BLACKBURN Rovers have not yet given up on under-fire boss Paul Ince as another weekend to forget saw them remain deep in the relegation mire.

Contrary to a frenzy of national media speculation over the weekend, the Lancashire Telegraph can reveal Rovers have not already decided to wield the axe although Ince’s position remains in obvious peril.

Saturday’s 3-1 defeat to Liverpool at Ewood Park stretched Rovers’ winless streak to 10 games, leaving them second from bottom, as their Premier League status looks increasingly fragile.

It is understood though reports claiming Ince’s exit is a done deal have jumped the gun with the likelihood of him still being in charge for Saturday’s crucial trip to Wigan Athletic.

Rovers’ board are scrutinising the situation with increasing concern though, with the prospect of relegation unthinkable, and Ince himself will know his Ewood future is still far from certain.

Sam Allardyce, Graeme Souness and even Rovers’ veteran midfielder Tugay have been touted as potential replacements but all talk of Ince’s departure remains premature.

Saturday’s gutsy performance will have convinced club officials the squad are still playing for Ince and, while results need to pick up quickly, there will be no hasty decision made through panic.

Chairman John Williams declined to become embroiled in the weekend’s speculation but did say, “The board will make decisions it feels is in the best interests of the club”.

Williams also hailed the fans’ reaction to the weekend’s defeat to Liverpool, claiming the Ewood Park atmosphere was a real reason for optimism.

Second half goals from Xabi Alonso, Yossi Benayoun and Steven Gerrard were enough to keep Liverpool at the top of the table, despite Roque Santa Cruz’s late header, but a much-improved display will suggest the ‘great escape’ is still on.

Williams said: “It could have gone one of two ways on Saturday but the fans were fantastic and really got behind the team.

“I am not sure who started it. Whether the players’ performance lifted the crowd or vice versa, but they were certainly great.

“I don’t think anyone could grumble about the crowd’s contribution on Saturday, Paul Ince remarked on that to me himself.”