THE tributes to John Filan's performances just keep rolling in as the Blackburn Rovers keeper turned in another top-class display at Chelsea in midweek.

Tim Flowers can only watch and wonder from the bench as to how he might manage to win back his first-team place.

But tomorrow's opposite number in the Sheffield Wednesday goal, Kevin Pressman, serves as a perfect example of how quickly things can change.

Pressman was playing out of his skin and being tipped for an England call-up when it all suddenly began to go wrong for him.

Now the Owls keeper is number two to ex-Newcastle man Pavel Srnicek and only playing tomorrow because the Czech is suspended.

An untimely injury for Pressman co-incided with Srnicek's arrival and he was left warming the bench on his comeback. But if Filan can maintain his exceptional standards, he is going to take some shifting at Ewood.

You have to go back to December 19 - when Filan began his current run in the side - for the last time Rovers conceded two goals in a game, ironically against bottom club Forest.

After another heroic first-half performance at Chelsea, Rovers boss Brian Kidd said of Filan: "He's a great keeper."

And team-mate Chris Sutton was also one of the first to step forward and praise the Australian's contribution.

"I thought John Filan kept us in the game in the first half when Chelsea played very well," said the Rovers skipper for the night.

"I believe that's the first penalty any keeper has saved from Frank Leboeuf (in 16 attempts).

"So that's a real feat.

"And he has been outstanding for the last few weeks."

Doubtless Kidd will be happier when his keeper is not quite so busy!

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