Kean: ´Cycle of change´ nearly complete

Blackburn Rovers manager Steve Kean has insisted the side’s ‘cycle of change’ is nearly complete.

Sam Allardyce was dismissed as manager earlier in the season with the club in 13th place and under Steve Kean’s tenure Blackburn have slipped to 16th – sitting just three points above the relegation zone.

But the club’s unsettled period has come to an end according to Kean, whose side travel to West Ham on Saturday after ending an 11-game winless streak with a 1-0 victory over Bolton last weekend.

“There is a cycle of change when any new manager comes in,” Kean said.

“There is the shock first of all, then an acceptance. There is a cycle of change and I think we are coming out of that cycle.”

“I think it just takes time and I think we are nearly there.”

Kean was confident the character of the squad would not only keep them safe this season, but allow them to move on to success the following year.

He said: “We spoke at the hotel before the Bolton game and said we needed the points and we got them.”

“I didn’t doubt us. Maybe I would have started doing if the first 15 minutes of the Manchester City performance had carried on.”

“But City would have been happy with the point by the end and you had to take that as a positive.”

“We have got the character. We have a fantastic group of young guys backed up by experience.”

Blackburn will be without defender Ryan Nelsen (knee), who is out for the season.

Midfielders David Dunn (calf), David Hoilett (hamstring), Keith Andrews (groin) and Vince Grella (Achilles’ tendon) are also unavailable.