Exclusive by Phil McNulty
Chief football writer |
Graeme Souness insists Blackburn Rovers are setting their sights on a traditional target as they prepare for the Premiership kick-off - top flight survival.
 Souness is keen on safety first |
Souness is still in cautious mood despite finishing sixth last season and earning qualification for the Uefa Cup.
He is convinced a Champions League place and a tilt at the title is out of reach, making staying in the Premiership Blackburn's top priority.
But Souness is equally adamant that Blackburn's squad is stronger this time around, despite losing key duo David Dunn and Damien Duff to Birmingham and Chelsea for a combined total of �22.5m.
Souness has strengthened his squad with the experience of Rangers' captain Lorenzo Amoruso, Millwall winger Steven Reid and the permanent capture of Slovakian defender Vratislav Gresko.
But his most eye-catching signing of all is the bargain �2.2m transfer of Feyenoord's highly-rated Australian Brett Emerton.
Souness, in an exclusive interview with this website, said: "I think we are now a stronger group than we were last year.
"We are without two of our biggest flair players after losing Damien Duff and David Dunn, but I think overall we are stronger.
"But that doesn't mean we'll finish above sixth. All the major players finished above us last season and realistically we can't get into that group."
Souness is blunt about his target for the coming season: "Same target as last year - 40 points.
"This will generally mean survival, and after that you try to get more points than you got the season before.
"There are four or five teams who can win the league - the rest of us are trying to remain in it."
He added: "Getting into Europe didn't affect our thinking in the transfer market at all.
"We knew for a long time we were making three changes, with Keith Gillespie, Henning Berg and Stig Bjornebye going, and we are happy with our summer's business."
Emerton's Australian background appealed to Souness, who is a big admirer of his fellow countryman at Ewood Park Lucas Neill.
He told BBC Sport: "We think we have done very good business in getting Brett for �2.2m, but the time for judgement is after he's played a year in the Premiership.
 Emerton is a bargain buy |
"I think the English cricketers know the Australians are pretty good at sport and have a wonderful attitude. I like it."
And Souness is looking for development in other areas to build on the success of last season.
"I'm looking for our two strikers, Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke, to score more goals.
"Last season was their worst return in the Premier League since they have been playing in it.
"I'm looking for improvement from our younger players. I've got a local boy called Paul Gallagher who we have hopes for.
"And James McEveley showed last year he can handle playing in the Premier League so we will look to get him in when we think it is right.
"We have a nice mixture but it is going to be a hard season."
And Souness is looking to midfield man David Thompson to rediscover the form that won him a call-up to the England squad last season before injury curtailed his campaign.
"Tommo is looking really sharp in pre-season and I believe he's a ten goals a season man in the Premier League from midfield."
Souness points to the usual suspects when it comes to the title chase.
He said: "Manchester United again for me, but there is still Arsenal and Chelsea will also be a lot stronger for their signings, so don't rule them out."
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There are four or five teams who can win the league - the rest of us are trying to remain in it 
