Rovers reporter Rich Sharpe picks out three talking points from the 2-2 draw with Brentford.

CONTENTIOUS CALLS

Brentford boss Thomas Frank described the penalty awarded to Rovers as ‘debatable’, with David Raya adjudged to have pulled down John Buckley as they challenged for the loose ball.

Tony Mowbray went one further when asked for his take on the Brentford penalty, which saw Said Benrahma equalised, describing Tim Robinson’s decision as ‘ridiculous’. Even Frank described the call as ‘discussable’.

On first viewing it looked soft, as substitute Mads Roerslev drove in to space between Amari’i Bell and Bradley Johnson before taking a tumble. On further reflection it became clear it was a dive, Roerslev already on the way down as he looked to manufacture contact.

While Brentford were on top for large spells, and were good value for their point, the way the equaliser came about left a sour taste in the mount.

Countless times over the last three years we’ve heard Mowbray described an official as ‘having a tough day’, his preferred choice of phrase than tearing in to the man in the middle.

Referee Tim Robinson took centre stage in the second half with the penalty decisions, but there were several mystifying calls throughout which angered both benches, but certainly added to the intensity of the encounter.

GOOD CAN BECOME GREAT

Rovers would certainly have taken a point before the game, and even despite letting a two goal lead slip, many will view this as a positive result given the quality Brentford possess.

What Rovers will now look to do is turn this from a good point in to a great one by backing it up in successive home games against Stoke City on Wednesday and Swansea City on Saturday.

Rovers took just two points from back-to-back home games over the festive period against Wigan and Birmingham, and one from games with Luton and Nottingham Forest, but their Ewood form of late will mean they will head in to this double-header with optimism.

And if they can emerge from their next two matches with positive results then it will keep them in touch with the top six, and also turn this draw in to a very good one.

Rovers would have moved in to the top six before the 3pm games got under way had they held on at Brentford. And while they remain outsiders for the top six, their season can be very much alive should they find a way to take at least four points from the six available in their next two matches.

BIG CHANCE GOES BEGGING

Adam Armstrong had three goals in his first 20 matches this season, but has nine in his last 16, as well five assists.

He now has 12 for the season, but would have been confident of a 13th when he was clean through on goal with the score at 2-2.
Countless times in training he will have been one-on-one with David Raya, but it was the Spaniard, now with Brentford, who came out on top as he denied him with his legs.

It was a golden chance for Rovers to win it, the clearest either side had in the final 20 minutes, and one Rovers wouldn’t have wanted to fall to any other player.

Armstrong is a man hungry for goals though, again having five shots at goal, and becoming an increasingly big player for this side.