ROVERS reporter Rich Sharpe picks out three talking points from the 1-0 win over Aston Villa at Ewood Park.
FOLLOWING THE BLUEPRINT
THAT is now four wins for Rovers under head coach Tony Mowbray, all by a 1-0 margin.
Their three home wins, against Derby, Wigan and now Aston Villa, saw them score in minutes 58 (twice) and 55, before holding on to a priceless clean sheet.
The away success at Nottingham Forest also saw them go in to the break level, before scoring in the second half and holding out.
It was also the game-plan at Wolves, but a lack of quality on the ball, and creativity in the final third, saw Rovers fail to find that crucial goal.
Rovers may not possess the technicians that Mowbray desires to play the brand of football he would like, instead he’s playing to their strengths, that being their ability to graft.
It will do little for the nerves, but it’s likely to be a case of same again as Rovers head for Brentford on the final day.
GOAL GETTER GRAHAM
IT WAS a first goal for Danny Graham since the arrival of Tony Mowbray, as his second half strike ended a two month wait for a goal. Infact, this was a first goal in the Championship since January 21 for the striker, who moved to 13 for the season.
Sam Gallagher has been preferred in attack under Mowbray, though much of that has come down to a lack of fitness for the 31-year-old.
Groin and hip injuries have somewhat derailed the second half of the season, but there is no denying his goalscoring instincts.
He may have fluffed his lines with a first half chance, but there was no denying the quality of his second half strike.
INTEGRITY ISSUES?
TONY Mowbray was forthright in his beliefs post-match about the decision by Huddersfield Town boss David Wagner to make 10 changes for their visit to Birmingham City.
As Mowbray conceded, Wagner was well within his rights to do so as he has to have the best intentions of his side in mind. And while the concerns of Rovers, or Nottingham Forest, aren’t his problem, surely, as Mowbray pointed out, would it not call in to question the integrity of the league with so much still to play for?
Mowbray could understand the decision, but questioned just what benefit it would have for the Terriers going in to the play-offs. In the end, Rovers kept their half of the bargain by picking up the three points. They will just have to look for favours from elsewhere on the final day.
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