Ewood spirit is priceless, says Blackburn Rovers defender Salgado

10:20am Friday 19th March 2010

By Andy Cryer

MICHEL Salgado insists Blackburn Rovers can defy the financial odds against Chelsea on Sunday after claiming Sam Allardyce is building ‘a spirit’ at Ewood Park that money can’t buy.

Rovers’ Spanish defender is expected to make his fifth straight Premier League start at home to the title-chasing Blues on Sunday, and the former Real Madrid man believes things are heading in the right direction.

Salgado accepts any dreams of qualifying for Europe this campaign have now disappeared from Ewood Park but, with points still needed to guarantee safety, already has his eye on qualifying for the Europa League next time round.

He said: “We are heading the right way. If we work hard, why not Europe after next season? We have tough games ahead and the most important thing is to get safe first. Two more wins probably, then we will have the confidence to get more and more.

“That can help the future. Maybe not this season for Europe because it is far away but for the next season if we play with the same squad and maybe improve –depending on the money I suppose.

“That is very important also because you have six teams who are two steps ahead of us with regards money. It is very difficult to get them but in football maybe more important than money is confidence and the team morale.

“That is very good here and so if we build on what is growing here why not surprise a few people next season and finish high up the table.”

Eyebrows were raised when the 34-year-old was brought to Ewood from Madrid earlier this season and early impressions left the home faithful far from convinced they had got the ‘right man’.

But, with another year left on his current deal, Salgado insists it is crucial to have more experienced players in a squad having left his critics eating their words in recent weeks.

He said: “I think it is very important to have the mix of youth and experience we are building. "I think we have many very good young players that are growing up and need the advice of the old players.

“They are having a great season and we have three or four ready to play in big teams. Europe is perhaps a bit much this season but why not next season?

“We are building a great team for the future. We can build the platform now. "These games coming up are important to build a team for next season. That is very important in the games that are left.”