Five talking points from Rovers' Checkatrade Trophy tie at Rochdale

REWARDING THE FAITH

Reading too much in to substitutions, particularly in this competition, can often be a futile exercise.

Though the decision to sacrifice summer signing Dominic Samuel, only just back from a ban and without 90 minutes since the 1-0 defeat to Oldham on October 14, was intriguing.

Rovers needed to make an alteration to their backline following the dismissal of Scott Wharton on the half hour, with Tony Mowbray opting to bring off Samuel rather than strike partner, and man of the moment, Joe Nuttall as Matty Platt was brought on. 

And the 20-year-old rewarded his manager’s faith with a well-taken volley to put Rovers infront as he led the line on his own with great enthusiasm and endeavour for over an hour.

Long balls forward were chased down, and indeed one punt up the field from Andrew Fisher almost saw Nuttall grab his second of the night.

With 16 goals in all competitions, including four for the senior team in just five outings and three in the last week, he’s not just becoming a member of the first-team squad, he’s bang in contention for a starting spot in the league.

Samuel, to his credit, had looked lively early on, and with five goals to his name, remains Rovers' top scorer. The battle for places at the top end of the pitch is looking very competitive.

WHARTON WOE

In the opening 30 minutes, Scott Wharton was actually among the most impressive Rovers performers.

Winning his aerial battles with Jordan Slew and bringing the ball out from the back with distinction, the 20-year-old was looking assured on his first start of the season.

But disappointment came when a slight hesitation on whether or not to attack the bouncing ball or drop off saw him dangle a leg which missed the ball but not the throat of Rochdale winger Joe Bunney.

A red card was quickly brandished, and although the challenge was more clumsy than malicious, the height in which his boot caught Bunney meant it would have been an escape had the card been just yellow.

Wharton has struggled with two separate ankle injuries so far this season, but the loan spell at Cambridge United looks to have done him the world of good, and some more time playing regular EFL football when the January transfer window re-opens might not be a bad thing as he looks to continue his development.

CHECKATRADE COMPLEXITIES

Rovers could well go out of the competition with many fans having not got their heads around the rules around what's actually going on.

With regulations on who can feature, a group format, suspensions being exclusive to the competition, plus the bizarre points system and penalty shoot-outs when ties are level add unnecessary confusion. At the full-time whistle, most of the 1,018 fans inside Spotland headed for the exits, not knowing about the penalty shoot-out about to take place.

The staging of fixtures on different days and weeks leaves a situation where Rovers will have to wait until this evening to know their fate.  Anything but a draw between Bury and Stoke Under-21s (who could field the likes of Saido Berahino, Glen Johnson, Charlie Adam and Bruno Martins-Indi this evening) plus a win for the Potters on penalties will see Rovers eliminated.

Mowbray’s men could certainly have done with that extra point from the penalty shoot-out, but Richie Smallwood’s miss from 12 yards proved decisive.

OPPORTUNITIES OFFERED

Rovers made eight changes from the side which beat Barnet in the FA Cup at the weekend with Sam Hart, Rekeem Harper and Ben Gladwin the players to retain their places.

Although only November, this seems a crucial stage in Gladwin’s Rovers career. Yet to make a league start, and having flattered to deceive in many of his outings since his summer arrival from QPR, Harry Chapman’s injury and a busy spell of games present him with a chance that he must grasp.

An undoubted talent, he has terrific close control, can move the ball with both feet and has a decent record infront of goal.  His languid style can make him look disinterested at times, but there’s certainly a player in there, but it is down to him to prove that he has a part to play at first-team level.

Sam Hart was booked for a rash challenge and was caught out three times early on down his side, but recovered to put in a decent performance and showed good energy to get forward in the second half despite Rovers being a man light.

Harper too was full of life, but sadly, with Rovers forced to soak up Rochdale pressure as the game went on we saw little of him as an attacking threat.  His dynamism could be a key asset for the season and at 17 has the makings of a good prospect.  Freeing the shackles and playing with more freedom, but with the necessary concentration, as he did in the second half against Barnet will aid his cause in a Rovers shirt.

JORDAN’S JOY

A million pound transfer fee but just two substitute appearances in almost four years, which included five spells out on loan, was the total of Jordan Slew’s time at Rovers.

The move will have done plenty for his bank balance but little for his career as at just 25 he finds himself at his 11th club already but still having made just 87 career starts, scoring 15 goals.

A shot straight at Andrew Fisher in the first half was followed by an ambitious 30-yard free-kick in the second half which cleared the bar, and the stand.

But he would prove to be the man that would deny Rovers guaranteed progression in the competition when he came up with the equaliser.  He couldn’t miss, tapping in at the far post after the ball was headed back across goal, helped by a poor call from the linesman with the striker two yards offside.

It was a goal he seemed to enjoy.