Hard Times Quickly Turning Into Disaster at Ewood Park

With what seems like the majority of the Blackburn fans, losing faith in their manager Steve Kean, you have to feel sorry for the Rovers boss, who you can’t help but feel, is just waiting for the inevitable to happen.

You can’t blame the Blackburn fans for showing their anger at their side’s miserable season to date, consistently average performances week in week out would bring a dark shade of red to any fans’ face, but does the responsibility lie with Kean or the Venky’s?

Being Chris Coleman’s right hand man for the majority of his coaching career, Kean didn’t exactly bring excitement to the Blackburn fans’ when he became the gaffer, with many questioning the decision to hire Kean, before he even started.

Its fair say, Kean probably didn’t have the fans full support from the start, but he could probably count the number of fans on his side on one hand in the clubs current state.

Kean’s achievement of ensuring Blackburn avoided relegation seems to be lost in the memory of the Rovers fans, who seem to be unite in protest for Kean to be relieved of his duties.

Without Yakubu’s 9 goals this season, there is no doubt Kean would be out of a job already. Vital goals in both of Blackburn’s victories this season has prevented the Rovers from being rock bottom of the Premier League.

Without a doubt there is talent in the Blackburn squad. Scott Dann, David Hoilett and Steve N’Zonzi have all shown promise this season. And along with experienced players like Paul Robinson, Christopher Samba and Morten Gamst Pedersen, this is a group of players with the ability to avoid relegation this year.

Despite the fans’ not believing that Kean is the man to help them avoid relegation, it seems the Venky’s do believe.

Kean is adamant the Venky’s are still backing him 100%, and is continually refusing to admit there are cracks forming in their relationship. Despite being based in India, the message from the fans is surely loud and clear to the Blackburn owners.

 It is becoming obvious that foreign owners in the Premier League are finding it increasing difficult to be successful. American Randy Lerner’s had a tough few years at Aston Villa and has recently had to tighten the finances at Villa Park, Liverpool owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett also found it tough when they owned the club,  suggesting foreign owners are underestimating how difficult owning a Premier League football club can be.

Blackburn’s match against bottom place Bolton looks to be the biggest match of the season for both sides, and it’s increasingly likely only a victory in front of the home fans is likely to save Kean’s job, for at least another week.

Defeat at Ewood Park on Tuesday would almost certainly spell the end of Kean’s time at the club. If the Rovers fan’s do get an early Christmas present, the Blackburn owners will have to act fast in recruiting a new boss, and pick the best candidate with such an important cluster of matches over the Christmas period.

The Blackburn owners are yet to show their hand when it comes to transfer funds, Kean had a decent amount to spend in the summer, but it wasn’t exactly enough to propel the Rovers up the table. A couple of shrewd buys in January wouldn’t do the side any harm.

Whilst you feel Kean isn’t solely responsible for Blackburn’s position this season, he is first in the firing line, and you’d be a brave man to bet on the Rovers boss still sitting in the Ewood park dugout come the end of the season.

Jamie Hopkins

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