STEPHEN Warnock may have warned that Blackburn Rovers are not too good to go down, but Sam Allardyce is too experienced to let it happen.

Allardyce himself has expressed concerns recently that draws have hindered Rovers’ progress, as they climbed out of the relegation zone only to slip back into the bottom three.

But it is hard to see this Rovers squad, with no shortage of Premier League talent, suffering relegation under the guidance of a man who has endured far tougher circumstances in his managerial career.

Allardyce was brought in as the wily troubleshooter following Paul Ince’s surprisingly catastrophic reign at Ewood Park.

Big Sam may not have solved all of Rovers’ ills in one fell swoop, but the signs have been encouraging enough to suggest he knows how to get them out of trouble.

Ryan Nelsen and Chris Samba have looked an altogether more capable partnership and, in Roque Santa Cruz, Benni McCarthy and Jason Roberts, Rovers surely have the firepower to score goals.

In central midfield, where Rovers have looked weak for most of the season, David Dunn and Vince Grella have returned to provide vital options.

But Rovers’ next league match is at Manchester United next Saturday and the danger, as Sky pundit David Platt put it on several occasions when talking about Middlesbrough on Saturday, is of becoming ‘disattached’ from the pack.

This phenomenon is twice as risky as becoming detached, or even unattached, from the sides above them.

Becoming disattached would put Rovers in such a disbelievably bad predicament that their place in the Premier League could become distenable.

Many fans are concerned that, with visits to each of the big four remaining, Rovers have left themselves with too much to do.

But we are soon to enter that clownish stage of the season when even the most seasoned of no-hopers traditionally turn into grandiose world beaters. How else could you explain Fulham winning three consecutive away matches last season?

For those with relegation staring them in the face, no game is diswinnable.

And it is notably the clubs with Premier League experience whose players suddenly see the dollar signs disappearing before their eyes. After all, earning less than £50,000 a week is a chilling thought.

Hence why the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Everton have never been relegated from the Premier League and probably won’t be any time soon, either.

Allardyce has been here before, in the first two seasons after Bolton Wanderers' promotion to the Premier League. Twice he saved them, the second time when star names like Jay-Jay Okocha underperformed for half a season and survival looked improbable.

And, while Rovers are not too good to go down, it is likely that West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City are too bad to stay up.

Beyond that, it is anyone’s guess. But, despite sending Luiz Felipe Scolari on his merry way with a draw at Stamford Bridge at the weekend, it should be noted that Hull City are not safe yet.

Five more wins will probably secure Rovers’ survival.

Don’t be surprised if they are achieved with games to spare.

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