Friday Sep 21 2007 08:20
Blackburn manager Mark Hughes admitted he was mystified by his side's poor showing in the surprise 2-0 UEFA Cup defeat at the hands of Larissa.
Rovers are facing an uphill battle to qualify for the group stages after producing a below-par display to lose to the Greek side in Thursday's first leg of their first round tie.
Hughes' side conceded twice inside 90 seconds to leave them staring an early European exit in the face.
The defeat was also their first of what had been an impressive season to date.
"We are disappointed with the level of performance and product, and we are a better team than that," said Hughes.
"It was not a performance we were expecting, in particular after our excellent run of 15 games unbeaten.
"Up until now we have shown great quality and great energy, but they were missing.
"I'm sure at the weekend (against Portsmouth) our performance will be a lot better, but this is a mystery to us."
Meanwhile, Hughes has revealed captain Ryan Nelsen is likely to be out of action for around a month after picking up a fresh hamstring injury during the second half.
Nelsen missed the first half of the last campaign with an original injury to his left hamstring which required extensive surgery.
"It's the same hamstring he had the operation on," admitted Hughes.
"It's a little bit of scar tissue that has released itself, which in the long term he will be better for.
"But in the short term he is likely to miss three or four games."
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