Rovers reporter Rich Sharpe picks out five talking points from the 1-0 win at Bolton.

IDENTICAL RECORDS

So Rovers head in to the international break with 12 games played, four wins, six draws, and two defeats.

After the opening six games, and the first international break they had won twice, drawn three games and lost once, the 4-1 reverse at Bristol City.

In the following six to take them in to the October break, they have an identical record of results, scoring the same amount (7) and conceded one fewer (7).

They are averaging 1.5 points a game which if replicated over the course of 46 games, would give them 69 points.

In the last eight seasons, that would be enough to see them finish ninth, eighth, seventh, ninth, ninth, sixth, eighth and eighth. So consistently in the top 10, something most, if not all fans, would take at this stage.

In 2013/14 Rovers managed 70 points which left them in eighth.

While no bar has been set on their ambitions this term, building a stable base for which to push forward from in the upcoming transfer windows is priority number one.

The early signs are promising.

MIDFIELD MIX UP

For the first time since signing for the club last summer, the name of Richie Smallwood didn’t appear in the starting line-up for a league game. As Corry Evans also dropped to the bench, not since March (20 games ago) have neither started in central midfield for Rovers.

Harrison Reed and Jack Rodwell were brought in to offer more control of the ball, something they did well in the opening 20 minutes. Reed was busy and energetic, getting forward to good effect for Bradley Dack’s goal, while Rodwell showed good use of the ball, finding Elliott Bennett time and again with crossfield balls.

Smallwood and Evans were sent on in the second half to offer more protection and shore things up, and any pairing looking to take their spots for an extended amount of time will need to gain the trust these two have with the boss.

So while food for thought moving forward, Mowbray certainly hasn’t given up on his usual pairing.

BOLTON RECORD

The Rovers fans celebrated with gusto at the final whistle as they headed in to the international break with three points.

In doing so, they ended a run of six consecutive defeats away to Bolton as Mowbray’s men became the first since 2009 to win at the Reebok/Macron/University of Bolton Stadium.

From their 169 competitive meetings, Rovers now have 62 wins to Bolton’s 69.

When the sides meet again at Ewood in April, Rovers will hope to do the double over Wanderers, just as they did in 2009/10, following up a 2-0 away victory with a 3-0 success on home turf.

BACK THREE SWITCH

Rovers emerged for the second half without a change in personnel, but in system. Just as they had done in the midweek defeat to Sheffield United, they played the second half with a back three.

Mowbray wanted his side to have more control of the ball, but taking the energetic Reed out of the central area, and moving him to right wing-back, took away Rovers’ fluidity and ability to get on the ball.

Without him, Rodwell struggled to have the same influence, while Kasey Palmer and Bradley Dack seemed unsure of their roles.

It meant for a hard watch after the break, but in the end, Rovers got the job done without too much threat to David Raya’s goal, so from that perspective they will be happy.

But to kill games off, and not be forced to see them out by a single goal victory, their use of the ball must improve.

JOHNNY ON THE SPOT

It wasn’t his most vintage of displays, but Bradley Dack came up with the goods when it mattered most, turning in from close range after Rothwell’s shot was blocked.

It is now eight goals and five assists for Dack in 10 league and cup matches as his impressive start to life in the Championship continues.

A curling effort in the Carabao Cup win at Carlisle apart, all of his goals this season have come from inside the box.

While Rovers’ main creative threat, his ability to make runs in to the box undetected are his main strength, as seen by goals against Nottingham Forest, Hull City and Ipswich on the opening day.

Here, like against Aston Villa, it was instinct to be in the right place to turn the ball in from close range, and as long as he keeps getting in to those areas, his goal ratio will continue at an impressive rate.