Hughes: Rovers eyeing silverware

BLACKBURN boss Mark Hughes is demanding a trophy from his side this season with his players now being viewed as cup winners.

After three years in charge at Ewood Park — Hughes celebrated the anniversary with a goalless draw at Chelsea on Saturday — Rovers are finally earning respect from their peers.

Blackburn were long derided as an overly-physical team, infuriating the likes of Jose Mourinho, Arsene Wenger and Alex Ferguson in the process with their no-nonsense style of play.

It was a tag that infuriated Hughes, who has often bristled with indignation when questioned on the subject.

But now Blackburn are a much more accomplished side, leading to the suggestion they could finally win silverware this season.

Ahead of tomorrow night’s first leg of their UEFA Cup first-round tie with Greek Cup winners Larissa, Hughes is happy to accept the plaudits, and is eager to live up to such lofty expectations.

“The aim at the start of every season is to win something,” remarked Hughes.

“But we’re acknowledged as one of the better teams in the Premier League, and people are actually talking about us in those terms,

“That’s something new for us, something we have to get used to, which raises expectations.

“I’ve always subscribed to the view you should work to those expectations and hope to over-achieve.

“Fans want to believe there’s a chance of winning big games, winning silverware.

“Sometimes there can be false dawns, but I just sense with this group of players we have now that the next step is to try and win some silverware if we can.

“We’ve good depth, good quality of players who can come in, so I have the option of rotating the squad if I feel the need to.