THE last week has been a very important one in the context of the season for Blackburn Rovers. After the sickening low points of the last two games, a reaction was needed from the team and expected by the supporters.

So it was with interest that I read last week's local press to see how the players and management were to address the problems.

The official line from Souness was "we've had a chat about it" and David Thompson informed us that the lads had been on a 'team bonding' exercise. I find it funny when I read about these trips.

The teams that have these 'bonding' sessions are always ones that are struggling - and it's like all the other ideas have failed, so it's the only route left. How can going on a night out or playing paintball contribute to a good result the following game? We'd certainly find out at Leeds.

I can remember a time only a few years ago when Leeds away was one of the toughest fixtures on the list. It's hardly daunting these days. The Kewells and the Ferdinands are long gone and have been replaced with foreign misfits on loan whose allegiances lie elsewhere.

The money they once flaunted has been replaced with a huge mountain of debt, and the words 'crisis' and 'Leeds' can often be found in the same sentence.

Where better then to get our season back on track?

Within 10 seconds of the game kicking off it appeared that the 'little chat' that Souness had with the players had been totally forgotten. Another long ball and flick-on landed to the unmarked Alan Smith who managed to miss a great chance. Thank God he's one of the new breed of non-goalscoring centre forwards.

In fact, I'm sure he only has his mind on where he can have his next altercation - the man could start a row in an empty room.

A 2-0 halftime score flattered us, and when you consider that it was the prolific Seth Johnson who had scored both you knew it wasn't to be our day. In the end, 2-1 looks a respectable final score but in truth we really couldn't have complained if they'd scored five.

That's three defeats in a row and obviously worrying times down at Ewood. If winning breeds confidence then losing certainly breeds lack of it. This is evident in all our supposed 'top players'. Emerton and Ferguson are hiding instead of putting themselves on the line, and the usually dependable Friedel is making mistakes and not playing with his usual authority. The defence? Well, let's not go there.

The only bright spots in these dark times are Cole and Thompson. They never hid and always led the fight. More of the same spirit is needed from the rest.

A 13-day break now, and for me the biggest challenge of Souness's stewardship. There's no excuse, these are his players now and it's his reputation on the line. To turn this around requires more than having 'team bonding'. Time will tell if he's up to it.