Kean: Rovers can survive

27 December 2011 17:46

Blackburn's under-fire boss Steve Kean is convinced the troubled club will avoid relegation from the Barclays Premier League.

Kean's team are bottom of the table and the Scot has been the subject of a prolonged supporters' campaign for his removal. The situation reached its nadir as Kean suffered a torrent of abuse during and after a loss to fellow strugglers Bolton last week.

Yet Kean maintains that he has the full backing of owners Venky's and, after lifting spirits with a draw at Liverpool on Boxing Day, is now making plans for January signings. When asked if he and the team were confident of survival, Kean told Sky Sports News: "Of course we are, absolutely no question."

He added: "I believe even now, with our injuries, we can go back and look at some real tough decisions. I know everybody can do this but we can go back and look at a last-minute penalty against Norwich, a last-minute penalty against Everton.

"There have been a number of games where we have just fallen the wrong side of decisions. I think we should already have six or seven more points, even though we have got so many defenders out injured.

"We are really confident if we have a good (transfer) window, which I am sure we will, and get these defenders back, then we will really fly out of the blocks in the second part of the season."

Rovers are currently without goalkeeper Paul Robinson and defenders Ryan Nelsen, Scott Dann, Gael Givet and Martin Olsson through injury.

In their absence back-up keeper Mark Bunn and 17-year-old defender Adam Henley caught the eye at Anfield - both making vital late stops - and Kean believes the adversity surrounding the club has inspired players.

He said: "We have got a tight group. Sometimes when you get a lot of injuries it brings the group together. Obviously we have been on the wrong end of a bit of negative feedback from a certain element of the fans, but I think what the fans will have seen - those fans at Anfield - was the lads were desperate for points, desperate for each other.

"We are all desperate to do well and for the club to get out of the position we are in."

Source: PA