Battle at the bottom for two bosses on the brink

Blackburn Rovers v Bolton Wanderers:A DEFIANT Steve Kean has claimed that he is not on the brink of being sacked, despite the widespread belief that defeat to Bolton Wanderers tonight will trigger exactly that for the Blackburn Rovers manager.

Speculation has surrounded the position of both managers before the relegation battle at Ewood Park. Although Bolton are rooted at the foot of the Premier League, having claimed only nine points from 16 games, Owen Coyle’s job is not thought to be under immediate threat.

Coyle retains strong support within the Bolton boardroom, with directors aware of the difficulties their manager has faced after the loss of key players.

Kean, on the other hand, has faced calls for his dismissal from fans virtually since the start of the season. Saturday’s home defeat to West Bromwich Albion left Blackburn second-bottom, a point ahead of tonight’s opponents, although Kean says he retains the backing of the club’s Indian owners, Venky’s, following a meeting on Sunday.

“I would never back away,” Kean said. “When we win I come up and answer questions. If we lose or draw it is not something I would ever run away from. You have to face up to the responsibility. People deserve that respect.

“It doesn’t keep me awake but it is a difficult situation. I won’t turn my back on it, though. I think we can get through it and when we do I will know how tough it has been and be determined not to go there again. In a strange way, we can use it as a deterrent not to go on a run like this and turn things around.”

Kean insisted he held talks with Blackburn’s owners without the subject of his future arising.

“We spoke for 45 minutes and had a good conversation. We were looking forward to the transfer window opening,” he said. “The owners are concerned with where we are, as everyone is. But they have given me their full backing and given us full backing in the transfer window. We have been speaking about new players that we hope to bring in because it is important that we are active now so as soon as the window opens, we get some players in.”

A further set of talks, scheduled tomorrow between board members, could, however, spell trouble for Kean if his team lose the Lancashire derby. Alan Shearer, Avram Grant and Mark Hughes have all been mentioned as possible successors to Kean.

“The pressure is part of my job,” Kean said. “When you are in the position ourselves and Bolton are in you accept and expect there is going to be a bit of stick coming your way. You have to face it and accept it. We understand the magnitude of this game. It is a six-pointer.”

The local Blackburn paper, the Lancashire Telegraph, ran a front-page comment piece on Monday that called for Kean to be sacked.

The manager has been subject to fierce criticism and protests from his club’s supporters this season.

At Bolton there has been backing from the stands for Coyle, who yesterday said he remained unconcerned by speculation over his position.

“Have your opinion, call it any way you like but it doesn’t faze me. In terms of my own situation, whatever is going to happen will happen,” he said.

“I try to work with a smile on my face, although it is difficult at this time because we are not getting the results we should be. We all have jobs to do and as long as no one gets personal about anyone at my club we will not have a problem about that.”

Kean added: “I’d ask the fans to stick with us for a game as important as this. When we scored [against West Brom] they were with us when the momentum changed. If they can stick with us, it can make a massive difference.”

Kean’s task has been made tougher by injuries. Scott Dann is the latest casualty, with the defender expected to miss six weeks because of a ruptured testicle.

“I know what my back four will be but it will not be people who have too many games under their belts because we don’t have them available,” said Blackburn’s manager.

In tonight’s other Premier League game, Wolves host Norwich and the visiting manager Paul Lambert has criticised the Wolves fans who called for Mick McCarthy’s head earlier this season.

Some sections of the Wolves support urged the club’s board to sack McCarthy in the autumn after a run of eight games without a win left the midlanders hovering close to the relegation zone.

“There is no doubt the criticism was unjust,” said Lambert. “Everybody thought that was shocking. I thought it was at the time and I still think that now.

“For what he has done for that club, it just shows you that some people have short memory spans at times. Mick has done a really good job up there.”

GuardianService