Eustace justified as Blackburn prove vital characteristics

John Eustace’s side ended their run of four games without a goal in some style. All three goals were filled with quality, both individual and collective.

Andi Weimann will not score two easier goals but the approach play for his strikes was anything but. It showed bravery, character and quality to dissect a Cardiff City team that had won their last four matches at home.

It meant the 800-odd Rovers fans who had made the 400-plus mile round trip left very happy, sending everyone into the international break with a skip in their step.

READ MORE: ROVERS PLAYER RATINGS AS TRAIS AND PEARS STAND OUT

Here is a round-up of the key takeaways from a successful trip to South Wales.

Patience and persistence

We have to start with that opener, don’t we? A flowing move from back to front which had nearly every single player involved.

It followed a period of possession which lasted two or three minutes. But the first 70 per cent of that was not particularly incisive and was met by some groans from the away end.

Rovers played side to side and looked to have made a small opening but then checked back towards their own goal. Frustration from behind them as has been the case, at times, at Ewood Park from the Blackburn End.

It doesn’t always work or pay off but this was a fine example as to why Rovers persist in trying to play out from the back. It required patience, bravery and trust, handling the ball in such tight and sensitive areas.

When it works, well, you see what can happen. If you don’t practice and persist, then you won’t get the rewards.

It still needs good decision making and Lewis Travis and Todd Cantwell played crucial roles in that. They were composed and clinical in the final third to make the right decisions and ensure Weimann had an easy task to tap in.

Captain Fantastic

Lewis Travis was my Man of the Match at Cardiff. He was already a strong contender based on his first-half performance before he produced a defence-splitting pass to pick out Pickering for the second.

It was a brilliant bit of creativity, if Todd Cantwell had played that pass, we’d have all been cooing. It completely took out the Cardiff defence, who were all arms up and appealing for offside. But it was timed perfectly and the rest was simple.

That was a decisive moment in the match and that second goal turned out to be very crucial. Travis has shown that he is more than just a destructive presence in midfield.

There was a concern that, in some matches, there could be a lack of creativity in midfield with Travis and Sondre Tronstad together. But the skipper has come back from Ipswich Town and has played out of his skin this season.

If the Player of the Season award was dished out after 15 games, I think he’d win. He’s reliable, consistent and always committed. Now he’s added goals and assists to his game too to complement his tough-tackling abilities.

As soon as Eustace was appointed, it seemed clear that Travis would be central to his plans and they’re a far better team for having him. He’s arguably in the form of his Rovers career and leading by example on and off the pitch.

Away day characteristics

It takes a truly exceptional side to dominate for 90 minutes away from home and Rovers had to show both sides to their game. You can’t simply beat teams by playing pretty football.

Rovers have more often struggled to impose themselves on the road and it’s the ugly side that has got them points. But they found the perfect balance at Cardiff. Slick and precise in possession whilst also defending their box and matching the home side physically.

It could’ve been very different had they not. Cardiff really turned the screw after what Rovers conceded what Eustace described as a ‘soft’ penalty. It let the Bluebirds back into the game.

But Rovers stood firm for 10 minutes despite waves of pressure. Dom Hyam and Danny Batth led from the back as they stuck their head on every cross.

You have to show both elements to consistently pick up points away in this division. Rovers got the balance just right.

Pears’ form

I think we have to also pay homage to the goalkeeper. Pears produced two fantastic saves at 2-0 which turned out to be very important.

The first of which was a terrific tip around the post from Chris Willock’s curling shot. I was right behind that in the press box and it was nestling in the corner.

The second was from Ruben Colwill’s header. He showed great reactions to get up to the close-range effort and push it over the bar.

He has shown real consistency this season. I don’t think he’s had enough credit and fairly being criticised in the past. Eustace believes the increased competition has raised his performance levels and I agree.

You have to say that he is saving Rovers points and that is the hallmark of any good goalkeeper. He made a great stop from Million Manhoef in midweek but didn’t really get the plaudits as Rovers went on to lose.

This is the best run of form he’s had since inheriting the Rovers' number-one shirt. He deserves some backing from the fans, as he’s had from the head coach, following this very good run of displays.

John Eustace justified

There have been a few murmurs of discontent this week after the recent form. One win in seven wasn’t great but I do feel it has been blown out of proportion.

Ultimately, we should remember that most would’ve been happy with a season in cosy mid-season. Their top-scorer was sold and little money was reinvested.

So yes, the recent run has been frustrating and questions about elements of the performance can be critiqued. But I fielded a question online about Eustace’s job pre-match, which is ludicrous, in my opinion. Of course, fans are entitled to theirs as the ones that pay their hard-earned money.

But Eustace deserves Blackburn Rovers fans’ trust. Their worst is a lot better than last season’s displays. The question to be answered is how high Is the ceiling?