restricted him to just 28 minutes of summer action, he took his place in a starting line-up that, despite all the outgoings, still looked strong.

Scratch beneath the surface, however, and Rovers are only a handful of injuries away from seeing their already small squad stretched to its limit.

That said the benefit of having fewer bodies is that it presents the opportunity for young players to break through.

Before the start of pre-season Rovers boss Bowyer told the club’s U21s that they would never have a better chance of making the step up.

And no-one has taken his words on board more than midfielder Tomlinson.

The 17-year-old only made his first start for the U21s in May but he is now pushing for a permanent place in Bowyer’s senior squad after an impressive pre-season which he capped with the brilliant goal that set Rovers on their way to victory in their final friendly.

Tomlinson, though, has not been the only starlet to catch the eye over the summer.

Right-back Ryan Nyambe, also 17, has certainly not looked out of his place when given the opportunity, while Bowyer is giving serious consideration to starting assured 19-year-old goalkeeper David Raya against Wolves on Saturday.

More bodies are still required, however, and it was a shame, then, to see Nicky Maynard last just 32 minutes before coming off with a tight hamstring.

His replacement, fellow on-trial striker Nathan Delfouneso, lasted longer and, given Bowyer’s lack of options up front, he will be hoping he has done enough to earn himself a deal.

Delfouneso offers something different from Rhodes and Chris Brown and the same can be said of Danny Guthrie to his midfield rivals.

Guthrie always went looking for the ball here and when more often than not he received it, he was neat, tidy and progressive in possession.

And, while Rovers are already well stocked in that area, the free agent was not afraid to show his combative side too.

Indeed Guthrie’s performance was the highlight of a forgettable first half.

That changed after the restart when Conway rattled the woodwork and shortly after that the understandably rusty Rhodes, who was afforded a warm reception before kick-off and when he made way for new boy Fode Koita, saw an attempt saved.

But there was little Wigan keeper Richard O’Donnell could do to prevent Tomlinson from breaking the deadlock when he crashed the ball home from 30 yards at the end of a lovely passage of play.

Rovers’ second goal came from a typically inviting Conway corner, which was headed home by Hanley, with their third coming from the right boot of Marshall, who sent a sublime 25-yard shot swerving into the top corner.

More of the same against Wolves, please.