John Eustace has admitted he's been surprised at the high points threshold needed to secure Championship safety.

Blackburn Rovers have 49 points and will likely need something from their final two league games to ensure they remain in the division.

Since Rovers were relegated in 2017 on 51 points, no side has dropped to the third tier with more than 48. By that measure, Rovers would've been safe already in the last six years.

Eustace doesn't believe the Championship has been tougher this year than those gone by but does think the margins are even tighter than ever before.

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"I knew coming in that it would be a big challenge," he admitted.

"We were on a very bad run of results and I knew it would go to the end, it's the Championship. It's relentless, a lot of top teams and some good teams that have been in the bottom three or four.

"It's a tough challenge but it's one I've looked forward to. We have two games to ensure we have to stay in the league.

"It's been very difficult to say who'd get promoted or relegated each year. It's been a lot tighter this year, certainly, maybe not harder, at both ends of the table.

"The Championship is a tough, tough league and we have a group of players who are determined we get enough points to say in the league.

"I am surprised at how high the points total is and it isn't all over because of the amount of points we have. This is the Championship, it's not harder but it is tighter at both ends.

"Anyone can beat anyone and that has been proven again this year. The challenge is to pick up points and stay in the league."

Mistakes have been a plague on Rovers' campaign this season, both as individuals and the team as a collective. That again proved costly at the weekend against Sheffield Wednesday.

Eustace did not deny that those concessions have been a problem but reiterated the team have shown they have the character to bounce back, starting this weekend.

"I think that everyone can see that people don't go out to make individual mistakes," Eustace insisted.

"But you can't deny it has cost us points. It's team mistakes as well, that's part of the job. For me, it's about how you react. Everyone who has made an honest mistake has always reacted very positively and so has the team.

"It's part of being in the team and this team has a bouncebackability. We want to see a reaction on Saturday from the game, to see that togetherness.

"We want that battling and fighting spirit. It's important not to let things affect us. The fans have been outstanding since I've been here, there is a connection between the fans and the players.

"That will be important on Saturday, they will be needed. We know what a win would do for everyone at the football club. It's about keeping the team in the league.

"We have picked up vital points since I have been here and we have to do that in the next two years to keep everyone happy and ensure Championship football next year."