LETHARGIC and lacking in tempo and intensity it was not just Blackburn Rovers’ defeat to Wolves that disappointed but the manner of it.

The vibrancy on show in the wins over Charlton Athletic and in the first half against Bolton Wanderers and the second half against Middlesbrough had disappeared.

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If performances had taken a step forward since the dispiriting loss to Brentford then Sunday was certainly a step back.

What Rovers could have done for a Ryan Tunnicliffe?

The on-loan midfielder was just coming into his own when he was recalled by Fulham on New Year’s Day.

And sluggish Rovers certainly missed the energy and tenacity he brings against a Wolves side who did the basics better right across the pitch and were rewarded with a third victory straight at Ewood Park.

Speaking before Sunday’s match Gary Bowyer admitted Tunnicliffe would be a loss and, now he is able to make at least one loan signing or free transfer, that he is a player he may try to replace this month.

“Losing Ryan back to Fulham leaves us a little bit light in midfield and if the right person comes along in that area that is something we’ll look at,” said the Rovers boss, who is restricted in the market by the club’s FFP embargo.

“It was massively disappointing to lose Ryan and it’s probably the first time as a manager that I’ve lost a player in that manner.

“It was sad to see the boy go, he really enjoyed his football here, he had a good time here, and he fitted in well with everybody.

“The level of performances and the energy he was producing was fantastic for us.

“It was a tough one but when we took him we knew that it was a possibility that he could go.

“Unfortunately Kit Symons at Fulham had worked with him at U21s level, because he wasn’t in the first-team squad at that time, so we knew it was a possibility when Kit got the job.”

Tunnicliffe, who was sad to leave Rovers, made his first start since returning to Fulham in their 1-0 defeat at Fulham on Saturday.