Blackburn Rovers suffer season of struggle and revolt

Opening day disaster: 13 August 2011 Blackburn begin the season with a 2-1 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers at Ewood Park having taken the lead through Mauro Formica's 20th‑minute strike Kean's drink-drive ban: 15 August Steve Kean is banned from driving for 18 months after being found guilty of being almost twice the alcohol limit while on the M6 Fans' protest: 17 September With Blackburn in last spot, fans protest against Kean and the club's owners, Venky's, run by Anuradha Desai before the visit of Arsenal. The hosts win a topsy-turvy game 4-3 A year of woe: 19 November The 12-month anniversary of the £43m purchase of Blackburn by Venky's is marked by a 3-3 draw with Wigan Athletic that leaves the club in 19th place Carling Cup 'forfeit': 30 November Blackburn lose 2-0 to Cardiff City in the Carling Cup quarter-finals with a much-changed side. Kean admits he 'forfeited' the game in order to keep his players fresh for league fixtures West Bromwich spoil Kean's day: 17 December A 2-1 win for West Bromwich Albion at Ewood Park on the anniversary of Kean's appointment as manager heaps more pressure on the Scot No Christmas cheer: 20 December A 2-1 loss to Bolton Wanderers means Blackburn fall to last place and the calls for Kean to be sacked reach a crescendo. Even the local newspaper wants him out Protest push: 4 January 2012 Despite their side winning at Old Trafford, Blackburn supporters insist their protests against Kean and Venky's will become more 'intense' Out of trouble: 14 January After a 3-1 win against Fulham, Blackburn climb out of the relegation zone for the first time in the season Samba's sale: 24 February Having lodged a transfer request at the turn of the year, Christopher Samba is sold to Anzhi Makhachkala for £9m Decisive defeat: 10 April Blackburn lose 3-2 to Liverpool after playing against 10 men for the majority of the game. It is their fourth defeat in succession and leaves them in 18th Shot-shy surrender: 29 April Blackburn return to 19th after a 2-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur, during which they do not have a single shot on goal. The result leaves the club on the brink of relegation