John Eustace hails Blackburn’s hard work after Tyrhys Dolan sees off Swansea

Posted Sunday, October 20, 2024 by PA

John Eustace praised Blackburn’s ‘hard work’ in training after returning to winning ways with a 1-0 win over Swansea in the Sky Bet Championship.

Rovers went into the international break on the back of successive away losses but they have been perfect at Ewood Park and continued this record thanks to Tyrhys Dolan’s first-time shot in the 13th-minute – his first goal since the opening day of the season.

It was reward for a fast start but even when the Swans grew into the game the hosts held firm, highlighting how difficult they have become to play against, having lost just two in 10 this term. They move back into the top six.

Much was made before the game about the potential for Rovers to win their first five home games of the season for the first time since 1994-95.

However, Eustace focused on how his team the work his team has put in to edge a win they ‘fully deserved’.

He said: “I’m just very proud of the efforts today. It’s been two weeks where we’ve all been very angry and frustrated about the way we finished just before the international break – two difficult away games in that four-day period.

“It’s been a tough two weeks, but we’ve done a lot of hard work on the training field and you can see that coming out today.

“(We) fully deserved the win. Swansea had lots of possession but I don’t think Aynsley (Pears) had a save to make so that’s what we were working on.

“We always looked a threat on transitions. I thought we played some really good football as well at times, especially in the first half, so very pleasing.

He continued: “We had three or four great chances to score (before the goal). As I say, Swansea are a really good footballing team. They set up very well so it’s important we respect that fact. I don’t think they had a shot on target, so I’m really pleased.”

The visitors have gone three consecutive games without scoring and both Florian Bianchini and Goncalo Franco will rue fluffing their lines to end this wretched run.

Luke Williams put it down to ‘fear of missing’ and was displeased with his team’s ‘slow’ start.

He explained: “I’m disappointed with how we started the game. I thought we were slow, we were second in most of the duels and we paid the price today. We got to grips with the game too late.

“There’s a foul in there (the build-up to the goal) but it’s pointless talking about that because there’ll be times when we make fouls in the box because everyone is fouling everyone from every single set-piece.

“I’m not really concerned about that. The fact that we allowed pressure on ourselves and conceded corners, that’s the real problem for me.

“The problem is so obvious. We have to find the opportunity, not the threat. At the moment, in my opinion, it’s not a quality problem. We’re creating enough openings. But the mindset is that it’s a threat and the fear of missing creeps in rather than the excitement of scoring.

“You have to be in a great place to not let those things creep in and to see the moments as great opportunities for you to be sliding on your knees and celebrating with your fans.”