STEVEN Nzonzi has insisted that Blackburn Rovers have to keep believing they can move out of trouble as they prepare to travel to Wigan tomorrow in what the Frenchman says is a ‘must win’ fixture.
Rovers’ trip to the DW Stadium sees the Premier League’s bottom two clubs go head to head and for Steve Kean’s side it marks the start of a run of fixtures against clubs from the lower reaches of the league.
Rovers currently sit second bottom of the table – four points adrift of safety and only one point above bottom side Wigan – having won just once in their opening 11 league matches, struggling on several occasions to turn performances into points.
But Nzonzi says that Rovers must retain the belief in their own ability after declaring that only victories will now be good enough, with a trip to Stoke and a home match against Swansea following tomorrow’s game.
Rovers also face West Bromwich Albion, Sunderland and Bolton before Christmas.
“We are going to have win the games coming up,” said the French midfielder.
“We have three games against teams who are in the second part of the league and they are very important to us.
“We are going to have win because that is very important to us.
“It is difficult to keep the confidence high because we are playing well but not getting the wins.
“In the mind it is quite hard but we have to keep believing.
“We are working hard in training and in games and we are all trying our hardest.
“What more can you do? We are trying to do more but we just hope the luck will be with us.
“I think we are close to getting some good results.
“If we keep going as we are I think we will get results because the luck is not with us at the moment.
“It is going to be okay if we keep working hard, believe in ourselves and make sure the shape is better.
“The key is we have to keep believing and keep our heads up.
“Sometimes in football you don’t get the luck but you have to keep going.”
Nzonzi suffered his own slice of bad fortune in the recent 3-3 draw at Norwich, when he conceded an injury time penalty after inadvertently handling the ball in the area.
Russian side Spartak Moscow have this week been linked with an interest in the 22-year-old, who was the subject of two rejected bids from an unnamed club on the last day of the summer transfer window.
But the French midfielder is currently focusing on Rovers’ clash with Wigan and hopes they can secure a result after respectable performances against Chelsea and Tottenham both recently ended in defeat. Blackburn have still not kept a clean sheet this season.
“It is really difficult and frustrating because we are playing well against the big teams but we are losing because we concede one goal that is frustrating,” said Nzonzi.
“The manager is with us and he does his best to make us better.
“I hope the fans believe in us and stay behind us.”
Ipswich boss Paul Jewell has confirmed that negotiations have begun for the Suffolk side to sign Keith Andrews on a permanent basis.
Andrews’ current loan deal at Ipswich expires in January and Jewell said: “Keith’s agent has been in touch with the owner (Marcus Evans) and we would love him to stay if a deal can be done.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel