John Eustace believes Blackburn Rovers have more room for growth after reflecting on the progress made in 2024.
The head coach took over the club on February 9 and in that time, Rovers have taken 58 points from 40 league games. That is the sixth-best record in that time period.
Considering the nosedive the team had taken prior to his arrival - losing eight off 11 beforehand - Eustace has done a remarkable job. Whilst survival on the final day of last season was nervy, it was job done and this season they have surpassed any reasonable expectations.
Whichever angle you look at it, Rovers leave the calendar year in far better shape than they entered it. The club feels like it is more united than any recent years thanks to the work of Eustace.
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The head coach has seen a clear development both in points tally but style of play too. That excites him for what is to come between now and May.
"I think the progress the group have made this year is obvious," he said reflecting on 2024.
"It's been a fantastic progression from the squad and the staff. Everyone is working hard and we want to keep improving and developing the team as much as we can.
"From the end of last year to now, you can see the progression the team has made. Since we came back for pre-season, the team has evolved, the football we play, at times, is very, very good.
"We are finding different ways to win which is pleasing as well. We are all disappointed about the result in the dressing room but they're fighters in there.
"There is always room for improving and learning. We have lots of games coming up and each one has a different challenge. We just have to keep believing in what we're doing.
"This group has continued to keep doing that and so I am very excited for the second half of the season."
Rovers' slight disappointment is they don't enter 2025 after a victory. Had they been more clinical with their chances against Hull City, that could've been the case.
Eustace wants to see players take more ownership of games in that scenario. He conceded the performance was below their usual levels and is keen for his talismen to step up in crucial moments.
Todd Cantwell is one of those who can improve his output. He has scored once and assisted three times in 18 league appearances this term. For his ability and obvious talent, he will be frustrated with the chance he spurned.
"If you don't put the ball away, you can always get punished. I don't think we stamped our authority on the game enough," he admitted.
"We didn't have enough players out there today who wanted to be 'the man'. We went through the game plan and though we did ok that wasn't the levels we have been used to.
"There wasn't loads of differences in the game from when we played them before, we knew it was a difficult game. They came and made it difficult and set up well.
"They're a bit different defensively now in the way they press. We knew there would be limited chances for both teams but we didn't take our and they took theirs.
"I felt we defended well overall but not good enough for the goal. When you're not clinical, it does cost you in the end. We have to be clinical in both boxes.
"Todd is disappointed he didn't put that chance away. He is working hard in training to get those numbers up. He wants to score more goals and that was a great opportunity for him."
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