Eustace’s glass half full after Blackburn hold Southampton.
John Eustace was delighted with Blackburn Rovers’ performance both with and without the ball after a deserved draw against Southampton.
Clear-cut chances were at a premium despite an open and entertaining encounter at Ewood Park that puts Rovers another point towards safety.
John Eustace’s side were good value for their share of the spoils too after restricting Southampton to very little. The away side had plenty of possession but struggled to turn that into meaningful opportunities.
Joel Aribo came closest in the first half, flicking a header onto the crossbar. Jack Stephens’ cross found him in the area but it bounced back into play and to safety.
Rovers posed a real threat on the counter-attack but were missing the final pass or finish. Sam Szmodics tried to lob Gavin Bazunu from 30 yards whilst Tyrhys Dolan forced the Saints ‘keeper into action.
The best opportunity of the game did fall to Southampton and but for Callum Brittain, Rovers might have lost. The defender brilliantly blocked Kyle Walker-Peters’ goal-bound effort on the line with Rovers’ goalkeeper beaten.
Joe Rankin-Costello then went down the other end and could’ve won the match but Bazunu foiled his effort at the near post.
In truth, a point apiece was a fair outcome. This was another step in the right direction for Eustace’s side as they moved on to 46 points and up to 16th, four points above the relegation zone.
Despite going off with a hamstring injury on Monday, Harry Pickering was passed fit to start meaning Rovers named an unchanged team.
There was little surprise at the pattern of the game, Southampton came to dominate possession and Eustace was quite content to let them do so.
The game plan was clear, play in a mid-block with an emphasis on pressing in the right moments. Southampton were allowed to knock it around the back and halfway line but once the ball advanced, Rovers would strike.
