GRAEME Souness was delighted with the way a revamped team responded last night after two recent league defeats.

He said: "We changed things round because we were looking to rest certain players who were carrying little niggles.

"We dominated from start to finish and we can only beat the teams put in front of us.

"We were up for it and I hope the crowd appreciates that the confidence thing is important.

"Some things I saw will give me selection decisions for Saturday. Some people showed a real appetite for it.

"I thought Lee Carsley was outstanding, as well as Henning Berg and Martin Taylor."

The manager also saluted debut hero James Thomas, who notched two goals on his first start having been on the bench four times during the season before last.

He added: "At his age he should be knocking on the first team door.

"It was a good experience for him, to play against two strong men because strength is a big part of his game." Matt Jansen and Craig Short both have a chance of being declared fit to face olton on Saturday.