Kean quietens the naysayers

Steve Kean hit back at his critics after his team responded to a pre-match protest against the Blackburn manager with a thrilling 4-3 win over Arsenal.

The Scot went on the offensive after around 200 fans who had called for him to be sacked during a march on Ewood Park and expressed the hope that his detractors would now halt hostilities.

“I was disappointed with the protest because for the people to demonstrate, albeit one percent, of the fans that were in and even the lads and ladies that did decide to demonstrate when they came into the ground they were fully behind the team,” Kean said after his side recorded their first Premier League win of the season.

“But the most important thing is that 99 percent of the fans did not demonstrate so we must be doing something right and hopefully the rest will go home happy. We were excellent and caused Arsenal all sorts of problems because we were relentless in our desire to win and that got us the points.”

Kean continued: “I don’t mean to be bullish but I can only reiterate the backing that I have had from the owners and let you people know about the backing I have got from my players.”

“You don’t play like that if there is any division or split in the dressing room. The owners have been rock-solid and we feel the criticism has been unfair because if we could take penalties better we would have been in the top six.”

“For people to demonstrate that is their prerogative but hopefully they will go home happy and hopefully we have changed their minds with the performance we have put out today.”

Kean singled out Yakubu for praise following his brace of goals as Rovers hit back from a poor first half to edge out an Arsenal side who conceded two own goals through Alex Song and Laurent Koscielny.

“At half-time I told the lads that we were standing too far off them and giving Arsenal too much respect and that we needed to get tighter but then we showed what we were all about in the second half,” Kean said.

“And we did much better by digging in and being very effective on the break and the service into Yakubu was excellent and he caused havoc.”

“We are quite a young group but Yakubu brings experience and know-how. He is clever and people have a go at him for not being moving but he is effective and he is saving his energy for when it matters and would cause any central defenders problems.”