Evening Telegraph Sports Editor Paul Plunkett spent Saturday afternoon with Blackburn fans, and witnessed a day of mixed emotions. . .

"A TRIP to Ewood Park is like going to the dentist", quipped one Rovers fan as we took our seats in the Jack Walker Stand.

"You know how painful it's going to be, but you know you have to go," he continued.

Within 85 seconds, Steven Caldwell had headed Leeds into the lead, and I received a tap on a shoulder, accompanied by an "I told you so".

It was the worst possible start, and completely changed the atmosphere in the ground. The Rovers fans in the Blackburn End, lead by Billy the drummer, had been vociferous at the first whistle.

They were silenced, and the early goal handed the initiative to the hordes of Leeds fans behind Paul Robinson's goal. And how they celebrated.

The Blackburn faithful around me rallied early in the second half as Rovers, bouyed by the appearance of Paul Gallagher, pressed for the equaliser.

But it wasn't to come. Mark Viduka's late goal signalled a stampede for the 'Exit' signs, and by the time Craig Short grabbed a consolation, a large proportion of Rovers fans weren't in the ground to see it.

At the final whistle, the feeling was of one of acceptance almost. There was little anger. Few loud protests. One fan shook his head, and told me: "That's it, we're down."

One single voice at the back of the stand bellowed: "Souness out, Souness out" but didn't find a single ally to accompany him. He eventually gave up and trudged off home.

Rovers are in a dire situation now. The fans are passionate - that's clear after spending the day with them - but they need the players to do their part on the pitch.

A united effort is needed against Leicester on Saturday, when hopefully the dentist's chair will be replaced by gleaming smiles.