John Eustace has admitted Blackburn Rovers are balancing players’ fitness whilst also trying to name their best team.
Rovers play Millwall on Tuesday night in a crucial fixture that will be their seventh in 24 days. The Lions only trail Rovers on goal scored after winning their last two Championship games to allay fears of relegation.
Rovers started slowly against Swansea on Saturday after such a busy time, down by two goals by the twentieth minute. They lost 2-1 despite making progress in the second half, when the going got too tough.
The previous midweek’s intense and emotional FA Cup match against Newcastle had taken a toll on the team. Eustace changed the team just once in spite of that.
The head coach acknowledged that he is attempting to get the best team onto the pitch while still keeping players fresh.
“We’ve had injuries but whoever we have picked have been fantastic,” Eustace stated.
“The attitude and the desire have been excellent. Our goal is to play our best players, but occasionally you also need to rest individuals. It all comes down to the squad.
“There is no doubt that those who entered did not disappoint anyone. Though I’m sure some players were worn out, we did manage to restrict Swansea to just those two opportunities in the first half.
“We scored on three of our four opportunities. We didn’t have the desired first-half performance, but we still looked dangerous.
“We had three or four really good opportunities to score in the first half, but we were a little slow. Perhaps we would have taken those chances if we had been more experienced.
“We improved things in the second half, made tactical adjustments, and the boys that entered played well.
We tested the goalie a few times and missed a few opportunities to score; we need to be more clinical in the final third. In the last third, we must play with greater clinicality.”
Supporters are fearing relegation as a result of Eustace’s team’s worrisome form line—they have won two of their previous 17 Championship games. Home games against Plymouth Argyle and the Lions are important because there is a tough stretch ahead.
Eustace is hopeful that the fans can have a significant impact on what will be a pivotal week for the club on Tuesday night, which is his first official home game in the Championship.
“We take each game as it comes, with the goal of winning football games. There are 11 games left to play.” It will be wonderful to return to Ewood Park.
“The crowds at our two home games have been outstanding. They have supported the guys a lot. In the next two games, perhaps, we can establish a great environment and allow them to be the 12th man.
“In the Championship, every match—at home or away, against any opponent—is really tough. We’ll have everything ready on Tuesday and hopefully be ready.”
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