NO doubt the last two results have been disappointing. But I still believe Blackburn have what it takes to get into the top six.

That said I want to see them in those play-off places sooner rather than later.

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It’s all right saying we’re only four points away but, even at this early stage of the season, you don’t want to be falling too far behind.

Look at last season – we were always playing catch up even though we went close in the end.

Getting into those top-six places would be a massive confidence boost for Gary Bowyer, his team and the supporters. It would lift everyone and I’m sure it would make the players even more determined to stay in them.

It would make the opposition look at Blackburn differently and make them worry about Blackburn.

At the moment we can only be considered as one of those teams who COULD make the play-offs.

That said there are a lot of teams in Blackburn’s boat, everybody is taking points off everybody, and there doesn’t seem to be a side like Leicester last season that are going to run away with it. That’s a positive. But bridging that gap is not going to be handed to Blackburn – they’re going to have work on it.

And that’s why I think the international break has come at just the right time. Not so much to recharge the batteries but to work on the things that are going right and, more importantly, work on the things that are going wrong.

And, with only Grant Hanley, Corry Evans and Josh King away with their countries, Gary will be able to get some good work done.

The defeat at Rotherham and draw at home to Huddersfield were not good, but hopefully Rovers will come back after the break and everything will come good.

I’ve got no doubts Jordan Rhodes will come good again after his penalty miss against Huddersfield. Penalty taking should not be underestimated – I should know as I’ve taken and missed a few in my time!

There is a lot of pressure on you, a different kind of pressure. As a goalscorer most of your goals come from instinct, that quick bit of movement and being in the right place at the right time.

In most cases your shot or header will be in the back of the net in a split second. With penalties, though, you have no end of time to think about it.

Jordan has shown many times he can live with that pressure and that’s why I’m backing him to put his next penalty away, no problem.