CRAIG Bellamy has vowed to make his critics eat their words by scoring the goals that could lead Blackburn Rovers back into Europe.

Mark Hughes' talismanic Welshman came under fire in certain quarters last summer when he decided to snub Aston Villa and Everton in favour of a shock £4 million switch to Blackburn.

The critics questioned the 26-year-old's hunger and ambition after he chose to turn his back on two of the Premiership's bigger clubs.

However, seven months on, Bellamy is ready to have the last laugh on his detractors as unfancied Rovers close in on a top six finish and a place in next season's UEFA Cup.

"A lot of people were very quick to say I'd made the wrong decision by coming here, but if you look at our league position, it's only what I expected when I first decided to sign," said Bellamy.

"I knew what we could do. I knew the players we had here, and I knew the staff we had as well, so I knew it wouldn't just be about avoiding relegation.

"I knew we could get in the top half and then once we got there, push on, which, to be fair to every single player, is exactly what they've done.

"Now Europe is looking a realistic target for us and I, personally, really want us to get there.

"At Newcastle, Europe was really good for me - I think I scored one in every two games I played.

"I really enjoyed that experience and I miss travelling away in midweek.

"I've had to take a season off this season (by coming here) but, hopefully, with Blackburn next season, we've got those events to come."

Refreshed and revitalised following a short training break in Dubai, Rovers can move into the top six for the first time this season if they chalk up a ninth home win of the season at the expense of Arsenal tomorrow.

Just one point currently separates Mark Hughes' side and the fifth-placed Gunners and, amazingly, Rovers are only six adrift of Spurs, the occupants of the fourth Champions League spot, with a game in hand on their London rivals, who they meet in a potentially crucial fixture at White Hart Lane next weekend.

The outcome of the next two matches could, therefore, be crucial to Rovers' European ambitions and, while Bellamy admits talk of sneaking into the Champions League is a trifle ambitious, the mere fact that possibility is being mentioned at all is a clear indication of the huge strides the club is making under Hughes' shrewd leadership.

"I know we are only a few points off but you've got to be realistic as well," said Bellamy.

"You've got Arsenal and Tottenham, who are two great, great clubs that also spend ridiculous amounts of money.

"If you look at Mark Hughes' record of buying and selling players, what he has done here is quite incredible, so you never know.

"We've got some great games still to come. As well as Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool have also still to come here in the league.

"If we do really well in those and get the points then you never know what can happen."

If Rovers are to achieve their goal and gatecrash the top six then the form and fitness of Bellamy will be crucial to their chances over the next two months.

So far, the quicksilver striker has scored 11 goals in 21 appearances for his new club during a stop-start season that has been repeatedly interrupted by injuries.

But on the occasions when he has been fit and firing on all cylinders, he has terrorised opposition defences with an intoxicating mix of explosive pace and clever movement.

And, ominously for the rest of the Premiership, the Welsh firebrand believes he can get even better because he's still learning how to maximise his talents for the benefit of the team.

"I'm 26 now and I feel a lot cleverer (than when I first started playing in the Premiership)," added Bellamy, who scored twice on his last outing against Sunderland nine days ago.

"Every player gets better with experience, there's no doubt about that, and I feel as though I am getting better with every year.

"It's just little things like finishing, which I don't feel is a problem anymore.

"When I'm one-on-one, I feel as if I know exactly what I'm doing, whereas before I always used to make up my mind at the last second, so it's no wonder when you then miss.

"I just feel more experienced and when you are, it's inevitable you become a better player."