BLACKBURN boss Mark Hughes will send his players out with the message same again' tonight as Rovers aim to start the New Year with a bang at home to Portsmouth (kick off 7.35pm).

Confidence is sky high in the Rovers camp following Saturday's magnificent derby triumph at Wigan.

That 3-0 win at the JJB was Rovers' fourth straight victory in all competitions and Hughes is now targeting a fifth against a Pompey side who are still in a state of turmoil despite the recent return of Harry Redknapp.

The South Coast club are hoping Redknapp can save them from the drop after he was controversially unveiled as the successor to Alain Perrin last month.

Redknapp has overseen two victories since taking charge for the second time at Fratton Park, the latest coming at the expense of Fulham on Saturday.

But Hughes believes it may ultimately take the former Southampton boss a while to settle back into life with Pompey and he's hoping to exploit that this evening.

Referring to the recent change of manager, Hughes said: "Sometimes it can have a positive effect, sometimes a negative effect. It depends on the group of players you have.

"Some may have an allegiance to the guy that has just left, and some will see it as a chance to impress a new manager after failing to get a look in.

"Maybe that's a help from our point of view. Playing them so early in Harry's new stint at the club could be good.

"It may take him a couple more weeks to nail down what he feel is his strongest side and the team that will give him the best opportunity to stay in the league.

"You are always wary about saying it's a good time to play another team, but in a couple of weeks they could be another outfit all together."

While Portsmouth enter the New Year sweating on their Premiership survival, Rovers start 2006 in a healthy top half position and looking towards a possible European charge.

Hughes' side have enjoyed an excellent festive period so far, taking six points out of six from tough away games at Middlesbrough and Wigan.

Now the Rovers boss is looking to build on those performances in front of an expectant Ewood crowd.

"It's always important to score first in these games because when you are in a situation they are in, it's difficult to come back from a goal down," he added.

"When you get your noses in front you have something to try and protect so the first goal tonight is important from our point of view."