Blackburn Rovers boss aiming to get out of a Jam (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Blackburn Rovers boss aiming to get out of a Jam

12:30pm Saturday 28th April 2012 in Blackburn Rovers & Premier League Table & Results By Andy Cryer , Blackburn Rovers reporter

STEVE Kean isn’t planning on playing the blues this summer, after insisting relegation has not even been seriously discussed with all thoughts on staying in the Premier League.

The Rovers boss, who revealed he plays the guitar most nights to help him take his mind off a tense relegation battle, admits owners Venky’s have been on the phone playing the Premier League ‘numbers game’ – as they try to work out what points tally will keep them in the league.

Ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Spurs though, Kean insists there is no point in worrying about what has gone on elsewhere earlier in the weekend after admitting all predictions are pointless.

“I play both electric and standard guitar, I’ve been playing badly for eight or nine years,” he said. “It’s something I’ve always been into. I like Paul Weller, all the old school stuff.

“It’s in the house so I just have a little half hour most evenings.

“When you’re rubbish at playing the guitar, you can’t think of anything else!

“It’s a good way to relax though.

“You’re as well not looking at the league.

“Just focus on your own three games, make sure you train well, know the game plan inside out, and just go out and try and get something from each game.

“That’s the best way of doing it otherwise you end up playing mind games with yourself.

“You look at a fixture and think ‘that’s going to go for us’ and it doesn’t. You end up in a bad place.

“You’re as well forgetting about it and going about your own business.”

While unsure whether Venky’s will be putting in an appearance between now and the end of the season, with their club deep in the relegation mire, Kean insists they are watching everything that is happening.

He is adamant though that no plans have yet been made for the worst case scenario as survival remains their only focus, saying: “I spoke with the owners yesterday (Thursday).

“They wanted to know my opinion on the amount of points it will take. It changes every week.

“Four or five games ago it looked like it would be the low 30s, then the mid 30s, now it could end up being close to 40 again. You don’t know. All we can do is be positive.

“They’re watching every game.

“Not just our games but games in and around us. They’re anxious just like everybody else to make sure we get the points.

“It’s easier for us because we’re involved in it and can affect it. We can go out and train, prepare and set up different exercises, give the lads something to focus on.

“The lads know Tottenham are a good team in many different areas but they’ve also conceded goals.

“We can work towards a victory but someone who’s not working at it every day maybe gets a little bit more anxious and frustrated.

“You can never call it. There are so many different permutations, nobody will ever get it spot on.

“The stattos told me six weeks ago that it was 33 or 34 with a good goal difference. Then it’s gone up, and up again.

“There’s going to be a week when most teams don’t get a result and we do, or vice-versa.

“We’ve been through that scenario. It’s very difficult to call but we’ve got to try and get something from every game and we’ve got to beat Wigan. Our plan is staying up. That’s the only scenario we’ve spoken about.”

Rovers are no strangers to the pressure of a relegation battle having only survived last season with a final day win at Wolves.

And, with just three games to go and sitting in the drop zone, Kean believes those past experiences can only help.

He said: “I think it does help.

“The players have been through it before last season.

“At the time, it’s not necessarily enjoyable. But when you come out the other end you think ‘this is what we did to get ourselves out of it.’ This is how we set up, this was how the things were good and not so good.

“And predominately they were the same group so we could call on those experiences.”