Kean believes shortage of composure cost Rovers dear in defeat to Newcastle (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Kean believes shortage of composure cost Rovers dear in defeat to Newcastle

8:32am Thursday 2nd February 2012 in News

STEVE Kean believes a lack of composure cost his Blackburn Rovers side last night but insists they will win enough games to win their relegation battle.

A first half own goal from Scott Dann and Gabriel Obertan’s last minute strike was enough to secure Newcastle United a 2-0 win at Ewood Park – as Rovers were made to pay for a host of missed opportunities.

David Dunn saw a first half penalty saved by Tim Krul, while full debutant Anthony Modeste, Gael Givet, Scott Dann and Mauro Formica were all guilty of spurned opportunities.

Rovers remain in the Premier League drop zone ahead of Saturday’s tough trip to Arsenal but Kean insists more performances like last night will take his side to safety.

He said: “We had enough chances and clear cut chances to win three games never mind one. I felt we did not start the game well but after the deflected goal we controlled the first half.

“I would not be surprised if we had more than double the amount of shots than Newcastle had.

“The performance level we were happy but I felt we snatched at a few chances and did not show enough composure in front of goal.

“I would not blame my players at all. I thought we had a real good go at it and if we can get that type of performance against a team like Newcastle then we will win enough games in the rest of the season.

“We are normally composed and we normally score. We usually have the Yak up front and he does not get over excited easily. He is normally calm and clinical.”

Bordeaux loanee Modeste made his first Rovers start after David Goodwillie withdrew late on through illness, with Yakubu serving the second of a three-match suspension.

The young striker proved a handful throughout but saw several chances go begging as he spurned good chances of grabbing a debut goal.

Kean said: “I think Anthony did really well on his debut and was probably unlucky not to get a goal on his debut. He had enough chances maybe to get a hat trick.

“Each time the ball fell to him and it never happened, he was trying a bit too hard but I think he showed enough to suggest he is going to add something to our squad.

“Anthony never knew until the last minute he was playing, with Goodwillie having flu, so maybe he got a bit excited but it wasn’t only him. We missed other chances as well.”

Kean confirmed Chris Samba had been left out of the squad again because ‘his head was not in the right place’ but said he would hold talks with him this week to get him back involved as soon as possible.

He also wished Ryan Nelsen the best after claiming Rovers agreed to let the Kiwi leave on deadline day because they didn’t want to stand in his way.