John Eustace believes Blackburn Rovers are making good progress in 'rebuilding' the club following his arrival.
Rovers host Stoke City at Ewood Park tonight which was, unofficially, Eustace's first game at the helm in February. Damien Johnson and David Lowe took charge but it was their incoming head coach in the dugout during the second half.
It, therefore, is a poignant time to reflect on the last nine months. Rovers were fractured, fragmented and spiralling towards the relegation zone when Eustace took over. Now they, at worst, steady and solid, sitting seven in the table.
The tangible improvement in league position is obvious but there has also been a mentality shift. Eustace believes the club is growing but it is now a short-term fix.
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"I think the team and the club have clearly made huge steps since then," he told The Lancashire Telegraph.
"The atmosphere at Ewood is a very good one now and that's down to the boys and how they have played. The way they have fought for each other.
"We are building and we have to rebuild this club and the squad. From then, to now, progress has been made and we have to keep doing that.
"We have built that unity last season in the difficult moments. That was the players and the fans. We have built on that this season, we had a core of players and we added to it.
"The players are driving to improve and the environment is getting better. We are now going through a difficult moment, four defeats in six. We don't want that.
"That's the league and we're approaching each game right. Performances have been good, Coventry aside."
Eustace has a history with Stoke City, having captained the club during his five years at the helm. Tony Pulis left a lasting impression on him and remains a close ally.
Narcis Pelach is the fresh face in their tracksuit as he tries to implement an attacking style of play.
"I had five very happy years there. Unfortunately, I was injured for two and a half, three years of that," Eustace said.
"The people there, the fan base are great. The staff are fantastic. I had a very good manager in Tony Pulis there, it's a really good club.
"I have taken bits from each manager throughout my career. You look at reasons why when you're happy at a club and that can be from management, the environments that they set.
"I try and take a bit from everyone. Tony is a friend of mine now who I speak to a lot. Someone I respect a great deal."
He added: "I think they play a very exciting brand of football, on the front foot. They had a good win at the weekend.
"He's come in and put his own stamp on things so it will be a difficult challenge for us. They play exciting football, building from the back with a good squad of players.
"They have invested very heavily over a number of seasons which has created a very good squad. We worry about ourselves and we'll have a game plan for them."
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