John Eustace verdict on Blackburn defeat and injury concerns

John Eustace verdict on Blackburn defeat and injury concerns

John Eustace felt Blackburn Rovers were value for a draw after seeing their winning run come to an end in gut-wrenching circumstances.

 

Mihailo Ivanovic headed in the winner for Millwall in the 96th minute to end Rovers’ run without conceding a goal. It had been more than nine hours since Aynsley Pears’ net was last breached.

 

It was a devastating way to end the game for Rovers having defended manfully with ten men for the final 15 minutes. Harry Pickering went off injured and then LEwis Travis pulled up with all of the substitute slots having been used.

 

Despite that, Eustace felt his side defended their box very well but ultimately the pressure told.

 

“I thought it was a very difficult afternoon for both teams, the conditions were tough for both sides,” Eustace said.

 

“I thought the way we defended was very pleasing, it’s something we do week in, week out. It was very disappointing to concede in the last minute.

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“We tried to play some good football but the conditions really hampered that. We had two or three really good chances in the second half still which we didn’t take.

 

“It was a big blow to lose Travis with ten, 15 minutes to go. But I still felt comfortable we weren’t going to concede. There was a lot of pressure, they put big players on which is what happens when you come here.

 

“I thought the way we defended overall was very good but to concede in the last minute is very disappointing. Overall I felt a draw was a fair result so a defeat is tough to take.”

 

Rovers will be desperate to avoid any further long-term injuries but will be concerned about the nature of the two setbacks. Travis wanted to stay on and help the team but Eustace insisted he couldn’t risk aggravating his hamstring further.

 

Pickering went down with nobody near to him, holding his knee. He limped off the pitch with the assistance of two physios.

 

“Trav looks like he has hurt his hamstring so we’ll have to look at that, he’ll get a scan tomorrow,” he said.

 

“Trav said he could just stand in the middle but he had a hamstring strain and we don’t want to make it worse. He has been sensational for us since coming back and without him for 10/15 minutes you could even see the difference without him in the team. It was a blow to lose him.

 

“Picks took a blow to his knee so again that will need checking tomorrow.”

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