[Archived] The Dawn Of A New Era

[67splitscreen]

If they are looking to get into bed with each other then they havent started on the right foot...

Personally some of my best memories started with blistering arguments with a bit of mud slinging throw in.

[yoda]

If they are looking to get into bed with each other then they havent started on the right foot...

The course of true love and all that!

They can all wobble their heads together

[67splitscreen]

Here's a strange one seems our owners have spoken with some of the senior members of the squad, certainly Nelson, who also expects Samba to be reinstated as team captain.

"But Nelsen told The Press the owners had since "spoken to some of the senior players" and outlined their plans to improve the club"

"I will definitely give it back to Chris when the manager feels he's got his head right and is right behind Blackburn 100 per cent."

Admiral Nelsen

[Doaksie]

Here's a strange one seems our owners have spoken with some of the senior members of the squad, certainly Nelson, who also expects Samba to be reinstated as team captain.

....

Admiral Nelsen

I was just reading that article myself too. The bit that stood out for me was that our 'skipper' seems to be a lot more relaxed about the situation now. Talking about our new owners in a positive light to his national press where you'd expect him to talk a little more freely.

"It's been a crazy couple of weeks but our owners really have a vision in terms of how they see the club and they want to take it. It's very exciting.

"They didn't have Sam [Allardyce] in their vision, he's paid the price through no fault of his own. But it could be really exciting for Blackburn."

[Bobby G]

Interesting if he's saying what he really thinks and not trying to steady the ship.

Right now, for me the most important thing is Chris Samba staying at the club, and secondly to improve the TEAM.

[unsall]

Right that's 2010 gone what a rollercoaster ride for us BRFC nuts,who would have thought this time last year we would be owned by some Indian chicken firm.I think the mad hysteria started in August when a certain Mr Ali decided he would buy us and pump in 300 mil,yes! we all thought another Jack,but as we all now know the dosh wasn't there,so along came the Venkys and within 3 weeks BFS had gone,more hysteria,what's going on,the club is on the brink,but when you take a step back and think,and even go back 3 years when Sparky went, not many fans wanted Sam,but when he did come and then got sacked we were all gobsmacked,I am slowley coming round to thinking that the Venkys are a little smarter than we all thought.I do know there is a lot going on behind the scenes with someone they have employed who has interviewd all head of departments and asked what they think of everything about the club,what they need to make the job easier and better,and also a nice touch from Venkys is that every player and heads of department all got a Harrods hamper for xmas,worth about £350 each,(yes I know the players don't need them and some actually gave them away to the cleaning ladies etc)and also every employee got smaller presents,again from Harrods,I know it doesn't sound much but it's never happened before,I think the time to make the first judgment is in 1 months time,even though it's not the best time to buy players,and the next judgement will be on 1st sept,and then, I think we wil all know if we are Venkys fans, so keep up the transfer rumours,the next month and just thank your lucky stars you were born in Blackburn,Happy new year!!!!!!!

[Kelbo]

Here's a strange one seems our owners have spoken with some of the senior members of the squad, certainly Nelson, who also expects Samba to be reinstated as team captain.

"But Nelsen told The Press the owners had since "spoken to some of the senior players" and outlined their plans to improve the club"

"I will definitely give it back to Chris when the manager feels he's got his head right and is right behind Blackburn 100 per cent."

Admiral Nelsen

And really, without any prejudice whatsoever, that is what they should have done at the very beginning, they have taken really bad advice from whoever, in any business or football club, you need everyone on your side and playing as a unit, my motto, which is at the foot of my post remains and is the crucial element of all successful teams. TEAM.

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

NOW THEN VENKY'S ITS OVER TO YOU....OPEN THOSE PURSE STRINGS AND SPLASH THE RUPEES!!!!

[John]

Is Steve Bruce right?

“Sam’s a pal of mine, but the situation Blackburn’s new owners have put themselves in is quite unbelievable. To sack someone like Sam and then appoint his coach (Kean) as his replacement, I find utterly ridiculous.

“It’s not just me as his friend, I’ve had a lot of conversations with people in football who think the same.”

[47er]

Is Steve Bruce right?

“Sam’s a pal of mine, but the situation Blackburn’s new owners have put themselves in is quite unbelievable. To sack someone like Sam and then appoint his coach (Kean) as his replacement, I find utterly ridiculous.

“It’s not just me as his friend, I’ve had a lot of conversations with people in football who think the same.”

