IF, if, if. Not that it matters now but Rovers’ lowly standing would be different if they had held on to beat Burton Albion and draw with Fulham and Leeds United.

Instead they conceded late goals in all three matches meaning they head into tomorrow’s home clash with Rotherham United propping up the rest of the Championship with two points from a possible 21.

While Rovers may be able to point to improved performances since those dreadful opening three defeats that is undermined by their inability to see games out. Indeed, had Jason Steele not made a stunning injury-time save at QPR, they would have one solitary point to their name.

“When we look back at it you look at Burton and the other night at Leeds,” said Rovers boss Owen Coyle when asked what he can do about his side’s costly last-gasp lapses.

“A couple of the young lads have just been caught at set-plays. I’m sure those young ones – and we don’t have to go into specifics on individuals because collectively we stay together – have learned their lessons because they are so conscientious.

“But equally I’ve think there’s been periods in games when we could get that other goal to put it out of sight. That will certainly help everybody, particularly latterly because we’ve lost late goals.

“A bit of nerves, a bit of anxiety, can creep in when you’re trying to win points.

“For us it’s just about being resolute, being focused, and showing those leadership skills later in the game with the players we have on the field and seeing those games through.

“This is not a team that has not been performing or has not been in games. This is very much a team that could and should have taken more points.

“When all is said and done we haven’t and the only ones who can affect it is us. It’s making sure we’re focused for the duration of the game because the points are readily available.

“And, if we can get that win, we can go and get another on the back of that. But we have to get that first win.”

Rovers gave themselves a chance of doing that at Elland Road on Tuesday after Marvin Emnes cancelled out fellow substitute Chris Wood’s opener.

But while Leeds went on to win the match, after Kyle Bartley was allowed a free run, just as frustrating for the 327 travelling supporters was the fact it took their side to go behind to a team short of confidence before forcing the initiative.

“My point to the players afterwards was you can’t wait for a slap in the face for you to react,” said Coyle, who could be without up to eight first-team players tomorrow.

“Let’s play that way at 0-0 and go and take charge of the game. When we play like that I think we look a very good team.

“Even then at 2-1 we still went up the other end and had five, six, seven corners in a row and things were bobbling about in the box.

“They have the heart for the fight. It’s just about adding that little bit of finesse.

“We’d love to have that consistency of selection but we’ve not had that and until we do we have to tweak things a little bit and get us a team who can win that game and then kick on from there.”