STEVE Kean was determined to take the positives after seeing his Blackburn Rovers side draw 0-0 with Newcastle United at Ewood Park this afternoon.

The visitors dominated the clash for the majority, without ever creating many clear cut chances, with Newcastle goalkeeper Steve Harper untestested throughout.

Kean said: "I think the games previously we have been getting into double figures when it comes to shots on goal but we certainly didn’t give their goalkeeper too much to work for.

"But having said that, when it is a poor game we met the first target of a clean sheet and we respect the point.

"We had one chance that hit the post but we didn’t create anything else after that but at least it stops the defeats and we will take a point and hopefully we can move on and play a bit better in the next game and dominate a bit more."

Kean said: “I don’t think it was a pretty game to watch and the lads didn’t think it was a pretty game to play in. At least we have got something from it.

“In weeks gone past we were playing some good stuff and getting shots in on goal but that didn’t happen for us today. At least we have got something from it.

“There is always something to take from any game. Look at the Wigan game where we don’t get any points but score three goals away from home.

“Look at the Tottenham game where we create so many chances but don’t get anything from it.

"The positive we take from Saturday is we did get a clean sheet, we didn’t play as well as we have been doing but showed a bit of grit and determination to get a point and play ugly and get something.”

Kean’s reign as Rovers boss since Sam Allardyce’s sacking back in December has seen him determined to get his side playing the ball on the floor.

That passing style broke down on Saturday though as, due to an inability to keep possession, were left increasingly reliant on hopeful punts.

“It was difficult to keep the ball because the surface was a bit bobbly and maybe that was a factor,” said Kean.

“Also I thought Newcastle pressed in the middle of the pitch, put pressure on the ball and it was hard getting four or five passes off.

“We tended to get one or two and then we were giving it away. "Full credit to Newcastle they pushed and pressed and made it difficult for us to play.”

Rovers’ diamond midfield formation saw them struggle for width on Saturday, with Jermaine Jones asked to play a right-sided role.

David Dunn was at the top of the diamond, with Roque Santa Cruz and Nikola Kalinic in attack, until the Paraguayan came off at half time.

Kean revealed Santa Cruz was withdrawn at half time as a precautionary measure after feeling his old groin injury, while Junior Hoilett was substituted with a 'tweaked' hamstring.

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Kean said: “We wanted to try and play off the front men but I felt the front men were coming towards the ball too much and we couldn’t get David Dunn in the game.

“We said at the half time maybe an opportunity when the full back got the ball for the striker furthest away to spin and get behind the centre halves and maybe to knock a few diagonal balls over the top to stretch it. That was difficult today though.

“We could have pushed Roque for another 10 to 15 minutes but the doctor was telling us the risk factor of getting a full pull in his hip would have gone up so we didn’t risk it.

“It was suited to Jason Roberts to come and spin and pull behind the defence and I thought he did well.”