A Blackburn Rovers supporter group has reacted angrily to the imminent loss of John Eustace to Championship rivals Derby County.

The 45-year-old is set to be confirmed as successor to Paul Warne and in doing so swap Rovers’ play-off challenge for Rams’ fight for survival. Derby are currently in the relegation zone and Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Norwich City arrested a seven-game losing run.

For Rovers to lose a popular manager is such circumstances has not gone down well with the Supporters’ Trust, We are The Rovers, who have released a statement on their website.

The full statement can be accessed here but parts of it disputed Blackburn’s contention that Eustace had been supported in the transfer market. It said: “While the club managed to bring in six signings, five of them are contracted only until the end of this season, and the short term nature of them does nothing to allay our long term concerns for the well-being of our club.

“Evidently, John Eustace is of a similar opinion. To lose a manager who has done so much good work to restore some pride and hope to our club is heartbreaking. To lose him from a play-off position to a team currently in the relegation zone is a damning indictment of everything that is wrong with our club.

READ MORE: Darren Bent delivers Paul Warne sack verdict and makes John Eustace prediction

READ MORE: Paul Merson wades in on John Eustace to Derby County and says 'I wouldn’t mind being manager'

“There is a massive amount of completely justified anger from our fanbase at present, and fan unrest has been a near constant for the entirety of Venky’s ownership. This is hardly surprising considering the catalogue of disasters we have experienced over the last 14 years.”

As things stand Derby are third bottom, one point from safety, with Gary Rowett’s Oxford United at Pride Park this evening (7.45pm kick-off).

What do you make of the statement? Have your say here