Kean demands Rovers improvement

Published Feb. 11, 2011 1:15 p.m. ET

foxsports

Rovers were on the end of a 4-3 defeat at Wigan last week and have conceded eight goals in their last three matches. It was a similar situation for the Magpies, although they produced one of the best second-half performances seen in the Premier League by fighting back from 4-0 down to draw 4-4 with Arsenal. Despite the entertainment factor, Kean is hoping there will not be a repeat this weekend. "When you look back on our recent games it has been a little bit frustrating not to get anything out of them because we have played well," said the Rovers boss, whose side have won just two of the last six in the league. "We know the areas of the pitch we need to work on: we have been predominantly working on finishing, obviously, and defending in the final third so we have split the group with the limited time we have had this week. "It was more of a domino effect in terms of conceding the goals against Wigan, with the exception of one they were not great goals to concede. "But the amount of chances we had we have to be more ruthless. Box-to-box and the build-up play is okay but we need to be a bit more ruthless in each box." Kean admits failing to make the most of their good spells in recent matches has cost them. However, their current 11th position - five points above the relegation zone - is no real concern yet. "It makes this week more important because each time you play well and don't score goals you bring pressure on yourselves when it comes to a home game," added the Rovers boss. "The winner goes into the top half while the loser slips closer to the bottom. "We have brought pressure on ourselves by not capitalising on bouts of play we have had in the last three matches. "It is so tight and you see with Liverpool that if you put together a run of victories you shoot up the table but if you don't you get dragged down into the zone no-one wants to be in." One bright spot over recent weeks has been the form of Junior Hoilett, who is enjoying his best run in the first team having arrived at the club from Canada aged 13. Kean is pleased with the 20-year-old's progress and is looking for him to develop further. But any plans to offer Hoilett a new contract to replace his current deal which runs out at the end of next season will be put on hold. "We will progress his development and continue to give him match exposure but we probably won't upset him at the moment by starting to talk about a new contract in case that affects his good form," said the Rovers boss. "We know he is playing well and hopefully he feels he is a big part of the club going forward. "At the appropriate time we will sit down and discuss an extension of his contract." At the moment Hoilett is happy just to have been given a run in the side. "When you are in the team week in, week out, you are happy but you have to stay focused," he said. "The manager put me in a different role and gave me the confidence to express myself and I am delighted by that. "Everything is going in the right direction."