BLACKBURN Rovers’ home form in recent seasons hasn’t been up to scratch – and now, more than ever, they need to do something about it.

It’s easy saying they’ve got seven out of the next 11 matches at Ewood Park. The harder part is actually going out there and taking advantage of it.

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And Rovers have got to start by beating Ipswich Town on Saturday and then Nottingham Forest on Tuesday.

Ipswich are having a bit of a dodgy spell so the lads have got to go out there, get at them, get the first goal and the confidence to go on and win the game.

When you’re struggling you’ve got to win your home matches and get the fans back on your side.

It seems Mick McCarthy is losing the support of an increasing number of Ipswich supporters.

I am surprised by that because I think he is a very good manager in the Championship.

I used to play against him. He was an old-fashioned centre-half. He was tough, he was strong, he liked to kick you.

And he’s taken that into management. He doesn’t mess about. He’s one from the old school. He says it as he sees it.

So, as I say, I am surprised he is under pressure. And Rovers need to increase that pressure because they cannot afford to keep on dropping points.

I know some people think Neil Warnock’s appointment at Cardiff City will be bad news for all the clubs down there struggling.

But, while Warnock has a track record of keeping clubs up, I think he might find it a bit harder this time around.

Anyway it’s about what Rovers do, not what’s happening elsewhere.

And they cannot complain about what’s in front of them. If they can, say, win five of these seven home games that should be enough to pull them clear of the relegation places and take them into the Christmas period with a real opportunity of kicking on.

Look at Leeds United. It was only five or six games ago there was talk about Garry Monk being sacked.

Now they’ve gone on a winning run and there is talk of them making the play-offs.

That’s how crazy the Championship is. You can be down one minute and up the next. But, as I say, it’s all right saying it, Rovers have now got to go out there and prove it.

I imagine Owen Coyle may make one or two changes for the Ipswich match.

He’ll certainly have to make one at right-back with captain Jason Lowe suspended.

Owen doesn’t have many options there but regardless I’d like to see Ben Marshall drop back.

Ben has always done a good job there. It would also allow another winger to come into the side.