Blackburn Rovers repay their fans as Ewood Park clouds clear

It's very early days but there's never a bad time to be sat in second place. That is the state of play after five league games.

You'll never catch John Eustace admitting it but even he must be ecstatic with the start his side have made. Considering how late the summer business was and plenty of other factors, Rovers have surpassed expectations.

They were deserved winners against Bristol City. They might've had a helping hand on the way, thanks to Max O'Leary, but their 96-minute performance warranted the points.

Here are the main talking points from another home success at Ewood Park including Yuki Ohashi, a first league clean sheet and reasons to be excited about what's to come.

Heyyyy, heyyyy Yuki!

Oh boy, Blackburn Rovers might have found a gem here. Ohashi is an instant fans' favourite and with finishing like that, it's easy to see why.

I actually felt he'd been quite quiet in the first half. We learned from the Oxford United match that he's arguably better when he has someone to play off, like Makhtar Gueye.

He didn't have lots to work with in the first half; Rovers didn't create a bucket load of chances despite controlling the game. But in the second half, he came alive.

Forget the goals for a second, he was notably far more involved. He was winning headers against defenders with far greater stature, linking the play and providing more of a focal point.

Now let's talk the finishes. Woof. The first one is certainly not to be sniffed at. First time, top corner, on the angle, superb. So clinical and deadly, which we've seen in buckets since he arrived.

What is perhaps less expected was the second. A driving run into the box and that level of quality on his *weaker* left foot. An unbelievable strike which came at such a crucial moment in the match for Rovers.

They were under the cosh at that stage with Bristol City enjoying their best spell. That goal ended the game as a contest and ensured the three points.

Rovers' recruitment team will be over the moon with the start their two major foreign imports have made. Ohashi is clearly benefitting from moving to England mid-season and that has probably helped his quick start this season.

Do I believe that Rovers have a player who will hit the heights of Sam Szmodics last year in their ranks? No, probably not. But I absolutely believe both centre-forwards are capable of hitting 15 goals. Throw in Andi Weimann, Tyrhys Dolan, Todd Cantwell, Arnor Sigurdsson, Ryan Hedges, Amario Cozier-Dubbery... you get the point.

Having an array of threats, rather than one talisman is a major benefit.

Clean sheet? Completed it mate.

Rovers deserved their first clean sheet of the season. They limited Bristol City to very little, especially in the first hour of the match. It wasn't until the visitors were 2-0 down that they actually looked capable of testing the defence.

Rovers' structure out of possession was fantastic. They press in an organised and succinct fashion. Bristol City had 56 per cent possession but went absolutely nowhere with it.

In the first half, they completed 197 passes but 131 of those were in their own half, which tells the story. At 1-0, Bristol City's fans were ironically cheering when the ball was inevitably recycled back to O'Leary.

Rovers' game plan worked to a tee. When they needed their goalkeeper, he produced the goods with two decent stops to deny Scott Twine and later Sinclair Armstrong.

If it wasn't Pears, it was Hayden Carter, who produced a goal-saving block at 2-0. That was good as a goal.

Carter's performance were up and down last year. He didn't hit the consistency of the 2022/23 season, for many reasons, including injury. He has stated 2024/25 in fine fettle. Whether at centre-back or, on this occasion, at right-back, he has been rock solid.

And at left-back, Harry Pickering must be sweating. Owen Beck was once again sensational. He is so talented but perhaps the most impressive thing is how good he is defensively, when that is usually the weakest game of a young full-back's game.

Adaptability on full display

Rovers had injuries, players out of position. When the team sheet came out, it looked a bit unbalanced.

However, the team didn't miss a beat on the pitch. They'd reworked a few things, such as swapping the player roles in build-up from right to left, and it worked.

That pays testament to a team that is well coached; every player knows their job. When you can provide clarity to all your players, not just one to 11, you're on to a winner.

Lewis Baker picked up central spaces on the ball and defended from the left without it. Beck pushed on on the overlap to afford him space to drift inside.

Carter instead tucked around to make the three-man build-up shape with Ryan Hedges holding the width. Not massive changes to the laymen but Rovers' adaptability should be noted.

Fortress Ewood

Rovers are already halfway towards their tally of home league wins last season.

In Jon Dahl Tomasson's first year, Ewood Park was the bedrock of their push for the top-six. Last year, they managed just six wins in front of their own supporters.

It's the first time they have opened a Championship campaign with victories in their first three home games since 2012/13. Whilst every point is worth the same, being a good home team does wonders for the mood around a club, where the bulk of your supporters see you in action.

One big reason to be excited

It's early days, 39 cup finals to go etc... but this team should only improve.

There will be bumps in the road. Injuries will hit. Players will dip in form. The new imports might burn out. But there's so much still to come.

We haven't even seen Todd Cantwell or Amario Cozier-Dubbery in full flight. Three regulars were missing from Saturday's matchday squad and the bench looked very strong.

If Rovers are in a position where the likes of Joe Rankin-Costello is an unused substitute, it's not a bad position to be, is it?

Add in that many of these players didn't have a full pre-season. The signings came in late. The Szmodics saga. Time *should* only improve this group.

It is Eustace's job to keep their feet on the ground at the club. But the fans should get excited; they deserve it after last year.