Yes---of course he is.

[rovermagic]

Can anyone say 1) if the Venkys paid off our £17m debt? Was this included in the £43m they paid for the club? Was it £43m or £23m? 2) if the Rao family borrowed to pay the £43m. I can't imagine that they has that much liquidity lying around. All this important because it could mean we are paying out AA much as £3m per annum on our debts or as little as nothing at all. 3) were the Rao's/Desai implying that we could spend £5m p.a. On players? I'd so this could mean an extra £8m player per year than we are uses to. Which puts us closer to the purchasing ability of Sunderland or Everton or Stoke. We badly need quality. We do not have a Bent or Gian or even Welbeck or even Cattermole or Henderson or Malebranque. Our really top players are Samba and Jones and Robinson. But pls Nicko or PhillipI or someone on this thread a bit more info on Rao finances as re the above.

[Bobby G]

No it will be paid off over 4 years I believe.

[OscarRaven]

No it will be paid off over 4 years I believe.

Another assurance from Venky's? Think we better get the whip around started now.

[Bobby G]

Id like to be linked with bringing Zidane out of retirement next.

[Mattyblue]

Whatever happens in this window, Venky's HAVE to sort their PR out. Have you EVER known a football club conducing its affairs like we currently are re Ronaldinho?

Putting wages offered on Twitter and Facebook, then taking the posts off, then denying all knowledge of any interest.

Very odd, amateur and further proof that the JW/TF era is coming to a end.

[thenodrog]

Whatever happens in this window, Venky's HAVE to sort their PR out. Have you EVER known a football club conducing its affairs like we currently are re Ronaldinho?

Putting wages offered on Twitter and Facebook, then taking the posts off, then denying all knowledge of any interest.

Very odd, amateur and further proof that the JW/TF era is coming to a end.

Pathetic isn't it? Our owners are behaving like a bunch of star struck teenage girls. Their entire culture is all about show and nothing about substance and if anybody was in any doubt they won't be now. Maradona, Beckham, Ronaldinho! Pathetic and every action shows just how little they know about football. I have an overpowering feeling that BRFC is no longer my club.

[adopted scouser]

how little they know about football. I have an overpowering feeling that BRFC is no longer my club.

You're not on your own Gordon. I'm telling you, Jack's dream is just a flicker now, it's all over.

[Amo]

You're not on your own Gordon. I'm telling you, Jack's dream is just a flicker now, it's all over.

Whereas the flame burned brightly as the Trust were slowly killing us off?

[Majiball]

I have an overpowering feeling that BRFC is no longer my club.

Have they just reduced the prices down at the golf club by any chance?

[Seggie]

Pathetic isn't it? Our owners are behaving like a bunch of star struck teenage girls. Their entire culture is all about show and nothing about substance and if anybody was in any doubt they won't be now. Maradona, Beckham, Ronaldinho! Pathetic and every action shows just how little they know about football. I have an overpowering feeling that BRFC is no longer my club.

It all strikes me as something to impress their mates and create a bit of publicity for themselves and their chicken. Its like being at school and that kid that nobody really likes bs'ing to make people impressed

[Tris]

It is 10 weeks to the day (Tuesday 26th October) that BRFC confirmed that the New Era was about to dawn. The 98 word statement on Rovers own website under the headline "Almost There!" concluded with these words from Mrs Desai - "we are particularly delighted that the team is Blackburn Rovers, with whom we believe we have many shared values and ambitions".

Well 10 weeks on and in hindsight ... perhaps the ambitions were shared, but the values most certainly haven't been. Our club had gained enormous respect in the football world - not always reflected or reported in the media - for the values always adhered to by BRFC when dealing with other clubs and entities which have to be dealt with at this level of football. Values such as discretion, integrity and a serious no-time-wasting approach to business.

After that first confirmation on 26/10, it was over three weeks later that Venkys ownership was finalised on 19/11. They appeared to have appointed London PR agency Taylor Herring to handle their side of the news, as this official statement gave Taylor Herring's main switchboard number as the contact for Venky's London Limited.

I have no idea if TH still handle that side, but there is certainly no further hint that they do. Their archive contains nothing else of relevance, and their "Hall of Fame" of clients makes no reference to BRFC or Venkys. Which seems strange, because PR companies value top level clients, and under their sports customers they only list UFC, Football Italia, Soccer Aid and Power Bar.

