[Archived] The Dawn Of A New Era

[cruz]

Who are the journalists in the programme?

There aren't any. They are football writers. Referring to them a Journalists dumbs down the profession

Half a mind to cancel my sky subscription

Do it anyway. It's not worth 99% of it's value. Utter dross

[philipl]

I know it is hard to do but my advice to the people whose blood is boiling about the Sunday Supplement is this:

Yes be passionate about the Rovers and spring to the club's defence.

But

If there is something not right inside the Rovers, keep an open mind about it.

It is a form of schizophrenia that supporters of Man U, Man City, Leeds, Pompey, Liverpool and so on have had to live with in recent years.

[dave birch]

I know it is hard to do but my advice to the people whose blood is boiling about the Sunday Supplement is this:

Yes be passionate about the Rovers and spring to the club's defence.

But

If there is something not right inside the Rovers, keep an open mind about it.

It is a form of schizophrenia that supporters of Man U, Man City, Leeds, Pompey, Liverpool and so on have had to live with in recent years.

Sorry philip, this is not schizophrenia. That is belittling those that suffer with that affliction.

Football supporters can get over their problems in a few days, schizo's can't and usually never.

We are talking about ego's here. Football ego's. My teams better than yours etc. There is more to life than that, despite what Bill Shankley said.

Football could stop tomorrow, but life would carry on, people would have to live, and those that carry the burden of mental problems have to somehow survive.

Perhaps it's time for people to get some perspective into their lives.

[philipl]

Sorry philip, this is not schizophrenia. That is belittling those that suffer with that affliction.

Football supporters can get over their problems in a few days, schizo's can't and usually never.

We are talking about ego's here. Football ego's. My teams better than yours etc. There is more to life than that, despite what Bill Shankley said.

Football could stop tomorrow, but life would carry on, people would have to live, and those that carry the burden of mental problems have to somehow survive.

Perhaps it's time for people to get some perspective into their lives.

Dave, sorry I should not have used the term schizophrenia so easily there.

It was simply an invitation to be passionate in support but keep your your eyes, ears and minds open even when the message is being delivered in such a humiliating way as the Sunday Supplement delivered it yesterday. Let's not forget that went out on Sky so it potentially opens up Murdoch's pockets to legal action as well... if there are grounds for legal action which I very much doubt personally.

[dave birch]

No problem, Philip.

I have problems when issues towards those that are unable to reply are raised.

Back to the issue at hand......

If I put down all I think about journalists, I'd be banned, and I'd certainly raise the ire of one Mk11.

(nicko, this is not a shot at you, per se, but some in your profession do have large agendas).

Then, on the other hand, we have "reporters".

Reporters of news and other goings on. We need more of these, ones that say things that have happened, a factual account of the game, for example.

I could carry on, but I'm getting off topic.

[S15]

If there is something not right inside the Rovers, keep an open mind about it.

What's not right?

[Parsonblue]

Surely the club could sue those comments for slander?

The problem with that is that many of the club's own supporters are expressing similiar opinions about how Sam lost his job. In the same way that Sam divided opinion amongst supporters, so too have Kean and Venkys.

[roverwhelmed]

I know it is hard to do but my advice to the people whose blood is boiling about the Sunday Supplement is this:

Yes be passionate about the Rovers and spring to the club's defence.

But

If there is something not right inside the Rovers, keep an open mind about it.

It is a form of schizophrenia that supporters of Man U, Man City, Leeds, Pompey, Liverpool and so on have had to live with in recent years.

If they raised any (perceived) issues with tact, with concern and with respect, I would welcome it. If there are issues, then I don't want them to be swept under the carpet because it won't do us any good in the long term. I like to think they are just plain wrong about Kean though.

I can't abide people saying we somehow 'fully deserve' to be in the middle of the championship. It is the sniggering, the ridicule and the seeming enjoyment of seeing our club be, as some seem to think, in freefall. Why do they think they can get away with enjoying it so openly? We have a long history, we deserve to be where results put us, and let's hope that our results and Keano prove them all wrong.

[dave birch]

Yes, fair enough. I'm willing to interpret other people's hints and think deeply (once in a while anyway!), but I'm not sure everyone is as calm about what is posted on here as I try to be.

You have my full agreement there. There's a lot of typing and pressing of the enter button before the brain gets engaged.

[Mercer]

We've always struggled to endear ourselves to the media. I think it's a combination of factors, part of it is because we are 'only poor little Blackburn', part of it is that the football world generally finds Blackburn 'unromantic' (compare to Newcastle or Weat Ham) and part of it, I think, is the way we fail to manage the media.

Didn't see Sunday Supplement but heard the comments. Firstly, it's akin to Nicko's 11 o'clocker on here - people want to see / hear some pretty serious, and often controversial, stuff being discussed as opposed to Lineker's Beeb style.

