Rovers reporter Rich Sharpe picks out five talking points from the home win over Bury

NERVOUS TENSION

Rovers were booed off the break after a goal-less first half, but by the closing stages it was ole’s which greeted their passes.

The fans pay their money and deserve the right to vent their frustration at an opening 45 minutes in which Rovers were well below bar.

But much of it was probably down to the anxiety surrounding the night and the opportunity which presented itself to Rovers. This was a game they had to win.

Every opportunity to capitalise on a slip-up of either Shrewsbury Town or Wigan Athletic, they must take, while adding an extra three points to their lead over the in-form Rotherham United was a welcome bonus.

There is an expectation level among the fanbase that Rovers win games at this level, one which is shared by the players and boss Tony Mowbray alike.

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That doesn’t mean they have a divine right to be riding high and blowing teams away, that requires patience. Things had to improve, and they did.

Aided by some positive impacts off the bench, and the mercurial Bradley Dack, Rovers found a way through and were then determined not to let it slip.

DAN'S HOME COMFORTS

Wrapping Danny Graham in cotton wool to save him for the remaining six home games would seem like an over-the-top suggestion.

But given his impressive form at headquarters, and a lack of goals away from home, it might not be so off the wall.

Graham took his tally to 13 for the season with his second half header, his 10th in the league, nine of which have come at Ewood Park.

His solitary strike away from home was his first of the campaign in a 3-0 win at Rochdale in September.

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He has surely stamped his name on the team-sheet for home matches, with nine goals in his last 10 outings, and there will be plenty more coming his way should he receive the same level of service he did for his goal against Bury, heading home a terrific Bradley Dack cross.

Rovers need to find a way of utilising Graham’s strengths away from home, but at Ewood Park, Danny Graham seemingly does score when he wants.

DIFFERENCE MAKERS

Rovers added quality in the January transfer market and that is starting to shine through. Adam Armstrong has four goals in his last three matches, Jack Payne has shown flashes of his magic while Amari’i Bell has provided flexibility on the left hand side.

Aided by the returns to fitness of Darragh Lenihan and Marcus Antonsson and the Rovers squad is looking significantly healthier than the one which ended 2017.

When things weren’t working against Bury, turning to the likes of Payne and Antonsson off the bench re-energised Rovers who improved vastly after their introductions. Mowbray is always proactive with his substitutions and the increased quality at his disposal sitting behind him will only boost the promotion bid.

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A CLEAN SHEET

A first shut-out of 2018 and 10th of the season was finally secured when the final whistle went against Bury.

Ten matches had passed since Rovers had kept a clean sheet, conceding twice on three occasions during that run.

They gifted Bury several good openings, first through a poor Elliott Bennett throw-in and then when Richie Smallwood failed to shield the ball out of play. The back three retreated a little too quickly for the home fans’ liking as the visitors were able to get several shots off at David Raya’s goal.

But after Rovers found their second goal a comeback rarely seemed likely.

With options now in defence for Mowbray, he will hope a first clean sheet of 2018 is the first of many. 

CORRY’S STRUGGLES

Handed his first start since the New Year’s Day draw at Rotherham United, Corry Evans will have been keen to take his chance in the middle of the Rovers midfield.

His spell out injured at the start of the calendar year, which coincided with the absence of fellow central midfielder Peter Whittingham, came at a time when he would have wanted to cement a place alongside Richie Smallwood.

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His latest opportunity arrived as Rovers switched to a back three, and although seeing plenty of the ball, he struggled to make a mark on the game.

Out of possession he looked off the pace, struggling to match the Bury runners, and was brought off on the hour mark.

He may well have chances coming up, with Richie Smallwood’s impending suspension but has started just 14 of Rovers’ 33 league games. The Northern Irishman will have been disappointed not to have made more of the opportunity.