Rovers reporter Rich Sharpe picks out five talking points from the 1-0 defeat at Oldham Athletic

SYSTEM SWITCH

TONY Mowbray opted to move away from the system which had served Rovers so well in their wins over Rotherham and Gillingham and revert back to a 4-4-2.

However, a front pairing of Marcus Antonsson and Dominic Samuel were left isolated, while also failing to provide the necessary hold-up play that Rovers required to move up the pitch.

And having been forced to sit deeper because of the inclusion of Elliott Ward, that made the pitch far bigger than they would have wished.

Elliott Bennett in a more central role, to provide extra energy to that of Richie Smallwood and Peter Whittingham may well have been a better option as Rovers found themselves over-run for large parts.

And when Smallwood was substituted, possibly to prevent him from being sent off, that only made the game even more open, playing in to Oldham’s hands.

INCONSISTENCY ISSUES

ROVERS should have come in to this one buoyed by the wins over Rotherham and Gillingham, but started slowly, and in truth, never really recovered.

The games in which Rovers have won so far this season have been built on fast starts to games, but here, they were second best from the first whistle.

Oldham looked hungrier, sharper in the tackles, and always looked to have a pass on, whereas Rovers looked devoid of ideas.

And the defeat was to end a run of three games unbeaten, and four without defeat on the road, as hopes of a long unbeaten stretch were once again undone.

Rovers must now react, and fast, in back-to-back home games as they finally look to secure some momentum moving forward.

JACK’S THE LAD

DESPITE signing just days before the transfer window closed, the Oldham fans have already seen more of Jack Byrne in action than their Rovers counterparts did during what was supposed to be a season-long loan.

While those in the home stands have clearly taken to him, there was little surprise among those in the away end that the Irishman was named man-of-the-match.

With the bit between his teeth, his driving runs from midfield caused Rovers plenty of problems and he had several long range attempts at goal.

Clearly thriving at being star of the show at the Latics, operating in a system and division that obviously suits him, he was a deserved recipient of the post-match champagne.

DOWNING LOSS

PAUL Downing had impressed in his opening three Rovers outings, helping the team to the three consecutive clean sheets.

His absence presented an opportunity for Elliott Ward, but his lack of mobility saw Rovers have to play much deeper, and in turn, failed to get up the pitch as much as they would have liked.

The pacey Eoin Doyle running in to the channel of Ward troubled him all afternoon, and the striker was unfortunate not to add to his tally of six goals in his last seven outings.

Rovers did look set to hold on for a clean sheet until Menig’s late winner, and while hardly blessed with any express pace, Downing’s extra mobility would certainly have been welcomed.

MAKING AMENDS

TONY Mowbray criticised his side after the 1-1 draw at Shrewsbury Town on September 23, Rovers’ last away game, and they responded with back-to-back home wins going in to the international.

The excellent travelling support of 3,500 will hope for, and demand, better when Rovers host Plymouth Argyle on Tuesday and then Portsmouth on Saturday.

Mowbray will likely make changes and few of his players could have any arguments were they to miss out against the Pilgrims.

The players must put in a response to try and turn their three game week around.