GRAEME Souness plans to restore the feel good factor to Ewood Park as Blackburn Rovers prepare for Sunday's crunch clash with Manchester City.

After a season of bitter disappointment, Rovers have only pride to play for in a fixture which many had marked down as a possible championship decider back in August.

But Souness is desperate to give fans hope for the future by finishing the season on a high.

And he will send his side out with a message ringing loud and clear: 'Let's show we mean business next season.'

"I want our supporters to have a feel good factor after Sunday's game," said Souness. "There's a long time between now and the start of next season so we want to leave the supporters with that taste of victory in their mouths.

"It's about us saying to our supporters 'Hey! You've had a miserable year this year and we have not fulfilled your expectations.

"But believe in us and we will do it for you next year.

"That's the message I want supporters to have after Sunday's game.

"I know it's a big, big game for Manchester City but that does not concern me.

"My only concern is Blackburn Rovers and, hopefully, entertaining our supporters on Sunday.

"I don't want them to go away for the summer on the back of a miserable result and a miserable performance." City need just a point to ensure they gain promotion back to the Premiership. But Souness insists he is not envious of what Joe Royle has achieved at Maine Road.

And he remains adamant that the addition of couple of new faces over the summer can make Rovers into a title force next season.

"I'm not an envious person and I don't cast envious glances at other people," said Souness.

"I only strive to improve my own lot and if I am managing a team then I want us to be the best there is.

"In the two months I've been at Rovers it's been all about learning about the players I have got here.

"Hopefully, by the start of next season, we will have got a few new faces in.

"Then, maybe this time next year, people will be envious of us." Despite the fact Souness is on the look out for fresh faces, he believes the current Rovers squad is as good as any in the division.

But they have failed to match the top sides like City for consistency.

"We've got as good a squad as anyone in the First Division.

"But for whatever reason we have lacked consistency.

"If you are going to get promoted or win a league championship then consistency is the key.

"And that's been our problem we've blown hot and cold this year.

"We've not played with any great passion in some games and that has cost us dearly.

"And these are all the questions I have to come up with answers for by the start of next season."

Sunday's clash has added spice for Souness as wife Karen is a City fan. He said: "My father-in-law is a big City fan and my wife was brought up as a City fans as well. But that isn't my concern. My only concern is Blackburn."