GRAEME Souness today told Blackburn fans 'you can make the difference' as Rovers attempt to stop the rot against Everton tonight.

Five straight defeats in the league have seen Rovers slide into the bottom two for the first time since 1999.

It's the club's worst ever sequence in the Premiership and Souness recently labelled the slump as the lowest point of his football career.

But the defiant Blackburn boss believes it's only a matter of time before his team starts to turn the corner.

And, with the fans' backing, that revival could begin against the Toffees this evening as Rovers go in search of the victory that would lift them out of the relegation zone.

"It's very important that the fans get behind us," said Souness.

"We talk about the players and staff sticking together and not pointing the finger at anyone and it's really important that the fans do the same.

"The players on the pitch need every little bit of help they can get at the moment.

"Some of them will be suffering from a lack of confidence and some players need more confidence than others in order to be able to perform so the fans have a massive part to play.

"If anyone has got any negative thoughts then I hope they don't turn up. I'd rather they stayed at home.

"We've had three good years of steady progress and we are currently going through a rocky patch.

"But this isn't a time to start pointing the finger at people, it's a time to pull together.

"We've got 27 games left, and we've got to start winning soon, especially at home because that's where your supporters are.

"They want to go home thinking I've paid my money, I've been entertained and I've seen my team do well. We did it last year on occasions and that's what we've got to get back to doing now."

Rovers reached their lowest ebb of the season so far when they lost 2-0 to Leicester last Sunday -- a result which plunged them into the Premiership's bottom two.

That prompted Souness to have a heart-to-heart with his players in the dressing room at the Walkers Stadium but spirits in the camp have since been lifted by a short break at Gleneagles in Scotland.

And now Souness and the players are desperate to put things right on the pitch against an Everton side who are currently going through a bad time of their own.

"We got away to Scotland for a couple of days, which was glorious. We had fantastic weather, we stayed in a very nice hotel, we played a bit of golf and the players really enjoyed themselves," said Souness.

"But it's always in the back of your mind that you want to play as soon as possible in order to get the bad taste out of your mouth and ever since last Sunday I've been desperate for the next game to come up.

"Everton are in a similar situation to ourselves and I'm sure they think they are playing some decent stuff as well.

"Certainly in the first half against Chelsea last week they played very well so they'll be desperate for points, too."

Both sides are currently struggling for goals up front.

Everton, whose last away win in the Premiership came at West Brom in April, have now gone over six hours without finding the net in the league, while Rovers are without a league goal in 274 minutes.

On top of that, Souness's side have yet to keep a clean sheet in 14 games this term so something must give tonight.

Craig Short is fit and available for the first time this season, although the veteran defender may have to settle for a place on the bench.

Tugay is also in the squad after the Turkish FA gave the midfielder permission to report a day later for their Euro 2004 qualifier against Latvia, while new goalkeeper Peter Enckelman looks set to be named on the bench.

But Paul Gallagher is doubtful with a back injury.

Rovers' squad is: Friedel, Enckelman, Neill, Johansson, Short, Todd, Taylor, Reid, Gresko, Ferguson, Flitcroft, Tugay, Gallagher, Yorke, Jansen, Emerton, Baggio, Babbel, McEveley, Grabbi

Blackburn Rovers' two Academy sides both enjoyed excellent results at the weekend. The Under 19s beat Manchester United 2-1 while the Under 17s thrashed Everton 4-0.