Rovers must 'enjoy' positive pressure - Ismael

Valerien Ismael has collected one point out of a possible nine with Blackburn

Blackburn Rovers head coach Valerien Ismael says that his players must embrace the pressure of trying to secure a play-off spot.

Rovers suffered a 1-0 loss at Stoke City, their second loss in four days after defeat at Derby County.

They have picked up just one point in Ismael's three games in charge and have slipped to ninth, four points outside the top six.

But they will have a chance to turn their form around on Saturday when they host struggling Cardiff City.

"The performance in the first half wasn't what we expected," Ismael told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"We made a mistake, but how we finished the first half, how we played in the second half, is what we wanted to see from minute one.

"The players showed quality. Last season, Rovers were in a bad situation with much more pressure, and now we are competing for something positive, so we need to enjoy it and start the games as we started the second half.

"We need to work on our confidence. The second half was much better. We have to build on that."