Meanwhile everything that Venkys have said and done only points to the conclusion that they really DO need PR advice. Not the most important thing they need though - above all they desperately need football advice. Whatever advice they are getting on both fronts is coming from the wrong people and the wrong places ... or if they're making plans themselves as they go along then they need to stop doing that immediately.

Maradona, Ronaldinho, Beckham ... it doesn't matter how any of these rumours came out but the owners have had to make public denials on the first two and their appointed manager has mentioned the third himself. That is a symptom of a disjointed shambles at the top, and an out-of-control public face. Who is actually letting this stuff into the public domain??

Venkys - save your Ronaldinho money for later. Please ... at least ... go into this transfer window with some credibility and let the trusted football executives deal with your appointed manager ... and get the players he actually wants to sign and pick to play in the 1st team.

"Shared values and ambitions" you said. You've screwed our values, so now you need to stay true to our ambitions. At this point, that's PL survival. Step up to the plate and stop the bullsh!t circus.

[booth]

I have an overpowering feeling that BRFC is no longer my club.

Every cloud eh?

[deryck guyler's spoon]

Every cloud eh?

[thenodrog]

It is 10 weeks to the day (Tuesday 26th October) that BRFC confirmed that the New Era was about to dawn. The 98 word statement on Rovers own website under the headline "Almost There!" concluded with these words from Mrs Desai - "we are particularly delighted that the team is Blackburn Rovers, with whom we believe we have many shared values and ambitions".

Well 10 weeks on and in hindsight ... perhaps the ambitions were shared, but the values most certainly haven't been. Our club had gained enormous respect in the football world - not always reflected or reported in the media - for the values always adhered to by BRFC when dealing with other clubs and entities which have to be dealt with at this level of football. Values such as discretion, integrity and a serious no-time-wasting approach to business.

After that first confirmation on 26/10, it was over three weeks later that Venkys ownership was finalised on 19/11. They appeared to have appointed London PR agency Taylor Herring to handle their side of the news, as this official statement gave Taylor Herring's main switchboard number as the contact for Venky's London Limited.

I have no idea if TH still handle that side, but there is certainly no further hint that they do. Their archive contains nothing else of relevance, and their "Hall of Fame" of clients makes no reference to BRFC or Venkys. Which seems strange, because PR companies value top level clients, and under their sports customers they only list UFC, Football Italia, Soccer Aid and Power Bar.

Meanwhile everything that Venkys have said and done only points to the conclusion that they really DO need PR advice. Not the most important thing they need though - above all they desperately need football advice. Whatever advice they are getting on both fronts is coming from the wrong people and the wrong places ... or if they're making plans themselves as they go along then they need to stop doing that immediately.

Maradona, Ronaldinho, Beckham ... it doesn't matter how any of these rumours came out but the owners have had to make public denials on the first two and their appointed manager has mentioned the third himself. That is a symptom of a disjointed shambles at the top, and an out-of-control public face. Who is actually letting this stuff into the public domain??

Venkys - save your Ronaldinho money for later. Please ... at least ... go into this transfer window with some credibility and let the trusted football executives deal with your appointed manager ... and get the players he actually wants to sign and pick to play in the 1st team.

"Shared values and ambitions" you said. You've screwed our values, so now you need to stay true to our ambitions. At this point, that's PL survival. Step up to the plate and stop the bullsh!t circus.

Every cloud eh?

Excellent post Tris but judging by the two follow up's it's a wasted effort. Too cerebral by far for some. 'Pearls before swine' I'm afraid. No doubt they'll already have ordered their BRFC shirts with Ronaldinho on the back.

[Steve Moss]

Based on their contradictory statements, impulsive actions, sidelining of trusted, competent professionals, and apparent desire for celebrity, I agree that Venkys presents as amateurish in the ways of football. However, IF they follow through on multiple decent transfers and a marque signing this month, then they will have proven themselves well-intentioned amateurs. Time will cure the amateur problem and in the meantime, Venkys will be gaining credibility and positive name recognition as the Rovers climb the league table.

If Venkys doesn't present itself as strong, focused and, most importantly, succesful in this transfer window, then they will have proven themselves to be boorish amateurs lacking all credibility. That will be devasting to both the Rovers (with a relegation battle being a real possibility) and the Venkys' brand name.

Let's hope for the sake of the Rovers that Venkys proves itself. Accordingly, until the end of this month I will put my faith in Venkys as the alternative does not bear thinking about.