MIDFIELDER Corry Evans admits Blackburn Rovers held ‘clear the air talks’ after their winless Championship run stretched to five matches.

Rovers go into tomorrow’s home clash with Fulham searching for their first league victory since December 20.

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Back then they found themselves four points behind the play-off places and eight from top spot.

But, after they went down to a largely self-inflicted 2-0 defeat at Derby County on Tuesday, the gap to the top six and the summit stands at 11 and 15 points respectively.

Afterwards Gary Bowyer did not emerge from the dressing room until 40 minutes after the final whistle.

And Evans confirmed that was because there had been a full and frank discussion between the staff and the players about how to get Rovers’ faltering season back on track.

“We know that we can’t keep losing and drawing games,” said the Northern Ireland international.

“We need to get out of the run we’re in to achieve our goal of promotion.

“We had a good chat after the game and I think everyone is a lot clearer now about what we need to do and what needs to be done to start winning games and to go on another run that we need badly.”

Rovers have just won once in eight league matches after seeing their nine-game unbeaten run come to an end.

But Evans, who won promotion out of the Championship with his former club Hull City, is adamant the gap to sixth-placed Watford is not insurmountable.

“I think one win would ease a few nerves and breed confidence throughout the squad and the club, and with the fans, so hopefully we can get that on Saturday,” he said.

“From experience of this league, you see teams who, anywhere around Christmas, are nowhere near the play-offs and they end up going up automatically or through the play-offs.

“It’s all about form and if we can get into form, and the sooner the better, I’m sure we can get back up there.

“In this league anyone can beat anyone and teams find it hard to get their form back once they’ve lost a few so what we need to do is get it back and see where it takes us.”

Rovers may have lost their form but Evans insists they have not lost their belief.

“The squad itself has got confidence,” said the 24-year-old, who was speaking at a Blackburn Rovers Community Trust event at Langho St Leonard’s Primary School.

“The manager trusts us and fills confidence into us that we can beat anyone in this league but we need to start doing it rather than talking about it and Saturday is a good opportunity to do that.”

Rovers won September’s reverse clash with Fulham.

But Evans believes the Cottagers, who are unbeaten in four matches in all competitions, will be a tougher proposition tomorrow.

He said: “The last time we played them they were probably a bit disjointed in terms of a new manager and new signings and players who did not really know each other.

“But this time they seem quite settled and they’ve picked up a few wins so it is going to be a tough game for us.

“But hopefully it is one we can come out on top from.”

  • Blackburn Rovers have released ticket prices for their FA Cup fifth-round tie at home to Stoke City on Saturday, February 14.

Season ticket holders have until close of business on Friday, February 13 to take advantage of reduced prices of £15 for adults, £10 for over 65s and people aged between 18 and 20, and £5 for juniors aged between five and 17.

Prices for non-season-ticket holders and on the day of the game itself are £20 for adults, £12 for over 65s and people aged between 18 and 20, and £7 for juniors aged between five and 17.

Under 5s go free.

The Blackburn End upper will be closed and the Darwen End will be for visiting supporters only.

Stoke, managed by former Rovers player and boss Mark Hughes, have been handed an initial allocation of 4,500 tickets.