Kean: No question we will survive

Blackburn Rovers manager Steve Kean says his team are fully confident in their chances of Premier League survival this season.

After last week’s crushing defeat to Bolton Wanderers, Rovers responded in perfect fashion with a hard-fought draw away to Liverpool on Boxing Day.

Although his side remain rooted to the foot of the table, Kean believes the result at Anfield proves Blackburn have what it takes to climb out of the bottom three, claiming that the current standings do not tell the whole story of their season.

When asked if he and the team were confident of survival, the Scot told Sky Sports: “Of course we are, absolutely no question.”

“I believe even now, with our injuries, we can go back and look at some real tough decisions.”

“I know everybody can do this but we can go back and look at a last-minute penalty against Norwich, a last-minute penalty against Everton.”

“There have been a number of games where we have just fallen the wrong side of decisions.”

“I think we should already have six or seven more points, even though we have got so many defenders out injured.”

“We are really confident if we have a good (transfer) window, which I am sure we will, and get these defenders back, then we will really fly out of the blocks in the second part of the season.”

Blackburn’s rearguard has been beset by injuries recently, with goalkeeper Paul Robinson and defenders Ryan Nelsen, Scott Dann, Gael Givet and Martin Olsson all currently absent.

However, reserve goalkeeper Mark Bunn and 17-year-old defender Adam Henley caught the eye in the draw with Liverpool, as Bunn made a stunning late save to deny Andy Carroll whilst Henley cleared off the line in injury time.

And their manager was quick to praise the unity of the squad following the efforts of the youngsters.

“We have got a tight group. Sometimes when you get a lot of injuries it brings the group together,” Kean said.

“Obviously we have been on the wrong end of a bit of negative feedback from a certain element of the fans, but I think what the fans will have seen yesterday – those fans at Anfield – was the lads were desperate for points, desperate for each other.”

“We are all desperate to do well and for the club to get out of the position we are in.”