Blackburn Rovers manager John Eustace indicated that his team’s victory over Leeds United was meticulously planned, with research conducted to pinpoint the opportune moment to apply pressure.
The late goal by Sammie Szmodics secured a 1-0 win for Blackburn, ending Leeds’ unbeaten home record and reshaping the promotion race.
Eustace expressed relief at the outcome, acknowledging Leeds’ formidable squad and the intimidating atmosphere at Elland Road. He disclosed that he attended Leeds’ previous match against Sunderland to observe the dynamics of the crowd and formulate a game plan accordingly.
“I came to the game on Tuesday against Sunderland and watched that and saw the timings of when the crowd kind of turned, and also how much energy they can give the place,” explained Eustace. “So, we had a game plan and we stuck to it.
“To come here and play against 11 top players and 40,000 really good fans, you know, was great, but our fans were fantastic as well and they really helped us get through the tough times.
“You come to Leeds United and I think everyone had written us off. They’ve got Premiership quality all over the over the pitch and the fan base, you know, we knew we had to come here and quiet them. After 20 minutes I think we did that.”
In response to accusations of time wasting from his team, Eustace added; “I’ve seen Leeds time waste lots of time, it’s part of the game.”
Despite the challenging environment, Eustace commended Blackburn’s supporters for their contribution to the team’s success. He emphasized the importance of quieting the Leeds crowd early in the match, a feat he believed Blackburn achieved within the first 20 minutes.
In response to allegations of time wasting by his team, Eustace defended Blackburn’s tactics by highlighting similar behavior observed from Leeds in previous matches. He regarded time wasting as a common aspect of the game, suggesting that both teams engage in such strategies.
The victory propelled Blackburn to 17th place in the table, boosting their prospects of avoiding relegation. Meanwhile, Leeds now sit third, trailing Ipswich Town by two points in the promotion race.
Eustace’s meticulous approach and Blackburn’s resilient performance underscored the unpredictability of Championship football and the significance of strategic planning in achieving favorable outcomes.