Rovers talking points from Sheffield United defeat

FRACTIOUS FINISH

There was no shortage of needle in the game, particularly late on, with several off the ball incidents going unpunished as the officials began to lose control.

Lewis Travis and Keiron Freeman had a coming together, as did Ravel Morrison and Joe Rankin-Costello after the ball had gone, while the Rovers players were left incensed that a shocking lunge from Morrison on Travis was only punished by a yellow card.

Then, as Rovers went in search of an equaliser, they were frustrated by the time it took the ball to be retrieved. Tony Mowbray said that wasn’t the only occasion that had happened and then stepped outside of his technical area to discuss the incident with one ball boy.

The chat ended with a handshake and a pat on the back, but for stepping outside of his technical area, Mowbray was shown a yellow card by referee Geoff Eltringham, only for that to become red when Mowbray seemingly put his hand on the official. Opposite number Chris Wilder fought Mowbray’s corner, on the touchline and in his post-match interview, and the whole episode did seem rather farcical.

MIDFIELD MAKE-UP

Corry Evans and Richie Smallwood were mainstays in the Rovers midfield for the League One promotion campaign and much of last season and their contributions shouldn't be overlooked. Though they have been confined to just Carabao Cup appearances so far, with Bradley Johnson and Lewis Travis having made the spots in the middle of the park their own in the opening games.

Infact, this was just a third start for Smallwood since early March.

There was some surprise when news emerged of Rovers’ interest in Harrison Reed on deadline day, and when that fell through, they also made a late move for another central midfielder which didn't materialise in time. 

So Mowbray was keen to add to his options, and neither Smallwood or Evans have shown enough in those two games to persuade Mowbray to displace the Johnson-Travis axis.

That’s not to say they can’t, or their qualities be overlooked, but you wouldn’t bet against Elliott Bennett being the man to move in to cover for Travis or Johnson should either suffer injury or loss of form.

Smallwood’s attempted back pass led to the corner from which Sheffield United opened the scoring, though Jayson Leutwiler played a more culpable role in that, while Evans looked tidier on the ball, but was caught in possession and did tire in the second half.

John Buckley has played much of his football for the Under-23s in central midfield, but as he continues to fill out, his technical abilities may well be better suited for a more advanced role.

RANKIN-COSTELLO IS READY

There was almost a two-year gap between senior appearance No.1 for Joe Rankin-Costello, a Checkatrade Trophy game with Bury, and number two which came at Bramall Lane.

Injuries certainly haven’t helped, missing almost 12 months, but he roared back in to action with a fine end to the season for the Under-23s as a right wing-back.

He got his chance for the first-team in pre-season and was one of Rovers’ most impressive performers when used at right-back, despite Mowbray admitting his more natural home is further up the pitch.

He got his chance on the left-wing after his introduction, and was involved in the build-up to the goal Rovers did score, and but for two good blocks, could have snatched an equaliser himself.

His problem is the options Rovers have in the attacking wide roles, with Stewart Downing’s arrival this summer adding to Joe Rothwell who finished last season so strong on the left.

Then there is Harry Chapman, back on the bench at Bramall Lane, and fit-again after some minutes for the Under-23s.

But such is the impression Rankin-Costello is making, you wouldn’t bet against him forcing his way in more regularly in the not too distant future.

GALLY GETS HIS GOAL

One of the main positives to take away from exiting the cup was a first goal for Sam Gallagher since his £5m permanent move.

He’s shown no shortage of endeavour in his five appearances so far, three of those coming out wide, but not been able to get in to enough goalscoring positions to get off the mark.

That changed at Bramall Lane as he peeled off to the back post and planted a header back across the keeper and in to the net.

Mowbray believes he needs to add more headed goals to his game, but this was certainly a promising start.

Penalty miss aside, Adam Armstrong looked bright given chance to lead the line again, and at The Hawthorns this weekend, it could be a toss-up between the two, or both, with one operating out wide.

But for Gallagher to get off the mark in the opening month has to be a big confidence boost.

NYAMBE’S NEED FOR BELIEF

Ryan Nyambe brought up a century of appearances at Bramall Lane, almost four years on since his debut in the league cup against Shrewsbury.

Last season he started 25 Championship games, with three extended runs in the side, starting each of the opening 10 games and then six at the back end of 2018 before injury struck.

He then returned to play seven in a row, though three of those as a central defence, between February 17 and April 6. But since then, he has started just one of Rovers’ last 11 league matches.

Hamstring injuries have caused him some issues which have is one reason behind the stop-start appearances, with 22 league starts in 2016/17 and 27 in 2017/18.

The man himself admits he could find it difficult to win back his place with Elliott Bennett having been made club captain, but watching him play, you feel he just needs to believe in himself more.

His physical attributes are outstanding, but he needs to back himself A) to be able to knock the ball in to space and win a foot race and B) when he does, have the confidence to deliver a ball in to the box, rather than taking the safer option of cutting back as we saw on occasion at Bramall Lane.

He was caught on the odd occasion last season when the ball was played inside his channel, but when faced one-on-one, very few opponents get past him because of his recovery speed and strength.

You feel there is a very good full-back in there, but belief may well be a big factor in his progress.