Kean: We must minimise mistakes

Published Aug. 23, 2011 3:15 p.m. ET

foxsports

Kean and his squad have sat through DVDs of the opening two losses - a 2-1 home defeat to Wolves and Saturday's 3-1 reverse at Aston Villa - that has left without them without a point and one off the bottom of the Premier League in the early stages. Disgruntled fans have besieged messageboards frustrated with Kean and Rovers, although the Scot has made steps to appease matters. Kean has completed the signing of Montenegro winger Simon Vukcevic, is close to bringing in FC Dallas centre-back George John, and is also hoping to add another striker this week. Ahead of what has become a must-win Carling Cup second-round tie with Sheffield Wednesday at Ewood Park on Wednesday night, Kean gave an honest assessment of his side's opening to the campaign. "It's not been a good start," he said. "The results are there staring us in the face. "But when you look back at the two games there has not been a lot between the sides, first Wolves and then Aston Villa. "I've been through the DVDs with the lads, and it's about details, minimising the mistakes, which have cost us, and looking to better exploit weaknesses. "At the end of the day we have to put the ball in the back of the net when half chances are there. "It's now very important we win this game with Wednesday. It's a competition we want to take seriously, and I think we've enough fit players to put out a strong side that will get us a victory." Birmingham showed last season that an unfancied team can stun the big boys as the Blues did in beating Arsenal in the final. Serving as an inspiration, Kean said: "You can go all the way. Why not? "Providing you get a draw that's kind, if you put out a decent side, you take the competition seriously and you motivate the players." Kean knows not to underestimate the Owls who, although they have lost both away games in League One this season at Bournemouth and Bury, beat Blackpool on penalties in the last round. "I saw that game, and they're a big powerful side that will try to get forward early," added Kean. "They're very direct, they're good on set plays, and it will be a tough game for us." Centre-back Gael Givet will make his first appearance of the season after missing the opening two games through illness, with captain Ryan Nelsen making way after only just returning from knee surgery. Kean will make other changes, with the likes of goalkeeper Mark Bunn, defender Bruno Ribeiro and midfielders Radosav Petrovic and Jason Lowe likely to start.