Bleak outlook for Harford at Blackburn

Blackburn Rovers were keeping their mounting problems to themselves yesterday as the future of their beleaguered manager, Ray Harford, looked bleak.

The club's owner, Jack Walker, was not making any public comment on the latest Ewood Park humiliation, nor was the chairman, Robert Coar.

They met with Harford after Tuesday's Coca-Cola Cup defeat by Second Division Stockport County, which was the final straw for many disgruntled supporters, who have yet to celebrate a Premiership win this season.

Nick Makinson, a supporter for more than 30 years, said: "The club has lost direction on and off the field and it's not all down to Ray Harford. There seemed to be a plan in place to go out and win the Premiership, but no plan in place on what was to happen after that. I think the problems are above Harford, but, that said, the manager just isn't doing it for us."

Whether Harford stays around long enough to pick the team to face West Ham at Upton Park on Saturday remains to be seen, but he certainly looks to be on the verge of the sack just over four years after linking up with Kenny Dalglish, who brought Blackburn their first Premiership title for 81 years in the 1994-95 season.

Harford refused to discuss his personal position or future with the club on Tuesday, and it is believed that he has offered his resignation in the past and was only given the dreaded public vote of confidence by both his directors and players last week.