Ince demands more from troops

Rovers boss expects better after sixth league loss of the season

Last updated: 16th November 2008

Ince demands more from troops

Ince: Expects better

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Blackburn Rovers boss Paul Ince feels 'let down' by the majority of his players that suffered a 2-1 loss against Sunderland on Saturday.

Rovers now find themselves in the relegation zone, without a win in their previous seven Premier League outings.

Ince, who took over from Mark Hughes at Ewood Park in the summer, has told his charges they must 'stand up and be counted'.

He said: "We just had a great opportunity after winning (in the Carling Cup) on Wednesday. I played a full strength side but the majority of them let me down.

"Samba was outstanding and Roque (Santa Cruz) was out of this world. The others have got to stand up and be counted.

Leaders

"They have to realise they are in a dogfight and need to have that survival instinct about them.

"The disappointing thing is we capitulated when it went to 1-1. We did not have any leaders or characters to get us back together.

"It can't always come from the staff and the management, it has got to come from them. They are the ones out there."

He added: "We know where we are now. There is a long way to go and I don't want to go over the top at the moment.

"We are under no illusions. We have not spent the most money in this league, probably the second lowest. We are changing things at the club but it will take time."