Jansen: Rovers safe from relegation...

Last updated : 04 April 2002 By Matt

He also commented on how he hopes they will be able to avoid relegation and the possible embarrassment of playing in the UEFA Cup while in Division One.

He announced: "I must be honest - when we came off the pitch against Leicester at the weekend we were absolutely gutted. That was a game we felt confident about winning and although we played well in the second half, we came away with nothing. Then, we heard that some of the other teams around us had done quite well.

"Luckily, we bounced back quickly thanks to some motivational words from the gaffer and we put on a great show against Southampton. I got a lot of praise personally after that game and felt I had a good match. The gaffer had told me to make lots of runs and really stretch their defence. I did and it seemed to work.

"I am now 100 per cent confident that we'll be fine. The teams around us didn't do so well on Monday and if you look at our run-in compared to that of say, Ipswich Town, you will see that the odds are stacked in our favour.

"With our European place already secured, the last thing we want is to be playing in the UEFA Cup as a First Division side. Indeed, if I could trade in our European place for guaranteed league safety I'd happily do so. I think everyone at the club feels that way - well I'd imagine the board certainly do!" He continued...

"Hopefully, we will have both Premiership status and European football next season. We now have a bit of a breathing space until the next game."