Given the improvements that he had brought Birmingham City before his surprise sacking, Blackburn fans have been anticipating the time when John Eustace has the same effect on their side.
On the back of ending 2023-24 with seven points from a possible 12, Rovers have now delivered eight points from the same amount of fixtures to kick off this campaign.
Despite failing to keep a clean sheet in any of those encounters, the focus should be on nine goals being scored at the other end when last season’s Championship top goalscorer Sammie Szmodics has left for Ipswich Town.
Their most impressive result was arguably the point that they earned at rivals Burnley before the international break, seeing out the final 33 minutes plus add-on time with 10 men.
With decisive late goals also coming in their opening three fixtures, this has the feel of a fit, robust side that could outlast teams this campaign.
As for Bristol City, five points from their first quartet of matches is an acceptable return, particularly having earned draws with the likes of Hull City and Coventry City.
Nevertheless, losing 3-0 at Derby County before the international break has set Liam Manning‘s side back a notch, still searching for their first clean sheet.
Nine goals have been conceded in five matches in all competitions at a time when four of their six strikes at the other end came in the same match.
As a result of Makhtar Gueye serving a one-match ban, Yuki Ohashi is in line to start down the middle of the Blackburn attack.
Todd Cantwell and Amario Cozier-Duberry are in contention after their deadline-day moves, but it is more likely that they will start the game on the substitutes’ bench.
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Barring any new fitness issues, the rest of the starting lineup could stay the same from the hard-earned point at Turf Moor.
In sharp contrast, it would come as a surprise if Manning did not shuffle his Bristol City pack for this contest.
Luke McNally could be drafted into the middle of the defence, with Fally Mayulu in line for his first Championship start in attack.
