GRAEME Souness is still fervently chasing what he describes as mission impossible -- a place in the promotion play-offs for Blackburn Rovers at the end of the season.

Their chances improved slightly after Saturday's 5-0 win over Sheffield United but, even if they fail to make it, the Rovers boss stressed that the last six games of the season were crucial for his players.

For the shape of things to come at Ewood will be decided in that spell.

"As we've said all along, reaching the play-offs is an 'impossible' task. There's only a very slim chance of getting ourselves there," he said.

"Unfortunately, the teams above us keep winning as well.

"But we'll just keep plugging away. Our next game is an extremely hard one against Wolves.

"They will see it as a chance to kill off one of the outsiders for that play-off place.

"But, if we were to lose at Molineux and that put us out of the play-offs, it's still very important because I am making decisions and looking at things between now and the end of the season.

"It's still vital, even if we lose a game, that the players keep going as they have been doing in the last few matches.

"Because I have to make some very important decisions."

Having had a little time to analyse his squad, Souness believes he can pinpoint some of the reasons why Rovers have under-achieved this season.

"I have been here for a couple of weeks working with the players and the biggest problem I think this club has had is that they were the favourites to go up," he said.

"They didn't start well, had heaps of criticism from early on in the season and some of them have obviously not handled that well. "That is something I want to have a close look at, because criticism is part of life not just football.

"And you have to get on with it.

"We have all been slughtered for different things and it's how you respond to that.

"Do you become a small man or become an even bigger man? That's what I want to ask them and it boils down to just one question -- how much do they want it?

"A common criticism from our supporters is that they don't want it enough.

"Well I wouldn't agree with that, because in the short time I have been here I can only see people who want to win games and work hard.

"The one area where maybe I would agree is on confidence."

Souness also feels the fact that Rovers have had such immense backing from Jack Walker has been a two-edged sword.

"I think Blackburn has suffered because of Mr Walker's fame," he said. "The money's been thrown at it so it must work. But everyone will tell you that's not the case and never will be." Souness had warned of Sheffield United's "aggressive" approach before the game and was pleased by his players' response.

"When you play against a team like Sheffield United, the first thing you have to match them for is their effort, challenge for challenge," he said.

"We did that from the first minute to the last and, in the end, we bossed that department.

"Along the way we got the goals which maybe caused one or two of their heads to drop.

"We are still looking for more football to be played but right now I'll settle for what we are getting and the determination to win games. Scoring five goals is a real bonus.

"I thought the crowd saw their team work really hard, score goals and outfight a team that is regarded as a real fighting team with lots of spirit.

"So they are the pleasing things to me.

"But I'm not kidding myself. I want us to play more football when the time is right."

It was Rovers' biggest League win for just over two years, since they hammered Aston Villa 5-0 in January 1998.

The Academy under-19 team face a play-off quarter final clash with West Ham next weekend after a thumping 4-1 victory over Aston Villa at Brockhall on Saturday.

Watched by first team boss Graeme Souness, Gary Hamilton was the Rovers scoring hero with a hat-trick but, minus two regulars on international duty in Ben Burgess and Jon Douglas, they really did give an impressive all-round team performance and could have won by more goals.

Marc Richards got the other goal for Rovers who now face the Hammers -- 5-0 conquerers of Manchester United -- at Brockhall on Saturday as they bid for a semi-final place.

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