West Ham boss Avram Grant hailed the spirit of his side after they battled back to earn a point at Ewood Park.
Blackburn took the lead via Ryan Nelsen on 51 minutes but Junior Stanislas came off the bench to score and earn a point for the Hammers.
Grant was pleased with the way his rock-bottom side coped after falling behind at Ewood Park, especially given the injuries affecting his side.
His usual keeper Robert Green underwent a minor operation to remove a cyst earlier this week, meaning a West Ham debut for 23-year-old Belgian Ruud Boffin, while Grant’s problems continued to mount before kick-off as Valon Behrami, who had been a doubt, was replaced by Jonathan Spector at the 11th hour.
Taken more
The Hammers boss told Sky Sports: “I think we could have taken more (than a draw) because our performance deserved more.
“We created chances, we created half-chances, we had many things happening in the box but our decision-making was not so good.
“But I’m very impressed with the spirit of the boys. I know other teams with a problem like this – missing players at the last moment after preparing with others – and they can give up.
“You saw the boys today – they didn’t give up, they fought in an impressive way and I am very pleased about this.”
Created problems
Grant believed the injuries had created problems for his side, adding: “There is problems, it is not so easy. I know it better than anybody but there is two ways – I am choosing the way to find a solution and not give up and I’m very pleased that the boys did it very well today.”
There has been more speculation concerning Grant’s position at Upton Park this week but the West Ham boss insisted it had not affected the players on the pitch.
“You saw the players today – I know other teams that miss two or three players and they don’t perform well, including teams in the top that have a big, big squad,” he said.
“And I think the best answer was on the pitch – the spirit was great, the players gave everything and the only answer that we can give is on the pitch.”
