Rovers have a target in mind

Blackburn Rovers co-owner Venkatesh Rao has confirmed they have identified who they want to succeed Sam Allardyce as manager.
Allardyce was surprisingly sacked on Monday just weeks after the club's takeover by Asian poultry giants Venky's.
Rao has defended the club's decision to part company with their manager despite the club's steady campaign to date.
The Rovers supremo insist the change at the helm is designed to help move the Ewood Park forward, both on and off the pitch.
Rao has confirmed the club has spoken to another chairman about who they want to replace Allardyce, although he insists they need more time to finalise the situation.
"We've not got anything against anybody. This is just to improve the club and go forward," he told 107 The Bee.
"There's nothing against Mr Sam, all the best to him. This is basically to improve the management and the club.
"It's (the new manager) in the pipeline. It's too early to mention today. We'll come back to you as fast as possible.
"We've been talking to the chairman who is there and other people. We have a target in mind.
"I can't tell you right away. Please give us some time.
"We are looking forward for the best for the fans. This is for their benefit. We are concerned about the fans."
Next Permanent Blackburn Manager Next Permanent Manager: Jol, M. 5/1
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Redknapp blasts Blackburn

Harry Redknapp is predicting a difficult period ahead for Blackburn after they sacked Sam Allardyce.
The Tottenham manager was stunned to see his counterpart axed with his club cocooned in the safety of 13th place.
Blackburn were taken over by Indian owners Venky's a month ago and they have wasted little time in exerting their power over the Lancashire club.
Redknapp, though, believes whoever they get to replace Allardyce will be in for a difficult task.
"He's top class at his job, I really mean that," he said.
"People who don't know him see this big northern ex-centre-half who they think is a big hammer thrower, well he's the brightest guy you could ever wish to meet.
"He is so far in advance in all the sports science and technology and preparing his teams, he is just amazing. I know him well and he has so much to offer. He will bounce back."
The Tottenham manager added: "When new owners come in they've all got mates or have heard of someone who is good.... they haven't got a clue really.
"I see Maradona's name being mentioned... If they make the wrong decision I can see Blackburn being bang in trouble this year.
"He (Allardyce) is going to be a very difficult act to follow."
Steve Kean has been promoted from the role of coach to caretaker manager by the new owners as the search for a new boss commences.
Tony Parkes - who held the role of caretaker manager six times at Blackburn - believes Kean faces an arduous task to win over the players, following the manner of Allardyce's exit.
"It's a tricky role," he said.
"When I took over you had to make sure you got the players together and everybody started with a clean slate.
"If you win them over you have got every chance of getting good results early. You might then just give the owners hope of getting the manager they want.
"If you lose games quickly there might be a panic job, maybe getting a new manager in within days and all of a sudden he may not be the right one that you want."
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Rovers confirm Maradona contact

Blackburn's owners have confirmed they have had contact with Diego Maradona, but insist caretaker Steve Kean is set to take charge until the end of the season.
Indian firm Venky's, who bought the Lancashire club earlier this season, axed manager Sam Allardyce on Monday.
They have been linked with a host of names since, including Maradona, and their chairman Anuradha Desai confirmed they had made contact.
However, she also revealed that the plan is for Kean to stay in charge until the summer.
"We thought about Maradona as a coach after we took over," she said.
"Talks were at the initial stage then, but there is no development on that front yet.
"For now, the current coach will be the manager till the end of the season.
"There is no question of signing anyone for such a short time."
Desai says they have no qualms about former Fulham coach Kean being in charge.
"Kean is well connected with the game and the players as well. We have full faith that he will do the best job and keep the team motivated.
"He works long hours and is talented at his job.
"He also works well with our very skilful young players - and that is important."
Desai also insisted that chairman John Williams had not followed Allardyce out of the club.
"We have not taken any hasty decision in replacing the manager with the coach. It was a long, pending issue and it's a calculated risk," she said.
"I don't want to get into why we were unhappy with Allardyce, or any kind of negative remarks.
"John Williams is close to Allardyce but he is very much with us and he has not expressed any willingness to quit. His position in the team is safe."
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Rovers sack Allardyce

