Rovers fans spitting feathers as post-Sam era lacks Kean edge

IT was perhaps apt that Blackburn’s scrappy goal mirrored the messy goings on at Ewood Park.

Those who braved the sub-zero conditions here were promised a brave new era following the shock sacking of Sam Allardyce.

Yet the Indian-based owners, who put rookie Steve Kean in charge after dismissing Allardyce for his style of play, had certainly left muddled signals.

Some supporters even pointed out before this game that Venky’s, who made their fortune in the poultry business, have a paltry knowledge of the game.

After it they had right to be spitting feathers.

It was hard to disagree on this showing. Blackburn were poor, rock-bottom West Ham were just as error-strewn in this bore draw.

The Hammers have problems of their own, but it appears even they pale into insignificance given the current situation at the Lancashire club.

It’s down the road in Manchester where the soap opera usually takes place, but this time the latest episode is at Blackburn.

Blackburn goalscorer Ryan Nelson admitted the players were in a state of shock over the behind-the-scenes changes in the past week.

The Kiwi defender, who handed his side the lead before substitute Junior Stanislas salvaged a late point for the Hammers, admitted the dressing room wants transparency from the new owners.

He said: “The tension was in the players and it was in the crowd as well. You can’t blame anyone for that.

“I have no problem with any owners doing anything, it’s their club.

“But the thing is when you make a monumental decision like that — and it’s the biggest decision any club can any make — you like to think there’s a back-up plan.

“We as players know nothing, the staff know nothing. Nobody knows anything about what’s going on. It’s all a bit worrying.’’

As auditions for the top job on his managerial debuts go, it wasn’t the start Kean would have been looking for.

A week ago, the Scot was merely another cog in the Blackburn machine, now he is their main man in one of the world’s most demanding industries.

Few managerial notices get thrown straight in at the deep end, yet just 16 months on from arrival at Ewood Park as first team coach, Kean has been handed his big break.

The 43-year-old though will know his managerial debut was always going to be overshadowed with the bizarre circumstances surrounding Allardyce’s dismissal.

Once the cries of ‘there’s only one Jack Walker’ — in reference to the club’s former owner — had died down, then Kean was always going to be under the microscope.

His first job was breathe life into his lacklustre side and his half-time pep talk appeared to work, with Nelson bundling the ball home at the second attempt in the 51st minute.

But the tension on the terraces transformed to the players and it was no surprise to see Stanislas earn West Ham a late point.

To add to Kean’s woes, the Scot suffered a triple injury blow — with Phil Jones the most serious as he faces five months out with a knee injury.

Kean is now just hoping for time in the top-seat, whether that materialises though after this debut is another matter.

Kean said: “With the years of experience I have, I would hope that I would be respected and be able to shape the things to come.

“Hopefully I can put that across to the owners.’’

The omens don’t look good for West Ham. Bottom of the Premier League at Christmas, only West Brom have survived from this similar depressing position in the top flight.

Avram Grant is a man under pressure but he insists he’s the right man to lift West Ham to safety — even though he failed to do the same with Portsmouth last season.

He said: “Portsmouth could have stayed in the Premier League last season without any problem.

“But you can’t compare because at Portsmouth the decisions were off the pitch, here they would be on the pitch.

“I cannot say they are easy times, but it’s more easier than when decisions are taken off the pitch.

“I believe that we have to do it step by step. I believe we can get through this difficult time

“At West Ham the decisions will be taken on the pitch and I’m confident we can do it.”