Toon Fans Backing Fulham!

Hodgson: "I guess there are parallels with me (last season) and I think Sam and Harry would certainly say so.

"But the position when I took over was, I think, more perilous. I think that Harry, with the money he has had to make signings, and Sam, with the quality of the squad at his disposal, were in a more comfortable position in terms of what they found in front of them.

"Having said that, I was lucky that I got a terrific response from the players when I arrived and they put in performances that they had not put in before. That is what Sam will be hoping for.

"The lucky thing for Blackburn, as for Tottenham, is they have a manager of great experience - both of football and of the Premier League.

"Because of that I do not think they are going to get caught out by anything that happens and they will also be able to put perspective on victories and defeats. That is important."