MARTIN’S BAPTISM OF FIRE

MARTIN Samuelsen was handed a first League start after dazzling for his country in the week.

But the Norway international swiftly discovered bamboozling San Marino is one thing, getting the better of a well-drilled Championship outfit like Ipswich is another.

Samuelsen did show glimpses of the talent that had left Rovers supporters calling for his inclusion in the starting line-up. That backheel on the byline in the first half briefly lifted the tedium.

However too often the on-loan West Ham United winger’s end product was lacking and at times he was bullied by bigger and wily opponents.

But the teenager will learn from the experience and he should be given another chance.

BEN’S BETTER AT THE BACK

WHETHER Samuelsen starts Tuesday’s home clash with Nottingham Forest may be dependent on whether Owen Coyle reverts Ben Marshall to the wing.

On Saturday’s evidence the Rovers boss should keep Marshall where he is.

It is well documented his natural and favoured position is further upfield.

But for some time now Marshall has saved his best performances for right-back. Against Ipswich he was the one player who looked like making things happen.

But what of suspension-free captain Jason Lowe?

Well, if Coyle feels he needs to be in the team, why not put Lowe  back into the centre of the park, where the injury troubling Corry Evans is preventing him from completing matches.

RISE ABOVE THE ISSUES

IT is the fans who have had and continue to have it the hardest.

But this is not an easy club to manage or play for.

That said it is up to Coyle and his squad to rise above the off-field issues which hang grimly over Rovers and produce performances which can give the long-suffering supporters something to cling on to.

On Saturday they failed in their attempts to do that. A point and a clean sheet, while a step in the right direction, did not suffice.

Significant improvement is needed, starting on Tuesday, or the sad decline will continue.