BOSS Paul Ince felt that the midweek internationals had the affect he feared they would as Rovers were held to a 1-1 draw by Hull City.
Jason Roberts 38th minute strike looked to have set the home side on their way but Hull hit back within two minutes through Richard Garcia.
Rovers were unable to hit the heights experienced at Goodison seven days ago, with Ince feeling that the midweek friendly matches counted against his side travel-weary side.
"It was very very hard, I knew it would be," said the Rovers boss on Radio Rovers after the game. "Being a player myself, going away on international duty and then coming back is always difficult. I've had about an hour with all my players this week.
"And at times it showed, we looked tired, very lethargic. I think conceding the goal so soon after we had just scored killed us a bit. It was very disappointing defending."
Rovers had as many as ten players away on international duty, unlike Hull who had just a couple of players absent during the week.
"Phil Brown has had all but two people all week, whereas we've had ten players away and it showed at times. Obviously the expectation because you are playing Hull at home, a team that has just come up, can be mentally draining.
"I'm not pleased with the performance, but I can understand why we played that way, it will be nice to have a full week with my team.
"But at the end of the day if someone had said to me Everton away and Hull at home, you'd take a draw at Everton and a win against Hull. It is still two unbeaten and that is the most important thing."
