JASON Roberts insists the criticism Blackburn Rovers’ owners have received this season has been ‘unjustified’ after helping the club secure Premier League survival.

The veteran striker opened the scoring as the visitors then raced into a stunning 3-0 half time lead at relegation rivals Wolves, watched by co owners Venkatesh and Balaji Rao.

Despite a brave Wolves fight back, the 3-2 scoreline saw both sides remain in the top flight for another season and Roberts believes the critics have been answered.

Venky’s have attracted a lot of criticism for the way they have started their Rovers reign, with the shock sacking of Sam Allar-dyce coming under heavy fire.

Various national pundits have predicted Rovers subsequent drop into the Championship but Roberts insists yesterday’s victory proved a lot of people wrong.

He said: “After this season we will be looking onwards and upwards. We have had a lot of stick that we haven’t deserved but who listens to these people?

“We certainly don’t. These people are paid to talk and they can keep talking. People were tipping us to go down and I can’t understand the rationale behind it.

“We showed what we are about and we showed we should be looking at the top 10. These are positive owners and the criticism they have got has been unjustified.”

Rovers’ run of just two wins in four months had seen them surprisingly drop into the relegation mire, having finished last campaign in the top 10.

With five teams still in danger of joining West Ham in the Championship going into yesterday’s final day, the most exciting Premier League finale in history was guaranteed.

Rovers’ explosive start ensured they were always in control and Roberts believes the experience can prove a platform to build better times on.

“It was definitely interesting,” he said. “I will look back at this period as an exciting time in my career. We have shown a lot of mental strength and belief to get through it.

“Those boys in the dressing room deserved everything they got. In the first half we were fantastic and that is a pre cursor of what we can go on to achieve next season.

“I just tried to direct Michel Salgado’s shot into the goal. I knew if I had decent purchase it would have a chance of going on.

“I think we got what we deserved. The first half was like a dream but it left us with a real pressure going into the second half.”