Blackburn manager Steve Kean has opened out about forfeiting his team’s Carling Cup quarter-final against Cardiff ahead of the all important league games.
Kean’s team are at the bottom of the Premier League and after the 2-0 defeat, he said: “We have games against sides within touching distance of us in the league.
“We need to treat those games as cup finals.”
Kean decided not to risk defensive trio Christopher Samba, Martin Olsson and Michel Salado, who all have hamstring injuries.
He added: “They could have played at a push and if we had been in a slightly different position in the league. We have Swansea coming up so I made five changes and left those lads behind.
“We wanted to make sure we have those lads available for Saturday. Saturday has to kick-start our season.”
Despite being disappointed with the Rover’s play, Kean felt he made the right decisions.
Kean commented: “It is a big disappointment. They were on the back foot to start, we had half-chances and pinned them back.
“But then the confidence starts back up for them when they scored because they’re at home where they’ve been good. It gives everyone a spark.”
