Samba vows to pile relegation pressure on local rivals Burnley

26 March 2010 11:41
Chris Samba has dismissed concerns Blackburn will 'go on holiday' now their  Barclays Premier League status is all but secure, and has promised to try and pile more relegation pressure on bitter rivals Burnley in Sunday's derby at Turf Moor. [LNB] Victory over Birmingham on Wednesday night lifted Blackburn into 11th place, 14  points clear of third-from-bottom Burnley, giving Sam Allardyce's side a chance to relax over the final seven games of the season. [LNB]But Samba insisted that does not mean Rovers will be taking it easy or allowing their minds to wander to what they will be doing this summer.[LNB] No letting up: Chris Samba (left) is determined to keep up Blackburn's intensity[LNB] 'We will not start to coast now it looks like we're safe,' said the big defender. 'No at all. Don't expect us to go on holiday. [LNB]'We have a lot of games that are winnable, and a lot of games that are  important to the other teams in the division. [LNB]'We want to climb the table and finish as high as we can. So we will go into  every game and compete fiercely, and play our best.' [LNB] Blackburn came from behind to beat Burnley 3-2 at Ewood Park earlier this season in the first top-flight meeting between the two Lancashire rivals since 1966. [LNB] A repeat performance at Turf Moor this weekend would increase the chances of  Burnley going down after just one season in the Premier League, and Samba has  warned that Rovers are in no mood to do their neighbours any favours.[LNB] Struggling: Wigan's Hugo Rodallega celebrates sending Burnley to another defeat[LNB] He added: 'The pressure is on them is more because they need wins to get out of  trouble, but we will go there looking for three points to keep them there.[LNB] 'This is special for the fans. It's a massive game for them and we need to  produce a very good performance.[LNB] 'There is no way Burnley will be more motivated than us. Because it is an  important local derby it is a good place for us to play next.[LNB] 'It will be more difficult for them because they have to get a result, so maybe  they will leave a bit of space that will make it possible for us to get  something going.' [LNB]Under pressure: Burnley manager Brian Laws[LNB]However, while Blackburn's strength has been their home form this season - five  wins and two draws in their last seven games - Allardyce's side have only won  once away from Ewood, and Samba admits it is a problem they are struggling to  solve.  [LNB]He said: 'Beating Birmingham was important because we want Ewood Park as a  fortress, and to keep it a tough place for anyone to come.[LNB] 'Another three points shows we are in a good way at home, but it makes our away  form look even more poor. We are working hard at it because with good away from  it could be a whole different season.[LNB] 'The major concern has been that we cannot repeat our home form when we go away. [LNB]'The way we play works at home, so why not away? We don't have the answer yet, but we have talked about it for the past year and we just have to keep working  on it, cut out the mistakes and make us more difficult to beat.'  [LNB] THE FIRING LINE! It's another mauling for Gianfranco Zola - defeat to Wolves leaves the Hammers boss favourite for the chop Burnley boss Laws calls on Clarets to make history and avoid the dropBLACKBURN ROVERS FC

Source: Daily_Mail