IF Graeme Souness wanted a clear sign that he still retains the full support of the fans then it came on Monday night against Everton.

Souness had done his best to rally the troops before the game through the columns of this very newpaper.

But even he was overwhelmed by the passionate response that generated on the terraces as a fervent Rovers following roared their team on to a priceless victory.

To coin a favourite phrase of Burnley boss Stan Ternent, it's not the size of the dog that counts, it's the fight that's in it.

And if the fans continue to give the team such magnificent backing then surely it won't be long before we are talking about 'Fortress Ewood' once again.

It's all too easy to start pointing fingers in the thick of a crisis but the message coming loud and clear out of Ewood right now is that 'we are in this together.'

That means the fans, the players, the coaching staff and the board must all stand shoulder to shoulder, united as one, as the club looks to climb out of danger.

John Williams calls it a 'siege mentality' and, judging by the way the fans manned the trenches on Monday night, the club looks suitably equipped for the battles which lie ahead.

For as good as the Everton result was, Rovers are far from out of the woods just yet.

Tough away games against Manchester United, Birmingham and Arsenal loom large on the horizon and Souness is certainly not naive enough to think that one good result is the answer to all his problems.

Nevertheless, Monday's victory has done much to repair shattered confidence at what is a pivotal point in the season.

Some of the new players are now showing signs of finding their feet at this level.

Barry Ferguson has been a revelation in his last two home performances while Brett Emerton, during the first half on Monday, suddenly looked like the player who put Wolves to the sword.

On top of that, Markus Babbel is beginning to re-familiarise himself with a more central role.

And, with Craig Short ready to make a first team return in the not-too-distant future, maybe a first clean sheet of the season is not beyond the realms of possibility with Spurs and Aston Villa the next two teams set to visit Ewood.

Whichever way you look at it, though, the world suddenly seems like a brighter place than it was on Sunday night and the board deserve great credit for that.

Some clubs would have panicked in the face of adversity but John Williams and his fellow directors have adopted a stoic calmness throughout the storm.

Now it's up to the fans and the players to keep that momentum going.