LUKE BECKETT believes tomorrow’s high-profile showdown with Blackburn provides the perfect chance for Town to issue a statement of intent.

The striker (pictured) admits he and his teammates were well below par in losing 3-0 in Saturday’s friendly at Rochdale.

But he insists they will get things right in time for the big kick-off at home to Yeovil on Saturday week.

UEFA Cup-bound Rovers arrive at the Galpharm having already played two competitive games against Lithuanians FK Vetra in the Intertoto Cup.

They scored six without reply over the two legs, and have extra firepower in the shape of newly-signed Paraguayan international Roque Santa Cruz.

The former Bayern Munich man is due to make his first appearance for Blackburn against Andy Ritchie’s side.

But last season’s 15-goal Town top scorer says he and his teammates are eager to ensure supporters are talking about their own side.

“The result at Rochdale didn’t look good and I’m sure it wasn’t good to watch,” admitted experienced Beckett. “We got off to an awful start, giving away two goals in the first four minutes, and we never really recovered.

“None of us came out of the game with any credit, and it was a big wake-up call from which we have to learn some lessons.

“Rochdale’s play was very effective. They worked hard, closed us down and kept putting us under pressure in every area. That’s what we should have been doing to them, but we spent too much time trying to play football without earning the right to do it.

“We have to ensure we are doing the right things by the time we play Yeovil, and there’s no better game to bounce back in than against a big Premiership side like Blackburn. We knew Rochdale would give us a test, and they certainly did. Blackburn are bound to do as well, and we have to deal with it far better.”