Rovers opening day hoodoo remains, but we can take positives from the opening day of the Championship season, writes Tom Schofield.

In truth, Rovers deserved to take something away from recently relegated Bournemouth; we pressed well and didn’t make life easy for the Cherries.

As always it wasn’t all positive and I am going to get the bad stuff out the way. The closing down for the first two goals especially wasn’t fantastic.

The need for a left back and a centre half is still obvious if we are to really push on this season, our current crop will do ok and I wouldn’t fear a relegation battle, however if we are to push higher up the table we need to strengthen these positions.

On the flip side I think attacking wise we look in decent shape, despite only having a few clear cut chances.

Adam Armstrong was at his lethal best with a tidy finish, and but for the offside flag Lewis Holtby would have rounded off his best performance in a Rovers shirt with a goal.

The emergence of Tyrhys Dolan has been much cause for excitement as well. His tricky feet caused problems for Bournemouth’s attackers and whilst he lost the ball too easily in the build-up to Bournemouth’s winner, he could be this season’s breakthrough player.

Further down the pitch I felt Thomas Kaminski had an assured debut between the sticks. He couldn’t have done anything to stop Bournemouth’s three well taken goals and made a superb save at 2-1 to keep Rovers in the game.

I was especially impressed with his starting position; he held a high line that meant he was able to sweep up any danger with relative ease.

Of course you can’t judge him too much, but I feel the signs are encouraging.

A trip to Newcastle beckons before we host Wycombe in what are sure to be two very different, but tough, games.

We can take confidence from Saturday though, play without any fear and hope that when you read this column next week we have a third round tie to look forward to and our first three points on the board.