Blackburn Rovers haven’t had quite the upturn in form they would have hoped for since changing head coach last month.
Following the departure of Jon Dahl Tomasson, the club moved quickly to appoint John Eustace as his successor.
The 44-year-old took over on a two-and-a-half-year deal, returning to the Championship following his sacking by Birmingham City back in October.
Since then however, Eustace has yet to win any of his nine games in charge of though. He has though, lost just twice in 90 minutes.
Indeed, not every reason for those recent struggles at Blackburn Rovers, can be blamed on Eustace.
However, there may be some things he could have approached better since taking charge at Ewood Park.
With that in mind, we’ve taken a look at three mistakes Eustace has made as Blackburn Rovers head coach, right here.
Andrew Moran starting in central midfield vs Swansea City
Prior to Saturday’s goalless draw at Middlesbrough, midfielder Sondre Tronstad had missed his side’s last four games due to injury. One of those was away at Swansea City.
In his absence in Wales, it was on loan Brighton winger Andrew Moran who Eustace chose to start in the centre of the park. That was despite two more natural midfield options, Jake Garrett and Yasin Ayari, both being named on the bench.
It was a move that backfired for Blackburn Rovers. Moran was twice outmuscled in the centre of the park – the second a particularly bad moment – to gift the hosts two goals in the opening 20 minutes. Eustace’s side were left with too much of a mountain to climb. They slipped to a 2-1 defeat in a game they might have targeted for three big points.
Blackburn Rovers didn’t push for a winner enough vs Millwall
At home to Millwall shortly after the Swansea City defeat, Eustace’s side missed another big chance for a win. Despite dominating most of the game, they found themselves 1-0 down early in the second half.
After Sam Szmodics equalised though, the visitors were largely happy to settle for a draw. While Blackburn Rovers continued to enjoy much of the possession and territory, they were unable to find another breakthrough. As a result, they were forced to settle for a point.
However, had Eustace not elected to play with three centre backs for the full 90 minutes, things may have been different. If he had sent on another more attack-minded player as part of a switch to two centre backs, there is a good chance that extra spark combined with the run of play, could have led to a much-needed winning goal against Millwall.
Kyle McFadzean was kept on at half time vs Plymouth Argyle
Another opportunity for a win that passed Blackburn Rovers by under Eustace, came against Plymouth Argyle. Again Szmodics was the man to open the scoring, putting his side 1-0 up at Ewood Park inside ten minutes.
However, Plymouth Argyle dominated much of the first half. Indeed, it was clear the pace of their attack was too much for the host’s defence. In particular the veteran Kyle McFadzean found himself struggling against that. As a result, they were lucky to go in at half time a goal up.
Eustace though, elected not to change things at the break. That then proved costly early in the second half, when McFadzean was sent off for bringing down Ryan Hardie as the last man. Down to ten men, Blackburn Rovers were rather lucky to finish that game with a 1-1 draw. It was another they would have targeted for a win. Had Eustace made a half time change in defence to take McFadzean out of the firing line, they might well have got one.