JOHN Williams admits Blackburn Rovers have never needed their fans more ahead of Sunday’s visit of Wigan that he insists is a must-win encounter.

The Rovers chief has urged the blue and white army to turn Ewood Park into a cauldron of noise and sea of colour after witnessing the ‘Britannia Stadium effect’ at first hand on Saturday.

Williams was impressed by the atmosphere created by Stoke fans in their 1-0 win over Rovers and believes a similar effort at Ewood Park could provide the inspiration needed.

Sam Allardyce’s men sit just three points above the Premier League drop zone with five games remaining and chairman Williams has stressed FROM BACK PAGE the importance of securing maximum points on Sunday.

More than 2,000 fans have already snapped up the club’s offer of watching the final three games for a total of just £20, £10 for concessions, and Williams insists every person counts in the battle to beat the drop.

He said: “This is it, isn’t it? We have managed to claw our way out of the relegation zone and with five games left we are in the final push.

“We will never need the fans more than we do now. They have already responded fantastically over the last few months but we need them again.

“We have to win against Wigan on Sunday, it is as simple as that. We believe it could be a big day for the club. The idea of taking back Ewood is to create the atmosphere that will help the players.”

Rovers fans have until Saturday, the day before the visit of Wigan, to purchase their three-game package and ensure they play their part in what could prove one of the biggest periods in the club’s history.

The Darwen End will be packed out with home fans, with the away supporters moved to the upper tier, and Williams admits the team needs everyone roaring them on to help secure Premier League safety.

Williams said: “We are already delighted with the response. The fans are backing us but I would just like to say that every extra fan and every extra bit of noise can help.

“A lot went to Stoke City on Saturday and you could never blame them for the disappointing result. They were fantastic as they have been in recent months.

“They did a good job and we didn’t give them anything to cheer. I know it is easy to say to the fans to make a noise but we know we have a responsibility to give them something to cheer about. It needs a bit of both.”

Almost 3,000 fans travelled to the ‘loudest ground in the Premier League’ on Saturday and for large parts of the afternoon matched the vocal home support.

Now, they are being asked to respond in similar fashion on Sunday, to help drive Rovers on to a win that would go a long way in easing relegation fears.

Williams said: “The Stoke fans were incredible. Their home record perhaps shows how much of a difference an atmosphere like that can have.

“The fact that we have lost our last two games but are still not in the bottom three shows how much work has been done in the last few months but there is more work to do.

“We need a win on Sunday there is no hiding from that.”