ROVERS reporter Rich Sharpe picks out three talking points after the FA Cup third round win at QPR.
 

BENNETT'S BACK

AN Injury to Craig Conway, coupled with a break from league action, presented Elliott Bennett with the perfect opportunity to stake his claim for a starting spot going forward after a period on the sidelines.

He began the game impressively, and was still leading the charge in the latter stages of the game, despite having not been involved from the start since the EFL Cup defeat to Leeds in September.

Lancashire Telegraph:

The 28-year-old played a key part in the opening goal, winning the ball in his own half before embarking on a surging run down the left.  He then had the quality to whip in a dangerous ball which eventually led to Joel Lynch turning past his own goalkeeper.

This was only his 10th outing of the season, and the third competition in which he has played, but he could have done little more to twist his manager’s arm to give him a go from the start at Ipswich Town next time out.

UP FOR THE CUP

ROVERS may have made four changes for this one, but two of them were enforced through an injury to Craig Conway and Marvin Emnes not being given permission to play by Swansea. 

Another was simply a switch in goal, while the final one saw Ben Marshall return at right-back. 

So this was as near to full strength as Rovers could have been, with Owen Coyle stating his intentions from kick-off.

They may have got something of a lucky break for the opening goal, but a spell at the start of the second-half apart, they dominated this one and rarely needed to get out of second gear to see it through.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Rovers have spurned opportunities of building momentum already this season, so Owen Coyle will have been keen not to pass another one up here after four points against two promotion-chasers coming in to this one.

They rewarded an excellent travelling following of 917 with a place in round four, and such a healthy number of fans making the trip shows that this competition still holds a strong place in the hearts of many.

MOTIVATED MARSHALL

“ALL I need to know from Ben Marshall is that he is totally committed” were the words of Owen Coyle going in to this one.

Marshall had been the subject of much transfer speculation leading up to the game, but returned to the side after his three weeks absence and from the first whistle put in a wholehearted display.

Lancashire Telegraph:

There were no signs of sulking or going through the motions from the 25-year-old, nor any suggestions that his head may be elsewhere.

He was full of running down the Rovers right as he linked up well with Liam Feeney, and then when switched to central midfield for the final 15 minutes, covered plenty of yards, and kept going until the final whistle.

On his day, he remains one of Rovers’ key performers.  His future may be in the balance, but for as long as he does remain at the club, Rovers will hope to get a similar level of performance from their number 10.