BLACKBURN midfielder Garry Flitcroft today said it's 'win or bust' in Rovers' battle to qualify for Europe.
The tough-tackling Rovers skipper plans to lead from the front tomorrow as Graeme Souness's troops go in search of another vital victory against relegated West Brom.
But, even though Flitcroft is quick to stress that Rovers have had another great season regardless of the outcome of the last two games, he insists it will feel like failure if the team fail to pip Everton to sixth spot and a place in the UEFA Cup.
"If we fail now then the lads would be more gutted than anyone," said Flitcroft.
"We've put together so many good away wins and we've had a great season overall, but if we don't get into Europe at the end of it then it will feel like we have failed.
"All the lads are desperate to play in the UEFA Cup next season so we'll be going all out to win our last two games and then we'll see where that takes us from there."
With three points currently separating Rovers and Everton with just two games remaining, a win against the Baggies is imperative.
Last week's 3-2 victory against Leeds at Elland Road kept the dream alive, although it came at a price as Vratislav Gresko, Craig Short and David Dunn all picked up injuries in the process.
Nevertheless, Flitcroft believes Rovers should still have enough to see off Albion tomorrow which will then set up a nailbiting climax to the season next weekend.
"It's a game we can win," said Flitcroft. "Last week's win at Leeds was a massive one for us.
"We all knew if we could win that one, it would then set us up for the last two games of the season.
"Now we've got a great chance of putting some pressure on Everton by winning again tomorrow but we've got to prepare for it like we would if it was any other game."
Rovers are currently one of the Premiership's most in-form teams after seven wins from their last 10 league outings has carried them to the brink of Europe.
That run has included impressive victories over Arsenal and Chelsea but, somewhat bizarrely, they've found life more difficult against the teams at the opposite end of the table.
"We've tended to struggle more against the sides at the bottom than the ones at the top and maybe some of the lads need to look at themselves and ask whether they are fully motivated for every single game," said Flitcroft.
"At the end of the day, all eleven of us must be motivated every time we go out on the pitch because if that's the case then we are good enough to give anyone a game."
Although the Baggies already consigned to their fate, Flitcroft is still anticipating a tough battle tomorrow.
The Rovers midfielder was a former team-mate of Gary Megson at Manchester City and he knows the Albion boss won't let his side bow out with a whimper following a difficult season.
"I know Gary well from my time at Manchester City," added Flitcroft.
"In those days he was always a big motivator who worked his socks off for the team and I think he's taken those same qualities into management.
"West Brom were always going to struggle this season because the board didn't give him any money to spend.
"But I'm sure they'll come and battle so we've got to match that and then hope that our superior quality comes through.
"They might be relegated already but I'm sure they'll want to put on a show for their fans after what happened to them last week.
"So we've got to expect a positive response from then following that Liverpool defeat."
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