John Eustace believes Blackburn Rovers were 'excellent' and didn't deserve to lose to Stoke City.

Rovers ended the match with 25 efforts on goal but somehow didn't find the back of the net. Viktor Johnasson was in inspired form and pulled off some brilliant saves whilst there was also some wasteful finishing.

Stoke City were clinical, by contrast. Million Manhoef's strike from the edge of the box was lasered into the net and Tom Cannon dispatched from the penalty spot after Danny Batth fouled Bae Junho.

But, on the balance of play, Rovers didn't deserve to lose the match. Eustace felt that way and insisted that their luck will turn with performances of that nature.

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"I thought we were excellent, it is probably one of the best performances since I have been here with the ball," he said.

"I am very disappointed that we didn't score any of the chances that we had. We have still got to defend better for the two goals but I thought with it, we played really well.

"I thought we played with confidence, it was a disappointing result on Saturday. It was a disappointing second-half performance, it wasn't us, but tonight we could've won the game by three or four.

"The attitude of the group was fantastic, they haven't let me or the team down since I've been in. That never-say-die attitude was there to see tonight. We have to defend properly and keep clean sheets but it's very important to stay positive because that performance was excellent.

"The players are devastated that they lost the game. They didn't deserve to lose the game. It's a down dressing room but they will be ready for Saturday."

Rovers have now failed to score in their last four matches. It's six of their last nine games where they haven't found the net either.

But with little else wrong other than scoring, Eustace remains keen to keep spirits high.

"Football is about putting the ball in the back of the net, that's evident," he said.

"It's important the group stay confident and the strikers having those attempts stay confident. It will turn and we have to keep working hard. We are doing a lot of right things and that's all we can do.

"We limited Stoke to very little and they do have good quality in their forward line. They paid big money for some players there and when they had their chances, they took them."

When asked if Rovers ran a risk by not signing a proven Championship number nine in the summer, he merely said: "Possibly." His facial expression perhaps gave a bigger reflection of how he felt on that subject.