BRIAN Kidd today stood by his scathing post-match words and vowed to put back what is missing into gloom-laden Ewood Park - a heartbeat and spirit.

And the Rovers boss stressed to the fans that he was big enough and strong enough to transform a club which has been going downhill for four years.

"I don't regret a word I said on Saturday. I have tried to nurse those players through and everything was right up to kick-off time," he said.

"But I cannot defend what I saw against Forest. It goes deeper because everyone knows what has happened at this club over a long period.

"It has become spiritless. Every time there has been trouble people have jumped off and rowed ashore. We have to build a spirit, we have to get a heartbeat back into the club and by that I don't mean throwing pound notes at it.

"It takes a different strategy now.

"Getting the heartbeat of the club back is the basic starting point." Kidd knows he faces a massive task as Rovers, all but mathematically doomed to the drop, must bounce straight back.

But he said: "I am big enough. I'm not scared that's for sure and I have confidence in my own ability."

There will undoubtedly be significant changes this summer. But he also acknowledged that isn't quite as easy as it seems to move players on.

Kidd said: "I understand that but I think we need a lot of new faces, I don't think that's in question.

"I am not going to talk about individuals but I think everyone has known for a while what the situation is.

"There are no instant solutions. In my opinion, it's a big rebuilding job. We have to look at it at the end of the season, what's gone wrong and why it has gone wrong.

Striker Matt Jansen accepted the manager's verdict.

"To be fair, if the gaffer thinks we lacked heart then we lacked heart," he said.

"With the fans getting behind you like ours did so well, with them being bottom of the league and then going down to 10 men, we've got to look at ourselves and think 'We should be getting three points here'.

"The injuries we've had have been horrendous, and I'm not 100% fit even though I played.

"It does look like it's been a bit of a jinx, but the gaffer doesn't want to use that as an excuse.

"You look at the fans and they were brilliant and they deserve better - but unfortunately we could not give it to them."

Kevin Gallacher limped off in injury time against Forest on Saturday, after the subs had all been used, and seemed to be feeling his hamstring. He could be a big doubt for Wednesday's game against Manchester United when anything but a Rovers victory will confirm relegation. Both Charlton and Southampton pulled off shock away wins on Saturday. Charlton were 4-3 winners at Villa in a remarkable game while Southampton cruised it 2-0 at Wimbledon, James Beattie opening the scoring.

Ashley Ward, still suffering the after-effects of the battering he took at the hands of Charlton keeper Andy Petterson, failed a fitness test on Saturday and Jason McAteer also had to drop out with a leg injury.

Rovers' under-17 side brought a ray of sunshine to the gloom with a sensational 5-1 away win over Manchester United to reach the final of the Academy play-offs.

United, unbeaten throughout the season, put the well-organised Rovers under a lot of pressure in the game which finished goalless and went to extra time.

There had been signs of Rovers growing stronger towards the end and they came good in the extra period, overpowering their opponents. Marc Richards and a Steve Flitcroft penalty put Rovers 2-0 up and, after United had pulled a goal back, Stuart Howson made it 3-1. Further goals from Michael Lawless and Ben Burgess completed a shock scoreline.

Rovers now meet either Newcastle or Manchester City in the final, date and venue also still to be decided.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.