Kean applauds Blackburn fans

03 January 2012 09:13

Steve Kean praised the Blackburn fans for getting behind their team at Ewood Park and felt they should have been rewarded with at least a point against Stoke.

Rovers were playing at home for the first time since the defeat by Bolton two weeks ago that saw the abuse of Kean reach a peak but the supporters gave the Scot a break following Saturday's superb win against Manchester United. However, the improved atmosphere was unable to yield a result, with Stoke prevailing 2-1.

Kean said: "I thought the fans were excellent today and I'm delighted because it's a young team that we've got, and if they can get that feel-good factor and confidence to get on the ball (then results can improve)."

He added: "I think the fans certainly came to the ground positive, even at 2-0 they stayed with us, and it's such a big help. I can only applaud them for that."

Things may have turned out differently had Christopher Samba scored early on. First the big defender headed against the bar and then from a second corner he planted the ball in the net only to see a free-kick awarded for a foul on Thomas Sorensen.

Kean disputed referee Lee Mason's decision to chalk off Samba's early header, saying: "We're a little bit disappointed with the goal that's disallowed.

"At first I thought maybe that's the referee thinking Chris has got hold of his marker but he's actually said he gave it against Yakubu. I've seen it again and he's just standing minding his own business."

Stoke boss Tony Pulis was one of a number of managers to criticise the Blackburn fans for their treatment of Kean, but he was impressed by the atmosphere at Ewood Park.

He said: "I thought the Blackburn supporters were brilliant today. They stuck with their team all the way through, and they need to do that.

"If they've got problems with Steve or the owners, then do it in other ways, don't turn up to a game and take it out on the manager and the people who run the football club because it has an effect on the players."

Source: PA