RYAN Nelsen concedes that Blackburn Rovers will find it tough breaking the monopoly of the Premiership's big four'.

But as Rovers kick-start their new Premiership season away at Middlesbrough this afternoon, captain Nelsen insists the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea will never have it easy against Mark Hughes' men.

With last season's top four clubs spending big again in the summer - most notably United and Liverpool - the rest of the top flight are continuing to play catch up.

"I could talk a big storm up, but in reality we can't compete with the money that they've spent and the players they've brought in," said Nelsen "But over a 38-game season, hopefully we can upset them a few times."

The Rovers skipper added: "I have no problems with anyone spending money.

"I think it's fantastic because everyone's raising the bar and trying to put together the best squad they possibly can.

"All clubs should strive to do that - it's democracy at its best."

Nelsen, 29, admits the Rovers squad is the strongest during his time at Ewood Park.

And with competition for places so fierce, the New Zealand defender believes Blackburn could field two quality teams of equal strength.

He said: "It's comfortably the strongest squad we've had since I've been here.

"We could put two good teams out there and there would not be too much to pick from them.

"There's competition in the majority of positions. The gaffer is going have problems picking the team, but it's a fantastic problem to have.

"When you've got that kind of competition and you've got that level I think we can go into games expecting results.

"When you go into every game expecting results then you'd like to think you'd be quite high up the table when it is all said and done.

"There'll be some disappointed guys but I think there'll be opportunities that come through the season, we are going to play a lot of games this year hopefully and their time will come."