Tottenham Hotspur v Blackburn Rovers - big match preview

DEFENSIVE king-pin Craig Short today insisted Rovers deserve to pip Everton to a place in Europe as their UEFA Cup fight goes down to the wire.

Rovers head for White Hart Lane tomorrow knowing they must beat Tottenham and hope that Everton fail to beat Manchester United in order to clinch a top six finish.

It promises to be a thrilling climax to a fierce battle which has raged between the two clubs during the second half of the season.

And, although Everton have beaten Rovers twice in the Premiership this term, Short still believes he and his team-mates are worthy of another crack at Europe.

"Two years ago you never would have imagined seeing us make this sort of challenge," said the defender.

"After getting promoted, last year was all about survival and the boss said the same again this year, but we've never had to think about going down.

"It's always important to get a decent start and we've never really hit a bad patch at any point.

"Last season we had a really bad patch from Christmas through to when we won the Worthington Cup final and it was only when we had a great run at the end that we managed to finish 10th.

"That was maybe a false position for us in the end because I don't think we deserved to finish that high.

"But this season we deserve to be finishing sixth -- or seventh at the worst.

"I still know a few people at Everton and they've said all along that we've been their biggest threat, even though they did the double over us, and that's how it has panned out."

That level of improvement has also been mirrored at Goodison where manager David Moyes has worked a minor miracle since taking over from Walter Smith.

Before his appointment, the Toffees had spent much of the last decade languishing in the lower reaches of the Premiership.

However, the former Preston North End chief has injected a new sense of discipline and belief into the club and Short admits to being impressed by the transformation.

"I'm pleased for Everton that they are in the shake-up because they've improved massively," said the former Goodison favourite.

"They haven't spent a great deal of money and they've still got more or less the same squad of players as when they were finding it difficult.

"But I think David Moyes seems to have got them fitter.

"If you look at people like Thomas Gravesen and David Unsworth, they are lads who normally look quite stocky but now they seem to be a lot fitter and sharper.

"And I know Rooney is getting all the plaudits and the praise but when I speak to some of the staff there they say that it's Thomas Radzinski who has been the catalyst since the start of the season.

"He was really getting them going early on and I was very impressed with him when he played at Ewood.

"I don't think I've played against anyone quicker who works so hard.

"He didn't play against us at Goodison because Rooney played and he played very well.

"But it's the overall work ethic of the whole team which stands out for me.

"Players like Gravesen, David Weir and the keeper have all done well and, once that club gets on a roll, because of the fan-base, they just seem to go and go."

Whatever the outcome of tomorrow's games, Short still insists it's been another fantastic 12 months for everyone connected with Rovers.

"It's nice not having the same worries as we had last season.

"Alright, we might not have won a Cup but I still think it's been a better season overall because we've maintained a top half position all year.

"I know we've had the odd game where we've slipped up but, generally speaking, there's been a big improvement because you are ultimately judged on your league form."