Big Sam's replacement - Jol 5/2, Curbishley and O'Neill 8/1, Hughton, Erikkson, Shearer 10/1. Bet now
Blackburn Rovers have announced that Sam Allardyce has been sacked as part of the 'wider plans' of the club's new owners.
The former Ewood Park manager has surprisingly departed the 13th-placed Premier League side along with assistant Neil McDonald, and first-team coach Steve Kean has filled the void for the 'immediate future'.
There had been rumours about Allardyce's position after The Venky's Group, Blackburn's owners, completed a takeover of the one-time Premier League champions on 19th November.
It was reported that the ex-Bolton and Newcastle boss was unhappy that large sums of money would not be made available for transfers in the January market, while there were suggestions Venky's were not happy with the club's on-field style.
A statement on Blackburn's official website read: "The Venky's Group, owners of Blackburn Rovers Football Club, has today confirmed the departure of manager Sam Allardyce and assistant manager Neil McDonald with immediate effect.
"First-team coaching duties will be taken on by Steve Kean (currently first-team coach) for the immediate future.
"We have taken this decision as part of our wider plans and ambitions for the club.
"We would like to put on record our thanks to Mr Allardyce for his contribution to Blackburn Rovers Football Club."
Allardyce, whose final match in charge was Sunday's 2-1 defeat to North West rivals Bolton, was appointed as Rovers manager in the December of 2008 on a three-year deal after he had left Newcastle at the beginning of that year.
The now 56-year-old then went on to help Blackburn to a 15th-placed finish in the top flight in the 2008/09 season, despite criticism of his tactics.
Rovers finished in 10th position in the last campaign, while they also reached the semi-finals of the Carling Cup before suffering an aggregate defeat to Aston Villa.
Allardyce's departure comes just one week after Chris Hughton became the first Premier League manager to leave his job this season after he was surprisingly sacked by Newcastle.
And Hughton has now been installed by some bookmakers as the favourite to be named as the new manager of Blackburn, although Martin Jol, who quit Ajax last week, is also thought to be a contender.
Next Permanent Blackburn Manager Next Permanent Manager: Hughton, C. 10/1
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Fergie - Big Sam axe stupid

Sir Alex Ferguson has branded Blackburn Rovers' decision to sack manager Sam Allardyce as 'absolutely ridiculous'.
Allardyce was surprisingly dismissed by Blackburn's new owners Venky's on Monday and he admits to still being 'confused' as to the reasons for his departure.
Reports have claimed a difference of opinion regarding January transfer targets and there are also suggestions that Venky's want to see a more entertaining style of football on show at Ewood Park.
Manchester United boss Ferguson was stunned by the news of Allardyce's exit and believes it 'confounds common sense'.
Ferguson told Sky Sports 1: "He phoned me at 3.10pm today saying 'can I have a cup of tea tonight?' because he was coming to the game. Then he phones me at half past four and says 'I've been sacked'.
"I've never heard of such a stupid decision in all my life, it's absolutely ridiculous. I don't know what they're doing up there, but deary me.
"It confounds common sense to be honest with you. Absolutely ridiculous.
"I wouldn't like to follow him!"
Allardyce's sacking comes just days after Fabio Capello had suggested he would be a front-runner to replace him as England coach after Euro 2012.
Richard Bevan, the chief executive of the LMA, said: "When new owners take over a club, sadly, the manager's position often hangs by a thread.
"To Sam's great misfortune this has now happened twice and, on both occasions, it has been extremely difficult to understand the thinking behind the dismissal.
"It is ironic that one minute Sam can be proposed as the next England manager and the next, he finds himself out of work."
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Big Sam shocked by Rovers sack

