EWOOD chief Graeme Souness intends to make history tonight by becoming the first manager ever to lead Rovers into the second round of the UEFA Cup.

European football has become something of a graveyard for Souness's predecessors with Kenny Dalglish, Roy Hodgson and Ray Harford all victims of embarrassing cup exits in the past.

But Souness already boasts a formidable track record on the continent from his days in the red of Liverpool and he is hoping some of that magic can rub off on the players who will carry the hopes and dreams of the Premiership club in the intimidating surroundings of the Bulgarsa Armia Stadium.

History is certainly against Rovers extending their UEFA Cup adventure beyond the first week in October as they have won just one of their previous 11 games in Europe.

But Souness is not worried by the club's past failures and he is confident his class of 2002 can see off the challenge of Bulgarian giants CSKA Sofia tonight in a tie which is delicately poised after the two sides drew 1-1 in

the first leg a fortnight ago.

"I'm not worried by what has happened in the past," said the Rovers chief, in a typically defiant response to an attack on Rovers' European record by the Bulgarian media.

"My team is a different team to the ones who have not succeeded in the past and I am quietly confident we can get a result here."

Souness invited criticism from several corners when he fielded an understrength team for the first leg - partly as a result of injuries - which allowed CSKA to nick the advantage of an away goal.

But the veteran European campaigner has certainly left nothing to chance ahead of the second leg, even going to the lengths of flying in his own chef - Simon Cooper from Brockhall - to make sure the players' needs are well catered for in a city which is not known for its swanky facilities.

"The facilities don't really bother me that much. The only thing that's important is the pitch is in good nick and the food is good enough," said Souness.

"We've brought our own chef from Brockhall and he checked on the kitchens when we got here to make sure there's no problems with the food aspect."

On the pitch, Souness's preparations have been just as meticulous.

Apart from the injured trio of Craig Short, Garry Flitcroft and Dwight Yorke, everyone else in the first team squad has made the trip to the Eastern Bloc.

And Souness has promised an all-out-offensive as Rovers take to the field knowing they must score to avoid another first round elimination.

"My thinking has always been to go for it. We felt that we had a lot of the ball in the first game and didn't do a lot with it but we've got the chance to put that right.

"They'll see themselves as favourites but it's a tricky game for them.

"Do they sit back and think they can keep it at 0-0 or do they come after us?

"So we'll have to see how that develops but we know what we have to do which is win the game or draw it 2-2."

With Andy Cole and Damien Duff set to continue up front after masterminding the downfall of West Brom on Monday night, Rovers should certainly carry more of a cutting edge than they did in the first leg.

But defensive solidity could ultimately hold the key because if they were to concede an early goal then that would leave them facing a mountain to climb.

With Short injured, the Rovers boss must therefore place his trust in youth once again with Martin Taylor and Nissa Johansson likely to be sent on men's errands.

Souness, however, has no qualms about pinning his faith in the youngsters and he sees tonight's game as another valuable part of their education.

"Ideally, you want your centre-backs to be about 28-years-old, with loads of experience who can smell danger," said Souness.

"We've got that but we've also got Tiny and Nissa who are 22 and how else do you get that experience?

"It's such an important position in your team being a centre-back because you're a bit like a goalkeeper in the sense that if you do make a mistake then it generally leads to a goal being conceded.

"So Tiny and Nissa will make mistakes but I'm convinced they will become very good players and we've also got Lucas Neill, too.

"We need to carry on where we left off at West Brom."