Eustace gets deserved plaudits from unified Blackburn crowd

John Eustace's side came flying out the traps and deservedly led at the break. The visitors then wrestled a foothold and earned their equaliser; a thumping header from Curtis Nelson.

But three goals in a frantic 12-minute spell changed the game in Rovers' favour, ensuring three points on opening night. The perfect tonic to alleviate any pre-season jitters, at least for one evening.

Here's a round-up of the key talking points from a big win at Ewood Park for Rovers.

READ MORE: EUSTACE HIGHLIGHTS MOMENT THAT CHANGED GAME FOR ROVERS

Substitutes make all the difference

Sometimes, football can be very simplistic. It's quite obvious to even the untrained eye as to what swung the momentum back in Rovers' favour.

Derby's equaliser had been coming. Nobody could begrudge them when Nelson towered at the back post to even the scoring. They'd started the quicker in the second half and Rovers had struggled to maintain their first-half intensity.

But the quality Rovers had in reserve won them the match; something we could very rarely say last season. Looking at the bench pre-game, it was quite obvious there was a lack of balance.

One goalkeeper, a defender, a midfielder and *checks notes*, six attackers. But that at least shows Rovers have game-changers ready to make an impact.

Obviously, it helps when one of those is the Championship's golden boot holder but Sam Szmodics' impact didn't outweigh that of Andi Weimann or Yuki Ohashi. All three contributed equally and provided the much-needed impetus, with Derby on top.

Weimann's goal highlighted exactly what he'll bring to Rovers. That nous and Championship pedigree. In a box of hot heads, he was cool, calculated and used his experience to find space at the back post.

Of course, it would've been nothing without the stellar work of Hayden Carter. Rumour has it James Collins is still sliding to block the cross after falling for the dummy. The delivery itself was a peach too; unbelievable composure from a centre-half.

The movement from Szmodics for his goal was terrific. If you watch closely, you can see how he is first in the middle of the box and then just pulls away, perfectly timing his run to sweep home Callum Brittain's ball. It gets better with every rewatch.

If that is to be his final goal in blue and white, it felt a fitting one. Tucked home in front of the Blackburn End; the noise was palpable when the ball hit the net.

For many, the beauty of Ohashi's delicate dink will be the highlight. What a way to open your account in English football. I sense we might have a new fans' favourite on our hands.

So often last season, Eustace would turn around from his technical area and be short of options. That certainly wasn't the case on Friday.

Makhtar Gueye impression

He's going to be a bit of fun, isn't he? First impressions count and Rovers fans are very excited about their new number nine.

This week, Steve Waggott said that Rovers signed Gueye to inject pace and power into their team. It's early days but he certainly ticks those boxes.

His first-half display was very encouraging. From winning his first aerial duel to the clever run and movement that saw him flash a shot just wide from a tight angle. He gives Rovers athleticism and a focal point at the top end of the pitch.

It's early days but he does look a little bit scruffy in front of goal. I don't think he's the most clean finisher, as illustrated by his wasted chance in the second half. But he's still finding his feet and did look tired as the second half progressed.

I think his performance was perfectly summed up by receiving treatment, with Ohashi ready to come on, only to burst into the channel and back-heel flick the ball into Dolan's path. Filthy.

He is going to be someone who gets Rovers fans off their feet. There are plenty of exciting raw ingredients for Eustace to work with.

Set-pieces and fitness

When Gueye went off, there was a notable drop-off in Rovers' ability to defend set-pieces. They'd had a warning early in the second half when Aynsley Pears managed to scramble an in-swinging ball off the line.

Both Nelson's header and the flick from Kane Wilson came as a result of getting in front of their markers. It wasn't particularly earth-shattering movement but a better desire to attack the ball.

It's definitely something to work on and clearly irked Eustace, who is determined that set-pieces won't be an Achilles heel this term.

Similarly, you saw the effects of a disjointed pre-season, with so many late arrivals. Gueye was on his feet at 60 minutes, as was Ryan Hedges and Joe Rankin-Costello. The former still finding his rhythm after a long lay-off whilst the latter had a hamstring niggle coming into the contest.

It's not the perfect squad that Eustace would've liked for matchday one and so the fluctuation in the performance levels across 90 minutes was understandable.

Lewis Travis gets the armband

I thought Travis was superb on his first Ewood Park start since November 29. He was handed the captaincy by Eustace and thrived with the returning responsibility.

Whilst there are some similarities in the destructive tendencies of Travis and Sondre Tronstad, they also complement each other well. Travis is comfy higher up the pitch, hunting and pressing to win the ball back. He provides more energy in the centre of the park alongside the more reserved and patient Tronstad.

It's a partnership the defence will love. It offers protection and bite in the middle. Travis got the sponsor's Player of the Match award and I thought he was thoroughly deserving.

A unified Ewood Park

Opening night drew 18,000 to Ewood Park and the noise was up a few notches. Considering most of the summer has been filled with anxiety and trepidation, the crowd were right behind the team from minute one.

Rovers gave them something to back too. They were on the front foot early on, started strongly and scored inside 25 minutes. But even when Derby equalised and had the momentum, you didn't sense real panic from the stands.

Whether it was the excitement of domestic football returning or a renewed belief in those on the pitch and in the dug out; Rovers felt unified and as one inside Ewood Park. In the last 12 months, that has been pretty rare.

It helps when you win, Szmodics come back and the new lads score. Of course it does. But from the first minute to the last, Rovers felt like a proper football club again.

It's only a start, 45 more cup finals to go etc, but that's a pretty encouraging way to feel after opening night.