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End-of-season report: Blackburn Rovers

:Headline: End-of-season report: Blackburn Rovers: ID:27078: from db_amp
A series of dramas have unfolded at Blackburn Rovers this season. Here, Sports Mole reviews why the club were relegated to the Championship.

What has happened over the previous campaign at Blackburn Rovers would make for a good soap opera.

There have been protests, question marks over the ownership, player revolts and ultimately relegation to the Championship.

With that in mind, Sports Mole has reviewed what turned out to be a disappointing campaign for everybody connected with Rovers.

August

Looking back the writing was on the wall at the end of August. Steve Kean's side lost all three matches during the opening month from fixtures against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Aston Villa and Everton.

Respite arrived in the form of the Carling Cup and League One side Sheffield Wednesday, who were defeated 3-1 at Ewood Park.

September

Rovers claimed their first point of the season courtesy of a strike from Ruben Rochina securing a 1-1 draw at Fulham. Next up was Arsenal and despite the odds being stacked against them, Rovers held off a late fightback from the Gunners to win 4-3.

September ended sourly though thanks to a 3-1 loss away at Newcastle United.

October

Supporters began to launch big protests against Kean's management and the owners during a month in which Rovers failed to win in the league.

Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur both left Ewood Park with maximum points, while QPR also claimed a share of the spoils with a 1-1 draw.

The final game of October saw Rovers travel to Paul Lambert's Norwich City. Despite leading 3-1, two goals from Norwich duo Bradley Johnson and Grant Holt in the final eight minutes meant that Kean's men were forced to settle for a 3-3 draw.

Again the League Cup proved a welcome distraction as Newcastle were defeated 4-3.

November

By the end of November Blackburn had gone two months without recording a Premier League win. Chelsea and Stoke City both defeated the strugglers, while rivals Wigan claimed a 3-3 draw at the DW Stadium.

The club also exited the Carling Cup at the hands of Championship side Cardiff City.

December

Rovers chalked up their second win of the season early in December with a 4-2 triumph at home against Swansea City. However, three successive losses to Sunderland, West Bromwich Albion and Bolton Wanderers left the club firmly entrenched in the relegation zone.

The form book was torn up as January approached though as Rovers drew 1-1 with Liverpool before going on to win 3-2 at Old Trafford thanks to a late goal from Grant Hanley.

January

Three Premier League matches in January resulted in a win, a loss and a draw against Fulham, Stoke and Everton respectively.

The chance of appearing at Wembley also evaporated when Newcastle gained revenge for their League Cup defeat in round three of the FA Cup.

February

Relegation looked to be a certainty for Rovers in February when they conceded 14 goals in just four outings.

Seven of those were conceded away at Arsenal, while Man City added a further three.

Kean's team did manage to record a victory during the second month of the year though with a 3-2 success over QPR.

March

A draw against Aston Villa was followed by successive wins over Wolves and Sunderland as Rovers made a push to secure their status as a Premier League outfit.

However, Lancashire rivals Wanderers inflicted a crucial defeat on Rovers at the Reebok Stadium to undo a lot of the hard work that had been put in earlier in the month.

April

Rovers failed to score in four of their six matches during April, resulting in relegation all but being confirmed.

Manchester United, West Bromwich Albion, Swansea City and Tottenham Hotspur all recorded victory at Blackburn's expense, although Norwich were beaten at Ewood Park 2-0.

The telling defeat was suffered at home to Liverpool, who won 3-2 courtesy of a injury-time header from Andy Carroll.

May

Rovers headed into their home game against Wigan knowing that defeat would bring an end to their 11-year stay in the top flight.

As it was, a header from Wigan defender Antolin Alcaraz late in the game ensured that the one-time Premier League champions would be plying their trade in the second tier of English football next season.

Despite calls for him to be sacked, Kean has since insisted that he will be in charge of the club next year.

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