ANGRY Blackburn manager Mark Hughes said it was the manner of the defeat to Coventry on Saturday, rather than the 4-1 scoreline, which left him hurting the most.

Hughes kept his players locked in the dressing room after the game, and spelled out a few home truths during a heated post-match inquest.

And he said afterwards: "It was the manner of the defeat more than anything, and that's not to take credit away from Coventry in any way, because they were excellent on the day and really deserved their victory.

"But obviously I'm looking at my team, and for reasons why we performed like that, and the second half was unacceptable."

Although Hughes made four changes to the side that had beaten Sunderland earlier in the week, one of them enforced because of an injury to Roque Santa Cruz, the Rovers boss still felt the side he selected should have had more than enough quality to see off the Sky Blues.

"I made a couple of changes," said Hughes.

"Zurab Khizanishvili had played exceptionally well against Chelsea and Derby, and he was unlucky to go out of the side (against Sunderland).

"I also made a change at full-back because Stephen Warnock has had a lot of games recently, and I thought he was looking tired in midweek.

"So I didn't make great changes - I tried to keep a good core and strength to the team.

"I also felt it was important that I gave Keith Treacy a run-out because he's a young man who we think has a big future.

"Up front, I didn't have a great deal of options (because of injuries). Obviously, Maceo Rigters hasn't played a great deal of games.

"We also lost a number of players to fitness tests just prior to the game; David Dunn and Robbie Savage.

"But, at the end of the day, that's no excuse because we had enough quality on the pitch to make more of a game of it than we did."

Rovers' shock elimination was not just a dent to Hughes' pride; it also had implications in terms of vital revenue streams, particularly as the club also exited Europe early, and slipped out of the Carling Cup at the quarter-final stage.

Hughes added: "We wanted another run. We've had two cup semi-finals, and we've enjoyed the success we've had in the competition during my time here.

"But we certainly didn't enjoy this experience.

"We must give credit to Coventry; I thought they were excellent and thoroughly deserved their win because they were better."