A BEWILDERED Ryan Nelsen has pleaded with his new bosses to ‘tell us what is going on’ after launching a thinly veiled attack on their decision to sack Sam Allardyce.

Blackburn Rovers’ club skipper believes Saturday’s below par display in the 1-1 home draw with West Ham was full of tension caused by Allardyce’s shock axing by their Indian owners.

Nelsen, whose second half opener was cancelled out by Junior Stanislas, insists caretaker boss Steve Kean has the team’s full support but admits the whole club needs to be given some clarity on the situation.

Rovers’ new owners, the Rao family, have drawn heavy criticism from all quarters after sacking Allardyce on Monday and Nelsen now wants the confusion to end.

He said: “They want to do it their way, I’ve no problem with that. Good for them.

"But we’re down in the trenches fighting and the Premier League is not easy. It’s as tough as it gets in any sport.

“It would be nice when you’re down in the trenches fighting to get a bit of communication – so that’s what I’d say to them.

“Listen, I have no problem with any owners doing anything, it’s their club.

"But the thing is when you make a monumental decision like that – and it’s the biggest decision any club can any make – you like to think there’s a back-up plan.

“We as players know nothing, the staff know nothing. Nobody knows anything about what’s going on.”

Allardyce’s sacking came with Rovers 13th in the Premier League, having won their last three home games in a row, with mixed messages since sounded about the identity of his successor.

First team coach Steve Kean is the man in the hot seat for the moment but, with no permanent replacement forthcoming, Nelsen admits he has never experienced anything like this.

He said: “I found out about Sam on Sky Sports News like everyone else.

"It’s all a bit worrying. We’ve had other managers at this club but it’s always been handled very well and professionally.

“It’s always been done smoothly, but this was out of left field.

"We want to move on and this could prove to be a very valuable point in the end.

“It really was a strange atmosphere. I think it showed in the game, it wasn’t great quality.

"The tension was in the players and it was in the crowd as well. You can’t blame anyone for that.

“The decision that was made has caused this kind of tension. It was portrayed out there today.

“I have to be honest and say I’ve never known anything like this in my career.

"Managers have come and gone but not like this. This is something new to all of us.”

While the majority have slammed Rovers’ dismissal of Allardyce, the owners of poultry giants Venky’s have insisted it was for the good of the club.

They have slammed Allardyce’s style of football, his transfer policy and insisted they want a “younger and more energetic manager”.

But, when asked if he thought Allardyce would be hurt by the criticisms, Nelsen said: “In all honesty I don’t really think so, do you?

“It would have hurt him if someone who knows the Premier League had said it.

"The criticism has come from people who have never played under him, never been in his position or have never played in the Premier League.

“They’re the ones doing the criticising, so that’s why I say he won’t be losing any sleep.

"People who really know realise what a top manager he is.

“He’s as bewildered as anyone. We all are here. I think the whole country is to be honest.

"But he only wishes the team all the best. That’s Sam for you. He wanted us to go out and win it and that’s a measure of the man.”

Looking ahead, Nelsen admits Saturday’s draw was two points lost as Rovers attempt to draw a line under last week’s events.

He insists the whole squad support temporary manager Kean but fears the owners dreams of becoming a top five side are unrealistic.

Nelsen said: “Steve Kean is a fantastic guy and coach.

"And potentially he’s a very good manager as well. He’s stepped up and he’s gone to a very different job.

"He has to embrace it and he looks like he will.

“We’ve got some very good players. We’re striving to be a top eight team.

"But when they (the owners) talk about the top four and five - look at the teams who are there and the money they’ve spent.”