Rovers reporter Rich Sharpe picks out five talking points from the 0-0 draw with Derby County.

MOWBRAY’S MOVE

Rovers made three changes and opted to press Derby high up the pitch given their strategy of playing out from the back.

The hosts however, had the quality to play through Rovers and were on to their midfield and back four in a flash.

There was a feeling of inevitability that Derby were going to score as more last-ditch defending was required to keep the hosts at bay in the first-half.

But sensing it wasn’t working, and still 13 minutes from the break, Mowbray made his move, making a tactical 32nd minute change in a bid to stem the flow.

It was harsh on Craig Conway, as the boss noted, but something had to be done.

While Derby kept up their pressure up until half-time, and the first 10 minutes after the re-start which saw them hit the crossbar, Rovers steadily improved, and the introductions of Elliott Bennett and Harrison Reed steadied the ship further as they saw the game out with few more alarms.

BETTER ON THE BALL

It was a point Mowbray stressed throughout his post-match interview, Rovers must be better than they were on the ball.

Adam Armstrong, who started in the central striking role before moving out wide, touched the ball just 20 times in his 70 minute appearance, indicating Rovers’ struggles.

Rovers managed just 36.5 per cent possession and a pass success rate of just 58 per cent.

Mowbray acknowledged that his team are most threatening on the transition and aren’t yet able to be a more ball-retention based team, something he would live to move towards over time.

But even so, they can’t afford to go away from home, work hard to win the ball back before gifting it back to the quality of opposition at this level.

WIDE OPTIONS

Rovers opted against bringing in an out-and-out wide player during the summer, despite their efforts to secure an Ewood return for Harry Chapman on loan.

But it seems Mowbray is still searching for the best combinations out wide.

Kasey Palmer struggled for an impact against his former side, while Conway was hauled off after just 32 minutes.

Armstrong fared little better when moved out wide, with Bennett and Reed finishing the game on the flanks.

Joe Rothwell can count himself unfortunate not to be starting, but again isn’t a natural in that position.

It is a conundrum Mowbray must solve moving forward so to make his team more of an attacking threat.

A DIFFERENT DRAW FEELING

For Rovers’ previous four draws this season there was a tinge of disappointment about each.

Whether it be the injury-time goals conceded at Ipswich and Aston Villa, or the failure to take chances against Millwall or slow start against Reading, they were viewed as points dropped by Rovers.

But here it was very much one gained as outplayed for the majority of the match, they hung on courtesy of some disciplined defensive work.

They blocked eight shots and 10 crosses, with Ryan Nyambe and Darragh Lenihan particularly impressive, while Derrick Williams softened the blow of losing Charlie Mulgrew to illness with a solid display.

It is now five draws in their opening eight fixtures, just as it was in Mowbray’s first eight matches of his time in charge during the last Championship campaign.

But during a difficult run of fixtures, any point has to be viewed as a step in the right direction, so long as the wins aren’t too far away.

FAMILIAR FACES MISSING

Not since October 22 2016 and a 1-0 defeat at Bristol City has a Rovers starting line-up not included any of Mulgrew, Bennett or Graham.

In all of Tony Mowbray’s 80 matches in charge, league and cup, at least one of the trio has started.

Craig Conway captained the side from the start and was the oldest player in the XI at 33.

That pushed Rovers’ average age up to 26, with Derrick Williams the oldest of the back five at 25.

Mulgrew should train with Rovers on Thursday in a bid to be fit for the trip to Stoke City on Saturday, while Bennett and Graham are likely to both return.

Given the performances of Williams and Bell, and the struggles of the wingers, could a return to fitness for Mulgrew see Rovers switch to a back three at the bet365 Stadium?