If Blackburn Rovers needed a marker of the progress they have made, it's being a little bit frustrated at not beating Southampton at Ewood Park.

John Eustace's glass was half full when he addressed the media at the full-time whistle. He was full of praise for his players, as you'd expect, for their work on and off the ball against a star-studded Saints side that are destined for the top-six.

Russell Martin's side may end up with a record points tally for a team to only finish fourth and yet the Rovers head coach was not entirely satisfied. He felt, rightly so, that his team could have won the game.

Once again, the game plan was executed to perfection. Rovers came into the match confident after their 5-1 hammering of Sunderland on Easter Monday.

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In their last Ewood outing, they'd lost but shown they were more than capable of proving an awkward customer, with Ipswich Town very grateful to have left with all three points.

Once more, Rovers proved to be an annoyance for higher-placed opposition. Southampton dominated the ball, as everyone knew they would, but did very little with it.

Martin's side ended the game with 69 per cent of the ball but only worked Aynlsey Pears on one occasion. They had three premium chances with everything else a half opportunity at best.

The first of those could've seen Adam Armstrong score on his return to Ewood Park after nice link-up down the right. He got across Dom Hyam but couldn't get the connection he wanted.

Joel Aribo then looped Jack Stephens' cross off the crossbar. But these were the expectations rather than the rule in a back-and-forth encounter at Ewood.

Rovers got the balance of pressing and being aggressive, whilst also ensuring they did not get opened up consistently by a technically gifted side.

Southampton drifted Stephens into midfield to help with their build-up but with so many players committed in front of the ball, Rovers had chances to counter.

That final pass was missing, though. Whether it be the execution or the decision-making, they got into some really promising positions but couldn't take full advantage. 

Sam Szmodics came close with an audacious effort that almost embarrassed Gavin Bazunu. Tyrhys Dolan and Joe Rankin-Costello would also test the Southampton stopper with good efforts after lung-busting runs.

The biggest chance of the match did fall to Southampton though. It was a brilliant combination of Aynsley Pears and Callum Brittain that kept out Kyle Walker-Peters' goal-bound shot. The latter's contribution to that match-defining action earned him the Rovers' man of the match award.

Coming away from Ewood, it was impossible not to reflect on the leaps that Rovers have made since Eustace came in. That hasn't always been apparent despite the head coach trying to drum up positivity.

But since the goalless draw at Middlesbrough, Rovers have found a great blend between defensive security and attacking intent that wasn't there before. 

It's not a great shock that those improved displays have come since Eustace has been afforded time on the training ground. Rovers played nine matches in 28 days after he came in which was relentless.

In the last four games, he's had a free week, the international break, a three-day gap and then a five-day gap. It can't be much surprise that they have produced Rovers' best displays, particularly on the ball.

Even shifting to a back four, Rovers have retained their defensive solidity. Players at the back looking like they're enjoying their football again. Scott Wharton has been given a new lease of life under Eustace.

The constant concession of goals had clearly sapped confidence from those whose responsibility it is to keep them out. It's a team game, you defend from the front, but the weight of the goals against column is obviously felt more by those at the rearguard.

In his first 11 official Championship games, Eustace has seen Rovers have conceded 10 goals. They'd leaked 27 in that same period prior to the Stoke match. The transformation has been astonishing.

In the last four matches, we've seen Rovers can still have that level of solidity without giving everything up. The stats might read three games in four without a goal but the underlying statistics show that Rovers have been unlucky rather than blunt.

The job isn't done but this was another step towards mission complete. But I find it very difficult to lose sleep about relegation considering the performances Rovers are now producing.

More importantly, the last four games have offered a blueprint and a vision of how Rovers can be successful in the Championship next season, with more time on the training ground and a summer transfer window for Eustace to mould the squad as he sees fit.

Especially when you consider the terrible luck with injuries. It was well-documented that Ryan Hedges, Szmodics, Dolan and Sam Gallagher started in a front four for the first time at Sunderland.

They lasted just 25 minutes on Saturday before it was broken apart again. It's impossible not to have huge sympathy for Hedges, who has just had no luck whatsoever. I really hope he can get himself right in the summer.

It's a big week coming up for Rovers, two away trips. They have no been helped by the Sky cameras, moving Leeds United to 12:30pm, when they will get back in the small hours of Thursday morning from Bristol.

But it's one last push over the finishing line. Ashton Gate is not a ground to fear with Bristol City so inconsistent. Much like the Sunderland game, it is winnable.

Eustace will not allow his players to think too far in the future. But this performance was another huge indicator that the club can plan for Championship football next season.