Blackburn Rovers dressing room view on fans' Venky's noise

Blackburn Rovers beat Millwall 3-1. <i>(Image: PA)</i>
Blackburn Rovers beat Millwall 3-1. (Image: PA)
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Dapo Afolayan admitted Blackburn Rovers fans' vociferous response to Venky's Ewood Park return helped spur them to victory.

The ownership came under the spotlight once again after Balaji Rao attended the match against Millwall. That was the first in-person owner representation in Blackburn for eight years.

Supporters responded with anti-Venky's chants, which actually drummed up a fiery atmosphere and proved helpful for the players.

Afolayan did not hide away from the topic and admitted there were benefits for the players. He hopes that they were sent home happy with the three points.

"I will not lie and pretend we don't know what is going on with the club and the fans," Afolayan told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"I have played in a place (Germany) that is really big on fan opinion and them having their say. They are allowed to voice their opinion.

"The thing for us as players is we want the fans to support us and give us as big a push as possible. It can't be underestimated; when the fans are loud and behind you, it really helps.

"We want to repay that, I always talk about being a football fan. I love football and as a fan, I know what that feeling is like.

"You spend your hard-earned money and travel to watch your team. I hope they've all had a good weekend and they're happy at work.

"We want to give them that and we need them for that. It was loud, we could hear it. Positive or negative, it's good for us.

"It gives the game a different edge. As a group of players, we focused hard on giving the fans something to be happy about, despite the noise."

After pictures circulated on social media, the response inside the stadium was defiant. Yet that actually galvanised the fans to back the team even more.

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