Performances rather than pouts for Ethan

Ethan Laird produced a player-of-the-match display against Sheffield United and is desperate to win his place back from Bright Osayi-Samuel, above

- By BRIAN DICK

MERE minutes after seeing Blues record the most dramatic and rarest of victories at Blackburn, Chris Davies singled out one player for particular praise.

The manager identified Ethan Laird, commending him for his 'character, coming on as a halftime substitute for the injured Alex Cochrane, playing on the 'wrong' side for a traditional right-back and having the determination to win the penalty, which Jay Stansfield converted for the equaliser.

"He really drove us back into the game," said Davies. Stansfield was also keen to point to the 24-year-old's contribution and went a little deeper, noting the fact he has lost his place in the starting lineup.

"Credit to Ethan coming on, it was a tough, tough first half and for him to come into the game like that and win a penalty and defensively be strong - that's his character," he said. "He would like to be starting, that's how strong this team is, unbelievable players are sitting on the bench, that just shows the depth and what we can deliver."