Sam Allardyce has expressed his shock at being sacked as manager of Blackburn.
Rovers were taken over by The Venky's Group in November and the new owners confirmed on Monday that Allardyce and assistant manager Neil McDonald would be leaving the club with immediate effect.
Although Rovers lost 2-1 at Bolton on Sunday, they sit 13th in the Premier League so the news has come as a surprise to many, not least Allardyce.
"I am very shocked and disappointed to be leaving Blackburn Rovers," he said in a statement on the League Managers' Association official website.
"I am extremely proud to have managed this club and I enjoyed a fantastic relationship with the players, my staff and the supporters during my time in charge.
"I now wish them and the football club every success for the future."
Allardyce was appointed in December 2008 and led Blackburn from the relegation zone to a 15th-placed finish before coming 10th in his first full season in charge.
The former Bolton boss, now 56, was touted as a potential successor to England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson in 2006 before being given the Newcastle job in May 2007.
Mike Ashley took over the Magpies just a month later and Allardyce was forced to leave the club by mutual consent in January 2008.
"When new owners take over a club, sadly, the manager's position often hangs by a thread," added Richard Bevan, chief executive of the LMA.
"To Sam's great misfortune this has now happened twice and, on both occasions, it has been extremely difficult to understand the thinking behind the dismissal.
"It is ironic that one minute Sam can be proposed as the next England manager and the next, he finds himself out of work.
"He is widely acknowledged within the game as one of the most progressive and forward thinking managers, embracing new concepts and technologies to create an environment which leads to success for his club.
"It will not be long before Sam, with his exceptional management experience, is back in a managerial post."
Next Permanent Blackburn Manager Next Permanent Manager: Curbishley, A. 8/1
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Roberts feels sorry for Sam

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Blackburn striker Jason Roberts insists he would never have wished for Sam Allardyce to get the sack despite their fractious working relationship.
Allardyce has surprisingly left Ewood Park with immediate effect as part of the 'wider plans and ambitions' of the club's owners, The Venky's Group.
It could be suggested that the former Bolton and Newcastle manager's departure is good news for Roberts after his ex-boss said in November that they do not get on.
But the striker, who has been limited to just eight first-team appearances this season, has been taken aback by Allardyce's dismissal.
Roberts told Sky Sports News: "I just heard it now and couldn't believe it. I don't think anybody saw it coming."
He added: "I'm shocked and disappointed for the manager."
Roberts speculated that Blackburn's direct style of play under Allardyce may have been a factor in the dismissal, saying: "It is polarising the way we play. Some people are turned off by our tactics."
And he said: "Even though we never got on, I would never have wished him to get the sack."
Next Permanent Blackburn Manager Next Permanent Manager: Jones D 13/2
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Allardyce reeling from sacking

Sam Allardyce is still waiting for the reality to sink in after being given the boot by Blackburn on Monday.
The manager, along with assistant Neil McDonald, was shown the door by Rovers following last month's takeover of the club by Indian company The Venky's Group.
Allardyce, who contended with financial restraints during his two-year stint at the helm at Ewood Park, had managed to guide Blackburn to a current 13th place in the Premier League this season.
And the 56-year-old admits he is still feeling perplexed by his sacking, telling Sky Sports News: "That's the world of football as it is. It hasn't really been explained to me and I'm really confused in my own mind at the moment.
"But the reality will kick in in a couple of days. For now it's just about me thanking everybody at Blackburn Rovers.
"I've had a fantastic two years there. I've really enjoyed my time with everybody and how well we did with the circumstances (under which) I took over and how we've helped the club going forward.
"Unfortunately it is no more. It's up to them now whether they take the club forward. I'm not a part of it and I'm very disappointed about that. But the club did need to be sold."
Blackburn were unable to follow up a 3-0 triumph over Wolves when they travelled to Bolton on Sunday, suffering a 2-1 defeat at the Reebok Stadium.
But Allardyce does not believe Rovers' results this term had any bearing on his sacking, adding: "I don't think so. I think we're on a really good run and we were just a minute or two away from getting a result again."
The manager, who was in charge at Newcastle before taking the Blackburn post in 2008, does not expect to be out of work for long.
He added: "I look forward to working in football again, very shortly I hope."
Next Permanent Blackburn Manager Next Permanent Manager: O'Neill, M. 8/1
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Rovers owners in stadium vow

