Rovers gained their first clean-sheet of 2024 and their first goalless draw since the backend of last season after holding Cardiff City to a 0-0 on a soggy South Wales turf. Following the lacklustre affair, John Eustace praised his side’s defensive effort, despite also highlighting the poor overall fixture.
“I’m really pleased with the clean-sheet. I think it’s been 17 games since our last one, so that’s a massive positive. I thought our play in the first-half was not great. We were very loose on the ball and I think both teams were pretty sloppy with the ball. I thought we grew into the game in the second-half and we began to dominate possession for the last 20-25 minutes. The substitutes that came on made a huge impact. This is a squad game, and I was pleased with the impact they made off the bench.
“I’ve found that the togetherness is growing within the group recently and I think that came to a head tonight. I’m really pleased and proud of the effort that the boys have put in so far, especially after Saturday away at Preston North End where they played in a local derby in-front of 7,000 Rovers fans. I could see the commitment at the weekend and I could see it again tonight, in-front of around 400 fans who travelled a long way down to Cardiff on a Tuesday night. There was a mutual respect of commitment between players and fans and I think the fans could see how committed the lads were tonight. It’s about us being a family, a group, altogether; fans, players, staff. It’s really important that we stick together and move forward as one.
“As the game grew, I was happier with us in possession of the ball in the second-half. We need to create more chances and we need to finish the ones we create, and we had one great chance to score, but that will come. The most important thing for me is that we’re competitive, hard to play against and we’re picking up points in the right direction.
“We’re still a long way away from where I want us to be, but the effort of the players and staff have been phenomenal. That will take you a long way, but that togetherness is key and the longer we are together, the better the performances will be, I hope.
“It’s quite a cliché, but clean-sheets are vital and they guarantee you at least a point. It’s been 17 games since our last one and it’s a huge positive from tonight. The effort of the group was amazing and I’m very thankful to the Rovers fans that made the long trip to support us.
“Aynsley (Pears) made some really good saves, that’s his job. He always has to stay alert to the chances that the opposition will always get when you go away from home. Pearsy was great today and I’m pleased for him.
“The impact of the changes was huge. I’ve said from day one that the squad is the most important aspect, not individuals. The starters who played the first hour or so put a huge effort in to make sure that the substitutes were able to make a difference when they came on. It’s great to have (John) Buckley, (Andrew) Moran and (Tyrhys) Dolan coming off the bench because they’re all big players for us and they really controlled the game and made the difference for us.
“Bucko’s return to action was great. I think everyone can see what a top player he is. He’s a player I’ve admired for a number of years. We’ve got to get him up to full fitness, but I thought that tonight, with the size of the pitch, the way the game was going, I knew he’d get the time and space needed to control the game and I felt that’s what he did. The game also suited Andy in similar fashion, so it was a great cameo for the impact subs and I’m really pleased with the squad.
“Bucko can play a huge role for us between now and the end of the season. He has a lot of Championship experience and he’s loved by the staff, players and the fans. He’s going to play a massive role going forwards.
“Ryan (Hedges) has been fantastic since I’ve come in and he’s returned from four months out. He’s put in a great shift over three games in a week and I felt it was important that he got a rest tonight and we’ll assess him again on Thursday. Harry Leonard is also a player I’ve admired and I’ve watched him grow over the last year or so. He’s got a back issue which will keep out for a number of weeks, so we have to monitor and assess him. He’s got a massive future at this football club and I can’t wait to properly start working with him.”
