The recriminations following Sam Allardyce’s bizarre sacking at Ewood Park continued in earnest this week, as rookie coach Steve Kean was handed the responsibility of guiding the Blackburn ship for the rest of the season. Club captain, Chris Samba, has since announced his desire to leave the Lancashire club, although Kean has maintained that this request is a long standing one and has nothing to do with his recent appointment.
Even so, Blackburn fans will view the appointment as being a major, unnecessary risk despite Kean’s behind the scenes experience both in England and abroad.
Tony Pulis should have no such worries about his job security, having done an excellent job in the top flight over the last two and a half seasons. His attentions have moved from pure Premier League survival to attaining a top-half finish, the Stoke squad at his disposal now has some serious quality.
Ewood Park remains a real fortress for Blackburn, and Kean’s success with the club will depend on maintaining this status. Their inability to put a limited West Ham side away during last weekend’s snow affected fixture was hardly a promising start, however I can see the new Blackburn boss getting his first win here this weekend. Whether this will placate player concerns about his suitability remains to be seen.
Prediction: 2-1
[poll ]
Blackburn are 8/1 to win 2-1
