As a Blackburn Rovers fan, I say this with a heavy heart and the fear of backlash from the majority of supporters; ahead of the new season – in the Championship no less – Steve Kean, manager who can’t quite believe his luck, needs a second, no, third, no, fourth chance to steady the ship at Ewood Park.
Much of Blackburn Rovers downfall has been unfairly blamed on the former first-team coach. With owners Venkys rarely visiting East Lancashire and making little effort to connect with the fans, Steve Kean – standing on the touchline every weekend – was the only target fans could vent their frustration at. You have to hand it to him really. He took the abuse and insults on the chin.You have to be thick-skinned to stand alone for 90 minutes each week with thousands of your own fans calling for your head, but he did it.
I wanted him to succeed but he just made it so damn difficult. One week he loses to Bolton at home but follows it up with a 1-1 draw against Liverpool and an impressive 3-2 win against Man United at Old Trafford. But the stats don’t lie. 23 losses, 7 draws, 8 wins isn’t good enough for the Premier League, and it proved right, as Blackburn were humiliatingly relegated by Wigan on May 7.
But as the fans accept a season in The Championship looms, we can look at the positives and hope Steve Kean can get Blackburn Rovers back to where they belong, even if the stats do point otherwise.
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2 Comments
A very good article and mirrors my thoughts exactly. I am now looking forward to the new season rather than feeling the dispondency from trying in vain to fight relegation.
Leon Best and Danny Murphy are definitely shrewd signings and we just haven’t a clue about the two Gomez’s but it will be exciting to find out.
Despite initial dispair, Shebby Singh has won me over with his enthusiasm and charm. All will be revealed in the first few games
Couldn’t agree more, my only hope is that Kean learned from last season and will adopt competent tactics. Losing a 2-0 lead against Sunderland by trying to defend for 45min was unforgivable.
However, we’re stuck with him so I don’t see the point in boycotting the team like some people are suggesting as that would just exacerbate matters. Bring on the Championship.