Rovers’ team selection was a mixture of rotation and focusing on the opposition as Jon Dahl Tomasson was true to his word that he will be flexible during a busy month of matches.

The head coach made three changes against Cardiff City on Tuesday night which included a move away from the back three system that had started the previous three games.

There were recalls for Callum Brittain, John Buckley and Sam Szmodics, with Scott Wharton, Tyler Morton and Sam Gallagher the three to make way.

The 1-0 loss made it six wins and six defeats from Rovers’ opening 12 matches ahead of the weekend visit of Rotherham United.

Rovers have eight matches this month, with Tomasson keen to utilise his squad which is currently free from injury.

The switch in formation did come as a surprise however, and of that move, Tomasson said: “It was a mix of both things, where the spaces were, and I felt it was the best solution to play with a back four.

“To get the whole squad going, we need this squad, we don’t have the biggest one in the league so we need to rotate players to get fresh players in.”

While Tomasson made changes to the starting XI, it was the same matchday squad that was involved in the win over Millwall.

Adam Wharton travelled with the squad, but didn’t make the 18, with the likes of Clinton Mola, Tayo Edun, Dilan Markanday and Jack Vale all staying behind at Brockhall to take part in a training match.

That was done to ensure the squad stays up to speed during a busy run of matches, leading into the World Cup break.

Ben Brereton was replaced in the second half after a disappointing night for the Chile international, with Tomasson revealing fatigue was behind the decision.

That meant that Rovers didn’t have their recognised penalty taker on the pitch in injury time, with George Hirst taking the responsibility, but was denied from 12 yards by a Ryan Allsop save.

That saw Rovers fail to rescue a point having fallen behind seven minutes from the end courtesy of a Mark Harris goal.

“You always need to stay in the game first of all, and we were disappointed to give that unnecessary goal away,” Tomasson said.

“A throw-in with plenty of bodies around and no real pressure on the ball, it was a goal we shouldn’t accept.”

Rovers will look to lean on their home form against the Millers this weekend, having won four of their six Ewood matches, including the 2-0 success over Millwall last time out.

It is now 16 games without a draw for Rovers dating back to last season, closing in on the 19 they had in the 2006/07 season.

Asked about that record, Tomasson said: “I haven’t experienced that before, but I’m sure the managers in this league will have because it’s how the league is.

“Some teams are more stable, but a lot of teams are winning and losing, it’s a very inconsistent league, but that’s to do with the competition, and it’s a brilliant league in that way, a lot of teams are equal.”

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