Blackburn Rovers' new owners have insisted they will consult fans should the club consider renaming Ewood Park.
Venky's have admitted they are open to striking a deal with sponsors over the naming rights of the club's home ground.
It has been suggested the stadium could adopt an entirely new title, but the owners have stressed 'Ewood Park' would remain.
Anuradha Desai, chairwoman of Indian Poultry giants Venky's, told the Lancashire Telegraph: "The important thing for the supporters to know is that no decision will ever be taken if the fans don't want it to happen and I mean that.
"We are all people with a lot of tradition and we will not do anything to remove the name of Ewood Park.
"I am looking to improve the finances of the club.
"If we get a good sponsorship deal we will not lose the name. I want to be 100 per cent clear that the name will not be lost.
"Maybe a prefix or a suffix, in the same way that the league is known as the Barclays Premier League.
"What we will not do is name the ground after my company.
"That is not what we want to do. A sponsorship would only be if it was in the best financial interests of the club.
"We are very pleased and very proud to be in control of Blackburn Rovers, particularly to be associated with the fans.
"We now hope we can live up to expectations. This is just the beginning."
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Pedersen vanquishes Villa

Man of the match: Morten Gamst Pedersen's delivery from set-pieces caused Villa massive problems, and his two goals capped off a fine performance.
Goal of the game: Brad Friedel won't be happy with his role in it, but Pedersen's first goal on the stroke of half-time was a devilish free-kick whipped in from the right at pace, with sufficient dip and swerve to bamboozle the former Blackburn keeper.
Save of the game: Paul Robinson made a handful of decent stops, but was at his best when diving full-length and getting a strong hand on Ashley Young's fizzing low cross-shot in the first half.
Moment of the match: Blackburn's best route to goal always appeared to be from set-pieces, yet Villa conceded a stack of needless first-half free-kicks in and around their own box and finally paid the penalty in stoppage time when Stephen Warnock needlessly chopped down El-Hadji Diouf moments after an aerial clash between the pair.
Talking Point: Blackburn's new owners appeared on the pitch pre-match and this victory makes it three wins from four for Blackburn. They're now up to mid-table - above today's opponents. How high can they climb in a congested Premier League table?
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Morten Gamst Pedersen's brace saw Blackburn beat Aston Villa 2-0 to leapfrog their opponents in the table.
Pedersen opened the scoring with a free-kick from a tight angle on the right on the stroke of half-time.
The Norwegian scored in exactly the same way against Wigan at Ewood Park recently and repeated the trick to leave Villa keeper Brad Friedel blushing.
Villa started brightly after the break and Ashley Young hit the crossbar before Pedersen notched his second on 66 minutes when directing Ryan Nelsen's shot into the net from an El-Hadji Diouf corner.
Villa boss Gerard Houllier introduced Robert Pires for his debut and the visitors pressed late on but Blackburn held on to rise to 11th in the table.
Venkateshwara and Balaji Rao, the directors of new Blackburn owners Venky's, came on to the pitch to greet the club's fans before kick-off and received warm applause.
Once things got under way Rovers' players seemed eager to please the new owners as well, with Jason Roberts sending a dangerous ball into the box in the opening few minutes that was cleared away.
The home side then won a free-kick just outside the area which was laid to Christopher Samba, only for the captain to skew his effort wide.
Villa went on the attack almost immediately after, though, and Paul Robinson did well to save Stewart Downing's low drive with his feet.
The visitors went close again when Barry Bannan drilled wide and Robinson was called into action once more around the quarter-hour mark, pushing Ashley Young's shot away after the England winger had tied Michel Salgado in knots.
Blackburn regained possession and former Rovers defender Stephen Warnock made a great intervention to take the ball away from Roberts as he bore down on goal.
Gael Givet then sliced an attempt over the bar after a failed clearance by Villa.
Allardyce's team were starting to impose themselves a little more and Pedersen's dead-ball deliveries began to cause problems, Roberts meeting one free-kick but was unable to keep his header down.
El-Hadji Diouf got his header closer to the target four minutes before the break but Friedel claimed it and Stephen Ireland nodded over at the other end.
Rovers then snatched the lead just before the interval through another Pedersen free-kick, the midfielder curling a strike perfectly just over Friedel, who flapped at the ball and should have done better.
Having brought on Pascal Chimbonda for Givet at half-time, Rovers found themselves almost immediately under pressure after the restart as Ashley Young had one shot palmed away by Robinson and then saw his header come back off the crossbar.
Play switched though, and Roberts lashed one wild effort high and wide before picking out Phil Jones, who beat one man but could only fire into Friedel's arms.
Pedersen unleashed another dangerous free-kick which several of his team-mates were just unable to get on the end of and then Roberts put Diouf through, but Richard Dunne did just enough to ensure Friedel could deal with the Senegalese forward's shot.
The hosts appeared to be threatening another goal and in the 66th minute it duly arrived, Pedersen again providing the finish after getting his foot to Nelsen's drive following a scramble at a corner.
Villa boss Houllier responded by bringing on Pires in place of Ireland, the French veteran making his first Premier League appearance since 2006.
Diouf had a chance to make it 3-0 but headed over and Robinson did well again to deny Downing.
Nathan Delfouneso then came on for the ineffective Gabriel Agbonlahor, while Allardyce withdrew Pedersen, sending on Herold Goulon for his debut.
Delfouneso was unable to get any direction on a header soon after and Ashley Young protested that Jones had handled in the box.
His appeal was waved away by referee Michael Oliver, though, and Rovers hung on to secure the three points.
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Blackburn v Villa preview

