Rovers reporter Rich Sharpe picks out five talking points from the defeat to Middlesbrough.

HOW AND WHY

How and why it took so long, and falling down to 10 men, to show signs of life will be of concern to Tony Mowbray, as will a fourth consecutive defeat.

Indeed, Rovers were in an almost no lose situation in the second half, already a goal and a man down, and facing the prospect of trying to break down the division's meanest defence, though they did at least show an increase in intensity and effort.

While Boro had several good opportunities to extend their lead, not least when David Raya pulled off an excellent save from Britt Assombalonga, Rovers could snatched an unlikely point with two late chances.

The first saw an off balance Danny Graham fire over on his left foot, while Bradley Dack, from a Graham knockdown, would have equalised were it not for a fine Darren Randolph save.

BEST LAID PLANS

Tony Mowbray started with his favoured 4-2-3-1 but that quickly became 3-4-3 as Boro swamped Rovers in the central areas. After the red card for Derrick Williams, it was a 4-3-2 for Rovers in a second half in which they looked much brighter.

The starting line-up appeared to be one of the most attacking of Mowbray’s tenure, but a sloppiness in possession from the first whistle meant the attacking players couldn’t get in to the game.

Resisting the temptation to make a first half change, Mowbray moved Bradley Dack in to what transpired to be a defensive midfield role as Rovers simply tried to stay in the game.

A red card on the stroke of half time, and the three changes that followed, meant Mowbray had to change his plans again. To their credit, all three substitutes added something and pushed their respective claims for recalls to the starting line-up.

STRUGGLING WITHOUT DARRAGH

There was surprise pre-match that Boro boss Tony Pulis opted to go with two strikers, but in Britt Assombalonga and Ashley Fletcher, they were keen to test the Rovers back two for pace.

What they wouldn’t have factored in was a Rovers backline who time and again struggled to deal with long balls forward, as happened with the solitary goal of the game.

Rovers are having to find ways of coping without the absence of Irishman Lenihan who is still around four weeks away from any possible return. Their most physical, and quickest defender, the 24-year-old has qualities that neither Rodwell or Mulgrew possess.

But even so, the way the only goal of the game came about, with Fletcher capitalising on a mix-up between Rodwell and Mulgrew, should have been dealt with, as should another ball forward which led to Williams’ red card.

For Rovers captain Mulgrew, it was particularly a day to forget.

STATS STACKING UP

From four wins in a row and top of the form table last month, it’s now four straight defeats for the first time since December 2016.

It is back-to-back home defeats for the first time since August 2017 and two games without a goal in front of their own fans.

Rovers were unrecognisable in the first half and the best thing about the opening 45 minutes was that the game wasn’t out of sight.

The home form was seen as something of a saviour after defeats at Brentford and Reading, but Rovers now face two away games and need to find a response.

It has been a continuing theme throughout the season, but shut-outs against Bristol City and Middlesbrough mean in only four home matches out of 17, have Rovers scored in the first half at Ewood.

SUBS STAKE A CLAIM

Amari’i Bell and Lewis Travis, two players dropped to the bench from the Reading defeat, were thrust in to the fold at half time, while Ryan Nyambe, on the fringes of late, was also introduced.

It was the third time this season that Nyambe has been brought on at half time, and second in 2019.

The full back hasn’t started since limping off in the Boxing Day defeat at Leeds, with Elliott Bennett having played for 10 consecutive matches at right back. Nyambe was ‘taken out of the firing line’ in the view of his manager, who will now surely be considering bringing Nyambe, a specialist in that position, back in to the fold.

Bell, at fault for the Reading opener in midweek, will expect to return in place of Williams at his former club, Birmingham, having been recalled and then dropped in back-to-back matches.

Travis’ performances had taken a dip against Brentford and Bristol City, but having helped provide a drive and energy that had been lacking, and Harrison Reed yet to totally convince in central midfield when given the challenge, will be another eyeing a recall at St Andrew’s.