BLACKBURN Rovers fans will probably be bemoaning a few more grey hairs after a turbulent 2009 but, as we welcome in a new decade, the signs are 2010 could be just as stressful.

The threat of relegation has never really been erased, despite last season’s great escape heroics, and unless Rovers can enjoy a good next couple of months another basement scrap could be on the cards.

Rovers may be five places ahead of where they were this time last year but, being just three points better off, will leave a lot of Rovers fans just as anxious.

On the face of it, there should be no problem. Sam Allardyce is far more experienced a manager than predecessor Paul Ince, while Rovers’ Ewood Park form should be more than enough to secure comfortable safety.

Are there three worse teams than Rovers in the Premier League? Yes. I’m sure fans of Portsmouth, Hull, West Ham, Wolves, Bolton and Burnley would take Allardyce’s squad.

This doesn’t guarantee safety though, just ask Newcastle United last season. No one thought they would go down until they did, proving there is no such thing as ‘being too good to go down’.

The next couple of months are absolutely massive for Rovers’ season and future. A Carling Cup semi-final victory would obviously be a nice bonus but it is the forthcoming league games that so much depends on.

Rovers have already thrown away a glorious opportunity to climb the table by failing to beat the likes of Stoke, Hull, Wigan and Sunderland and they can’t afford any similar mistakes in 2010.

Before April, Rovers entertain Fulham, Wigan, Hull, Bolton, Birmingham and Chelsea and Allardyce & co will know anything less than four victories would leave them in serious trouble.

An over reaction? Not when you consider a horrendous run-in that sees Rovers face Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal in three of their last four home games with a final day trip to Aston Villa hardly an appealing prospect either.

Hopefully by then relegation will be a distant nightmare with some very winnable away games in the offing as well, Allardyce will know though time is already running out to make life comfortable.

The key to it all lies in the art of scoring goals. Chris Samba, Ryan Nelsen, Pascal Chimbonda and Gael Givet should prove more than capable at keeping things tight defensively - they just need the flair players to start responding.

A fully fit David Dunn would obviously prove a huge boost for the remainder of the campaign but, with Benni McCarthy, El-Hadji Diouf and Morten Gamst Pedersen also in the ranks, creativity should prove no problem if they find their ‘A game’ once again.

That has not been the case for the majority of 2009 though with too many of Rovers’ so-called stars being too inconsistent, leaving far too much responsibility on the more inexperienced members.

James Beattie continues to be touted as a potential January arrival and, if one of his strikers leave, Allardyce could do worse than add a player known for having an immediate impact on clubs.

A more likely solution to their woes in front of goal though could lie internally, in the shape of the summer’s £6million signing from Croatia - Nikola Kalinic.

Kalinic is still deemed not quite ready for a sustained Premier League run but over the last few weeks his ability to create chances for himself has been impressive.

Hopefully all he needs is a goal to get up and running and then watch the net bulge. Niko could yet prove the unlikely saviour.

Another reason for optimism lies in the rubbish being served up by many of their Premier League rivals this season. No one looks capable of winning and that could result in one of the lowest points tallies ever needed for survival.

Rovers: 40 points.

Wolves.

Mick McCarthy’s men have surprised many by more than holding their own this season but limited squad numbers could yet take its toll on their survival chances. Wolves will be more than happy with their end of season run-in, with their last five games against bottom half sides, but the next couple of months could prove too tough to cope with.

35 points - relegated.

Wigan.

Roberto Martinez’s side are one of the more inconsistent sides in the division. Hugo Rodallega’s goals could yet save their skins but it looks like it will be close. Their run-in looks little better than Rovers’ so they will be desperate to pick up some points over the next couple of months.

36 points.

West Ham.

The Hammers look in real trouble with their financial situation still far from stable and a number of their top players linked with moves away. Much will depend on the future of Scott Parker and the fitness of Carlton Cole but their ability to hit the back of the net could yet save them. A relatively easy run-in could prove crucial.

35 points.

Sunderland.

Darren Bent’s goals should be enough to secure safety but Steve Bruce will be concerned at his side’s recent dip in form.

Bruce will want his walking wounded back as soon as possible and they should have the money to strengthen in January. Could still be a close call but a comfortable run-in will ensure their safety.

36 points.

Stoke City.

A team that looks like it is starting to struggle. The goals have dried up and started to go in at the wrong end but Tony Pulis does at least have the funds to strengthen in January.

Unless they add a goal scorer to their ranks they will be involved in the relegation scrap right to the end. Stoke travel to Manchester United and Chelsea for their last two away games.

36 points.

Portsmouth.

They already have a mountain to climb and January’s African Nations Cup hasn’t made their prospects look any brighter.

Pompey will lose several of their stars and don’t look to have the finances to replace them. A decent run-in at least gives them a chance but they could have too much to do by then.

27 points - relegated.

Hull City.

They have struggled for more than a year now and not many would be surprised to see them drop back into the Championship this time round.

The Tigers won’t stop fighting but confidence needs restoring if they are to stand any chance of remaining in the top flight.

If they are in contention towards the end of the season their run-in gives them a chance but that remains unlikely.

25 points - relegated.

Everton.

David Moyes’ men will have no problems. Once the injured players return, Everton should climb the table although their poor start will leave them a long way from where they want to be.

42 points.

Burnley.

The Clarets’ Turf Moor form should be enough to keep them up, as long as they start converting chances into goals. Owen Coyle will know the away form has to improve to make Premier League life more comfortable, especially with a tough run-in ahead.

37 points.

Bolton.

What a decision the Bolton hierarchy face now. Get it wrong and the club could be heading into the Championship.

The fans have got what they have been calling for almost since Gary Megson was appointed - his dismissal - but some of the contenders to replace him don’t seem a lot more appealing. An easy run-in though should just about save them.

35 points.