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Blackburn and Aston Villa have seen plenty of each other in the last year or so and meet again on Sunday.
The two sides have met on six occasions since the start of last season, twice in the league, three times in the Carling Cup and once in the FA Cup.
Rovers would appear to have the edge heading into the latest encounter, as they have emerged successful in the two Premier League fixtures.
They have, however, come unstuck on each occasion in the cup, proving Villa know what it takes to see off Sam Allardyce's side.
Blackburn, though, will also have home advantage on their side this weekend, and will be looking to build on their victory over Wigan a fortnight ago.
That was their first victory at Ewood Park in four attempts, but their record in front of their own supporters still makes for impressive reading.
They have suffered only six defeats in 36 home games under Allardyce, although the first of those setbacks did come against Villa.
Villa currently sit inside the Premier League's top 10, but they have struggled to grind out results under Gerard Houllier.
They are unbeaten in their last four top flight fixtures, but only two wins have been secured under the guidance of their French tactician since he took charge back in September.
The Midlands outfit have also managed just one victory in their last seven away games, suggesting they have issues to address on the road.
Australian midfielder Brett Emerton is a major doubt for Blackburn.
He suffered a hamstring injury on international duty in Egypt in midweek and will be given a late fitness test.
Emerton joins a lengthy injury list including Benjani Mwaruwari (hamstring), Vince Grella (Achilles), Keith Andrews (groin), Martin Olsson (calf) and Steven Nzonzi (hamstring). El-Hadji Diouf should be fit after a hamstring problem while David Dunn is also in contention to start.
Robert Pires could make his Aston Villa debut after penning a six-month contract.
The French midfielder has declared himself fit enough to play some part against Rovers after training with former club Arsenal for the past two months.
Villa boss Gerard Houllier will check on the fitness of striker Gabriel Agbonlahor (shin), midfielder Ciaran Clark (calf) and central defender Richard Dunne (knee).
Blackburn: Robinson, Salgado, Nelsen, Samba, Givet, Chimbonda, Dunn, Jones, Pedersen, Roberts, Kalinic.
AstonVilla: Friedel, L Young, Collins, Dunne, Warnock, Albrighton, Bannan, Hogg, Downing, A Young, Agbonlahor.
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Salgado backs boss for England

