Simply the best

Nelsen and Todd were both magnificent as Rovers managed to hold a star-studded Manchester United side to a goalless draw at Old Trafford on Saturday.

That was Rovers' sixth clean sheet in their last eight matches, and in the 12 games that Nelsen has played since he joined the club on a free transfer in January, Brad Friedel has conceded just four goals.

"I think those two are as good as anyone in the league," said Hughes of his defensive duo.

"Defensively, we're as good as anybody.

"We've just had a four-game period where no-one really expected us to get any points at all but we've gone up against the top teams in the league this year and conceded just one goal, so we're delighted from that point of view."

Rovers have now taken a highly commendable five points out of 12 from back-to-back games against four of the top five Premiership teams.

That run began with a 1-0 win at Everton last month and Hughes' side have since managed to hold both Liverpool and United to 0-0 draws on their own grounds.

The only blemish to their record during that period was a 1-0 home defeat to Arsenal two weeks ago, when Robin Van Persie became the only player to score against Rovers in their last five Premiership matches.

"Whoever we play, they'll know they'll have to perform well," said Hughes.

"We're a difficult side to beat, we're resolute, we've got a great work ethic, and unless the opposition play as well as they can then it's going to be difficult day for them."

Although Rovers still need two more wins before they can start to breathe more easily, Hughes now feels he has the defensive base in place to take the club forward next season.

He added: "We've now got to kick on. We need to get this season out of the way. It was difficult coming in when we did because we had to address a lot of things very, very quickly and it takes time.

Rovers Reserves play Nottingham Forest tonight at Ewood Park, 7pm kick-off.