John Eustace heaped praise on Todd Cantwell and Callum Brittain for their roles in Blackburn Rovers’ win over Portsmouth.
It was a competitive game until the hour mark, when three rapid goals altered the game and gave the hosts a comfortable victory. Both players were involved in multiple goals and put up excellent performances.
Brittain is in top form for Rovers, and he delivered the ideal cross for Makhtar Gueye to convert. He subsequently scored the second, giving them a dominating lead.
Cantwell was involved in the build-up to all three goals, demonstrating the daring and quality on the ball for which Rovers signed him.
“There are some real tight, scruffy, scrappy games and that first half wasn’t a great spectacle, I’m sure,” Eustace said Cantwell during the match.
“We had some moments of quality, definitely, but you can feel them getting more into the game and getting more frustrated.”We stated at halftime, “Someone needs to step up and be the man.” I think Toddy Cantwell’s ability to take the ball in a really tight spot and switch the play was exceptional.
“And then the second goal, Toddy’s bit of wizardry in our own corner was also extremely good. So, yes, we needed to have people step up and ensure that we got the three points, and I believe they did tonight.
“In close games, we need match-winners. Everyone can see Todd’s pedigree. I believe that as the game opens up, it will be better for him.
“In that second half, the game opened right up, so it showed that when you’re a quality player, you can give the ball away and you can make people frustrated, but ultimately, you’ve been at a level because of a reason and the bit of quality today certainly came from Toddy and I thought he did well.”
“I believe Callum is developing into one of the top full-backs in the league. “I believe he works very hard on his game every day in training,” he said.
“Defensively, he’s working his socks off and developing into a true leader.
“He’s talking a lot more and I think he understands that he’s got a big part to play in this team to help us keep pushing up the league and I think he’s enjoying that responsibility and he’s a top player.”
Rovers travel to Oxford this weekend for what has become a more difficult encounter following recent results. Gary Rowett is unbeaten since joining the Yellows, with three victories and two draws.
“I went and watched Oxford play at Plymouth so I drove down and watched them and they’re a very solid team now,” Eustace told the BBC.
“Gary is an excellent manager, and he has made them extremely difficult to play against.
“I don’t think they’ve lost a game in the league, so they’re a good squad, a good outfit, with good players, and it’s going to be a very difficult assignment.
“When we played them at home, it was a difficult game although we won 2-1, they played very well that day and it’s not going to be any different going there on Saturday.”
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