BRIAN Kidd is demanding much more from his players, despite Blackburn Rovers' first victory of the season at Norwich on Saturday.

Egil Ostenstad opened his scoring account with a double to claim a long-awaited 2-0 win - their first at Carrow Road for three decades - but the manager believes that should only be seen as a starting point.

"Maybe it's just the high standards I have," he said.

"They will be pleased with the win but there's definitely room for improvement and we have spoken about it.

"It's a confidence thing.

"I want us to develop into a footballing side so that when we are 2-0 up we keep the ball better.

"Things will not come easily but it will be worthwhile when we do achieve something.

"I have been in football since I was 14 and it's no good worrying about what is going to happen in the future.

"You take it from day to day and there's no reason for them to feel inferior to anybody."

Kidd insists that he is building for the future as well as the present and he added: "It's always good to get that first win but we have to stick to the principles that we have for the long term.

"We have made strides forward. We have about eight pegs in 10 holes at the moment and we are looking to nail in those other two pegs. "We've probably had our best week in training with the nucleus of the players together. That's what we have been short of, having them together during the week.

"It's bound to help them when we can work on things as we did this week.

"There are still three good quality central midfield players that we haven't got. But the two-week break gives us time to work on the injured players again."

Garry Flitcroft, Jason McAteer and Billy McKinlay are the trio who have been unavailable and Damien Duff was ruled out on Saturday with a niggle behind the knee.

But Ostenstad's opener lifted Rovers as it was the first time they have led this season.

The Norwegian said: "The second goal was lucky but the first one was all right. I just followed in, hoping for 'Ash' to win the ball and he did.

"It doesn't matter that the second one was lucky. It hit me on the thigh and it changed the direction of the ball."

Ostenstad was substituted to a standing ovation from the Rovers fans.

"I have a little infection just above my knee and it stiffened up after the first half but it's not a problem," he added.

"We didn't play well but it was just what we needed - to get three points and put confidence back in the team.

"We worked hard and that's a good start." Kidd was delighted for his recent signing. "He's been carrying a knock this week so he hasn't been able to do as much as we would have liked," said the manager. "And Ashley hasn't had a pre-season game but I think they can get a good understanding between them. Egil is good at one-on-ones, that's one of his strengths and he also showed his anticipation.

"Coaches can't give players that, it's something that is already there."

One of the big talking points was the huddle Rovers' players adopted before the start. It came as a surprise to Kidd but he recognised it as a sign of a good team spirit.

"That tells me something (about the spirit) and how we are trying to get there," he said. "I knew nothing about it but they have obviously spoken about it among themselves."

Damien Duff looks almost certain to miss the Republic of Ireland's European Championship qualifier against Yugoslavia at Lansdowne Road on Wednesday. But there are still hopes he could make their other two games on Saturday and the following Wednesday.

Duff has a slight knee injury and Irish boss Mick McCarthy said: "I will be talking with the Blackburn physio on Monday to learn the extent of the injury.

Goals from Steve Foster and Gary Hamilton gave the under-19s a 2-1 victory over Newcastle at Brockhall to start their Academy season on a high note. The under-17s, also at home to Newcastle, came from a goal behind to draw 1-1 thanks to a Neil Creasy strike just before half time.

Rovers have been drawn away to Portsmouth in the first leg of the Worthington Cup second round. Preston visit Sheffield United and Bolton go to Gillingham. The ties are due to be played week commencing September 13 and 20.

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