ENGLAND coach Derek Fazackerley believes Rovers need to improve on their away form if they want to get promotion via the play-offs.

Rovers face arch-rivals Bolton Wanderers tomorrow in a crunch derby game at The Reebok.

And former Ewood stalwart Fazackerley feels it's time they started showing more conviction on their travels.

"Blackburn have turned the corner after a poor start and I hope they can keep it going from now until the end of the season because I'd like to see them get into the play offs," said Fazackerley.

"But as well as they have done underTony (Parkes), they'll still be a bit concerned about their performances away from home.

"And it may be that they need to improve that away form over the next couple of months if they want to get promoted.

"But just how they do that, I don't know." Monday night's defeat against Newcastle in the FA Cup was Rovers' first reverse at Ewood since Parkes took over in November.

But during that period they have lost twice on their travels - 2-1 at Sheff United and 5-1 at Barnsley - as well as being held by the likes of lowly Crewe and Port Vale.

Tomorrow's contest is sure to provide another stern examination of those away credentials and Fazackerley knows all about the threat Bolton pose, having worked as coach under Colin Todd for the last few months of last season.

"They were a good footballing side and they had a lot of talented players in the likes of Per Frandsen, Claus Jensen and Eidur Gudjohnsen - a good mix of youth and experience," said Fazackerley.

"But, unfortunately, they've lost a couple of players since then.

"Frandsen left for Rovers and Scott Sellars went to Huddersfield and, because of financial constraints, they haven't been able to replace them.

"But Sam Allardyce has come in with his own ideas and, being a former defender like myself, he's tried to tighten things up at the back.

"At first, he seemed to have got that side of things sorted, but they haven't really had the results in the League he would want."

Fazackerley has identified Danish midfielder Claus Jensen and Icelandic striker Eidur Gudjohnsen as the two most likely to trouble Rovers tomorrow.

And, after seeing them at close quarters, he believes they both have a bright future.

"Claus is an exciting midfielder player.

"He's only about 21 or 22 but he could go on to be a very good player in the future.

"If he does have a weakness, though, he probably doesn't get the amount of goals he should.

"While Eidur is a very exciting striker. "He's got two great feet and he can score some stunning goals.

"But he maybe lacks a bit of consistency in his game at present."

Bolton old boys Nathan Blake and Per Frandsen will also be keen to do well on their return to the Reebok, however.

And Fazackerley believes they are also capable of being matchwinners on their day.

"Frandsen did very well when I was there.

"He was very good going forward and he wouldn't have looked out of place in the Premiership.

"But it's taken him a while to settle at Blackburn and he struggled a bit at first.

"However, under Tony, he seems to have come into his own again.

"As for Nathan, what you see is what you get.

"But he can be a dangerous striker and a real handful.

"We talk about individuals, though, but it's what they do as a unit that counts."

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