Howe saw the Clarets go down 2-0 to League Two Rovers and said after the game: "These games are all about fitness, but we are disappointed, not necessarily in the result but the manner of the performance.
"We didn't play at all and we will learn our lessons. In some cases, a defeat like this does you good, but only if you react in the right way and learn lessons from it.
"We weren't at the races today and Bristol Rovers did to us what we wanted to do to them. They pressed, got in our faces and disrupted our rhythm. We found it difficult to string passes together and keep possession, so every credit to them. We will reflect on that and make sure we get better."
One positive was a first Burnley appearance for new loan signing Ben Mee. "Ben showed what he is about with a few crunching challenges and looking composed on the ball," Howe said. "I thought he did well and he will only get better when he gets to know the players around him."