Rovers went with a back three system from the start of a Championship match for the first time this season – and Tony Mowbray suggested it won’t be the last we’ve seen of it.

The four changes made by Mowbray included returns for Ryan Nyambe and Darragh Lenihan, a debut for Jan Paul van Hecke and a first start for Tayo Edun as the quartet lined up alongside Daniel Ayala in the defence.

Rovers have previously used the system, including in the Carabao Cup defeat to Morecambe, but also turned to it at half time of away games at Millwall and Middlesbrough.

The return to fitness of van Hecke gave Mowbray the confidence to switch systems and match up a Coventry side who also operate in a similar formation, while Edun’s qualities appear well suited to the wing-back role.

Explaining the move, Mowbray said: “Against certain teams, the five-at-the-back system we used, will come out. We played against a team, who play five-at-the-back, they push their wing-backs forward and overload you with crosses from the wings.

“We’ve found it a good backup system, because teams who play it cause problems for our back for, so in games like today or against Middlesbrough at the Riverside earlier on in the season, the switch to a five-back system comes in handy.

“It’s also good, particularly as we’re not basing our team around possession, sometimes, it’s the team that’s on top who adjust to the tactical side of the match.

“I thought we should start with a five-back, rather than change halfway through because they’ve put too much pressure on us. I felt we adjusted well to the system change and got ourselves ahead, but I don’t think the formation was the reason behind why we dropped points.

“It was a case of individual mistakes, which we’ll analyse and discuss with the players and ultimately the players have to eradicate those individual errors if the team are to push on.”

John Buckley’s booking in the first half, as well as the fitness concerns over Sam Gallagher and Tyrhys Dolan heading into the game, saw all three players replaced in the second half.

Jacob Davenport, back on the bench after sitting out the last three matches, got the nod over Bradley Johnson and Leighton Clarkson to replace Buckley, while Leeds loanee Ian Poveda was picked over Dan Butterworth to replace Dolan before Ben Brereton arrived to a hero’s reception went sent on in attack.

On those decisions, Mowbray told the club website:“We had John Buckley on a booking, and we needed to change him, so I thought I’d add Jacob Davenport, rather than Leighton Clarkson in order to add more steel in the centre of the park, yet in hindsight, another passer might have been the answer, as Clarkson could have helped us release the pressure. Yet, it’s easy to manage in hindsight.”