STEPHEN Warnock reckons he and his Blackburn team-mates must get meaner defensively if they are to mount a sustained charge for the top six.

The former Liverpool full-back, who has made a stunning impact since he was brought in to replace Lucas Neill in January earlier this year, is convinced Rovers have enough quality to compete for European place with the likes of Everton, Manchester City, and tomorrow's visitors to Ewood Park, West Ham United.

However, the 25-year-old is concerned those lofty ambitions could still be undermined if he and his colleagues fail to cut out the kind of sloppy defensive errors that have blighted the recent performances against Manchester United, Aston Villa and Newcastle United.

Manager Mark Hughes has expressed concern about his side's defending, after recent lapses of concentration at set-pieces have led to soft goals for United's Ronaldo, Villa's John Carew, and Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins.

Now Warnock has echoed the manager's views by claiming it's an area of the game where he and his fellow defenders must do better.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow's clash with the Hammers, Warnock said: "We had a bit of a meeting the other week about set-pieces because we haven't been defending them well enough, so we thought going into the (Newcastle) game we'd be organised and have it sorted out.

"But we conceded from a set-piece once again and the lads were very disappointed afterwards because, when you get it drummed into you that we shouldn't be shipping goals like that, it's the last thing you want to do.

"We've got time to work on it though, so I'm sure we'll get it sorted out on the training ground."

After losing 4-0 to Aston Villa on their previous outing, Rovers showed great character to bounce back from that mauling with a victory against Newcastle.

However, a defensive error meant they had to do it the hard way, coming from behind to eventually secure a precious 3-1 victory - their first in five outings in the league.

Reflecting on what was a remarkably open game against the Magpies, Warnock said: "I think that's where we need to improve because we are a little bit naive in that respect at times.

"We probably let other teams break on us a little bit too easily when we are going forward, so maybe our organisation isn't quite there yet.

"But those are things we can work on. We know we are a good team going forward, and we know we are capable of defending well, but maybe we have to shore up a little bit more."

As for tomorrow's clash with West Ham, who have ambitions of breaking into the top six themselves, Warnock said: "West Ham are another difficult side to play against.

"It's going to be a similar type of game to the one against Newcastle and we've got to be ready for that.

"But we are at home again, which should benefit us, and hopefully after working on a few things in training, we can put in another performance."