Michel Salgado believes Sam Allardyce would be the ideal candidate to replace Fabio Capello as England boss.
The current coach of the Three Lions is set to step aside after Euro 2012, ending a four-year reign.
Speculation is already mounting regarding who will succeed Capello, with numerous names offered as possible choices.
Among those to have been mentioned in the past is Rovers manager Allardyce, who has plenty of Premier League experience behind him.
Spanish defender Salgado believes the Football Association could do a lot worse than give his boss a call when the job becomes free, with Allardyce able to boast all the attributes required to coach at the highest level.
He told the Lancashire Telegraph: "Who is better for England than an English manager who understands the English mentality and knows everything about the English game, its strengths and weaknesses?
"He did a great job with Bolton. He is doing a great job with Blackburn Rovers.
"He hasn't had the money to sign the big players. You know the talent of the manager when he has a small batch of players and you are a competitive team.
"The job he's done over the last few years has been magnificent. He is one of the reasons I came here to England. I spoke with Ivan Campo and he said to me: 'Go, because he likes to work with experienced players'.
"Sam was great. He told me, 'okay, don't hurry, take your time, get used to the British way of life and the club and the style of play because it is so different to Spain'."
Next Permanent England Manager Next Permanent Manager: Allardyce S 12/1
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Allardyce - Defending cost us

Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce described his team's defensive display as "diabolical", particularly the two unmarked headers Rovers conceded in the 4-2 defeat to Spurs.
Allardyce saw his side go 1-0 down when Gareth Bale escaped his marker to head home a Rafael van der Vaart delivery in the 16th minute.
The goalscorer then turned provider for Roman Pavlyuchenko, who had earlier missed a penalty, which left Rovers with an uphill task.
More misery was placed on Allardyce and his men when Peter Crouch converted a rebound and Bale added his second. Ryan Nelsen and Gael Givet struck late on but it was nothing more than a consolation for the visitors.
"The game from my point of view as a defensive unit was diabolical and as an attacking unit very exciting," Allardyce said.
"But it is no good gifting the opposition four goals before you start putting the ball in the back of the net. We are very disappointed about the way we defended today.
"We gave ourselves too big a mountain to climb by not doing the basic defending right, which is unlike us, unusual, but unfortunate, and we will just have to take it on the chin.
"We had our times in the game. We had a penalty given against us which wasn't a penalty. Paul Robinson had both hands on the ball but they missed it.
"We had two chances which we didn't take and then Gareth Bale goes up the other end and puts a cross in and Pavlyuchenko knocks it in for 2-0.
"That is the telling time in football. You have to punish the opposition when you are in control of the game. We made a lot of chances in the second half. But their third goal summed our defending up today.
"It was a good save from Paul Robinson and the ball falls to Givet. All he has to do is clear but he gives it to Crouch to score. That summed us up today in that one moment.
"We should really have scored more than two. It was nice to see us open them up in the way we did. But Bale punished us severely today."
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Hutton builds up Rovers tie

Tottenham full-back Alan Hutton believes Saturday's clash with Blackburn Rovers is a huge game for the club.
The 25-year-old Scotland international has enjoyed an extended run in the first-team of late and is expected to play in the Premier League match at White Hart Lane.
Spurs could only manage a 1-1 draw against Sunderland on Tuesday night and lost out to Bolton 4-2 last weekend.
Hutton told the Hackney Gazette: "We want to win every game but it will be a massive weekend for us now after the draw with Sunderland. I would say we have to win and we've got those big matches coming up.
"It's going to be a tough game for us but hopefully we can win on Saturday and build on that.
"I would say every game is a must-win for us. If we want to be challenging for the top four we obviously need to be winning most of our games, so we need to win at the weekend."
Harry Redknapp's side are trying to balance a domestic campaign with their debut effort in the UEFA Champions League, but Hutton refuses to blame a minor blip on European exertions.
"There's been a lot of hard games recently. We've seemed to struggle a little bit so that's something we have to look at, and try to work even harder to win at the weekends," he added.
"We would never use the Champions League as an excuse. It's a great honour to play in the Champions League, we did so well last year to get into it.
"It's a great achievement for the boys and you have to do well in your league to get there year after year, like the rest of the big teams.
"We all know you have to do well in the league if you want to get into Europe, and the manager tells us that as well.
"It is tough playing massive European games and then coming back - obviously we're finding it hard as well - but it's about working hard and hopefully we can just build on the European games and get good results in the league.
"I think we can cope with the pressure, we've got a great squad at the moment. We're a young squad and it's about getting experience as well.
"This is our first European campaign in the Champions League so it's new to a lot of us. It's about dealing with it this year and seeing where we can go."
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Pedersen has no grudges

