Bring the noise

With one win to show from their opening five fixtures, Souness knows his side must make the most of back-to-back home games against Bolton and Everton.

And, with Wanderers likely to come to Ewood with a game-plan designed to frustrate the home side into submission, the tough-talking Scot believes the fans hold the key to his side's chances of success.

"Bolton will try to frustrate us by playing a 4-5-1 formation so our crowd has a huge part to play tonight," said Souness.

"They'll sit in and try and catch us on the break and our fans must be aware of that.

"It's up to us to go at them and try to break them down but it could be a game of patience."

Most pundits expected Wanderers to struggle this season following promotion from the First Division via the play-offs.

But manager Sam Allardyce has once more demonstrated an amazing ability to get the best from limited resources.

The men from the Reebok have been the Premiership's surprise package so far, topping the table until last weekend after impressive wins over Leicester, Liverpool and Middlesbrough.

Souness is adamant, however, that Wanderers' flying start is not purely down to luck.

And he expects them to be a dangerous animal tonight, despite the fact they lost their unbeaten record at home to Southampton on Saturday.

"I think they've surprised everyone this season but I don't think it's a fluke," said Souness.

"You only have to look at their first result and say what a fantastic one that was at Leicester.

"And then they followed that up by beating Liverpool so it can't be all down to luck.

"They're well organised and they play their football in a very disciplined way so we have to be ready to meet that challenge.

"But I'd like to think it's more about what we do than them."

Despite Rovers' indifferent start, however, Souness is content with the progress his own side has made -- even though he recognises there is room for improvement.

"I'm reasonably satisfied with the way we've started because in every game we've played in the Premiership, we've had periods where we've dominated the teams we've been in against and that includes the Champions," said the Rovers chief.

"I can't think of any game where we've deserved to lose so far.

"Our football has been good for periods in every game we've played, it's just we could do with those periods being longer.

"But we've certainly created chances, we look like scoring goals and, as long as we keep playing like that, then sooner or later the goals are going to start coming.

"So, as far as I'm concerned, we could easily be sitting here with more points to show for our efforts than we actually have."

Italian striker Ciccio Grabbi goes into tonight's contest still searching for his first Premiership goal.

But Souness has seen signs in his first four performances to suggest the 26-year-old is ready to break his duck.

And he steadfastly believes both he and Matt Jansen are starting to develop a promising partnership.

"I know Ciccio and Matt will score goals in this league," said Souness.

"Ciccio could have had a hat-trick against Manchester United and another against Ipswich on Sunday but he's not enjoying that bit of luck in front of goal at the minute.

"He looks threatening, though, and as long as he keeps making the runs then he will score goals."

"Every striker goes through that and I'm sure he's had periods in his career before where this has happened to him."

Stig Bjornebye could return tonight after missing Sunday's clash with a back injury.

But John Curtis, Craig Short and David Dunn are still some way off a first team return.

Rovers will choose from: Friedel, Neill, Berg, Taylor, Bjornebye, Tugay, Flitcroft, Gillespie, Dunn, Jansen, Grabbi, Mahon, Hughes, Hignett, Bent, Johnson, Miller.

Meanwhile, Bolton chief Sam Allardyce will be without the injured Per Frandsen tonight, because the Danish midfielder has a foot injury. Nicky Southall is the likely replacement.