We can sustain this start, says Blackburn Rovers boss (From Lancashire Telegraph)
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We can sustain this start, says Blackburn Rovers boss
1:00pm Monday 17th September 2012 in News
By Andy Cryer, Blackburn Rovers reporter
STEVE Kean believes Blackburn Rovers have what it takes to sustain their Championship promotion drive – after hailing his side’s character and courage on Saturday.
The Rovers boss was quick to admit they have to improve defensively, following a thrilling 5-3 win over Bristol City, but believes they will thrive on the pressure of being top of the league.
Two goals in injury time spared Rovers blushes, as Bristol City pegged them back twice, to maintain an unbeaten start to the season and put themselves at the top of the Championship.
Kean said: “We want the pressure, we have a good enough squad that can sustain being at the top for the whole season. We are in a nice strong position.
“We showed character and showed when you get a group of players who want to win enough, somehow you just get that bit extra.
“I thought overall we deserved the points even though we were pulling our hair out because our defending has to improve.
“The big positive we took was from going behind, it was a schoolboy goal, and we showed good courage to dictate the rest of the half and continue passing the ball and making chances.
“I thought we were well deserved of the victory.
“I thought our performance was good.
“I don’t think our defending, as a team, was great.”
With home games against Barnsley and Middlesbrough up next, Kean was refusing to get carried away after insisting his side ‘can only get better’.
“Six goals away from home is poor but four points away from home,” he said.
“That was a very good Bristol City side, they played their stuff and tried to pass the ball.
“It is about enjoying being top of the league and enjoying getting three points on the road. We can only improve.
“It was really, really difficult because when you lose someone like Gael Givet – I think he has bust a blood vessel in his leg, then you lose Markus with a hamstring.
“We will patch everyone up, we have a squad and will need to use that for the next two games.”
Kean also had some words of praise for Jordan Rhodes, after Rovers £8million man bagged an impressive brace.
The Scottish striker was a handful throughout and Kean believes there is more to come.
He said: “You pay for class. I can’t remember him giving the ball away. You get the ball to him and it sticks and he gets his chances and can score at ease.
“He is not even fazed, that is just what he does. He has the ability to always ask questions of the last defender and play off his shoulder.
“His movement is excellent and he will only get better. I felt he led the line very well, his finishes were class. When he went through on goal we expected him to score and that is a mark of his class.”
Comments are closed on this article.

Comments (68)
1:09pm Mon 17 Sep 12
Tuo Neak says...
I think its amazing we are doing so well with such an incompetent manager, how great it is to see Rovers top of the league. To be 100% happy why not sack the man as well?
1:13pm Mon 17 Sep 12
dogsb****cks says...
Carragher in....
Kean and the rest of the muppets out!!!!!!!!!
1:16pm Mon 17 Sep 12
AndyW says...
Nothing else is relevant until the incompetent weasel is sacked.
1:16pm Mon 17 Sep 12
1riversider says...
Surely, even this so called manager can see the need to go into the loan market for experienced cover at the back, otherwise this start could soon be wasted.
COME ON YOU BLUES
1:17pm Mon 17 Sep 12
Ryanb74 says...
Is that why you're balder than a baboon's arse then Kean? Same old story for so long...
1:21pm Mon 17 Sep 12
makaveli96 says...
1:34pm Mon 17 Sep 12
hotpot8200 says...
But Rovers player keep up the good work train harder in defense and yes Robbo u as well, see you in Notts
1:37pm Mon 17 Sep 12
OnePostThenTheOther says...
KEAN OUT
FOOTBALL MANAGER IN
1:42pm Mon 17 Sep 12
Bangkok Rover says...
Hallelujah - now get together with your defensive coach and effing do something about it.
1:49pm Mon 17 Sep 12
wampam says...
1:49pm Mon 17 Sep 12
Lancs - pensioner says...
2:02pm Mon 17 Sep 12
bburnrover says...
What does Black do it says Hendry is the assistant on the web site I thought he was a defensive coach a job noone else would take on lightly with Keans tatics hampering them.
2:14pm Mon 17 Sep 12
Xander_ says...
2:20pm Mon 17 Sep 12
bburnrover says...
2:23pm Mon 17 Sep 12
dangerous dave says...
OUT WITH KEAN AGNEW SINGH HENDRY VENKYS IN WITH THOUSANDS OF FANS
2:27pm Mon 17 Sep 12
Harwoodstblue says...
What did he say......This is a very tough place to come. Not many teams will get anything at Ipswich this season.
......and the same at Bristol City.
Why is it Steve that every team we play "are very tough"
2:31pm Mon 17 Sep 12
jogalot says...
KEAN OUT!
2:32pm Mon 17 Sep 12
handsj14 says...
2:32pm Mon 17 Sep 12
Harry N.Cyprus says...
Is it me that can't count ..
Should it not be ..
“Seven goals away from home is poor but five points away from home,”
Probably wasn't at The Ipswich game ..
2:33pm Mon 17 Sep 12
OnePostThenTheOther says...
Desperate Dann
Le croque Givet
Calamity Hanley (who's he supposed to be learning off?)
The Olsson Wingers
Tutored by the useless Kean and soak Hendry?
In the words of the pie and pint bothering rotund one: Get Real.
We will be playing Championship football until May 2014.
2:33pm Mon 17 Sep 12
jogalot says...
2:46pm Mon 17 Sep 12
RTID says...
I think I speak for the majority of Rovers fans when I say - I'd rather we were winning and at the top.
We all know he should've got the sack at the end of the season but as he didn't we'll just have to let things take their course.
2:46pm Mon 17 Sep 12
BlueSkies says...
2:46pm Mon 17 Sep 12
angryandy says...
2:48pm Mon 17 Sep 12
Truerover85 says...
Rhodes wasnt in the three players he said he hadnt seen in live play?
We're top of the league so he must be doing something right!
Go and support Man City You scum!
2:56pm Mon 17 Sep 12
AndyW says...
3:06pm Mon 17 Sep 12
RTID says...
Martin Olsson has the potential to be a great left back. Had Wallcott in his pocket against Arsenal.
Dann is starting to look better.
Givet is a beast and plays most games.
Lowe, Orr, and Ribeiro can do a job at right back in this league.
3:07pm Mon 17 Sep 12
Bill Carson says...
Even if Rovers get promoted, how can anybody celebrate the same regime that spent 18 months wrecking the club? And that still remains a big IF.
3:12pm Mon 17 Sep 12
MxMave says...
Yes it its REALLY REALLY difficult when you havent bought any backup players whatsoever for that position. Once again Kean curses his luck when he his the master of his own demise.
3:15pm Mon 17 Sep 12
MxMave says...
We SCRAPE through and win 5-3 on saturday against a horrendous team, we've SCRAPED most of our results so far this season and you say "THE MAN MUST BE DOING SOMETHING RIGHT!".
Yeah... it's called getting 12m in your backpocket to spend on players. Even you, in your special latex gimpsuit, with 12 million, would see BRFC to the top of the table.
If you read what the guy said, he mentioned nothing about the 3 Portugese players he saw, your just illiterate.
3:30pm Mon 17 Sep 12
Tuo Neak says...
3:37pm Mon 17 Sep 12
Mike_82 says...
3:37pm Mon 17 Sep 12
Truerover85 says...
yes we've let in far too many goals, but we're un beaten in the league... only other team is forrest.
We've scored the most goals.
He's signed some great players.
If he went who do half these so called fans think will replace him???
the way he's been treated by the fans wouldnt make any potential replacement jump out of his seat only to receive the samne treatment.
I cant see Jose Mourinho taking over anytime soon.
3:38pm Mon 17 Sep 12
Mike_82 says...
3:43pm Mon 17 Sep 12
Tuo Neak says...
3:54pm Mon 17 Sep 12
OnePostThenTheOther says...
3:55pm Mon 17 Sep 12
Truerover85 says...
He's made huge mistakes but rather than walking away he's trying hs best to rectify his mistakes.
Another manager is not the answer at the moment, lets be honest no one thought we were going to be top after 5 matches???
Maybe im the minority who doesnt mind him... I dont think he's the best manager but Im enjoying the fact that we banging in loads of goals!
Long may it continue with or without Kean!
4:05pm Mon 17 Sep 12
Oakdale blue says...
4:06pm Mon 17 Sep 12
OnePostThenTheOther says...
You'll notice that I didn't mention right back. You've got to be desperately poor club to not be able to field a satisfactory RB.
4:07pm Mon 17 Sep 12
Tuo Neak says...
A man of integrity who cared about the football club would have admitted failure and resigned, there is no second chance. If we are top at the end of the season my feelings will still be the same. There are no apologies for relegation, the "forfeit" in Cardiff or the numerous bizarre and ludicrous press statements. The situation is a joke, results mean nothing the football club will only be united after he leaves.
4:15pm Mon 17 Sep 12
OnePostThenTheOther says...
Are you serious!!! BRFC stands for Blackburn Rovers Football Club not The Steve Kean Career Development Project. While Stevie has been making his mistakes we have slipped from 10th in "the League above" to shipping goals for fun against mid-table and lower Championship sides.
4:28pm Mon 17 Sep 12
AndyW says...
5:04pm Mon 17 Sep 12
OnePostThenTheOther says...
5:04pm Mon 17 Sep 12
Reg Rover says...
Sources close to Ewood Park suggest that the Rovers are looking closely at Liverpool’s Jamie Carracher (pic above) as a possible successor to Steve Kean to take the Ewood hot seat.
With attendances plummeting because of Kean’s continued presence at the club Rovers hierarchy feel it is not a situation they can allow to continue indefinitely.
With Rovers having gone top of the N Power Championship table on Saturday, the attendance at Tuesday’s home game v Barnsley is crucial to the future of Kean. Also taking into account the home debut of £8 Million striker Jordan Rhodes, the Rovers hierarchy expect an improvement on the 13,500 attendances at Rovers previous 2 home games.
Despite Kean’s denials that he has not been set a points target as reported in this week’s press and that “someone was mischief making” Kean’s body language at Bristol City on Saturday told a different story. Kean was nervy, edgy and agitated throughout, and his post-match interview was tinged with a touch of modesty and relief. Not the usual bullish, cocky, over confident Kean.
The Rovers hierarchy, now they have men who understand football on the board of directors, i.e. Shebby Singh and Derek Shaw, are fully aware that even though Rovers are unbeaten during the first 5 opening games they could just as easily have lost all 5 , drawn all 5, or won all 5. Rover’s performances have been unconvincing and laced with a little more than good luck.
However, top of the table is top of the table and puts Kean in a position of immense strength. If the ‘wheels’ come off, as many suspect they will, Rovers want a ready-made replacement and Carracher is being seriously considered.
Seventeen years as a player at Liverpool, Carracher is in the last year of his contract and the 34 year old Liverpool icon is unlikely to be offered another. Carracher has made it known he would like to go into football management eventually. He would probably jump at the chance to start his management career with a club as prestigious as Blackburn Rovers.
Carracher is high profile worldwide, which appeals to the Venky’s who want to repair the damage done by Kean to their global brand.
Apart from playing at the very top level both for Liverpool and England, Carracher has won many honours including Champions League Glory in 2005, plus FA Cup, Carling Cup, UEFA Cup, UEFA Super Cup Winners medals plus 38 England Caps. Carracher also made his name as a TV pundit at this year’s Euro finals.
A product of the famous Anfield boot room, Jamie Carracher oozes confidence and experience. He would be a rooky manager and it would be a gamble by the Rover’s. They took a gamble with Kean and it failed. However Mark Hughes was handed his first League management job at Blackburn and proved to be a big success.
Reg.
Footnote:
Will Jason Rhodes save Kean? Probably, this lad could prove to be the next Alan Shearer.
www.regoftherovers.c
o.uk
5:10pm Mon 17 Sep 12
Truerover85 says...
Doesnt matter if we scrape it, the fact is we havent lost in the championship yet!
It makes me laugh when i hear people saying they want the team to lose???
Everyone says how good Rochina is... Kean found him.
Rhodes... Kean brought him.
Gomes... came to blackburn?? Kean.
Ethu looks really good... Kean, He's not that fudging bad at finding fairly good players.
5:25pm Mon 17 Sep 12
jogalot says...
5:25pm Mon 17 Sep 12
jogalot says...
5:26pm Mon 17 Sep 12
jogalot says...
5:29pm Mon 17 Sep 12
jogalot says...
5:30pm Mon 17 Sep 12
pete54 says...
5:55pm Mon 17 Sep 12
mellorb&w says...
And if the only problem is the so called "stayaway" fans then how come the club hasn't got a single sponsor?
6:05pm Mon 17 Sep 12
4youreyesonly says...
6:08pm Mon 17 Sep 12
londonrover says...
6:34pm Mon 17 Sep 12
the_iconoclast says...
7:19pm Mon 17 Sep 12
4youreyesonly says...
8:00pm Mon 17 Sep 12
bluerob says...
I won't be at the Barnsley game or any other until Kean is gone, hope the rest of the 10,000 can stay strong and our objective can be achieved
8:03pm Mon 17 Sep 12
3bricks says...
8:10pm Mon 17 Sep 12
OnePostThenTheOther says...
8:59pm Mon 17 Sep 12
icannotrace says...
Once great club
Jacks Legacy
Acknowledged as best run club in the PL
Like the Hovis ad that was the past you really need to let go and move on. Kean is not going anywhere in the near future so stay away but stop your whinging
9:31pm Mon 17 Sep 12
OnePostThenTheOther says...
10:08pm Mon 17 Sep 12
bluerob says...
Did we have cobbled streets 18 months ago ?
10:51pm Mon 17 Sep 12
Harwoodstblue says...
If you don't like the whinging don't read it, and if you can't stand the heat stay out of the kitchen.
Keep happy clapping and drinking your bovril.
12:18am Tue 18 Sep 12
Matt Newcastle says...
5:19am Tue 18 Sep 12
Roverthere says...
8:08am Tue 18 Sep 12
A Darener says...
Good luck to the team tonight and Friday get into 'em!
8:48am Tue 18 Sep 12
Coeur de Lion says...
9:11am Tue 18 Sep 12
forever blue and white says...
There are so many negative comments it gets boring
Another win tonight and with a bit of luck the moaners may stay away from the website as well as Ewood
Before anyone hits me with Venkys lover are Kean sympathiser I think Kean should have been sacked last year.
He wasnt and there is nothing we can do about that so why not get to Ewood and support the team?
We are top of the league so its not all bad.
5:57pm Tue 18 Sep 12
deano162 says...