John Eustace has completed his first mission at Blackburn Rovers and kept them in the Championship.

The head coach was recruited in February with the club in turmoil after a disastrous end to January. Ewood Park was on fire, metaphorically speaking, with unhappy fans, a very angry head coach and a team plummeting down the table.

Morale around Brockhall was at a season low. The tension that had built between the board and Tomasson since the summer had seeped onto the pitch. Something had to give and, in the end, the head coach left. Enter Eustace.

At the time of his arrival, Rovers were 18th and five points above the relegation zone. But they were haemorrhaging goals and heading only one way, down.

READ MORE: Rovers' transfer stance on Eustace's defensive options

Eustace also entered the season at the worst possible moment. After being officially appointed on Friday, February 9, Rovers played nine times in a four-week period.

That made it impossible for the new boss to get his ideas into the players on the training pitch. Picking up points and conceding fewer goals were the obvious priorities and Eustace achieved that, even if the attacking side suffered.

It was a big transition from Tomasson's open, attacking football, which ultimately wasn't delivering results. That takes time and even longer when you're so limited in opportunity to train. To end the season with six clean sheets, considering they had two beforehand, is very impressive.

What is also quite apparent from speaking to various players is that they enjoy working with Eustace and his staff. Perhaps it is more accustomed to what they're used to. A British coach with a more familiar approach.

Tomasson brought out the best in some but clearly polarised opinion in the squad. That said most teams would have a disgruntled group if certain players weren't featuring. But it did feel like Tomasson's way or the high way, see John Buckley, Lewis Travis and Scott Wharton.

Eustace has clearly demonstrated an ability to produce an effective game plan. He has regularly set Rovers up to frustrate, restrict, counter-attack and produce results. That is evidenced by performances against Newcastle United, Ipswich Town, Southampton, Leeds United and Leicester City.

Many of Rovers' competitors embarked on ridiculous runs which eventually saw them finish higher in the table. Queens Park Rangers, Sheffield Wednesday and Millwall all finished in the top ten for points, based on a table calculated from when Eustace took over. 

Rovers were 18th and averaged more than a point per game, more than enough to stay up. Had it not been for the form of those teams above, survival would've been more straightforward.

It would be incorrect to frame this as a 'miracle last-day escape' but Eustace firmly believes Rovers were going down when he walked through the door. They ended the season three points clear of the drop zone, in 19th.

However, there is no doubt that there are areas to improve on. Quite clearly, they haven't won as many games as fans would like. Including Stoke, Rovers only won four of Eustace's 17 matches.

The head coach was unable to crack the home form, with the Potters the only side Blackburn beat. That includes a list of Plymouth Argyle, Millwall and Sheffield Wednesday, as well as in-game opportunities like Coventry City.

Rovers ended the campaign with a terrible record against those around them. Their home form was equally abhorrent across the campaign with six wins from 23 matches. Whilst every point is worth the same, a poor record at Ewood Park doesn't get bums on seats and season tickets sold.

There hasn't been an instant click with Eustace and the supporters. Social media is an echo chamber and so taking a judgement from that alone is never a fair reflection. But it wouldn't be unfair to say that for some, the tone of messaging via the media hasn't been inspiring.

Ultimately, I think the statistics can be shaped in whatever way your agenda suits. Five defeats in 17 and six clean sheets or four wins in 17 and failing to score in seven of those matches.

What is clear is Eustace will be Rovers' manager next season. He came in with a mission of securing survival and he has done it. Without dismissing some of the above points, he now deserves the chance to stamp his mark on the club.

Any incoming head coach deserves a pre-season and a full transfer window before being fairly judged, in my opinion. We have seen he has impressive coaching ability when it comes to setting up specific match plans which deliver results.

Eustace's main challenge will be improving Rovers in the matches they should win. That comes through time on the training pitches and also backing in the transfer market, two things he hasn't been afforded yet.

He will rightly point to leaving Birmingham in sixth, having picked them up in a similarly perilous position, with off-the-field problems. Rovers' move for Eustace was a chase for stability, calm and a genuine belief that he can incrementally improve the club.

Now is his opportunity to prove them right.