AWAY DAY BLUES MUST END

Rovers deserved at least a point from Saturday’s match, but they didn’t get it due to a costly error and a stroke of bad luck.

But the table doesn’t tell a tale of what might have been and with only four away points on the board so far, Owen Coyle’s men need to start getting something on the travels more often than not.

Returning home empty handed heaps the pressure on home fixtures and that’s the last thing Rovers need. They have to feel relaxed and confident at Ewood Park, not nervous and tense.

So more quality in the final third and better game management must become regular habits away from East Lancashire.

The win at Derby lifted the spirits and brought a bit of the feel-good factor back.

The fact that the next two away fixtures for Rovers are at an improving Aston Villa and league leaders Newcastle won’t make that easy, but you feel they must get something from both games.

INJURIES MOUNTING UP

Derrick Williams and Danny Guthrie are the latest to pick up knocks, while his manager admitted that Marvin Emnes batted on at Ashton Gate despite getting a whack on the ankle in the first half.

The Dutchman had to grin and bear it because Danny Graham is still recovering from a groin problem and Anthony Stokes was struck down with food poisoning.

Add Adam Henley, Gordon Greer, Wes Brown and Elliott Ward to that list of walking wounded, and the treatment tables at Brockhall are groaning under some serious weight already this season.

While Coyle’s squad is not exactly short on numbers, these casualties are some of the first-choice players he’d love to have available for selection.

Their absence may give one or two youngsters a chance; Sam Gallagher has certainly taken his opportunity and may well keep his place in attack even after the return of Graham and Stokes.

But add a few more crocks - Corry Evans and Ben Marshall have both been patched up and sent out in recent games - and it starts to become a real problem.

STARK CONTRAST

While is was organised mayhem behind the scenes at the new-look and much-expanded Ashton Gate you couldn’t help but feel here was a club on the up and with real ambitions.

The stands weren’t finished and everything is not yet running smoothly at Bristol City, but the home fans turned out in record numbers and their was a tangible sense of expectation in the air.

Contrast this with the atmosphere at Ewood Park, and it’s clear they are clubs in very different situations.

Next weekend’s planned walk-out by some Rovers fans is indication, if any were needed, that there is major disharmony with the owners and the state of affairs on the pitch. Saturday provided a reminder of what it feels like when everyone at a football club is united and pulling in the same direction.