Rovers reporter Rich Sharpe picks out five talking points after the 3-2 win at Stoke City.

THE FIRST 80

Rovers were 3-0 up inside 47 minutes and could have had a fourth before the hour mark as Bradley Dack was denied.

On the ball it was a stark contrast from the midweek draw with Derby, a vast improvement in their quality.

They showed patience in the lead up to the first goal, while Elliott Bennett’s superb pass put Danny Graham in the clear for the second.

Bennett and Dack were involved for Reed’s well taken fourth and a swift counter almost brought a fourth.

Out of possession they were disciplined, choosing their moments to press and to sit off, and for the first 80 minutes it was by far the best display of the season.

THE LAST 10

Cruising to victory, Rovers were given one hell of a scare in the final 10 minutes before eventually seeing it over the line.

The first goal, saw the ball ricochet of Berahino’s thigh and in to the corner as Crouch won a knockdown, and within a minute, Amari’i Bell missed his kick as the ball hit Tom Ince at the far post to roll in to the corner.

The penalty, Darragh Lenihan, who had hardly put a foot wrong all afternoon, panicked to Berahino getting free and pushed him to the floor leaving the referee with little choice but to point to the spot.

After the penalty miss, Rovers did manage to see it through to a huge sigh of relief.

Throwing more points away would have been a great shame, but the finish indicates nothing can ever be taken for granted, no matter how comfortable things appear.

DAN-KEY GRAHAM

He was the man Tony Mowbray called for in Rovers’ hour of need in the draw at Derby, and there was no hesitation to start him at Stoke City despite it being the third game in a week.

Up against Shawcross and Martins Indi he provided with a platform from which to play off, and when they needed a release, he was able to provide it.

Graham missed two one-on-ones in the draw at Millwall but had found chances hard to come by in recent weeks.

But here, he picked his moment to pull off the shoulder of Shawcross to take down a raking Bennett pass, before sliding the ball beyond Butland and in to the corner.

Rovers have strengthened in attack this summer, but that has only added fuel to the 33-year-old’s fire to keep his spot in the side.

DACK’S CALENDAR YEAR

Bradley Dack opened his account for Rovers on September 23 2017 in a 1-1 draw at Shrewsbury Town.

In the following 38 starters, he has netted a further 23 times, including his strike in the win at Stoke City, which could have seen him score a second were it not for a Jack Butland save, or being denied by the post.

He remains Rovers’ main attacking threat, but without the ball, he also did an excellent job on closing down Ryan Woods and stopping Stoke trying to build attacks from the back.

His finishing was on point when he slid home the opener, and going through and being denied by Butland was a rare miss.

Rovers simply must keep him fit if they’re to challenge in the top half this season.

CHANGES INCOMING

Rovers face a long trip to Bournemouth in the cup on Tuesday, with Tony Mowbray expected to ring the changes.

The likes of Charlie Mulgrew, Elliott Bennett, Bradley Dack and Danny Graham are unlikely to travel, with Darragh Lenihan, one yellow card away from a suspension, is also unlikely to feature.

Corry Evans, and Harrison Reed who struggled with camp late on in the Stoke win, may also be added to that list.

As for those that are expected to be among the starters, Jack Rodwell could make his debut, with Paul Downing, Lewis Travis, Joe Rothwell, Kasey Palmer, Adam Armstrong and Ben Brereton also in Mowbray’s thoughts.

Rovers face a step-up in level from their last two cup opponents where they have netted nine times in two games against League Two sides.

But the challenge is there for those currently on the fringes to try and force their way in.