Blackburn Rovers Football Club News

• Nickname:Rovers
• Founded:1875
• Manager:Steve Kean

• Ground:Ewood Park
• Capacity:31,367

Hughes backs Rovers duo

23 Oct 2006 - 16:33:38

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Blackburn Rovers boss Mark Hughes has refused to criticise strikers Benni McCarthy and Jason Roberts after both men missed late penalties in the 1-0 home defeat to Bolton.

In an astonishing end to the game at Ewood Park, McCarthy was denied by Trotters keeper Jussi Jasskelainen with just three minutes to play.

Amazingly, Rovers then won another spot-kick two minutes later, only for Roberts to be denied by Jaaskelainen, heroics that ended Blackburn's previous run of eight games unbeaten.

However, a philosophical Hughes stated: "These things happen. Both lads were confident enough to take the ball.

"Not many people would have that mental strength to contemplate taking a penalty in a situation like that.

"I am not going to criticise the players.

"We had had a fantastic run and now it is up to us to bounce back. We want go on another run.

"We have big games coming up and if we play like we did against Bolton we will be okay."