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Lowe - Kean has taken flak

Image: Jason Lowe: Feels his manager has taken the flak on behalf of the Blackburn players

Blackburn defender Jason Lowe has revealed his admiration for manager Steve Kean as the team battles to avoid Premier League relegation.

Fans are part of it now, says Blackburn youngster

Blackburn defender Jason Lowe has revealed his admiration for manager Steve Kean as the team battles to avoid Premier League relegation. Rovers face Liverpool at Ewood Park on Tuesday needing a point to move out of the bottom three. But the 20-year-old utility man is full of praise for the way his manager has conducted himself in what has been a difficult season for the club amid a backdrop of fan protests against the owners and manager. "There are things (that have) been said and written and have happened when sometimes it's been the gaffer taking the flak for what we've been doing out on the field," Lowe told The Independent. "He's always been ready to take the pressure off us and I can't believe how well he's handled some of what's been thrown at him. "He's a great coach, very hands-on on the training ground - great with the players - and that's why we've all got the utmost respect for him. We'll fight for the manager as well as each other." Lowe feels the club have turned a corner and is delighted by the improved atmosphere at Ewood Park in recent matches. "The last couple of months, the crowd have been fantastic, backed us up the whole way," said Lowe.

Stick together

"Whatever's gone on, the team and the staff have stuck together and tried not to dwell on things. It feels like the fans are part of that now. "Last home game, against United, everything we did - tackles, shots, dead balls - the fans were up and behind us. Hopefully, it'll be more of the same against Liverpool. "Liverpool have been having a difficult time and they've got a semi-final coming up next weekend. "But I don't think that means they'll come here and roll over. Quite the opposite: they'll want to come here and turn things round before Saturday at Wembley." This season may have been a personal triumph for Lowe, who has also broken into the England Under-21 set-up, but he will not be happy unless his team can secure Premier League survival. He added: "For me personally, being involved with the first team has just been fantastic; the international games, too. "It's been great and, in some ways, I suppose I don't want the season to stop. But when it does, I know we have to be out of that bottom three. "That's all I'm bothered about now. As long as Blackburn Rovers are safe when the last ball's kicked on the very last day of the season, I'll be very happy indeed."

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