The winless away streak on the road now stands at 20 with Rovers at home a tough nut to crack. Only one league win over Blackburn in eight and £20 million quids worth of strike talent sidelined. A real act of faith for those travelling to Ewood.

It's going to need a big performance this weekend to maintain our unbeaten start to the season. Life without Bobby for a while has been digested, but while all the pre-match talk centres on what strike force Mark now fashions around Dembele, I think the key to success here comes at the back. Keeping a clean sheet would be very handy, because the way the side is being set up under the new boss we are going to be scoring a lot more goals than last year.

Dickson Etuhu says as much in a big interview with the Standard. Admitting Zamora will be missed the Nigerian felt Fulham had the cover to cope, and that the heart of the club was beating quicker since the arrival of Hughes. “Mark is more dynamic and explosive and wants pace and power and to take the game to our opponents. We are more excited about this because we know we are going to get more goals this year and we are going to be more unpredictable.”

The new gaffer also feels the club have more than one string to their bow, and will not be over reliant on Dembele, the Belgian having made a tremendous impact already up front.

But talking of the unpredictable, Pantsil, impeccable for so long, has suddenly 'lost his mojo,' as described by hammyend.com. Can Salcido bed in immediately at Ewood, or will Kelly and Baird feature at the back? While I have no misgivings with our central defenders and the man behind them, down the flanks is where we need to be strong. And Murphy must step it up too, there were glimpses of that last Saturday.

No prophecy needed as to how Rovers will approach the game, they will set out to bully us or risk being passed off the park. I'm hoping Moussa runs at Samba and his colleagues - and praying for a decent ref. It could well get physical, and its about time we had a pen!

We're 500 strong for what is a long way North - and without the attractions of Blackpool. I wouldn't be too disappointed, or surprised with another draw. Duff is fit but has been nondescript so far, Clint cannot play the Zamora role, Gera at present seems to have fallen down the pecking order, and we have been conceding silly goals...plenty to ponder facing a side who held Man City away last time out. Maybe Mark's biggest test to date.

COYW