Of the two 3-2 games this week I know which one we’d all have taken as the victory, writes Simon Smith.

Granted I’ve only just stopped waking up at 3am with a start as Saido Berahino’s penalty actually nestles in the net.

Despite the double-whammy in the 94th minute it was great to see the players react to the 0-2 deficit by giving it their all, a couple of players notwithstanding.

Craig Conway could have adopted a strop after the early cameo at Derby, but he pulled on the captain’s armband with pride and kickstarted the revival with his hunger.

Dan Butterworth deserves praise and he puts me in mind of Matt Jansen when he first came to the club; a massively gifted striker who just needs to learn when to hold and when to give. That will surely come given the players he is working with.

I daresay either big Tony Mowbray himself, or Amari’i Bell, will have gently explained to Kasey Palmer that this is not a team that leaves its comrades knee-deep in the lurch.

As Rekeem Harper learnt last season, it’s all well and good having lower-division players on toast, but sometimes, especially against better teams, you have to sacrifice that for workrate. 

In all the confusion and drama of the games it would be easy to forget that the man who conceded five goals in two matches was excellent in both games.

The stop from Peter Crouch alone proved that David Raya is the first goalkeeper since Brad Friedel who wins us points rather than costs us them.

The late goals, bizarre sending-off and the concession of penalties does tend to highlight the lack of Charlie Mulgrew in the Rovers back line.

Mulgrew is, however, knocking on and although debutant Jack Rodwell came in and showed that he could be the rock when fully fit, it is time for more maturity from the defence.

Both Williams and Lenihan are international players now and, whilst stoic under fire, both look increasingly nervy in the last 10 minutes of games. They will get there. Let’s hope it is sooner rather than later.