ROBBIE Savage has revealed the inspiration behind his new-look disciplinary record - the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.

Our Blackburn Rovers jury criticised the midfielder on Thursday for getting booked too early in games, thus reducing the influence he has when competing the centre of the park.

But Savage used the comments, published in last Thursday's edition, to keep his nose clean against West Ham United on Saturday.

And it was no mean achievement, given that referee Mike Riley was brandishing the yellow cards like confetti during the game.

Riley booked nine different players - six from West Ham and three from Rovers - but, remarkably, Savage was not one of those who had his name taken.

It's not that the all-action man is pulling out of challenges early in the game, he's simply more determined than ever to make sure he gets the ball.

"I read a few things in the Evening Telegraph where people were saying I get booked too early, but that's the way I play," said Savage.

"I got my tackles in on Saturday and won every one of them, so it's a fine margin.

"Sometimes you're going to mis-time the odd one, which gets you into trouble."