BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness has leaped to the defence of his Fulham counterpart Jean Tigana ahead of tonight's clash between the two sides at Loftus Road.

Tigana has been told by Fulham chairman Mohamed Al Fayed that his contract won't be renewed in the summer after the Cottagers have failed to make an impact in the Premiership this season.

But Souness believes the reason the Londoners have struggled is purely down to their crippling cup commitments as opposed to any failings on the part of their manager.

"Jean Tigana has proved that he's a very, very good manager and it's very hard for me to comment on what's happened there," said Souness.

"But he's done well in England and I think their league form this season has been disappointing for one reason and one reason only.

"They've played in too many Cup ties and that's a warning to all of us.

"Being in the Intertoto Cup and then the run they had in the UEFA Cup, on top of their involvement in the FA Cup, hasn't helped them this season.

"I think they've played around 19 cup ties this season and that's the reason why they've had an ordinary season in the Premier League.

"They've got some good players there, some very good players, but they've just had too many games.

"We had a spell where our eye was taken off the ball. The games were coming thick and fast around the time of our semi-final meeting with Manchester United in the Worthington Cup and we didn't have the squad to cope with it.

"We were having to play the same people in virtually every game at that period and the edge went off our game and the same thing seems to have happened to them."

When Tigana was first appointed by Al Fayed three years ago, it looked like a marriage made in heaven.

On the one hand, you had an ambitious chairman prepared to pump his own personal fortune into the club in order to attract some of the finest talent in the world while Tigana, on the other hand, was one of the most respected coaches in the business with a reputation for playing champagne football.

Initially, Al Fayed talked animatedly of becoming the next Manchester United as Fulham gained promotion to the Premiership in the Frenchman's first season.

A series of big-money signings then followed but the anticipated charge for the top six failed to materialise and the Cottagers were forced to settle for a 13th-placed finish in their first season.

At that point, the strain started to show in the pair's relationship.

Al Fayed, a man normally used to instant success, then brought in Italian legend Franco Baresi to act as the club's director of football.

The former AC Milan star only lasted a couple of months but the move clearly undermined Tigana's position.

At the same time, the Londoners also swapped the quaint surroundings of Craven Cottage for QPR's Loftus Road while ground improvements were carried out but fans fear they may never return and the whole saga has cast an ominous shadow over the club.

Not surprisingly against such a backdrop, results have been poor this season and Tigana has paid the price by being told his services are no longer required next term.

To add insult to injury, Al Fayed also posted the sacking letter on the club's website -- a move which has been heavily criticised by some of the players.

"To criticise Tigana is just stupid," said Steve Marlet, the club's £11.5 million record signing.

"Whatever anyone says, we've had a good season and I can't understand anyone who says we haven't.

"It's tough in the Premiership and certain people are expecting too much.

"Look where have come from in the last few years. It is being forgotten what we've achieved.

"The club has been promoted, reached the FA Cup semi-final and played in Europe.

"That's a fantastic achievement, I don't care what anyone says."

Souness agrees. Rovers and Fulham were promoted together two years ago so he can empathise with the job Tigana has done and the expectation that goes with it.

"I think maybe the people in charge there feel they should have had a better return on the money they've spent," said the Rovers boss.

"But Fulham are not the biggest club and for them to be in the Premier League at all, I think they should be grateful."