Jon Dahl Tomasson, instead of talking formations, discusses space.

It is a key facet of his management, and when it works as he wants, ensures players are operating in areas where they are free of the opposition.

That sees players assume positions outside of their traditional role, Joe Rankin-Costello being a prime example of that when moving into midfield when initially lining up at right back.

That relies on accurate passing and moving the ball quickly, and at its best, opens up the pitch to give Rovers room to work.

It is also imperative that Rovers are intense in their work off the ball given the ball can be lost in high-risk areas.

That is where things fell down at Stoke.

Rovers moved the ball too slowly, opting for back and across than forward too many times, with countless misplaced passes.

John Buckley, so often Rovers’ creative force in the middle of the park, uncharacteristically failed to complete nine of his 17 attempted passes, while Rankin-Costello completed only nine of his 26.

With no pressure on the ball, and Rovers out of their natural defensive shape, time and again Stoke had the opportunities to counter.

Alex Neil had given an in-depth assessment of Rovers pre-game and it was clear he had studied them closely.

They attacked the spaces vacated by players advanced of the ball, with quick switches of play, and crossfield balls, leaving Rovers unbale to get bodies back quickly enough.

That was how the first two goals came about, worryingly similar from a Rovers point of view, as Ki-Jana Hoever stole in unmarked at the far post to sweep home twice, with Tyrhys Dolan unable to provide the cover.

Rovers hadn’t heeded an earlier warning, with Will Smallbone running clear, only to be denied by the bar.

Tomasson opted against changes at half time, and Rovers should have been three down only seconds after his triple substitution as the excellent Smallbone wasted a golden opportunity.

The third goal summed up Rovers’ night, as Josh Laurent waltzed his way into the box, showing the greater desire to win the ball on the byline, before his cross ran kindly for Tyrese Campbell to apply the finish.

There was then the most unlikely of comebacks on the cards as first Ben Brereton, and then Sam Gallagher, headed in crosses from Callum Brittain and Harry Pickering, delivered from either flank.

They would prove to be their only attempts on target however, but it at least gave the scoreline some respectability, and limited the damage to the goal difference.

It left Rovers ruing just how they hadn’t managed to pressure a Stoke defence, showing two changes as well as a new goalkeeper, much earlier.

It also highlighted that Rovers being successful relies on a team effort.

When, on this occasion, several players don’t reach the heights of which they are capable, things can fall down quite quickly.

Then there are the lingering questions about their ability to change the momentum of a game.

They remain with just a solitary point from losing positions, and never looked like ending that sequence at the bet365 Stadium.

The first goal continues to have a huge say in the outcome of games, a fact highlighted by Stoke boss Neil after the match, with his side now winning 11 of the 12 matches in which they have taken the lead.

Tomasson resisted changes at the break, only to then use the first 15 minutes of the second half as almost a another half time for the three players he went on to introduce as they warmed up along the touchline after receiving instructions.

They were like-for-like replacements, and didn’t particularly alter the flow of the game, with Rovers never truly building up ahead of steam.

Brereton became the second substitute to score this season, and getting him back on the scoresheet, as well as a third goal in four games for Gallagher, were at least something Rovers could take away from the game.

Having the Chile international fit and firing for the run-in, in a team that has struggled for goals, will be a huge boost, with his recall likely not far away.

Being unable to deal with set-backs, and seeing one defeat lead to three, was the downfall of Rovers’ play-off bid 12 months earlier.

Tomasson has vowed that his players shouldn’t get too emotionally involved in any talk of the top six, but must instead channel the feeling of disappointment and find a response against Reading on Wednesday night.

There is no chance of Tomasson being anything but calm, at least publicly.

Rovers have proven more than enough that they have the ability to bounce-back, particularly with a home game on the horizon.

The number of wins they have been able to chalk up has defined the season so far, and that theme is likely to continue with 10 to go.