Rovers reporter Rich Sharpe picks out three talking points ahead of the visit of Hull City.
FULL BACK TESTS
HULL are in red-hot form with 25 goals in their last nine matches.
Key to that has been the form of duo Jarrod Bowen, operating from the right wing, and Kamil Grosicki on the opposite side.
Bowen has starred with six goals in his last four matches, and 10 in his last nine, as well as supplying two assists. Grosicki has three goals and five assists in his last eight outings.
Elliott Bennett has been used at right back for the last four league matches, but with specialist Ryan Nyambe now fit, the youngster could return to the side in a bid to shackle Grosicki, with Bennett moved further forward.
Amari’i Bell has started six of Rovers’ last seven league games, with Derrick Williams out injured, and had arguably his best game of that run against Ipswich.
But with Williams also fit again, Mowbray may opt for the more defensive minded man against Bowen’s threat.
RODWELL OR MULGREW
CHARLIE Mulgrew has missed three consecutive matches, including the wins and clean sheets against Millwall and Ipswich, through injury.
Jack Rodwell deputised for him, and not only put in assured display, but also seemed to bring out the best in Darragh Lenihan whose form had taken a wobble over the Christmas period.
Hull are in free-scoring form and even with back-to-back clean sheets under their belts, Rovers have still conceded 20 in their previous 11 league fixtures.
Leaving out Mulgrew would be a big call, but then dropping Rodwell would be harsh. But those are the decisions Tony Mowbray has wanted, competition in all areas.
REWARDS FOR A WIN
ROVERS moved up four places with a win over Ipswich last weekend and are one of three teams, along with Hull on 40 points, with four more a point worse off
So Rovers know a fourth straight victory would, at the very least, see them leapfrog the Tigers.
The League One season apart, when Rovers won six in a row, not since September/October 2007, and successes over Sunderland, Birmingham, Reading and Tottenham in the Premier League, have Rovers won four on the spin.
With sixth placed Derby and Bristol City, in seventh, in FA Cup action, both sides know a victory would move them within three points of the top six.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel