[Archived] Rovers vs Bolton - Possibly our most important game in years

[brian nelsen]

I think Kean does deserve respect. He's a Premier League Manager. Tough job. He's taken it on not knowing jack about it, whether it be by fowl play or not. He no doubt knows that 90 odd percent of the clubs forums fans want him out, but he rises above it week in, week out. Fair enough, some of the comments after the Everton game were downright delusional (and the Myles Anderson thing was a faux pa), but you have to respect the guys commitment to the club and in the face of adversity, you'd say pretty much anything to keep yourself afloat. His post match interviews, mostly after losses have been frank and you can certainly see that he's passionate. Every manager in this league brings out the cliches when things aren't going their way. That's part and parcel. Most of the stuff that people have been writing on here hasn't been borne from facts, more conjecture (especially all the 'backstabber' pap). I for one, want to keep positive about everything Blue and White, so that's what I'll do. This is football. It's made for TV. It's meant to be dramatic.

[Mattyblue]

I think Kean does deserve respect. He's a Premier League Manager. Tough job. He's taken it on not knowing jack about it, whether it be by fowl play or not. He no doubt knows that 90 odd percent of the clubs forums fans want him out, but he rises above it week in, week out. Fair enough, some of the comments after the Everton game were downright delusional (and the Myles Anderson thing was a faux pa), but you have to respect the guys commitment to the club and in the face of adversity, you'd say pretty much anything to keep yourself afloat. His post match interviews, mostly after losses have been frank and you can certainly see that he's passionate. Every manager in this league brings out the cliches when things aren't going their way. That's part and parcel. Most of the stuff that people have been writing on here hasn't been borne from facts, more conjecture (especially all the 'backstabber' pap). I for one, want to keep positive about everything Blue and White, so that's what I'll do. This is football. It's made for TV. It's meant to be dramatic.

He hasnt been 'frank' since day 1.

Commitment to the club? He has been given a managers job in the PL with no experience at any level on a fat 3 year deal. Where else is he going to go?

Oh and top post (saves Gav a post)

[Daremz]

Just back from a crazy, crazy two days in England! For the first time (in 4) I saw Rovers actually score a goal, and win! What a massive victory, what a brilliant atmosphere! Makes you proud to be a Rover at these moments!

Olsson on 'last goal', 25/1 (2 pounds). Few extra beers in Blues Bar afterwards!

[deryck guyler's spoon]

He hasnt been 'frank' since day 1.

Commitment to the club? He has been given a managers job in the PL with no experience at any level on a fat 3 year deal. Where else is he going to go?

Oh and top post (saves Gav a post)

There is a culture on here whereby if you havn't hopped aboard the "Steve Kean spilt my pint and looked at my bird" bandwagon you get all manner of stick.

You are the chief protagonist Matty.

[Mattyblue]

There is a culture on here whereby if you havn't hopped aboard the "Steve Kean spilt my pint and looked at my bird" bandwagon you get all manner of stick.

You are the chief protagonist Matty.

I don't give 'stick' to any poster, unlike your good self, I just use facts.

[deryck guyler's spoon]

I don't give 'stick' to any poster, unlike your good self, I just use facts.

Oh, be nice

[Stuart]

Simple question DGS: do you think Steve Kean is the right man to be Rovers manager?

[deryck guyler's spoon]

Simple question DGS: do you think Steve Kean is the right man to be Rovers manager?

Not really. I wanted him to have a chance but I think it's clear that he isn't up to the job.

Two simple questions for you Jisty. Do you really believe that Kean is a backstabber? Also, do you think it is necessary to constantly jump down the throats of those who genuinely think Kean may be a good mananger in the making every time they stick up for the boss?

[LeChuck]

I think we're a good squad. I think our standing in the league is the result of bad managerial decisions. I think Wolves and West Ham suck. I believe we should be able to look at either fixture and say "we could get three points there."

Could, not should. Big difference! I agree with could, but strongly disagree with should.

Our away record at West Ham is woeful. Did I read 1994 was the last time we won there? Wolves are a strong team at home and, if they're in with a chance of staying up, will have a passionate crowd on their side. We're just bad away from home anyway. Most teams are though.

In a strange way I think our best chance of a victory is against Man Utd - away games are very difficult in the PL.

[Stuart]

Not really. I wanted him to have a chance but I think it's clear that he isn't up to the job.

Two simple questions for you Jisty. Do you really believe that Kean is a backstabber? Also, do you think it is necessary to constantly jump down the throats of those who genuinely think Kean may be a good mananger in the making every time they stick up for the boss?

