Eustace on Rovers' strong Academy and why right 'environment' is key

John Eustace is keen to continue Rovers’ proud history of developing young talent – and believes creating the “right environment” is crucial.

Adam Wharton has been the biggest success story of recent years, bringing in a club record fee from Crystal Palace before making a seamless transition to Premier League football.

Eustace was asked about the importance of a strong Academy during the Rovers Trust's recent annual general meeting.

The head coach replied: “One hundred per cent, it is the future. It is very important when these players come up, we looked after them properly and they develop in the right environment.

“There is no point throwing young players into the first team if you are losing week in, week out because they certainly won’t develop there.

“They need good players and coaches around them, they need a fantastic environment to come into every day to really develop properly.

“I have developed a lot of young players since going into management and it is all about the people and right environment.

“I will certainly not throw any youngsters in and hamper their development. We have had a couple go out on loan and I am excited to see them come back, we will give them an opportunity in pre-season.

“Blackburn is known for the Academy but the players have got to be good enough and coming into the right environment where they can be developed properly.”

The AGM gave Eustace a chance to speak directly with supporters and he thanked them for helping the team get over the line in their relegation battle last season.

“You are the heartbeat of the football club and the community,” the head coach added.

“The reason I joined Blackburn Rovers was because of the history of the football club. It is a fantastic club and without you, we wouldn’t have had that history.

“Now we have got to create something special moving forward and as I usually say, we can only do that if we are together.

“The most important thing is that you back the team because the team is what we are all about.

“Whatever happens off the field, we can’t control that but what we can control is how that team plays and the support you give them.

“Since I have come in, I think the support ahs been outstanding and certainly got us through some difficult moments.”

Safety was secured following a memorable victory at Leicester on the final day. Sam Szmodics was the hero at the King Power Stadium, finishing the most prolific career of his season to date with another brace.

“It was a huge relief,” Eustace reflected. “My job was to come in and keep the team in the league, and that is what I did.

“That was a group effort from the people who work at the training ground, the stadium and the squad of players. Most importantly, it was the effort of the supporters.

“Coming in, it was a really difficult moment for all of you and the season wasn’t what you expected.

“But without your support and the support of the staff in the building and around Ewood Park, we certainly wouldn’t have stayed up.

“It was a huge group effort and now it is very important we build on that, invest in the right areas and grow together.

“That is the reason I came to the club, I want to build something special here and everyone has to be on board.”