Kean can take ‘stick’

Blackburn Rovers manager Steve Kean watched four-goal Yakubu sink Swansea on Saturday in the first of four “cup finals” he believes will make or break his side’s season – and possibly decide his future.

Kean admitted being baffled by the reaction of some sections of the home crowd to Rovers’ 4-2 win, with a number staying behind after the match to chant for his dismissal.

Yakubu had opened the scoring in the 20th minute and wrapped up his solo show with a late penalty – becoming the first Rovers player to score four in a Barclays Premier League game.

And the Scot, who takes his side to Sunderland next week before consecutive home games against West Bromwich Albion and Bolton, revealed how the Carling Cup loss to Cardiff spurred him on.

Kean said: “I tried to put pressure on the lads because we were disappointed after losing to Cardiff, where a good victory would have got us a good draw. We said we needed to turn it round with three of the next four games at home. Let’s turn these games into cup finals because we’ve taken away the opportunity of playing in a cup final.”

Yakubu blasted home the opener after superb work down the left from Gael Givet, but Leroy Lita equalised for the Swans on 35 minutes with a fine header from Mark Gower’s cross.

The goal once again stirred restlessness among the home fans, but Kean is adamant the continued barracking has no impact upon his dressing room, which he described as “bouncing”.

He added: “We have got a very strong and together dressing room. If I’m getting some stick … I don’t stop seeing my players continue to perform and that will never stop.”