John Eustace admitted Blackburn Rovers were 'off the pace' in their 3-0 defeat at Coventry City.

The Sky Blues were dominant at the CBS Arena with goals from Jake Bidwell, Hadji Wright and Brandon Thomas Asante earning them the win. Rovers struggled to muster much of a replay and were second-best for most of the contest. 

Eustace agreed that Coventry were the better team and wants to see a response from his group at Plymouth Argyle this weekend.

"It was a very disappointing night. I thought we were a little bit off the pace," he said.

READ MORE: ROVERS PLAYER RATINGS WITH PLENTY OFF-COLOUR AT COVENTRY

"We started quite well but apart from that we weren't at our normal levels which was disappointing. This is the Championship, it's relentless, we have come to a difficult place tonight.

"We have been on a good run and we just couldn't get our final pass off. I thought we got into some very difficult areas and the final ball wasn't good enough.

"I think the first chance summed up our night, the final ball wasn't right. The bit of quality wasn't there.

"We were off the pace in terms of being tight enough to them as well. It was a bad night for us. We have to learn from it, against a very good team that have spent a lot of money in the last few seasons.

"We have to realise these are the levels we have to get to if we're going to compete with these teams week in, week out."

The timing of the goals were particularly frustrating. An early goal was the perfect tonic for a low-confidence Coventry side and the second goal, just after half-time, was a killer.

Eustace felt there was a foul on Sondre Tronstad during the free-kick but did not hide that his team had to respond better.

"I thought there was a foul for the first goal but even so, we have to do better.

"The timing of the goals weren't great. I thought Sonny was fouled but these things happen, you have to regroup. We went in at half-time, we tried to put a few things right but the manner of the second goal was a kick in the teeth.

"The second goal just after half-time doesn't kill the game but it makes it very difficult, especially the manner we gifted them the goal. We have to learn from every game, they are a good team.

"It's important now we react which we have done before. You have your ups and downs and we have to learn from tonight. We have to keep improving and can't think we're this top Championship team. 

"You have to earn the right to play and we weren't at it tonight. I want to see character and for us to respond in the right way."