BRYAN DOUGLAS does not want Rovers to feel like he did after the FA Cup final of 1960.

Then the Ewood outfit lost 3-0 to Wolves at Wembley but they were - with no substitutes - effectively playing with nine men as Derek Dougan - who handed in a transfer request on the eve of the match - was playing with an injury and Dave Whelan broke his leg.

"As far as the match is concerned I remember Derek Dougan, the centre back was not really fit and then of course Dave broke his leg," explained Ewood legend Douglas who was capped 36 times for England.

"I think we just froze and immediately after the game I was really disappointed.

"This was more for the supporters than anyone else.

"My thoughts went straight to them and what a long journey back it would be for them without anything.

"I felt we had let them down and I still feel this now. I don't want the current players in years to come to be like me.

"Every time there is a cup final on I think about the losers and know how they are feeling.

"So on Sunday, the team have got to go there and give it everything. Sometimes you only get on chance to play in a Cup final so they have got to take their chance. They need to be positive and play with the right attitude.

"I am praying that are going to win this game."

Like the current Rovers set-up, the Ewood side of that time were going through a bit of a slump in the run-up to the Cup final.

They had a haul of just six points from 17 games and slid down the League.

"I think the Cup gets in the way of the League form, it happened to us. You don't realise it at the time.

"The fans will forgive you for the form if you win the cup and then go on and do well but if not, the knives will be out."

Douglas thinks he knows what the team will be going through on the morning of the game - although he didn't experience it himself.

"I had a unique experience as I did not have much chance to get nervous. What had happened was my wife, who was expecting, just managed to get to London and had our second son Graham on Friday.

"I only found out on Friday night and I got the underground and bus and spent the morning of the match travelling into London visiting her and Graham at the hospital. I had to make my own way there. Stars like Alan Shearer today would have had a helicopter but not in those days!

"So I had no nerves as I had other things to think about. I got back to get on the coach and travel to Wembley."

But he will have nerves this time for the current crop of players.

"I am excited. Going to the match will be very special. They will be feeling nervous and apprehensive but it all disappears once you go out onto the field.

"You have got to try to enjoy the occasion and all the build up but one you get onto the field you just concentrate on the game."

And he knows it is the biggest game of their playing career for some of the Rovers players.

"It is a big stage for everybody who wants to progress," continued Bryan.

"Obviously David Dunn, he is a local lad like myself, he is one of the players in our present team who is able to support the front players.

"We have got to set the chances up for Andy Cole and give him the opportunity to score and we haven't been doing that in recent games.

"But Graeme Souness won't let their heads drop no matter what happens throughout the game.

"We have got to put our league form behind us and concentrate on this game.

"I don't want to tempt fate but I think we can get a result and I want them to as I don't want them in a few years to look back and think 'we should have won that final' as they might never have the opportunity again."