John Eustace has challenged Blackburn Rovers to ensure they produced a reaction against Leeds United but insists their Bristol City horror-show won't be fatal in their hopes of survival.

Rovers produced their worst performance under Eustace at Ashton Gate, losing 5-0 in a forgettable night. Individual errors and a lack of intensity with and without the ball were central to an awful evening, with the Robins worthy winners.

Eustace was quick to acknowledge that Rovers did not turn up but equally insisted the result won’t be fatal in their hopes of survival. He has challenged the group to show an instant reaction in what is a tough challenge at Elland Road and to ensure this display doesn’t bleed into the final four matches.

“I don’t think it’ll damage the confidence at all,” Eustace said.

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“All the good work that the group have been putting in has been very evident. Now we want a reaction, we have to go to Elland Road and be competitive and see where it takes us.

“Tonight’s results won’t cost us a place in the league. It’s about how we react and go to Leeds on Saturday and show confidence and togetherness.

“I expect a reaction, the players will expect a reaction as well. The players are hurting in there, they’re very down, of course they are.

“There has been a lot of work before tonight. We have to learn from this, stand up and step up to the plate on Saturday.

“I have said there will be good nights and bad nights. Of late, we’ve had some very good nights together and this is where we grow and we stick together.

“The fans travelled down from Blackburn and really supported us and we let them down. We have to make them proud again on Saturday.

“It’s vitally important that this doesn’t affect the rest of the season and I don’t think it will. This group of players have shown since I’ve been at the football club that they are very committed.

“I’ve said there will be tough days and tough nights. This is a tough one, we have to show we’re not victims, we’re fighters. It’s important that happens on Saturday and the fans are with us.

“We then need the fans with us in the last two home games. It’s all in our own hands so we’ll take each game as it comes.”

Dom Hyam endured a night to forget with three mistakes that led directly to the first three Bristol City goals, though he was not alone in having a very tough match.

Eustace believes the timing of the errors had a huge impact on the momentum of the game and ultimately proved decisive in the result.


“It was a surprise, absolutely. We lost the game because of individual errors, nothing else,” he said.

“We kept going, it wasn’t good enough, we know we’ve let ourselves down. But we know the character of the group, we’ve had bad times since I’ve been here as well. We just have to keep going and stick together.

“I think we have to look at why we’ve conceded the goals. Obviously, individually, we have made mistakes.

“We know that and it affected the group but it’s important that it doesn’t affect us for the rest of the season. It’s important that we stick together.

“I am very disappointed that we lost the game and the manner is very disappointing. I know we have a good group in there, they’ve shown that togetherness and character since I have been here.

“Goals change games. They started well but then I thought we came into the game. We had a few half-chances where we maybe could have scored. Just as we were getting control of the game, we gifted them two goals.

“It is what it is, we have to learn from it in the four big games that start Saturday.”