John Eustace insists Blackburn Rovers must retain belief in the progress they’re making after admitting he felt boos against Stoke City were ‘harsh’.
Rovers produced a brilliant performance against Cardiff City, showing a far more clinical edge to beat the Bluebirds 3-1. That secured a first away win of the season at the seventh attempt.
But Eustace feels Rovers have deserved more points for the quality of their displays. Particularly against Watford and Stoke City, games where they missed big chances and were then punished.
It lead to a run of one win in seven despite the average displays being largely similar to their first seven games of the season. There were a few mutterings of discontent after the 2-0 defeat to Stoke on Wednesday which Eustace felt was harsh.
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“I think this week has shown the togetherness that we have got. We had a disappointing result against Sheffield United but I felt we were good first half and matched a very good team. Second half, we weren’t great,” Eustace told The Lancashire Telegraph.
“We lose against Stoke despite an excellent performance. When you lose games, you get negativity and doubters. But we have to keep believing in what we are doing.
“We were booed off against Stoke which I felt that was a bit harsh. We don’t want to lose games and if you don’t perform well, I agree. But the performances have been there.
“This group is very honest and I knew today there would be a reaction and it was a great one.
“It didn’t hurt me (the reaction), that’s football. People want results and that’s what it’s about. It doesn’t hurt but it’s the reality of being a football manager and the industry we work in.
“The fans have been outstanding since I’ve come in. They were frustrated at not winning like we were but 800 fans came to follow us today which was a magnificent turnout.
“To travel on a Saturday morning from Blackburn. The club is heading in the right direction, it’s a great day today and it was great to spend it with the fans away.”
Rovers ended their four-game run without a goal in fantastic style. Andi Weimann scored his first goals since August to round-off fantastic team moves. Having failed to score in six of their previous nine, that was a big relief to Rovers.
It has been a quiet spell for the Austrian after making such an amazing start to life in Lancashire. He hadn't scored since that brilliant volley against Burnley but made up for lost timing in South Wales.
Eustace revealed that the man on the end of both moves was a doubt before the game but showed his experience and quality when it mattered.
“We had to keep the belief. We’d scored two goals in the six games previously but we were creating chances, you saw today. We didn’t even create as many today but we were clinical at the right times,” he said on the goals.
“Andi Weimann couldn’t miss those chances but the build-up was excellent. Baker’s goal was very good. We have to keep believing and working hard.
“There will be disappointments throughout the season when you don’t score or win when you deserve to. But it’s important that you keep consistent with your messages. Don’t get carried away with the highs and the lows. Over the course of 46 games, it will average out.
“Andi is a top player, a Championship performer who has been there and done it. We are very fortunate to have him with his experience at the football club to help the others.
“He played 90 minutes on Wednesday and then to get another 60 out of him today was a real bonus. He took a few whacks on Wednesday night and we weren’t sure yesterday after training if he’d be available. But he’s top quality and he scored two great goals.
"The position we have played him in the last couple of games has allowed him to be that second striker. He got into some great positions and Andi was devastated that he didn't put that chance away against Watford to get us something from the game.
"He missed on Wednesday too. When he's angry, which he has been, you know something special is going to come. The two goals, he was in the right place at the right time."
HE added: "He's been there and done it. He's an international and he's off to play for Austria now. His experience has been very good for the group and during difficult moments, the way he speaks to the group and keeps his standards up is there for everyone to see.
"We're very lucky that he's here for us and he'll only get better and score more goals."
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