ROVERS reporter Rich Sharpe picks out five talking points from the win over Rotherham United.

PAIRING HAS POTENTIAL

WHEN the team sheets were announced there was a question over whether Rovers would stick with 4-4-2 or switch to a 4-2-3-1.

They opted for the latter, allowing Bradley Dack to operate in his more favoured number 10 role and Marcus Antonsson a chance to build on his impressive substitute outing in the Shrewsbury Town draw on the left.

Dack and Dominic Samuel struck up a decent understanding in the one game they had previously played together as a pairing, at Bradford City, but pushed things on here.

They linked up time and again, Dack playing provider for Samuel to hit the post early on, before movements in to the right channel saw the striker return the favour twice in the space of two minutes in the first half, only for Dack to be unable to prove the finishing touch.

Tony Mowbray will be hoping that Dack can stay fit and his two big money buys, who are close friends off the pitch, can develop a key understanding on it to help fire Rovers up the table.

FROM WORST TO BEST

IF Shrewsbury, as Mowbray felt, was indeed Rovers’ poorest performance of the season, then they more than responded here.

Bright and energetic from the first whistle, they should have been in front within two minutes, and deserved to be three up by the break.

Rotherham had a spell of dominance either side of the hour mark, but that shouldn’t detract from what was Rovers’ brightest showing of the season as an attacking force.

They created a hatful of chances, were denied twice by the woodwork, and but for some good goalkeeping, and more clinical finishing, would have scored the goals their dominance deserved.

Fans will be hoping this isn’t a false dawn at Ewood Park and they can use it as a platform to kick on against Gillingham on Saturday.

PUTTING DOWN A MARKER

PAUL Downing got his chance in the Rovers side after his deadline day move from MK Dons sooner than expected against Rochdale.

He has had to be patient since then, but when called upon again by Mowbray, didn’t let his manager down. 

Charlie Mulgrew owes him one for the booking he took early on, but that aside, he didn’t put a foot wrong.

Another steady showing helped Rovers to a fourth clean sheet of the season, and first at home, but equally as impressive was his composure on the ball and use of possession, helping the team build from the back in the way they had been unable to do at Shrewsbury.

EWOOD ENJOYMENT

THERE has been little to smile about around Ewood Park for some seasons for the long-suffering fans.

Again, another near 10,000 home fans turned out for this one and will have undoubtedly been encouraged by what they say.

Mowbray delivered on his promise that Rovers would be braver in possession, and the fans certainly responded to what was served up by backing the team throughout.

There were nervy moments, though there always will be where Rovers are concerned, but Mowbray played it spot on, with the arrival of Harry Chapman killing off the game with another dazzling cameo.

HAPPY CHAPPY

HARRY Chapman may have to make do with a role as super-sub for now, but he couldn’t hide his delight at scoring his first goal in Rovers colours to seal the win late on.

His trademark somersault celebration topped off another lively display from the teenager who showed just how devastating he can be in the final stages of games.

While fans may be frustrated at not seeing the winger from the start of matches, while-ever he’s impacting games off the bench in a positive manager, he, nor his manager, will be complaining.

As an aside, have Middlesbrough forgotten this lad only has a year left to run on his contract?