Paul Salmon's Rovers blog

Mark Hughes is kidding himself if he thinks that greener pastures await him in the North East.

Rovers finally showed the form they are capable of in a morale boosting victory over battling yet relegation threatened Bolton Wanderers.

It's a long time since I left a Rovers game feeling the warming and smug glow of satisfaction that our small provincial town was worth more than its salt in the world's most prestigious football league, but our comprehensive victory against our wannabe rivals from the Reebok has done just that.

If I am honest than I must say that Hughes' refusal to completely distance himself from the most overrated of jobs in English football during the pre match interview left me with a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach.

However, our subsequent showing left me with a strong belief that if we can continue with the set up we currently have, that Rovers, despite our recent run of bad form, have as good a chance as anybody of breaking into the previously untouchable cartel of the top four and subsequent Champions League qualification.

It wasn't quite the peak of this seasons performances that Rovers displayed against a distinctly average Bolton side, but following a goal of the season contender from Kevin Nolan for Bolton, it was tremendously satisfying how the lads picked themselves up to record a much needed victory.

Despite picking up seven points out of nine in the last three league fixtures, Rovers had done little recently to convince that they were worthy of a place in Europe's elite, but Sunday was different as Rovers responded well to going 1-0 down to a wonder goal, and in the second half only one side was ever going to win it.

I just get the feeling now that Rovers fortunes have turned, following an impressive and long overdue quality performance from the likes of Ryan Nelsen amongst others.

Hughes desperately needs backing in the transfer market but one position we can forget about adding personnel to is our attack.

If Sparky is looking for a powerful, agile striker to complement his striking options, then look no further than Jason Roberts.

The bustling forward has never let Rovers down, and following his fantastic late strike at the Reebok, I feel that the big man has a large part to play in Rovers second half of the season.

Either way, keeping Mark Hughes happy and at Rovers will be the best transfer window success the fans can hope for, the question remains, will Sparky get the financial backing he craves which I think will ultimately decide where his future lies?

  • Paul Salmon writes a Blackburn Rovers fan blog on the Lancashire Telegraph website. If you'd like to write a fan blog - for Burnley, Accrington Stanley, Blackburn Rovers or any other East Lancs sports team - click here to email the sports editor.