Blackburn Rovers young gun: This is just the start (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Blackburn Rovers young gun: This is just the start

10:50am Saturday 6th February 2010

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EWOOD Park young gun Martin Olsson has warned Premier League defences ‘this is just the beginning’ after insisting the Blackburn Rovers supporters haven’t seen anything yet.

Rovers’ Swedish sensation has emerged as a fans favourite since establishing himself in Sam Allardyce’s first team but the 21-year-old is adamant he still has a lot more to show - starting at Stoke City this afternoon.

Olsson is better known around Ewood Park for being a promising left back but, since being thrown into the side in a more advanced left wing role, he has made the position his own, starting the last four games.

He is expected to continue in that role against Tony Pulis’s Stoke today, as Rovers look to take a giant stride towards securing Premier League safety, having helped them to a three-match unbeaten league run.

He said: “I think I have played alright so far. I have done some things good and there are things I can work on but I have only been playing a few games on the left wing.

“I feel like I can play much better than this. This is just the beginning. I just need a few more games and I will get my confidence and I will do even better, like I have been in training.

“Hopefully that will show in the next few games for Blackburn. Hopefully, if I get a few more games, I can show everyone I can play much better than this.”

Rovers’ away record remains poor this season, having won just one game on their travels, but Olsson believes last weekend’s goalless draw at West Ham could be a sign of things to come.

Allardyce’s men dominated the clash, squandering numerous chances, and Olsson insists they are prepared for anything Stoke have to throw at them this afternoon.

He said: “Before the West Ham game we thought a point would do because our away form hasn’t been good but after the chances we created, we should have scored and should have got three points, so it was disappointing.

“We have been playing well the last four games - even Aston Villa away - and we have been showing we can play good football and create chances. We are working as a team now and showing we can play with confidence as well.

“Every game is important right now. All teams play differently and that is why Sam Allardyce plays a video of that team every week “It is a different team of course. West Ham like to play football and I don’t think Stoke like that. It will probably be more long balls and harder work on the pitch.

“Sometimes you have to play the long balls and the ugly type of football to win games though. Every point to us is important now and it doesn’t matter how we get the result. Whether we play the long balls or nice football - the three points is most important right now.”

Olsson has already represented Sweden under 21s and 18s but, despite being talked about for a senior call-up in his homeland, he insists he is not about to get carried away.

He said: “I don’t really look at the Swedish national team this early. They are starting to talk about it in Sweden now though – just because I am starting to play a few more games.

“I am happy they are talking about me and haven’t forgotten about me, but I will just keep doing my thing and if I get picked I will get picked.

“All the young lads here have been showing good confidence and when we have been given the chance I think we have taken it. If we keep it going there is a good mixture of youth and experience.”

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