CHRIS Samba believes the next six games will prove crucial in determining Blackburn Rovers’ future after admitting relegation could cost the club their exciting crop of young talent.

Rovers skipper has called today’s trip to Everton the first of six cup finals with his side just three points ahead of the Premier League drop zone, after describing Rovers’ slump as a shock.

The giant defender ended speculation about his own future by signing a new long-term contract in January after listening to the ambitious plans of new owners Venky’s, and believes survival this year would be the start of better things to come.

With the likes of Junior Hoilett, Phil Jones and Martin Olsson bursting onto the Premier League scene having risen through Rovers’ youth ranks, Samba is optimistic about the future but knows the drop could wreck what is already in place.

He said: “The next few games are massive for the club’s future, we know they are. We have seen we have some very good players at this club and the club is doing very well in bringing in younger players.

“These young players are quality players and we need to keep these assets and good players want to play in the best league, so it is very important we stay in the Premier League for the future of the club.

“It has been a big disappoint-ment because me staying at the club was about us getting on a new level. I know that Rome was not built in one day though.

“Some times it takes some time. I did not think we would be in a relegation fight but the reality is that is what it is.

“We have seen a change in style and a change of person and it is not easy every time to bring this to a club. It won’t change over night but we can see the improvement in recent games.

“Turning those draws into wins is the most important thing and getting back to the winning feeling is very important for the dressing room.”

Venky’s purchase of Rovers brought with it dramatic changes around Ewood Park in November, with manager Sam Allardyce quickly replaced by Steve Kean and the subsequent attempts to play more attractive brand of football.

After an encouraging start to Kean’s regime, Rovers are now winless in nine games in all competitions but Samba believes performances have not been as bad as results suggest.

“I cannot really say if things were changed too quickly,” said Samba. “We were seventh and looking to improve and it was the aim to bring new ideas into the football club. It is not easy every time to do this.

“We have been playing for two years on a particular style. I don’t know if some people liked it and some people don’t like it but it got results.

“Now we try to win in a more beautiful way. It is not easy and it won’t happen over night but that is why it is even more important to keep the club in the Premier League.

“Right now it is difficult because we have not been winning for a long time and we can’t understand why we have not won because the way we have played has not been bad.

“We see all the missed chances and it is just a little bit of luck sometimes. With a little bit more confidence it is easier to play. Maybe we are playing with a little bit of anxiety and that can make it difficult for the players.”

Star winger Junior Hoilett faces a race against time to be fit in time for this afternoon’s Goodison Park test, having suffered a tight hamstring in the 1-1 draw with Birmingham.

The 20-year-old Canadian has scored two crucial equalisers in the last two home games and Samba admits he is keeping his fingers crossed Hoilett gets the green light to play.

“Junior Hoilett had better be alright,” he said. “His trickery is a major part of our offensive line and he can mix things up with his trickery and his speed.

“A player like that can be an inspiration at the minute and is something we need. So he is a major asset at the moment and fingers crossed he plays.

“We haven’t been at all surprised by his impact because he has been at the club for years. I remember the first time he trained with us, he looked like a 12-year-old kid but played like he is now.

“Straight away we knew how good he could be but with all the regulations about working in this country was not so easy. Now he is playing regularly for the first time and is doing, very, very well.

“He is already very good. He needs to keep on playing and that is what he needed from the start, he just needed games and the chance to express his quality.

“That is all he needs so he needs to keep on playing and keep on playing and one day you can see him playing on the biggest stage.”