BRETT Emerton believes Blackburn Rovers are still trying to find the right balance after admitting ‘we have to become harder to beat’.

The Australian midfielder is confident Rovers’ new footballing approach will ultimately reap its rewards but admits they were a little too gung-ho in their desire to kill Wigan off on Saturday.

Since Sam Allardyce was sacked as manager in December, successor Steve Kean has attempted to make Rovers a more entertaining side by encouraging his players to express themselves.

This was in full evidence on Saturday with Rovers scoring three goals at the DW Stadium but, eventually losing to Wigan 4-3, Emerton knows a little restraint is sometimes needed.

He said: “It was certainly entertaining that’s for sure.

"Obviously we have come out on the wrong end of the scoreboard and that is disappointing but we will try and take some positives from it, pick ourselves up and make sure we do well next week.

“Especially the first 20 minutes of the game, we started reasonably well, put them under a lot of pressure but unfortunately were unable to hold on to the early lead.

“Maybe we should have made ourselves a little harder to beat rather than go for that killer second goal.

"In playing the way we are trying to play the moment, in being a little bit more attacking, we are going to leave ourselves open at times.

“As a team we have to rectify that and make ourselves harder to beat and find the right balance between going forward and defending.

“You come away from home, score three goals and you come away with nothing.

"It is definitely disappointing but it is all about finding the right balance and there are still some positives to take so we will keep our heads up and I think things are still looking good for the future.”

Rovers host Newcastle United on Saturday in 11th position in the Premier League, five points clear of the danger zone and just six points off seventh-placed Sunderland.

The Magpies arrive at Ewood level on points with Kean’s men and Emerton believes a home win would quickly have them looking back up the table again.

“It is the strangest season I have ever been involved in,” said Emerton. “It is so close and one or two wins can really push you right up there.

“We are right in the thick of it in the middle at the moment but we have every confidence we can string a few wins together and finish in the top half.

“If we don’t get a win against Newcastle on Saturday then definitely we will start looking over your shoulder a little bit and it makes it that little bit harder to play.

“Saturday is a massive game for us but we have a strong squad, probably the strongest squad I have been involved in since I have been at Blackburn and competition for places is fierce, so I am sure we will be okay.

“Everyone is vying for positions and everyone has been doing well in recent weeks so it is big competition for places.

"That forces you to go out as a player and give that extra five or 10 per cent.”