Rovers reporter Rich Sharpe picks out five talking points from the win over Leeds United.

STRETCH ‘EM ARMSTRONG

The place on the left side of the Rovers attack seems the one most up for grabs.

It was Adam Armstrong who got the nod this time and from the first whistle, justified his inclusion.

Leeds swapped full-backs in a bid to quash his threat. But time and again Armstrong had the beating of them, and the covering central defender as well.

He had three shots blocked before curling a first-half effort on to the roof of the net after again getting free.

His bursts of pace were less frequent in the second half, but no less devastating, ghosting past Berardi against to force a good save out of Peacock-Farrell.

His place may not be assured, nor in his favoured central role, but he offers something no-one else in the squad can. More performances like that, and he’ll be the man to beat in that role.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

An opening goal right off the training ground. Charlie Mulgrew was taken off corners to add an extra body in the middle, with Rovers exploiting Leeds’ lack of height as Danny Graham met Harrison Reed’s delivery.

In the second half it was Craig Conway who swung in the corner attacked by Darragh Lenihan and nodded home.

Tony Mowbray praised his backroom staff for working on the routines which came to the fore to see Rovers to victory.

 While the international break isn’t always ideal, it at least offered Rovers the chance to study Leeds, and also work on corners which paved the way to victory.

CONCENTRATION KEY

There was pointing, shoulder checking, communication, and no shortage of workrate in Rovers’ win. Leeds’ impressive physical statistics, as well as their good use of the ball, meant Rovers were always going to have put in a physical shift.

But with the Leeds attackers taking up unusual positions, creating triangles in midfield and at times pushing as four men up front, Rovers tried to stop them at source.

That started with Graham and Dack cutting off the passing angles to Leeds’ pivot, Kalvin Phillips, at the base of their midfield.

It worked well until the 45th minute when Leeds eventually probed their way through as Berardi squared for Klich to score with the last kick of the half.

But not to be undone, and despite tiring, Rovers made the changes which proved key to regaining those energy levels to see them over the line.

EVANS AND MULGREW

The duo are among Rovers’ most experienced players and the top end of the wage scale.

Both are also in to the final years of their contracts and enjoying excellent starts to the campaign.

Evans was arguably Rovers’ star man in the opening month, while Mulgrew has come in to his won in wins over Bolton and Leeds.

Rovers have engaged in early contract talks with both, but now find themselves in a different financial position to when their current deals were signed, having worked hard to reduce their wage bill.

While the pair will undoubted do what’s best for them, and Rovers will be looking at longer-term alternatives, their importnace to the here and now is clear.

SUBS PLAY THEIR PART

It was noticed by the fans, and the players in the starting XI – the three substitutes all played their part.

Jack Rodwell, on in place of Richie Smallwood shortly after he was booked, flew in to several tackles, including one which had the Riverside Stand on their feet.

He certainly looks to be enjoying the opportunity he’s been handed.

Ben Brereton was sent on to occupy a role on the right as Rovers moved to a front three and put in his best league display with some strong running to help carry them up the pitch.

And Craig Conway, on for the impressive Harrison Reed, claimed an assist with his first touch, and enabled Rovers to keep the intensity that Southampton loanee Reed had given for the previous three quarters.