Rovers boss John Eustace played down talk of “pressure” as the Championship play-off race hots up.

Eustace’s men have exceeded expectations so far this season after narrowly beating the drop last term.

Rovers have been consistently around the play-off picture in recent months despite competing with clubs with more financial muscle.

“I don’t feel any pressure to finish in the top six,” said the head coach. “I feel pressure to win every game and perform competitively.

“It makes no difference to me who we play or where you want to end up. Every game is very difficult to get a victory so I feel the same pressure from the first game to the last.

“I want to be successful for the football club. We all want to be successful here so it makes no difference who we are playing, the pressure is there and that comes with every game.”

Rovers’ current position is more impressive considering they lost top scorer Sam Szmodics just a couple of games into the campaign.

“I think you have to remember we lost 33 goals out of the team straight away, which is a huge amount of goals,” Eustace recalled.

“Our leading goalscorer is now on six with Andi Weimann. We are fortunate that the rest of the team have stepped up and we have been able to spread the goals around the squad.

“Full credit to the players, the way they have gone about their business has ben really good up to now.

“It will be brilliant if someone can really step up now in these final 21 games and score some more goals.”

Rovers have only lost 14 out of 45 matches (not including penalty shoot-outs) since Eustace took charge at Ewood Park last year.

When asked how they had become tough to beat, he replied: “It is down to the group of players. Last season, when we came in there was big pressure to stay in the league.

“I thought the way the lads went about their business was excellent. We have continued that this season and you can see how we have evolved as a football team now.

“We are playing some really exciting football and continued with that defensive nous and being hard to play against.

“The Championship is relentless and it is important that every game, you go into it with a gameplan and are ready to be competitive and see where it takes you.”

The togetherness in the Rovers squad has been evident throughout the highs and lows of the campaign to date.

Eustace insists it has been important to build a positive environment which the players enjoy entering each day.

When asked how he inspires his squad, Eustace explained: “Just being very honest, giving them good feedback, an opportunity to express themselves and have their voice.

“It is important when you come into training every day that you come into an environment where you feel special and valued.

“That is not just the players, that is the staff as well. It is important every day you come to work and are happy, that is the kind of environment I try to set.

“It is my job to develop players, no matter how young or old they are. That is something I enjoy doing, we just give everyone a platform to perform and enjoy themselves.

“There is obviously a serious side to it as well and I think the players like that. It is just getting that right balance.”