Bolton supporters, dancing in the Darwen End, were simply singing Coyle’s praises after a priceless victory. This was an extraordinary night of raw emotions, of comfort and joy for Coyle but end-to-end abuse for Kean.
The vilification began early and rarely ebbed, the derision rolling down from the stands like toxic waves, exploding at a final whistle that must have rung out like the Last Post for Kean.
Rancour chased him down the tunnel, awaited him outside the main reception where hundreds of protesting fans had gathered and will leap from hostile headlines today.
He refused to resign, retreated behind the sick-list of defenders, and spoke broadly of his plans for the January transfer window. He may have been defenestrated by then.
Nobody can predict how Blackburn Rovers owners, Venky’s, will react because they have given little indication of knowing how to run a football club properly.
Shamefully, none of the Rao family who run Venky’s were here for such a huge game, a match riddled with all the fear and significance of an end-of-season showdown. Ewood Park seems painfully lacking in direction from dug-out to boardroom.
Venky’s should have been at Ewood, should have heard the animosity towards them and towards their controversial choice of manager.
“Stand up if you hate Kean,’’ came the first chant from the Blackburn End, whose caustic choir was soon joined from all quarters, the song-book soon including “we want Kean out”, “getting sacked in the morning” to the poignant “There’s only one Jack Walker”. Rovers’ much-loved, much-missed benefactor embodied all the leadership lacked by Venky’s. All the steel has gone.
In fairness to Kean, he never hid. He stood on the touchline, enduring the storm, a man with hardly a friend in the house. Some of his players fought for him, the likes of Junior Hoilett impressing in the second half while Christopher Samba gave everything as usual.
Yakubu scored after the break but Rovers already trailed to goals from Mark Davies and Nigel Reo-Coker.
Bolton fans were loving it, taunting the hosts with chants of “we love you Venky’s” and “there’s only one Keano”.
They also voiced their support for their own manager, chanting “there’s only one Owen Coyle”. Bolton were as united as Rovers were divided.
There was a strength of purpose suffusing the visitors, a feeling of a club standing together in adversity, that spirit of collectivity summed up by the sight of one of the players, the injured Stuart Holden, taking his seat amongst the fans.
The popular American shook hands with those dressed as Santa Claus, others as Where’s Wally, joining in the relentless backing of the team and of Coyle.
Bolton’s manager got his tactics right, his decision to omit Kevin Davies vindicated as his pacier players caught Blackburn out. Sensing the nerves swirling through Kean’s team, Coyle’s men went for the jugular.
Samba, usually so reliable, erred in attempting to clear and Bolton seized their chance. David Ngog found Mark Davies and the excellent midfielder calmly slotted the ball past Paul Robinson. Cue the rage.
Apoplexy consumed Blackburn’s fans when Bolton doubled their lead.
It was hardly the most beautiful of goals, Martin Petrov’s ball diverting via Morten Gamst Pedersen to Reo-Coker, but it must have sounded like a death-knell for Kean.
Anxiety replaced adrenalin in his players’ veins. Mauro Formica was cautioned for catching Gretar Steinsson. Jason Lowe flattened Petrov.
Not until the second period could any conviction be seen in Rovers’ movements, notably from the flying feet of Hoilett, who refused to believe the game was over.
The winger was magnificent, running at Bolton’s backpeddalling defenders time and again. Hoilett’s excellence was met with delight by Blackburn’s fans and a touch of despair. They fear Hoilett will soon move to pastures new.
A life-line appeared to be thrown Kean’s way when Yakubu scored. The goal was made by Hoilett, who embarked on another run before releasing Yakubu. The striker made no mistake, guiding the ball emphatically past Jussi Jaaskelainen.
Bolton fans sensed the possible turning tide and got behind their team. Bolton needed someone to ease the pressure. Reo-Coker stood up to be counted, heading off on a long dribble stopped by David Dunn’s foul.
As the clock ran down, Bolton attempted to keep the ball down in front of their fans, who were going through their songs of praise to the players. All that could be heard down the Blackburn End was “Kean out”.
Yet still Rovers attacked, still railed against the fading of the light. Their fans still backed the team.
Still Dunn tried to find a gap, lifting in a cross that Jaaskelainen dealt with easily. Still Rovers fans juggled their abuse of Kean with their support for the players.
When the fourth official signaled four minutes of added time, Rovers fans let out a huge roar of hope. Hoilett again provided a beacon of light. Bolton should have made it 3-1 but Darren Pratley missed.
As the fans headed towards the exits, Samba headed just wide. Kean held his head in his hands. The final whistle went and he buttoned up his jacket, and headed down the tunnel. “Time to go,’’ chanted the mutineers.
Behind him, Coyle was out on the pitch, shaking hands with his victorious players before saluting the fans. “Owen Coyle, he gets the ball and scores a goal,’’ sang the fans. He also got the points, the bounty.
