Kean happy with share of spoils

Blackburn boss Steve Kean praised his side’s fighting spirit after they came back from two goals down to draw with Blackpool on Saturday.

Kean’s side were heading for a shock home defeat after Charlie Adam struck two goals in five first-half minutes but Christopher Samba’s 49th minute goal re-energised Rovers.

They went searching for more goals and although they could only claim a point, they will be happy with the late nature of it, with Junior Hoilett’s stoppage time strike ensuring both sides would be forced to share the spoils.

“It shows the determination and the team spirit of the lads,” Kean said.

“Full credit to them. I said to them at half-time, it’s very easy for me to come in, when we’re 2-0 down, and change the shape of the team, change the personnel.”

“But why don’t we go out and perform like we did at the beginning of the first half? And full credit to them, they did. After we scored, the crowd got behind us and I thought they were tremendous. After that we had a real good go and dug something out of the game.”

Kean also praised Hoilett’s involvement after he netted his second goal in as many games, and fourth since Christmas, to rescue the day for Rovers.

“He’s a great player. Junior was exceptional. I don’t know who picks the man of the match but I think he got it. He’s got a lot. He’s got a great future. He’s a match-winner, he’s got fantastic ability. But he’s a level-headed lad,” he said.

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway was not afraid to speak his mind after the match, declaring his disappointment with referee Howard Webb.

Webb awarded a somewhat conscientious penalty to Holloway’s side in the first half, but also disallowed a Luke Varney goal and gave Blackburn a free-kick which led to Hoilett’s late show.

“I thought the referee had a bit of a stinker. Was that a penalty? No,” Holloway said.

“I actually said at the time, that was terrible. But it shouldn’t be balanced out with two more bad decisions. And it was unfortunately. I think Varney was actually technically onside if you look where (Chris) Samba was.”

“I like referees, without referees we can’t do our job. I do respect them, and Howard is a good ref, but I should be allowed to say he had a bit of a stinker today because we shouldn’t have had a penalty.”

“He had a particularly poor game today. He is a good ref but he’s had a shocker for both teams.”

The result sees both sides join Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion on 33 points, with Blackburn in 13th and Blackpool 15th.