Blackburn midfielder Morten Gamst Pedersen has claimed that he bears no grudges against Joey Barton.
Newcastle's Barton has been banned for three games after punching Pedersen in the stomach during Rovers' 2-1 win at St James' Park on Wednesday evening.
Barton is notorious for his reputation on and off the field, often becoming embroiled in the wrong sorts of headlines for his conduct during his career.
Despite seemingly being on a more even keel this season, and being in good form for the Magpies, the red mist descended yet again and the 28-year-old issued a public apology for his conduct.
Following the midweek incident, Pedersen insisted that there were no hard feelings and that he would even invite the player to dinner next time he was in the area.
"You've seen the pictures, it's up to the FA to act, not me," he told the Lancashire Telegraph.
"We crashed, or I go into him, and was just turning to say sorry, and he just lashed out a punch in my stomach. I was very surprised and lost my breath a bit. No big deal.
"It happened in the heat of battle, and it was over when the match was over. This is nothing. And it will certainly not overshadow the amazing performance of the match.
"Joey Barton is a fantastic football player, and that's what we do. He has not achieved anything with this, and I don't either by whining about it after the game.
"Me and Joey have nothing unsettled. I'll even invite him to dinner next time he is in Manchester. As I said, let's put this case dead."
Tottenham v Blackburn 1st Goalscorer: Gamst Pedersen, M. 14/1
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Barton could face FA action

Newcastle United's Joey Barton could find himself in hot water with the Football Association after appearing to punch Blackburn's Morten Gamst Pedersen.
The pair clashed at St James' Park on Wednesday night, a game in which Blackburn won thanks to Jason Roberts' second match-winner in successive games.
However, Barton appeared lucky to avoid being red carded in the game after lashing out at Pedersen, an incident which match referee Michael Jones did not see.
That means the FA can take retrospective action against the ex-Manchester City man and Pedersen is going to let football's governing body in England deal with the midfielder.
"You've probably seen the pictures on television and everything," he told Sky Sports.
"It's up to the FA. I'm not going to say anything.
"Yeah (I was upset). I focused my game after that. There's nothing else I could do.
"You've seen the pictures and everything, so you know it's football that you're playing."
Although Rovers boss Sam Allardyce missed the incident live he was shown the replays afterwards and has described the incident as 'unfortunate'.
"He's taken a swipe. The referee hasn't seen it and it's very, very unfortunate and shouldn't have happened," said Allardyce.

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Bosses quiet on Barton row

Chris Hughton and Sam Allardyce refused to discuss Joey Barton after the midfielder appeared to strike Morten Gamst Pedersen during Blackburn's win at Newcastle.
Barton was shown on camera to catch Pedersen in the ribs as he ran past the Rovers midfielder, a coming together which was not spotted by referee Mike Jones.
But when shown the incident by Sky Sports, Rovers boss Allardyce said: "I'm not really going to talk about that because I don't want to detract from our victory.
"Whoever will see it will see it and do whatever needs to be done."
Newcastle manager Hughton said he had not seen the clash but was left disappointed by the 2-1 defeat.
"Frustrated is probably the word that comes to mind because overall, was it a game we deserved to lose? I would say categorically no, it wasn't.
"Sam came with a side that played five at the back, four in midfield and one up front to make life difficult for us.
"That being the case, you have got to be a good enough side in possession and you have got to create enough chances.
"The game hinged on not the opportunities that they created, it was more our own downfall, two errors that we made which they capitalised on."
Hopes were high for the home side as they went into the game on the back of a run which included wins over arch-rivals Sunderland and Arsenal.
However, they were undone as much by their own mistakes as by Blackburn's approach.
Cheick Tiote's uncharacteristic early slip presented Pedersen with the perfect opportunity to open the scoring with just three minutes gone.
The Magpies were laboured in their efforts to force their way back into the game, but the scene was set for a second-half onslaught when Andy Carroll powered home Barton's 47th-minute free-kick.
But with Newcastle pushing for a winner, they contributed to their own downfall once again eight minutes from time when Mike Williamson was muscled off Paul Robinson's clearance by Jason Roberts, who then reacted first to slide a shot past keeper Tim Krul.
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Big Sam defends Toon time

