‘12th Man’

Many clubs recognize their fans as the 12th man

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John Eustace

Interviewer: John, congratulations! How proud are you of your side with that performance and result?

John Eustace: Yeah, I'm proud of the whole football club today. I thought it was a massive effort from the players and the fans. So, you know, really proud 

to win it in the way we did against a side like Leeds. Quality.

Interviewer: What's it say about the group—how hard we work and the quality that we've got within the ranks?

John Eustace: I think it shows that we've got that togetherness here, you know, something that we want to keep growing and building. I thought our football at times again was really good today. Really exciting periods of play. We also showed that other side—that when we're under the cosh a little bit, we can defend the box for our lives. Collectively, for a man, we're very hard to play against. So, you know, we showed two good sides of us today.

Interviewer: I thought some of the stuff in possession was really, really good—the quality, getting the goal from it as well, but some of the other chances that were created.

John Eustace: Yeah, absolutely. You know, it was a real tough game, and it was a really exciting game to watch. I'm sure the fans enjoyed it. Against a top team, the top team in the league, coming today, we wanted to make it difficult for them, but we also wanted to entertain the fans. And, you know, to get a 1-0 win against a top-quality team like that was really pleasing.

Interviewer: Did you enjoy the atmosphere? Did the players enjoy it? And do you think they thrived on it as well?

John Eustace: Yeah, definitely. And that's what we want. We want this place rocking. We want it to be a really difficult place for away opponents. They had 7,000 fans behind the goal, but we matched their endeavor and their support, and went more. So, you know, I was really pleased. As I said at the start, really pleased, very proud of the performance, very proud of the football club and the fans today.

Interviewer: When you needed the final few minutes as well, I thought they played their part to help us get over the line.

John Eustace: Yeah, absolutely. It's a group effort. I said after the game Wednesday that we needed the fans to be the 12th man today, and they certainly were.

Interviewer: The penalty itself—no doubt in your mind?Oh, Tyrese got there first and the guy bundled him over.

John Eustace: Brilliant. Some great football again in the lead-up, really positive today. I thought he had an outstanding performance, with and without the ball. Really positive, driving at defenders. We want more of that from him, and, you know, it was a certain penalty.

Interviewer: The penalty itself—I thought Todd dispatched it so calmly. When you see him step up to take it, are you confident he's going to hit the back of the net?

John Eustace: Yeah, I was confident. Listen, Todd's a quality player, and I'm really delighted for him to get his first goal for the football club. I thought his performances were outstanding, getting better and better. He's a pivotal player for us, gives us that platform to build and play. You can see we're evolving as a footballing team now, and he's a big part of that.

Interviewer: Can you feel, game by game, his influence growing even more?

John Eustace: Yeah, definitely. It's going to get better and better. I think he feels at home now. The players love him to bits. He's a cracking lad. It's important he keeps developing and improving, just as the group does.

Interviewer: Leeds had a lot of the ball in the second half. How important was it that we still had a threat going the other way? I think of the chances—we probably had the better ones to perhaps kill the game off in that second period.

John Eustace: Yeah, definitely. We had some cracking chances to score two or three in that second half. The most important thing is we were up against a top team with fantastic players, Premier League players. The way we limited them to next to nothing, especially in the second half, was the most pleasing thing. They could have as much pressure as they wanted, but the lads kept their task and concentration levels outstanding.

Interviewer: How do you get that organization and discipline in a game like this, with only two days to prepare?

John Eustace: Again, it's a group effort. The medical staff, the physios—everyone played a massive part to make sure the boys were in top condition. The boys have to listen to instructions and keep their concentration. You get results that way.

Interviewer: Going away to Middlesbrough and then beating Leeds at home—what does it say about this group?

John Eustace: It shows we're growing and evolving as a family. The fans are buying into what we want to do. The Championship is relentless, so we can't get too carried away. Just stay level-headed, keep working hard. We had a tough run of results but kept believing. Stay together, keep working hard, and results will come.

Interviewer: One frustration today—the yellow card for Trav, which means a suspension?

John Eustace: Yeah, it's a shame for Trav. He's done really well to avoid another yellow for seven or eight games. It's disappointing to lose him next week, but it gives someone else a chance to step up.

Interviewer: Six home league wins already this season. Ewood becoming a fortress?