EVERY psychologist will tell you about the importance of confidence in sport.

Big Sam, looking in rude health after his recent surgery, was by all accounts one of the first to embrace psychology at a time when many of his fellow managers still regarded sports psychology as mumbo jumbo.

It was probably no surprise therefore that Rovers were able to carry the confidence borne of the Carling Cup defeat of mighty Chelsea into last Saturday’s battle with the once mighty Liverpool and produce a performance that bodes well for the rest of the season.

All that was missing was that winning goal. You had to be grateful mind you, that Fernando Torres was still not fit to play for the visitors.

A striker of his quality would probably have made all the difference.

Overall it was a much better game than our previous home bore draw against Stoke and I find it difficult to understand why a section of the media labelled the contest drab and boring.

Our defence was outstanding and I thought Benni McCarthy had his best game in a Rovers shirt for some time. Some of his touches were sublime.

Now if we could only merge Franco Di Santo’s work-rate with Benni’s skill and finishing prowess, we’d have a striker to rival Torres.

Last Wednesday against Chelsea was one of the great Ewood nights of the last few years.

It could hardly have been a more different game to the Stoke match of only a few days before. Both teams were intent on going for it and it was wonderful to see us line up with three forwards.

The late equaliser and the subsequent drama of the penalties meant that it was going to be either heartache or joy, and for once we got the breaks to reach another semi-final.

Could we do a deal with Villa? They can have the FA Cup game if they’ll let us through to a Wembley final in the Carling Cup.

Somehow I think Martin O’Neill, Brad Friedel and co wont go for that and we can expect three battle royales.

Having beaten them once already, Rovers should have a psychological advantage going into the series of fixtures, and it hopefully won’t take too many mind motivators to get them in the right mindset for the thriller at the Villa.

Well it’s taken until near Christmas but at last Rovers can look down on Burnley in the Premier League table.

Burnley, well they may need Paul McKenna, Derren Brown and Houdini to escape their away day neurosis.

It’s all about confidence lads.