Best yet by inspired Rovers

THE belief was back. The flair was back. And the crowd was won back.

It was small wonder that, for the first time since relegation, memories of the Premiership came flooding back.

Not only was this Rovers most convincing win of the league season, it was by far and away their best.

This was the type of emphatic display that everyone expected following the drop to the First Division, with three goals of Premiership quality to boot.

The club has learned the hard way that automatic promotion was no God-given right.

But, if the side continue to progress along this learning curve, then promotion - automatic or otherwise - is again a real possibility.

Until last night, the displays and results under Tony Parkes had been encouraging - hard-earned and professional - but not inspiring.

Last night the expensively assembly outfit provided some justification of their value.

And with every three points gained, especially in such an assertive manner, it becomes harder and harder for the Ewood board to avoid a hiding to nothing situation for an incoming boss.

Parkes has taken the team back to basics and, with a settled side and a settled system that utilises the full width of the park, has exposed the true quality of many First Division opponents.

From the off, Bolton were pulled from pillar to post and, whenever Rovers did lose possession, there was a fierce determination to win the ball back. The key to the performance was the quality service provided to the wide men. And that was a team effort.

Alan Kelly was hardly tested all night as the defence stood firm, creating the platform for controlled possession.

With Lee Carsley and Per Frandsen overpowering their counterparts in the centre of the field, Jason Wilcox and Jason McAteer were allowed the freedom to pull their full-backs right out onto the flanks.

And, against a side that has a porous defence at the best of times, there was ample space to enable a constant stream of chances.

Ashley Ward is the kit man's nightmare, as he works his socks off every single game.

He showed signs of a good understanding with Nathan Blake, who was handed the chance to put one over his old colleagues.

The first evidence of this was as early as the fourth minute when, having linked with Ward, Blake attempted to lob Jussi Jaaskelainen in the Bolton goal.

These two predators were almost on hand, when the Finnish keeper spilled a Wilcox cross minutes later.

And the first clear-cut chance was another clever combination, Ward heading a Blake flick back into his partner's path only to see the Welshman blast into the side-netting after 25 minutes.

McAteer was off-target with an overhead kick and Frandsen shot marginally high.

Bolton's only sniff of the whole half, an Eidur Gudjohnsen shot, was emphatically blocked by Darren Peacock.

In the run-up to half-time, Rovers showed signs of frustration that the reward had not materialised for all their efforts.

But the soothing words of Parkes' team talk at the interval eased those worries. Rovers were immediately back in the driving seat and made the breakthrough in the 56th minute.

McAteer had drifted inside and after excellent close control, threaded the ball through to Blake. He slid in ahead of Mark Fish to release Ward.

It appeared that Jaaskelainen would win the race to the ball, as Bolton defender Greg Strong gave up the chase.

There was no chance that Ward would reciprocate and, when the Finn did decide to rush out, Ward expertly clipped the ball over his huge diving frame.

The celebrations had barely died down when Bolton struck back within a minute.

After a fierce Gudjohnsen shot from distance was tipped over by Kelly, the in-swinging corner from Claus Jensen was flicked on from the six-yard box and Robbie Elliott nipped in undetected at the back post to nod home.

This time it was Bolton's turn to relax and Rovers were back ahead within two minutes.

Ward's industry again paid dividends when his searching cross from the right found Wilcox rushing in at the back post. The angle was too acute for his own shot, so the skipper opted to cushion a volley back into the path of McAteer, who arrived late to lash in a left-foot strike from close range.

Frandsen, Wilcox and Blake all went close to extending the lead with powerful shots, before the three points were sealed by Blake.

Again it was McAteer's perfectly weighted through-ball that created the opening and, again, Strong was caught napping. Strong had a five-yard start on the striker but allowed Blake to steal the ball from under his nose and, after switching onto his left foot, slide the ball past Jaaskelainen in typically nonchalant fashion.

His shirt was immediately off as he celebrated a fine night for the Bolton old boys.

It seems, at long last, that the gloves are off as Rovers continue to climb towards the fringe of the play-off positions.

Ashley's a wing commander

GOAL hero Ashley Ward believes that Rovers have rediscovered their cutting edge.

The striker, whose classy goal made it three in three games, says that wing play is the key.

He said: "We went through a spell when we didn't create too much, the opposition had numbers behind the ball and we were restricted to long range shots, or half chances from crosses into a crowded box.

"Now we are getting behind defences more and creating clearer opportunities. Tonight was certainly the best for getting crosses into the box since I have been at the club." Ward's own confidence had taken a knock during the run of poor results and he has benefited more than most from the new belief running through the side.

"When you are accused of under-achieving for so many games, it saps your confidence.

"But going into the game of six or seven games unbeaten obviously helps to build your confidence and we looked like a confident side out there tonight. "It's a different type of football in the First Division and maybe people were surprised by it. Maybe people assumed they were better than the opposition, which is never the case.

"You have got to earn the right to win any game. But we've got the players and, if we can keep this run going, hopefully we can get to where we should be in the league," he said.

And he was delighted with the execution of his opener, and with his partnership with Nathan Blake.

Bolton boss Sam Allardyce said: "Everybody expected Blackburn to get up and running sooner or later.

"When you look at their bench compared to ours it tells the whole story. I would love to have Egil Ostenstad or Dunny on the bench."

Form watch

KELLY: Rarely involved and let down by napping defenders for the Bolton goal...7

GRAYSON: Solid defensive performance and did not allow Gardner to impose himself...7

PEACOCK: Crucial and brave first half block and had Robert Taylor in his pocket all night...7

DAILLY: Improved distribution and handled the tricky Gudjohnsen effectively...7

HARKNESS: Linked well with Wilcox and a real asset to the back four...7 McATEER: Involved in every goal and revelled in the occasion...9

FRANDSEN: Played with a passion that he needs to bring into every game...8

CARSLEY: Quiet, composed and totally effective in the centre of the park...7

WILCOX: Hugged the touchline and delivered some telling crosses...7

WARD: Name me a more willing and honest footballer. Thoroughly deserved his fine strike...9

BLAKE: Linked well with Ward and showed some nice touches, including a great goal...7

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