HOW depressingly predictable. I remarked last week that it was no good beating Manchester United and putting in a good performance at Anfield if we were not going to keep it up against less glamorous opposition.

So what do we go and do?

We go and let our standards drop against less glamorous opposition.

I wasn't too bothered about a 7-1 goal-fest like last year - I would have gladly settled for two awful, scrappy one-nil wins and six points from the 'easy' games against the Hammers and Boro.

And for a few precious minutes on Saturday it looked as if this wish was about to come true.

The fare was as unappetising as the left-over Christmas turkey but Andy Cole's strike left us bound for three points.

Then, in keeping with the performance in general, we squandered the lead in the dying minutes for the second time.

Andy Cole was excellent and Brad Friedel couldn't be blamed for anything, but where were the others?

On days like Saturday when we can't seem to motivate ourselves to play against lesser opposition, our lack of a leader on the pitch becomes glaringly apparent.

If only we had a Keane or a 25-year-old Batty to lead by example, exhort maximum effort out of his team-mates and drag the performance of the team up by the bootlaces.

The good news of course is that we have an immediate chance to redeem ourselves on New Year's Day and in spite of Saturday, an eight point haul over Christmas would represent an excellent overall return.

Looking longer term we are also in a significantly stronger position than at the same stage 12 months ago.

Last season we were constantly looking nervously over our shoulders at the teams below us. And at this exact point we were contemplating our navels following a 3-0 Boxing Day reverse at home to Sunderland, wondering where the next goal, let alone the next win, was coming from. Then in breezed Andy Cole to save the day. This season we've never been in any real danger and stand only six points off fourth spot. A European place through league position is a real possibility if we could only bring the 'big game mentality' to bear in every fixture.

Likewise a second successive trip to Cardiff in the Worthington Cup.

So on that optimistic note, I'm going to sign off with some end of year awards.

Inspired business decision of the year award: The Blackburn Rovers Board for sanctioning the purchase of Andy Cole.

The "Thank you for rescuing our season and winning us the Worthington Cup" award: Andy Cole.

Individual performances of the year: Mark Hughes at Cardiff/Brad Friedel at Highbury

Player of the year: Brad Friedel

Rovers' latest superstar in the making award: Martin Taylor

Debut of the year: Jay McEveley

Team performance of the year: Celtic first leg.

Worst team performance of the year: Celtic second leg.

Best goal: Damien Duff at Anfield.

The Alan Shearer award for loyalty: Damien Duff.

The "What on earth have I done wrong?" award: John Curtis.

The "Please move me back to centre half" award: Nils Eric Johansson.

The "Thank goodness 2002 is over" award: Garry Flitcroft

The "Get Well Soon" award: Matt Jansen and Hakan Sukur

The "It shouldn't happen to a football manager" award: Graeme Souness following the injuries to Matt Jansen and Hakan Sukur.

The "I've earned the right to some more investment in the side" award: Graeme Souness, after steering us to a position of relative Premiership security.

Funniest football quote of the year award: "And things could be worse. You could be a Blackburn fan." Stephen Cummings 19/11/02.

Happy New Year!