Q1. I'm honestly not sure. I hope not, but the way his promotion came about left him open to a lot of rumour and innuendo. Big Sam's comments and the fact that he is an SEM client have not helped him on that question.

Q2. I'm not sure I've done that so I'll answer more generally. I think that it is fair for people to give him a chance and I can understand the idea of supporting the manager means supporting the club. However, I can also identify with those people who no longer feel any affinity with the club or do not trust the new owners decisions. Neither Kean nor Venkys have earned trust, and continue to spout absolute cobblers, but I'm not sure they really care. But there are times when some posters blindly continue to support Kean in the face of overwhelming evidence that he isn't good enough. (same could be said about Andrews) and it can come off as a bit of WUM-ing. Which would get people's backs up.

All that said, people are entitled to their opinions and no-one should be personally criticised for having them.

Back to my question though and you agree he probably shouldn't be here. Clearly most posters agree and there is really little debate about that point. We are still in the worst run for many years. I personally thought that Kean had turned a corner after the Liverpool game but I no longer have any faith in him.

Couple of observations from yesterday's game:

1. The huddle by the players before the game. A very visible togetherness excluding the manager.

2. The well-subscribed round of applause from Rovers fans in response to Bolton's singing of "You Should Have Kept Big Sam".

I don't even put yesterday's win down to him - but rather the grit and resolve and Sam-tactics from the players. I am giving him no more credit. If he is manager next season I see our stars leaving and fear a worst ever PL points total.

It's just the way I feel about it.

[deryck guyler's spoon]

Q1. I'm honestly not sure. I hope not, but the way his promotion came about left him open to a lot of rumour and innuendo. Big Sam's comments and the fact that he is an SEM client have not helped him on that question.

Q2. I'm not sure I've done that so I'll answer more generally. I think that it is fair for people to give him a chance and I can understand the idea of supporting the manager means supporting the club. However, I can also identify with those people who no longer feel any affinity with the club or do not trust the new owners decisions. Neither Kean nor Venkys have earned trust, and continue to spout absolute cobblers, but I'm not sure they really care. But there are times when some posters blindly continue to support Kean in the face of overwhelming evidence that he isn't good enough. (same could be said about Andrews) and it can come off as a bit of WUM-ing. Which would get people's backs up.

All that said, people are entitled to their opinions and no-one should be personally criticised for having them.

Back to my question though and you agree he probably shouldn't be here. Clearly most posters agree and there is really little debate about that point. We are still in the worst run for many years. I personally thought that Kean had turned a corner after the Liverpool game but I no longer have any faith in him.

Couple of observations from yesterday's game:

1. The huddle by the players before the game. A very visible togetherness excluding the manager.

2. The well-subscribed round of applause from Rovers fans in response to Bolton's singing of "You Should Have Kept Big Sam".

I don't even put yesterday's win down to him - but rather the grit and resolve and Sam-tactics from the players. I am giving him no more credit. If he is manager next season I see our stars leaving and fear a worst ever PL points total.

It's just the way I feel about it.

Re observation 1, imagine the fury and indignation on here had Kean joined in with the players pre match huddle!!

Re observation 2, I agree with the Twotters.

As for the rest of your post, to quote Voltaire " I may not agree with what you say, but I will fight to the death for your right to say it"

[otto man]

2nd half he pulled away from Samba and dropped a little right and deeper and won absolutely everything in the air. (Exactly how they got the winner at the Reebok.) N'Zonzi and Phil Jones are two strong lads but they were just bouncing off him. He's not an out and out striker but as a back to goal target man he is still the best in the Prem.

If I were KMD I'd sit Carroll down to study vids of Davies's position and movement for half an hour before every training session with instructions to go out and copy it.

Tell ya what theno. It would be good to see you going in to bat for the team you profess to support in stead of continually bigging up the opposition. Take your pill and try and remember who it is you support will ya?

[otto man]

Q1. I'm honestly not sure. I hope not, but the way his promotion came about left him open to a lot of rumour and innuendo. Big Sam's comments and the fact that he is an SEM client have not helped him on that question.

Q2. I'm not sure I've done that so I'll answer more generally. I think that it is fair for people to give him a chance and I can understand the idea of supporting the manager means supporting the club. However, I can also identify with those people who no longer feel any affinity with the club or do not trust the new owners decisions. Neither Kean nor Venkys have earned trust, and continue to spout absolute cobblers, but I'm not sure they really care. But there are times when some posters blindly continue to support Kean in the face of overwhelming evidence that he isn't good enough. (same could be said about Andrews) and it can come off as a bit of WUM-ing. Which would get people's backs up.

