A LOT RESTING ON LENIHAN

Darragh Lenihan’s name was again mentioned by Tony Mowbray after Rovers shipped four more goals. Without the Irishman, who has missed the last seven games but should return for the game at Aston Villa on March 30, Rovers have looked vulnerable from crosses in to their box.

But to suggest the return of the 24-year-old is the answer to all of Rovers’ defensive problems is asking too much of Lenihan.

While he was part of the backline that kept three consecutive clean sheets in January, he hasn’t been without his struggles, not least in the games over the Christmas period.

Lenihan is the most natural defender among Rovers’ options at centre half, but reinforcements have to arrive in the summer.

Lenihan and Charlie Mulgrew have both had spells out of the side through injury this season, partnered together for 18 of Rovers’ 38 Championship matches. In those they have an equal share of wins, draws and defeats, conceding 24 goals and keeping four clean sheets.

Without Lenihan, Rovers have managed just two Championship wins (the 4-2 victory over Sheffield Wednesday in December and against Wigan in midweek), so while he is undoubtedly key, it is hard to see how he alone can turn this around.

BREAK AT A GOOD TIME

For the second this season, Rovers head in to the international break on the back of a heavy defeat. It feels as though this break from action is one that Rovers will have been waiting for.

For some supporters, they would prefer the season to be at an end having lost seven times in their last nine matches, conceding 19 goals.

For all their good work going forward, particularly away from home, with tidy approach work, there is a vulnerability in defence which brings an inevitability that Rovers will concede.

The second and third Wednesday goals, both from Barry Bannan free kicks, it felt as though the Owls were just one decent delivery away from being guaranteed a chance to find the back of the net.

The second goal was criminal, allowing a 6’5 striker a free header from six yards out can’t happen at any level of football. The third from Dominic Iorfa highlighted the fact that physically, it was really was men against boys.

With a squad showing signs of strain, the priority of this two week break is getting players back to full fitness and ensure this season isn't overshadow by a dismal final third.

BUCKLEY BOW

The one positive to come out of Rovers’ post-January slump is the debuts to Tyler Magloire and now John Buckley

Magloire has been drafted in from the Under-23s to start the last two matches, while Buckley was sent on midway through the second half in place of Corry Evans. The teenager had played 80 minutes in the Under-23s’ win at Stoke City the previous evening.

He showed flashes of what he can offer with some neat touches on the ball and having previously been name-checked by Mowbray, will be afforded more chances before the season is out. It feels also a matter of time before Dan Butterworth, a substitute in two Carabao Cup matches earlier this season, is handed his league bow.

BENNETT BREAKS HIS DUCK

A lack of goals this season has been a source of frustration for Elliott Bennett. He proved his versatility here by again lining up as a wing-back, this on the left, before moving to full back when Rovers to 4-2-3-1.

Bennett lashed home an effort in the closing stages, to reduce the deficit to 4-2, and also had a similar opening shortly after which he lashed wide.

The 30-year-old has had a long wait for his first goal of the season, with this his 34th appearance, and he would have preferred it to have come in better circumstances.

While Bennett’s versatility has proved key in recent weeks, playing the full 90 minutes for a 14th consecutive match since returning from injury, his contribution to the team has been questioned by some.

His manager praised the stand-in skipper pre-match, and Bennett rewarded him with a committed display, winning an impressive seven tackles and for the most part, shackled the dangerous Adam Reach well.

Bennett, when operating in the forward areas will be judged on his end product in the final third. It is hard to criticise that given most of his outings this season have come in defence.