Valerien Ismael believes Blackburn Rovers have enjoyed 'the perfect week' with two victories and avoiding any further injury issues.
Rovers fly back from their training camp in Spain with four wins from four in pre-season. Though they're only warm-up games, it's a strong start and help build momentum from last season's run.
The victory over Elche posed Rovers different problems and taught them how to play against a possession-heavy team. Though Rovers' style under Ismael has been heavily focused on pressing high, they opted to sit deeper as they came under pressure in the first 25 minutes.
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The head coach insisted that was a tactical decision from the players, who then found a foothold in the game and, in the end, won the game.
"It's exactly that, we have our way to press," Ismael told The Lancashire Telegraph.
"I give the option to the players to choose which press we want to use, if we want to be really aggressive or if we want to be more compact.
"They chose so that's why I'm very pleased with that. We have already given the player the tools to find the solution within the game, to get that feeling.
"We stuck together, we stayed strong, we ride the storm. Then our quality came through in the game so I'm very pleased for the players.
"We didn't have any injuries too which is the main thing as well after this week. We have worked well tactically and been very focused on the game.
"A lot of players got minutes, plenty of game time. Regardless of the result, but especially with it, it's been a perfect week for us."
Whilst Ismael has his score principles, he wants his players to take ownership of the situation developing on the pitch. Different styles require different game plans and the players adapted to that.
Managing the heat, conditions and opposition will bode Blackburn well during the season when they do come up against different styles.
"It's very important to play this style because we can work on this game and use it in the season," Ismael added.
"If we play a team that is really strong in possession, doesn't waste the ball, we know we have done it. We know how to stay calm and that our chances will come.
"We can stay focused on the game plan, be compact. Then our quality will show. I said to the players, the main thing for me in that game is when you get the ball back, don't waste it.
"Stay in possession as it's the only way to recover and then to force them to defend more. We did that perfectly.
"We forced their right-back to sprint backwards more and then by the end, he was tired and he couldn't sprint forward any more. That helped us to stay high up the pitch and pin them back.
"I'm very happy with the players and how they adapted."
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