Blackburn's missing ingredient and pattern Eustace must stop

John Eustace’s side got a kick in the teeth at Home Park with Morgan Whittaker’s 97th-minute winner compounding a disappointing week on the road.

Rovers lacked a spark and for the second time in four days, looked blunt in attack, lacking any real creativity until the cavalry arrived.

Whilst the first 70 minutes weren’t exactly what the head coach planned, with Michael Obafemi putting the hosts in front early on, the changes did have the desired impact.

READ MORE: ROVERS PLAYER RATINGS AS SUBS IMPRESS BUT STARTERS STRUGGLE

Joe Rankin-Costello headed in the leveller from a tight angle and Rovers looked set for a point, with the merits of that to be picked over at a later date.

But instead, they left empty-handed and with plenty to ponder for Eustace on the six-hour journey home.

Here are the key takeaways from Home Park.

A sucker-punch in stoppage time

It was a real sucker-punch for Blackburn Rovers. Whilst many will say that’s ‘typical’ of the team they have followed for many years, it hasn’t been the case under Eustace.

Rovers have been hard to beat and mentally resilient since he took the reins. That has been one of the real plus points of his tenure.

So it was a bit uncharacteristic that a ball into the box wasn’t defended well. They lost the first contact but it was the space Whittaker walked into that frustrated Eustace most. As he said post-match ‘that isn’t us’ and he’s right.

There was little Aynsley Pears could do about it, having already made several good saves to keep the score at 1-0. That gave Rovers a chance, which they took but then shot themselves in the foot.

Having worked so hard to dig themselves out of the mire and get back into the game, I’d imagine it will feel like a balloon has burst on that coach journey home.

An away day pattern

For 80% of the last three away matches, Rovers have been poor. They have lacked quality in possession. There was little guile, creativity or succinctness in their passing until the changes were made.

I’ve been calling for Makhtar Gueye to come into the side but he didn’t really grab the opportunity. Every action feels like a lucky-dip. An impressive piece of play is often followed but a frustrating one.

Plymouth had an extra man and won the midfield battle. Adam Randell controlled the centre, as Ben Sheaf did on Tuesday night. Lewis Travis and Sondre Tronstad looked like they’d played practically every minute for two months. They weren’t awful but, equally, weren’t their dynamic best that we have seen so often.

The defenders struggled to cope with Plymouth’s pace. Danny Batth was let-off by Obafemi for a mistake in the first half which would’ve made it two. Hayden Carter had a really tough assignment against Ibrahim Cissoko, who created the opener for Obafemi to steer in.

We shouldn’t forget Rovers had kept three successive clean sheets prior to this week but the balance hasn’t looked right in the last two games. Against tricky, quick wingers, Carter has looked like a centre-back asked to play out of position. He made a great start to the season playing in the middle and should return there against Swansea City.

Tyrhys Dolan has failed to build on his best display of the season against QPR. He has tried but been largely anonymous in both matches, struggling to link midfield and attack. None of the starting wide players have been particularly effective either.

I’m not trying to single anyone out with those assessments. It is more a representation that across the board, Rovers have been off the pace. It’s a continuing pattern away from home and one that needs to be addressed.

Rovers’ missing ingredient

Pace. I know, we’ve said it so many times. But this week has highlighted the glaring absence of any speed in the Rovers attack.

Both Coventry and Plymouth had attacks filled with quick players that were a nuisance to play against. Whether that was Hadji Wright, Brandon Thomas-Asante or Cissoko, Whittaker and Obafemi. Rovers’ defence didn’t enjoy playing against it and not many players do.

Rovers have been crying out for a pacey player since Reda Khadra’s days. The likes of Todd, Cantwell, Ryan Hedges, Dolan, Andi Weimann and Co, all want the ball to feet.

Amario Cozier-Duberry is the only player who can really offer that. I think he deserves an opportunity for that as much as his performance from the bench.

Players put their hand up

If we’re looking for silver linings, Rovers’ substitutes put their hand up once again. Rankin-Costello, Cantwell and Cozier-Duberry all made telling impacts.

The former scored and even beforehand, had made a strong case to be starting at right-back next time out. Though Callum Brittain may be available again. It was actually the first time he has played in that role since Eustace took over.

Likewise, it’s clear Cantwell will be in Rovers’ best XI when he is fully fit. Rovers have to manage him and that’s why he was on the bench. Hopefully, after the international break, he can get a run of starts.

Cozier-Duberry too deserves a full Championship debut. His cameos have been bright and this perhaps the best of the lot. Then throw in the balance-element of the attack and I think he has done enough to earn his opportunity next time out.

Break comes at a good time

There were some tired legs at the full-time whistle. Rovers have a few bumps and bruises that they have managed through this period.

Eustace was not ashamed to admit the break has come at a good time for Rovers. It’s been a disappointing week and so this is a good time to recharge and reset.

Overall, we’d have taken 15 points from nine games at the start of August. This two-week period will be a good chance for a deep breath, some analysis and time on the training ground, ready to hit the ground running at Ewood Park.