All that said, people are entitled to their opinions and no-one should be personally criticised for having them.

Back to my question though and you agree he probably shouldn't be here. Clearly most posters agree and there is really little debate about that point. We are still in the worst run for many years. I personally thought that Kean had turned a corner after the Liverpool game but I no longer have any faith in him.

Couple of observations from yesterday's game:

1. The huddle by the players before the game. A very visible togetherness excluding the manager.

2. The well-subscribed round of applause from Rovers fans in response to Bolton's singing of "You Should Have Kept Big Sam".

I don't even put yesterday's win down to him - but rather the grit and resolve and Sam-tactics from the players. I am giving him no more credit. If he is manager next season I see our stars leaving and fear a worst ever PL points total.

It's just the way I feel about it.

But if we'd lost it would have been his fault, right?

[JAL]

The strength of Blackburn Rovers football club carries Stephen Kean, not the other way round.

[Gav]

Who says it's for Kean though? It could be for the club/the fans/professional pride etc.

We've never been a team to lack team spirit. I guess you can give Kean a bit of credit for not knocking it out of them, but you can't give him credit for instilling it because it was already there.

Thankfully it looks like we can scrape through this season in tact (not taking anything for granted mind). Kean 100% still needs to leave in the summer though.

Look at the side that went down in 99 (I’m starting to sound like TGM), not much difference in ability, players that would stand up and be counted, the only difference being the 99 lot didn’t want to play for the gaffer, these lads do.

That’s because Kean has them motivated for me, and for that I give the bloke credit, but he still has to go in the summer I fully agree LeChuck.

[Stuart]

But if we'd lost it would have been his fault, right?

I think we are even beyond that point. I have given Kean credit in the past - as recently as the Arsenal game but no more from me.

Did you see yesterday's game, they were not Kean-sen's total football tactics. It was get it into the box and create as many openings as we can. 17 chances wasn't it?

[Gav]

I think we are even beyond that point. I have given Kean credit in the past - as recently as the Arsenal game but no more from me.

Did you see yesterday's game, they were not Kean-sen's total football tactics. It was get it into the box and create as many openings as we can. 17 chances wasn't it?

But it would have been Keans fault had we lost as Otto says.

Yesterday was Keans team and tactics alright, and they worked, which we should all be greatful for.

[deryck guyler's spoon]

The strength of Blackburn Rovers football club carries Stephen Kean, not the other way round.

What does that even mean? And why do you keep on calling the manager " Stephen"?

Wierdo.

[otto man]

The strength of Blackburn Rovers football club carries Stephen Kean, not the other way round.

Yep and if that was true we'd be top half now wouldn't we?

[Stuart]

But it would have been Keans fault had we lost as Otto says.

Yesterday was Keans team and tactics alright, and they worked, which we should all be greatful for.

Don't agree with your second sentence, GAV, which is why you first sentence us irrelevant (IMHO).

What does that even mean? And why do you keep on calling the manager " Stephen"?

Wierdo.

What were we JUST talking about?

[otto man]

I think we are even beyond that point. I have given Kean credit in the past - as recently as the Arsenal game but no more from me.

Did you see yesterday's game, they were not Kean-sen's total football tactics. It was get it into the box and create as many openings as we can. 17 chances wasn't it?

Yeah of course I saw it. I thought we played a mixed game. A combination of both passing and long ball. I thought that showed flexibility and an ability to adapt our game. Just a shame we can't finish.

[BRFCS Content]

Parsonblue's excellent match report is now published on the front page here and the text is copied into a new thread for discussion of the match here. Discussion of Steve Kean can remain here, perhaps.

Wen Y Hu

[deryck guyler's spoon]

What were we JUST talking about?

A bit quick off the mark there Mother Theresa.

It's a fair enough question and even his nearest and dearest would have to admit he's a bit odd if they had read any of his posts.

[brian nelsen]

What about the old saying " credit where credits due.... ". Steve Kean was the manager of BRFC yesterday and it was Steve Keans team that came away with the 3 points. For Gods sake, some people on here are just nuts. Give it a rest and go and get some sun.

[DavidMailsTightPerm]

If they were playing for Kean how do you explain the inept performances and dire results since he took charge ?

Under Hughes and Sam we had inept, lifeless performances - where you wondered what had happened. The ones under Kean were no different than we saw in recent years under different managers.

Also - for those that seem to think that any decent performances are down to player power. Remember the last time we were relegated. In Brian Kidd we had one of the most respected coaches in the game - and yet the players went down with only a whimper. Kean must be doing something right - whether it is giving an atmosphere where players can motivate each other - or actually getting that extra 10% himself - who knows.