CHERRIES skipper Karl Broadhurst is pointing to the return to form at Hillsborough as inspiration for a possible Carling Cup shock.

Sean O'Driscoll's side face the daunting task of overhauling Premiership giants Blackburn Rovers tonight (Ewood Park, September 22, 7.45pm kick-off) but are back on the winning trail after a run of three straight defeats was ended with their gritty display in Yorkshire at the weekend.

Broadhurst, who skippered the side in the absence of the injured Marcus Browning, will take the captain's armband once again if the ex-Gillingham man is ruled out with his ongoing calf problem. The popular defender told the Daily Echo: "We're going to a Premiership team and a lot of the lads aspire to play at a higher level. The more experience we get of playing at these types of grounds, the better for us. But it is a chance for us to show what we can do against higher opposition and we're looking forward to it.

"I don't see why we cannot beat them. Hopefully they'll let us play a bit and we know they can play so it should be an entertaining game. Everyone knows we are capable of passing the ball as well as anyone in our division and that may take them by surprise."

Although confidence did not hit rock-bottom during the winless run, the victory at Sheffield Wednesday has given the players an added spring in their step.

Broadhurst revealed: "That was a big three points for us. We had a point to prove to ourselves, the fans and everyone really that we are still a good side. Even though we've lost Carl Fletcher, I think we showed that at Sheffield Wednesday.

"We couldn't really put our finger on what has been going wrong in the last couple of weeks. Sean has been asking us what's wrong and saying that we didn't look the same side as we did in the past.

"But the character was back at Hillsborough. People were throwing themselves in the way of the ball when we were under pressure, everyone was getting their tackles in and that is what you need to get points away from home.

"It was a scrappy game that probably wasn't great to watch but we showed that steel and determination to get the win. We'll need some more of the same at Blackburn."

After the side's poor display at Brentford three weeks ago, the Portsmouth-born defender admitted the side were forced to face a few home thruths to turn things around.

He said: "We learnt a very valuable lesson at Brentford. I don't think I've ever played in a game where we played so poorly - especially in the first half. We were awful.

"We'd all tell you that we were a million miles away from how we can play but we have come to the attitude that we know some teams will try and spoil the game when they play against us. But we have got to adapt to that. We can't play pretty football all the time and at Sheffield Wednesday we showed that.

"Most teams have a bad run at some point in the season but when that happens, you really need your players to stick together and halt it as quickly as you can. Hopefully we have turned the corner now and can look forward to the rest of the season with a bit of optimism."

As for the captaincy, the 24-year-old is happy to do his bit for the side as long as he is required.

He said: "The captaincy gives you a bit of a lift because you feel responsible for the team and when things are going wrong, people look to you to get things going. I think the added repsonsibility makes you play a little bit better.

"But whether I carry on as captain is down to Sean. I have enjoyed the experience of doing it for two games but if Browner comes back in to take over, I've no problem with that."