Ratings: Deflating performance reflects supporter mood

Daniel Ainsworth hands out his ratings as Rovers’ defensive switch offs result in defeat.

Thomas Kaminski 5

Was put under pressure by the Preston forwards quite regularly and it showed with a few forced errors. Looked suspect on the ball at times but did deal with it relatively well.

Ryan Nyambe 5

Not the best of nights for Nyambe. Dragged across for the first goal leaving his side open. Struggled to get involved afterwards and was taken off around the hour mark.

Darragh Lenihan 5

Seemed a few seconds off the pace throughout. Clumsy and sometimes all over the place. A performance to forget after a good start to the year.

Jarrad Branthwaite 4

Undoubtedly his worst game in a Rovers shirt. Looked lost in the game and just wasn’t himself throughout the match. Wonder if the build-up to the match got to him.

Barry Douglas (MAN OF THE MATCH) 6

Probably the standout player in a poor Rovers side. Got forward well and offered something with a couple of well delivered crosses. Seems to be on a good run of form and long may it continue.

Lewis Travis 6

Kept trying to get stuck in throughout the match, but as he was in a midfield two rather than three, it limited what he could do off the ball.

Jacob Davenport 6

Looked calm and comfortable on the ball early on, but his influence faded as the first half moved on. Perhaps unfortunate to be withdrawn at the break but understandable.

Sam Gallagher 6

Poor Sam. As if being played as a winger isn’t bad enough, he was used as a right-back at one point. Won the penalty and offered directness in an otherwise poor Rovers attacking performance.

Bradley Dack 5

Showed some moments of promise but let himself down with poorly placed passes or optimistic switches that didn’t come off. Seems to be trying too hard.

Joe Rothwell 4

A really poor performance from Rothwell. Nothing of his usual self as he struggled to get forward or create anything. Taken off at half-time.

Adam Armstrong 6

Took the penalty well and was very unlucky not to have added a second following Iversen’s impressive save. Was quiet otherwise.

Substitutes:

Stewart Downing (replacing Jacob Davenport, 46 mins) 6

Added some much needed control to the midfield. A clever passer as always and did what he could to get Rovers back into the game.

Tyrhys Dolan (replacing Joe Rothwell, 46 mins) 6

Brought life into the game from a Rovers perspective but he just couldn’t find the end product.

Harvey Elliott (replacing Ryan Nyambe, 63 mins) 6

Looked his usual self on the ball but like the rest, he struggled to have any real impact on Rovers going forward.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis (replacing Sam Gallagher, 75 mins) 6

Struggled to make an impact in his little time on the pitch. Could replace Branthwaite in his most natural position at right-back.

Ben Brereton (replacing Lewis Travis, 87 mins) N/A

Thrown into action late on with little time to influence the match.