Source: Team_Talk
Managers see positives in stalemate
Little will linger in the memory from a poor quality Barclays Premier League stalemate at the KC Stadium but the managers, whilst not satisfied, were quick to seize positives.[LNB]For Blackburn - who remained 12th, two points above 16th-placed Hull - that was the performance of the defence and the promise of striker Nikola Kalinic.[LNB]Rovers have now kept clean sheets in four of their last five games and after three successive goalless draws, want to make the next step.[LNB]Allardyce said: "We have got another very important clean sheet, which breeds the confidence.[LNB]"We have just got to find the one-nils that give us the three points.[LNB]"We have had nine points available and we have had three draws, all 0-0, against Stoke, Liverpool and Hull City.[LNB]"We are getting the defensive side right, and we are getting the attacking side in terms of creating chances right, but we are not clinical enough in front of goal."[LNB]The chief culprit in that regard was Kalinic, who had three good opportunities in quick succession after being introduced off the bench in the 59th minute.[LNB]The £6million summer signing from Hadjuk Split is still awaiting his first Premier League goal but proved a handful for the Hull defence and twice shot narrowly wide.[LNB]On another occasion Allardyce thought he should have won a penalty after being knocked off balance by Kamil Zayatte and denied the chance to shoot firmly.[LNB]Allardyce thought the Croatian should have gone down. "I think you have to if there is contact made," Allardyce said. "We always say if there is contact make sure you make the referee's mind up.[LNB]"Don't go diving with no contact, we don't want that, but if you make it look better it is easier for him to give that decision."[LNB]Allardyce felt Kalinic should have done better with his chances but generally thought the 21-year-old impressed.[LNB]He said: "What we see in training is that he creates and scores goals. His technique is very good.[LNB]"He is probably just a little bit nervous at the minute, trying to find his first Premier League goal.[LNB]"That should have been at Manchester United but he had that taken away from him by an outrageous decision.[LNB]"Perhaps he might have already scored four or five. That might have been the difference had he allowed him to keep the goal he should have kept.[LNB]"He is going to be disappointed he didn't win us the game but I am pleased he is getting the chances to miss them.[LNB]"That is important because I think eventually they will start going in."[LNB]The game was perhaps an even more of a wasted opportunity for Hull, who remain just three points above the bottom three and now face a daunting Christmas and new year.[LNB]The Tigers travel to Arsenal next week before hosting Manchester United. They then play Bolton before the end of the 2008 and face Chelsea, Tottenham and United again in January.[LNB]Yet Brown is drawing encouragement for that run from his side's home form - 15 points from nine games - and also sees the Blackburn result as a good platform.[LNB]Brown said: "The last four home games have brought eight points and if we continue in that manner then the home form would be sufficient - but we do have to start picking up points away from home and not just playing good football.[LNB]"But any kind of form, home or away, is important. We went four undefeated and then caught Aston Villa at the wrong time last week.[LNB]"But subsequently we have drawn and hopefully that will be the start of another unbeaten run."[LNB]Brown does accept, however, that his team will have their work cut out.[LNB]He said: "For a team like Hull to go to the Emirates and play Arsenal and then have Manchester United here, they are bonus games.[LNB]"The teams like Blackburn and Bolton, they are the ones we have to identify and try to play our best football against and get something from."[LNB][LNB][LNB]
