Now 18 games in, the feeling for most is that Rovers are better than their results, and league position, would suggest.

They have assembled a talented squad, the best since relegation from the Premier League, yet it’s just not happening on a consistent basis for them, and that’s an all too familiar pattern.

They showed their credentials against the league leaders, albeit only to run them close, and even dominating for sections of the game. They had the Canaries just where they wanted them early in the second half, but yet again a defensive mistake cost them.

The statistics will say, having had 26 and 24 points at this stage of the previous two seasons, that Rovers haven’t made progress, currently sitting on 25. And the fact there can be such comparisons to those seasons, when so much has improved in that time, is a concern.

Because watching this team play, seeing the potential they have, you would never imagine it. Your eyes wouldn’t agree with the statistics. With Tony Mowbray describing himself as a 'performance related coach' he will likely be enthused by much of what he's seen.

Simply for entertainment value alone, this side make you want to watch them, and for neutrals they're the perfect side because they do have vulnerabilities.

Daniel Farke became the latest opposition boss to praise them, and there have been no shortage of admirers from outside. “They have improved from year to year, one of the best possession sides and are top six contenders,” said Farke.

For those regular viewers of Rovers that will only add to the frustration that the rewards haven't come regular enough. Never has so much good been done by so little.

Between boxes they have improved immeasurably, their build-up play and ability to move up the pitch eye-catching, while they are able to control games much easier. Yet the question marks remain over what happens where it counts, in both boxes, as despite racking up another 20 shots, they managed just the one goal. And somehow, at a time when Norwich were struggling to get out of their half, Rovers managed to find a way to concede.

Rovers need to start making the big moments go in their favour. They have now been beaten by six of the top seven sides, yet Swansea apart, they have demonstrated their qualities for long spells. By next weekend they will have faced all 11 sides currently above them in the table. As things stand, they have four points from those matches.

For the first time this season Rovers had their three senior central defensive options available at the same time, as Darragh Lenihan returned from suspension. Mowbray made clear that bringing Lenihan straight back, was a straightforward call, as was who would partner him. He opted for Derrick Williams, over Daniel Ayala, despite the Spaniard for the second time in recent weeks dropped to the bench.

Lenihan’s place in the team has been something of a certainty, when fit, throughout Mowbray’s reign, an unused substitute on just one occasion, but it seems hard to remember a time where the Irishman has gone through a sustained period of struggle. But for the first time, Rovers have more able deputies.

In injury time, an attempted crossfield ball had Harvey Elliott stretching every sinew to try and keep in play followed a backpass that almost went through his own net, and by the time Jordan Hugill robbed him of possession, he looked like a player whose confidence was drained.

Norwich were able to create some excellent opportunities, but were helped on their way. The winning goal had a huge slice of fortune about it, Pukki sticking a boot out which connected with what would otherwise have been an innocuous Emi Buendia shot, wrong-footing Kaminski and finding the corner.

That was a first foray forward in a second half that Rovers had dominated, but a poor touch from Lenihan on halfway would eventually prove fatal.

Rovers were carved open in a 10 minute spell towards the end of the first half where the Canaries threatened to run riot, Pukki hitting the bar from a Buendia pull back, before Kaminski saved well from Sorensen’s follow-up, with the striker blazing over the bar.

From an attacking aspect it was the link-up of Nyambe and Elliott that looked to be Rovers’ most threatening combination, and so it proved. The equaliser was a sublime piece of skill from the Liverpool loanee who ghosted past one, sold Grant Hanley a dummy, and then rolled the ball home from a tight angle.

It was a sublime piece of skill from a young player whose first touch is an artform and developed into a key cog in this side, adding some real joy.

At that point Rovers were well in the ascendancy, Elliott having a shot saved moments later, while before the equaliser, Michael McGovern saved a Lewis Holtby volley and Bradley Johnson header, but needed the bar to come to his rescue from a thumping Gallagher shot.

Gallagher was too denied by McGovern in what was Rovers’ best chance of the first half, his glancing header from a Douglas delivered superbly kept out by the ‘keeper.

As the changes began to take effect, Mowbray changing the entirety of his midfield three, Rovers couldn’t find that momentum again, as they struggled for a threat.

And another frustrating end ensued, Rovers passing and probing, but without reward. This side must start tipping the big moments in their favour in a bid to back up their potential with points.