BEATING Manchester United and Arsenal is all very well but games against the likes of Sunderland are the really big ones.

Games against teams at the bottom of the table are your bread and butter, that's where you can pick up the points, and it's where Rovers have been vulnerable in the last couple of seasons.

As a player, you might sub-conciously think that because you've beaten the teams at the top of the league then games against those at the bottom will be easier.

But they're certainly not, as Sunderland are still fighting for their lives. But given all that, I still see Rovers coming out with the points.

Mark Hughes has added a certain steel to Rovers since he took over at Ewood Park and I reckon we'll run out comfortable winners.

I think the first goal will be crucial. If Rovers can get an early goal, the Sunderland players' heads will drop and the crowd will be silenced and in that scenario I would expect Blackburn to score a few.

And with the form Craig Bellamy's in you wouldn't bet against it. He's getting better and better with every game and against Middlesbrough he was sensational.

That was a great win for Rovers and backs up what I'm saying. Mark has got Rovers well equipped to face any team in the Premiership and give them a game.

Even though we'd beaten Boro twice it was always going to be a tough game but to do it with 10 men for the last 20 minutes was unbelievable.

Speaking of the Boro game, I don't think Robbie Savage can really complain about being sent off for the first time in his club career.

I know a lot of people thought it was harsh but I thought he deserved both bookings.

For the first yellow, he lunged in to the tackle, he does that a lot, and for the second it was definitely handball.

I don't think he meant to do it but under the letter of the law he had to go. Sorry Robbie!

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