Blackburn boss Steve Kean asks for backing from protesters

Blackburn boss Steve Kean has asked protesting fans to get behind the team after his side beat Swansea to secure their second Premier League win of the season.

Yakubu scored all four goals in the 4-2 victory to lift Rovers off the bottom of the table, but even when the hosts were leading there were still chants during the game calling for Kean to leave his position.

And about 200 fans stayed after the match to register their disapproval both with the under-fire manager and club owners Venky's.

"I would like the majority of supporters to be vocal and say to the protesters, give the lads a chance," Kean said.

"We've got a lot of young players in the team and it can certainly affect them if there's a little bit of negativity aimed when you're ahead and when you're playing well, so I hope they can bear that in mind.

"We know there is a group who are not particularly happy but there must be other issues because I can't fathom how when we are leading they are chanting, but that's their prerogative."

The win for Blackburn came after Kean suggested the match was one of four 'cup finals' that his side will face in coming weeks.

They now travel to Sunderland, before facing West Brom and Bolton at home.

And Kean said the momentum gained from the vital victory at Ewood Park would give them the momentum to climb the Premier League.

"I'm always positive and we now have a good run of games," Kean added. "The best thing for us to do would be to pick up points, go on an unbeaten run and climb the table, and if they want to protest then, then there something else at the bottom of it.

"I'm not frustrated in the least. I'm very happy. My dressing room is bouncing. I might invite a few of [the protesters] into the dressing room and see that in there it doesn't affect us at all."

Kean was given an improved contract by owners Venky's two weeks ago, and in a further sign that protests were having little effect on the manager's position, he will meet directors this week to discuss January transfer targets.

"We'd like to bring in another midfield player," the Scot said. "We are a little bit light in midfield and have been since the start of the season. And we are always looking for a striker who can add to the goals.

"On the back of a win it is nice for everybody; the board members, the owners and myself, but the content of the meeting would have been the same.

"It's about the transfer window, how we progress and how we strengthen the squad, so I would imagine it will probably be smiles over coffee [after the win] rather than frowns."

Kean also paid tribute to Yakubu, who took his tally to 10 for the season, and became the first Blackburn player to score four goals in a Premier League match.

He said: "The good thing about Yakubu is he scores lots of different types of goals, penalties, tap-ins, ones like the first one today, he's a fantastic signing.

"But he would be the first to tell you that any striker is as good as his service and the service we are giving to him from Junior Hoilett, Ruben Rochina and Mauro Formica is excellent.

"It's like the old chant, if you feed him in the box he will score. I'm delighted to give him the match ball today because it's the first time any Blackburn player has scored four goals in the Premier League and to get that when there has been such choice names at the club, is fantastic."