Sam Allardyce has defended his Newcastle United tenure ahead of Blackburn Rovers' trip to St James' Park on Wednesday night.
The Rovers tactician spent just eight months on Tyneside having built his reputation following an impressive eight-year spell with Bolton Wanderers.
Allardyce won just eight of his 24 games in charge of The Magpies losing 10 before being sacked after failing to win over the Newcastle faithful.
The 56-year-old insists he was not given enough time by the club's hierarchy, although he has no bitterness towards the club for how he was treated.
"I have proved most of the time that when I get a football club it improves from where it was," explained Allardyce.
"That was going be the case at Newcastle but I was not given enough time, but there is no bitterness towards the club.
"I'm not sure that apart from Arsene (Wenger) and Sir Alex (Ferguson) anyone else has managed at this level for as long as I have.
"I take a huge amount of pleasure in having been able to sustain my ability in the best league in the world."
Newcastle 10/11, Draw 12/5, Blackburn 3/1
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Big Sam calls for more of same

Sam Allardyce feels Blackburn will be raking in the points if they continue to produce performances like their one against Chelsea.
Rovers took a surprise early lead at Ewood Park through Benjani's headed effort, but were ultimately unable to withstand a fight-back from the Premier League champions as Nicolas Anelka equalised before Branislav Ivanovic grabbed a last-gasp winner.
While disappointed not to take anything from the tight encounter, Allardyce insists Rovers' display is heartening going into their next games.
"If we can continue with that level of performance we should be alright, we should start picking three points up," Allardyce told Sky Sports News.
"It's hard to take at the moment that we've actually lost the game.
"We have to take it on the chin though and for me it's about lifting the players and showing them what a positive performance they gave in all departments today.
"So we have to just take this one today and try not to let it get us down too much."
Benjani put the hosts ahead in the 21st minute after he and Mame Biram Diouf had already come close only to be foiled by Blues goalkeeper Petr Cech.
Allardyce feels they could have drawn first blood before Benjani's strike, adding: "We could have scored before that. Petr Cech made two very, very good saves before we actually scored.
"We deserved to go one-up and one-all at half-time wasn't too bad. But seeing the game out is very important and unfortunately we couldn't do that."
Allardyce lamented a golden opportunity which went begging in the second half when substitute Jason Roberts fired a straight-forward shot wide.
"We had the golden chance from Jason really," he said.
"I think he was very unfortunate it didn't go into the goal as he got Cech to dive the wrong way but just put it wide.
"That's the difference, they go up the other end and finish us off."
Blackburn are still lagging in the bottom half of the standings after Saturday's result, and Allardyce admits strong performances are no use to his side if they do not secure the points to go with them.
"Good performances are OK, but without the points it makes life very difficult when you see where we are in the table," he added.
"You've got to catch up somewhere along the line. We should have been sitting in 13th, 14th place by now but we're lagging behind.
"Performances have suggested we should have got them but we haven't and that's the reality."
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Carlo - Anelka goal was key

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti cited Nicola Anelka's equaliser against Blackburn as crucial in securing three points on Saturday.
Rovers went ahead in the first half at Ewood Park as Benjani headed in a surprise opening goal, but Anelka pulled the Blues level before the break to pave the way for Branislav Ivanovic's late winner.
Ancelotti heaped praise on French striker Anelka for turning things around, admitting Rovers' early lead had been justified.
"I think it was the key to this victory," Ancelotti told Sky Sports News of Anelka's goal.
"I think in the first half Blackburn played very well, they deserved to be 1-0 up."
He added: "It was very difficult. To play here is not easy but we took a fantastic result and a fantastic three points."
Jason Roberts came close to grabbing another for Blackburn late in the second half and Ancelotti admits his side were fortunate not to go behind for a second time, adding: "I think we were a little bit lucky."
Chelsea's latest win sees the Premier League champions maintain their five-point lead at the top of the table, and Ancelotti is keen to keep it that way.
"It's important," he added. "It's possible to improve.
"We have to stay focused on our job. There is a good atmosphere now and we want to stay in this condition."
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