MIDFIELD dynamo David Thompson today called on his Ewood team-mates to bounce back from Wednesday night's debacle against Chelsea.

Graeme Souness's latest signing from Coventry City is still hurting after seeing his home debut wrecked by Gianfranco Zola's late winner.

That condemned Rovers' to a second straight defeat following on from their late disaster at Middlesbrough 10 days earlier.

And the straight-talking Thompson insists it's time to put a stop to all the sloppy mistakes ahead of Sunday's showdown at Maine Road.

"We've got to put Wednesday night's defeat behind us, eradicate all those stupid mistakes, and go forward and concentrate on scoring goals," said Thompson.

"We need three points on Sunday because we are six points down now after Middlesbrough and Chelsea because they were both games we should have won.

"On Wednesday night, we stopped passing the ball, we stopped picking up second balls, and if you fail to do that then you can't play because you're letting them have possession.

"We never got a foothold in midfield, we stopped getting it in to the frontmen, we became too predictable, and that ended up costing us dearly.

"The goals we conceded were absolutely diabolical and that's something we have to sort out because it's schoolboy stuff."

Thompson insists everyone must take responsibility for their own jobs if Rovers plan to turn things around.

In his case, that means helping to improve the service into Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke who are currently having to feed off scraps up front.

"We've definitely got to improve the service up to Dwight and Andy," said the 23-year-old.

"As I've said before, we are getting too predictable and we can't be as predictable as we were in the second half on Wednesday night otherwise it's too easy for the opposition to defend against."

Rovers will need to raise their standards in every department if they plan to take something from their trip to Maine Road.

Kevin Keegan's City slickers currently boast a perfect home record having beaten both Newcastle and Everton in their two games so far, which contrasts starkly to their away record which reads three straight defeats.

"It's going to be a big game because City are a big team," said Thompson.

"They put up a good performance against Arsenal on Tuesday night and we are going to have to watch out for a couple of their players.

"They'll do alright at home but they could be a little bit vulnerable away because they are not as solid and compact as they are at Maine Road.

"So we'll have to be on our mettle and make sure we can impose ourselves on the game."

As for his own form, Thompson was one of the few people to emerge with much credit against Chelsea as he capped a man-of-the-match performance with his first goal for Rovers.

But, although he was reasonably satisfied with his own contribution on the night, the former Liverpool man insists there is still plenty more to come.

"I was quite pleased with my performance," said Thompson.

"I thought I just did my job and managed to get on the score-sheet, too, which was nice.

"When Coley set me up, I just concentrated on getting a good strike on it and I think the keeper was expecting a cross.

"But I'm not getting carried away by that.

"I feel settled here. It already seems like I've been here ages because everyone has made me feel so welcome.

"And it was nice to have the fans behind me on Wednesday because that gives you a little extra boost.

"It's like having an extra player on the pitch when they get behind the team."