Moyes 'disgusted' by Kean abuse

Everton manager David Moyes has slammed the "disgusting" verbal abuse dished out by Blackburn Rovers fans to Steve Kean. Blackburn manager Kean, who has failed to win over the Ewood Park faithful since his shock appointment by Venky's, the Indian-based poultry firm that owns Rovers, a year ago, was subjected to relentless verbal abuse during the 2-1 Lancashire derby defeat at home to Bolton on Tuesday. The watching Moyes was so appalled he left Ewood Park after the first half of a match that saw Blackburn swap places with Bolton and drop to the bottom of the English Premier League. "I walked out at half-time," Moyes said Thursday. "I couldn't believe the criticism they gave their manager. "If they had supported the team as well as they had shouted at their manager I think the team might have got a result in the game. "I am a football manager and it could quite easily happen to me. I was disgusted with how football supporters treated Steve. "The only way I could show it was by leaving at half-time." Moyes added it was time for Venky's, who have shown little in the way of public support for Kean, to give his fellow Scot more obvious backing. "Steve stood on the touchline the whole night and took the barracking, never hid from it," Moyes said. "He was big enough to stand there and take it and that says a lot about him. "But sometimes on these occasions the owners need to step forward and be seen -- come out and tell people exactly what is happening so the supporters are aware of it. "The Bolton supporters really got behind their manager (Owen Coyle) and their team. If Blackburn supporters had done that it might have helped them." Moyes's words were echoed by Newcastle manager Alan Pardew, who said of the Rovers fans' taunts: "If they want to carry on like they are doing, all they are going to do is harm their own team. I can't see the logic in that. "It's a sign of the game. I don't know whether 20, 30 years ago, it would have been quite as vicious to Steve Kean. "I know him well -- he's a personal friend of mine -- so I have great sympathy for the position he is in," added Pardew, who worked with Kean at Reading. "He's trying to do the best job he can do. "He should be left alone to do that and it will be beneficial to the team if the fans take that view."