ROVERS’ switch to three at the back in the FA Cup tie with Barnet on Saturday was to try and give the players involved the best possible chance to shine, according to boss Tony Mowbray.

Mowbray has previously used the 3-4-2-1 formation, and successfully, towards the back end of last season, but has mainly gone with a back four so far in this campaign.

Only on two occasions, the Carabao Cup win at Coventry in August and the league defeat to Doncaster Rovers, have Rovers started with a back three, but turned to that system against the League Two side.

But Mowbray revealed that was a decision based on the personnel that he wanted to include, with Paul Caddis and Sam Hart coming in to the wing back roles, Corry Evans and Rekeem Harper partnered in a midfield two with Ben Gladwin playing in a central attacking role.

Mowbray reverted to a back four at the break, with Rovers trailing 1-0, and he admits he could have substituted any number of players as Joe Nuttall was sent on in place of Sam Hart.

“To give people that we brought in the best chance to play in a position that best suits them,” Mowbray said when explaining the formation switch.

“I genuinely don’t think it was the shape of the team that was good or bad, it was the mental approach to play the opposition that was infront of us.

“The intensity wasn’t there that we have been showing.

“With total respect to Barnet they are a good club but fourth bottom of League Two and as a footballer you have to set your own standards of how you play.”

Of the half-time switch, he added: “I wanted to get Nuttall on the pitch, it was harsh on Sam Hart and I told him that at half-time.

“I could have taken anyone off at half-time yet the change of formation meant he came off and that was the reason to get a centre forward on.”

The likes of Hart, Harper and Gladwin are expected to get another run-out tomorrow evening at Rochdale in the Checkatrade Trophy.

Hart and Gladwin are yet to start in League One this season, while West Brom loanee Harper has made just one.