Steve Kean believes his Blackburn side can take plenty of positives from their performance against Manchester United despite suffering defeat.
Rovers boss impressed by standard of play against United
Steve Kean believes his Blackburn side can take plenty of positives from their performance against Manchester United on Monday night despite suffering defeat.
Rovers frustrated the Premier League leaders right up until the last 10 minutes at Ewood Park, when goals from Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young proved to be the home side's undoing in a 2-0 loss.
Blackburn have slipped into the relegation zone on goal difference but manager Kean feels they can pull clear of trouble if they emulate the standard they produced in the first 80 minutes against United in their seven remaining games.
Positives
"What we've got to do is take all the positives out of the first 80 minutes tonight," he told
Sky Sports.
"We've got to set that standard. We're playing against the potential champions, so if we play at that standard for the next seven games, we'll pick up plenty of points.
"If we can play at that standard for the next seven games, and not for 80 minutes but for 90 minutes, then we'll get plenty of wins.
"We've got to think about our strategy for the end of the season and that's going to be to keep those standards and we'll be fine."
Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea pulled off a string of fine saves in the first half to deny the hosts and Kean admits his performance was impressive.
He said: "I think for 80 minutes we gave it a very good go. Their goalkeeper has had a very good night because he's made some wonderful saves at times in the game when we had little bits of opportunity to score.
"Yakubu and (Junior) Hoilett on the break caused him a lot of problems. When you look at it, I think Man United have had eight shots on target and we've had six."
Morten Gamst Pedersen was denied an opener for Blackburn in the second half after referee Howard Webb ruled that Steven N'Zonzi had let the ball go out as he provided the assist.
No complaints
After initially disagreeing with the decision, Kean admits it was the right one after watching the incident back.
He added: "At the time I thought 'that's harsh' but I've seen it again and Steven N'Zonzi's standing foot is on the line so the ball is a half a yard out.
"I think the linesman has made a good decision. I've no complaints on that one."
