ROY HODGSON admits he is relieved Fulham's run of midweek fixtures has come to an end so his players can concentrate their energies on just one game a week.

The Whites slipped to a second successive midweek defeat on Wednesday night - Blackburn's 2-1 win coming just seven days after the home defeat by Hull.

Bobby Zamora missed the match with a hip injury and the Fulham boss is noticing his team is starting to feel the strain.

He has kept faith with his best 11 for most of the season but after three home defeats in a week, some freshness is required.

"I think we really do need the situation again where we're playing one game a week," Hodgson said - mindful that it was the fourth week running his players had to contend with a midweek game.

"We've got a very small squad and of course we have lost a couple recently which hasn't helped us.

"I'm just grateful that we have got a margin to go on because it's going to be a tough last 10 games for us and we've got to pick ourselves up to get the points we need to keep us in the league.

"From the situation we're in, right the way down to the Portsmouth it's only six points.

"It's good to have those six points but of course you can't stop looking over your shoulder.

"We've got to pick ourselves up from the last three defeats, taking the cup game into account as well, and try to get back on track and try to get the points needed."

Those sentiments are a far cry from the loftier ambition of a Uefa Cup place next season that were aired just a couple of weeks ago, but it is understandable given that the Whites still have to play Man United, Villa and Liverpool at home and Chelsea away.

It had all started so well for Fulham on Wednesday - Clint Dempsey opening the scoring after just 90 seconds. Sporting an outrageous pair of green boots, the American latched on to Danny Murphy's header, outmuscled Ryan Nelson and slotted home past Paul Robinson into the bottom corner.

Fulham continued to take the game to Rovers, who appeared shell-shocked after conceding so early. Andy Johnson and Simon Davies both had chances to extend Fulham's lead but good defending and a fine stop from Robinson keep them at bay.

Slowly Blackburn started to work their way back into the game, and a curling Stephen Warnock shot look destined for the net, only for a post to intervene.

It was a warning for what was to come in the second half.

The visitors peppered the Fulham penalty area with long balls and showed greater desire to win the second ball and it was no surprise when they levelled.

Yet another long ball was directed away by the impressive Brede Hangeland. Tugay's looped header

found Christopher Samba on the edge of the six-yard box, who nodded on for El-Hadji Diouf to tap in at the back post.

Fulham continued to sit back and five minutes from time, Jason Roberts made sure Rovers took all three points back to Lancashire.

With his back to goal, the burly striker received the ball from Morten Gamst Pedersen, and using his strength, he rolled substitute Toni Kallio and shot beyond Schwarzer.

Hodgson's men travel to Bolton on Saturday and the boss is expecting another bruising encounter.

"I think we've had a good warning of what's to come on Saturday and we'll have to try once again to deal with it and to make sure that when the chances come our way we finish them," he said.

"They are a team that pressurise the ball well and get it forward very early and use the strength of their front players and their height.

"It's going to be a tough game for us, we've got two days to try and lick our wounds and get some energy back into the players."

Hodgson is hopeful that Zamora will overcome his injury but he will be without the services of Aaron Hughes, who picked up a rib injury. Match Summary FULHAM (1) 1 BLACKBURN (0) 2 Line-up: Schwarzer; Pantsil, Hughes (Kallio 77), Hangeland, Konchesky; Davies (Nevland 90), Murphy, Etuhu, Gera (Kamara 80); Johnson, Dempsey. Subs not used: Zuberbühler, Dacourt, Gray, Stoor. Attendance: 22,259, GOALS: Dempsey (2), Diouf (69), Roberts (85).

MoM: Mark Schwarzer

Next Up: BOLTON WS

Reebok Stadium Saturday 3pm Premier League

Manager: Gary Megson Position last season: 16th Form Guide: Bolton have climbed steadily away from the danger zone in recent weeks to find themselves just a point and a place behind the Whites at the weekend. Three successive home wins against Tottenham (3-2),West Ham (2-1) and Newcastle (1-0) have given them a vital cushion and they now have as many wins (six) as defeats at the Reebok. That stability has been reflected in a new deal for Megson, who has partly won over a doubting public, who were not convinced he was no more the right man to follow Big Sam Allardyce than Little Sammy Lee.

Players to look out for: The highly experienced and ultra-physical Kevin Davies continues to be a thorn in the side for most defences. [25a0] Most recent meetings: Fulham 2-1 Bolton Ws (13 Sep 2008); Bolton Ws 0-0 Fulham (29 Jan 2008) - Prem Lge; Fulham 1-2 Bolton Ws (26 Sep 2007) - League Cup.

Head-to-head record: BW Wins: 31 FFC Wins: 24 Draws: 20

Match Facts: The 76th meeting between the clubs, who were both promoted to the Premier League in the same season. In those eight seasons of top-flight football, Fulham have won eight times and lost only three encounters - although there has been a League and FA cup win for Wanderers in that time. Fulham last won at Bolton in 2004 when Brian McBride scored twice on the final day of the season. Goals from Zoltan Gera and Bobby Zamora gave the Whites a Cottage win when the sides met in September.

Forecast: The search for a first away win of the season in 15 matches on the road could be thwarted again. We go for a draw.

Gazetteforecast success rate: 19 correct out of 35 (54%).