Striker Jason Roberts is confident Blackburn will soon be out of trouble if they maintain their Christmas form.

While manager Sam Allardyce has been left feeling as though someone has taken his presents from under the tree, Roberts has managed to find some genuine reasons for optimism from the past two games.

Yes, victories against Sunderland and Manchester City have been tossed away, leaving Rovers to settle for single points that leave them entering 2009 in the relegation zone.

But Roberts feels improvement in all-round attitude and performance since Allardyce replaced Paul Ince a fortnight ago should generate a bullish mood around the Blackburn camp.

"If we carry on like this there won't be a problem," Roberts told rovers.co.uk.

"There is a belief in the squad that we have not had before.

"We look like a different team. We look like a team that believes 100 per cent in what they are doing. We are unified and if we carry on like we did for the first 85 minutes against City, we will win the majority of games."

Roberts also paid a glowing tribute to his strike partnership with Benni McCarthy.

With Roque Santa Cruz seemingly destined to leave in the transfer window, Roberts' axis with McCarthy could prove pivotal, providing Allardyce can persuade the South African to stay at Ewood Park.

Both men were on the mark on Sunday, McCarthy's opener proving how productive their work on the training ground can be.

"We just try to stay close," said Roberts.

"I was digging the ball out to give myself a shot but Benni nipped in to score, which was fantastic.

"He is a top class player and although I am always wary of saying too much because we have other good players at the club, I am enjoying playing with him."

With matches against Fulham, Newcastle, Bolton and Middlesbrough to come in the opening weeks of the new year, Blackburn's destiny remains in their own hands.

If Santa Cruz is sold early enough, Allardyce should be able to reshape his squad and climb away from the bottom three.

However, the Rovers boss recognises the need to learn some fundamental lessons before it is too late.

"Tactically we were almost perfect against City," said Allardyce.

"But the Premier League is very punishing. The opposition is just waiting for a small opportunity and we provided it for them.

"We have made life very difficult for ourselves.

"We just have to make sure psychologically it doesn't knock the players back down again."