Many people have a view on what's going on at Ewood and there's a saying that 'perception is reality'. If there is nothing in the statements made on S.S. then you would expect Venkys to be all over it like a rash given what they are trying to do with their brand image. Let's see what they do - I'd be surprised if it was much. If things start going wrong at Rovers then expect much, much more of the same and by the dirty shovel load.

[Glenn]

I've moved all the posts about moderation to it's own thread in Ask Admin, so as not to side track this thread.

The problem with that is that many of the club's own supporters are expressing similiar opinions about how Sam lost his job. In the same way that Sam divided opinion amongst supporters, so too have Kean and Venkys.

... and you all see now why I'm trying to think about how you say things. A few harsh words that are inaccurate and people are screaming "sue them for slander", I sure people are saying the same about some of the posts on here (hence the heavy handed modding).

Sure, Sunday Supplement was unfair, offensive and inaccurate, but showing the world the journo are wrong is the answer, not wasting money on a court case.

[Mattyblue]

I may be wrong but for cases of libel/slander, if Rovers chose to sue those 'journalists' it would be up to the journos to prove THEY are telling the truth not Rovers.

As for the way Rovers are treated, ever since Jack we have been fair game to be patronised and belittled by the media. As a club, we are a famous AND succesful old name- like Everton, like Aston Villa- yes we don't get their crowds (as to be expected as we are a town club) but we are up there for being founder members, for years in the top flight, trophies won, international players over the years.

Riles me greatly.

[philipl]

What's not right?

- The most respected Chairmen/club administration team in football has been marginalised by people who themselves say they know nothing about football (except Balaji and who takes that claim particularly seriously?).

- the claims made by the Mail on Sunday article yesterday about the Rao's financial position are flatly contradicted by their own published accounts and their own websites

- if they were worth £2bn, would they have transferred a debt of £16m to their own account or paid it off immediately? Mrs Desai has repeatedly said that the debt is being serviced by them.

- if they were worth £2bn and liquid, would the payment to buy Rovers have apparently arrived late and the balance of £5m been staggered over 15 days as described in the official documentation? If they were liquid, would stories about money not being in the Rovers accounts to pay for a player last Monday be circulating? And have we bought anybody yet?

And that is before we get onto the timing and circumstances of Sam's sacking, who has received/are receiving contracts to date, the potential player sales, the role of Jerome Anderson, the media disasters- in fact the complete media screw up getting every outlet of the media writing bad copy about us, the on/off/on chasing of Ronaldinho, Beckham and Maradona and the comments of Howard Walker. There are probably more causes for alarm circulating in the public domain.

Thank goodness results have gone OK because apart from that, the real question to be asked is what is right at Rovers at present?

[S15]

As always Phil, multiple paragraphs of conjecture.

The abuse you've received has crossed a line, but I certainly understand why your posts over the past 6 months have wound people up.

[mhead]

Why am I underwhelmed by Philip L. at the moment?

I think his desire to be proved right has overtaken his desire to support BRFC.

My love is unconditional. Who is wrong?

[Mercer]

As always Phil, multiple paragraphs of conjecture.

The abuse you've received has crossed a line, but I certainly understand why your posts over the past 6 months have wound people up.

I think that most of Philip's points would have to be construed as valid. Any fair minded Rovers' supporter, who has followed events over the last two months or so, would not be surprised with such observations.

As far conjecture, I am sure that Philip would not put what he understands to be fact on here given all recent warnings about libel etc.

[CrazyIvan]

- The most respected Chairmen/club administration teams in football has been marginalised by people who themselves say they know nothing about football.

Isn't this a rumour only and not a fact? I haven't seen any direct evidence to support this comment directly. The way things were prior to the takeover is bound to be totally different post takeover.

- the claims made by the Mail on Sunday article yesterday about the Rao's financial position are flatly contradicted by their own published accounts and their own websites

Journalist making a mistake? Is it possible the accounts are out of date and the position of finance is how it's stated now or is that not possible? Frankly, this has little to do with Rovers anyway.

- if they were worth £2bn, would they have transferred a debt of £16m to their own account or paid it off immediately? Mrs D has repeatedly said that the debt is being serviced by them.

Hasn't this been dealt with by the fact that getting money out of India is difficult?

- if they were worth £2bn and liquid, would the payment to buy Rovers have arrived late and the balance of £5m been staggered over 15 days? If they were liquid, would stories about money not being in the Rovers accounts to pay for a player last Monday be circulating? And have we bought anybody yet?

First part - As above

Second part - Is this true? Has it been confirmed or is it just a rumour?

Third part - Wait and see.

And that is before we get onto the timing and circumstances of Sam's sacking, who has received/are receiving contracts to date, the potential player sales, the role of Jerome Anderson, the media disasters- in fact the complete media screw up getting every outlet of the media writing bad copy about us, the on/off/on chasing of Ronaldinho, Beckham and Maradona and the comments of Howard Walker.

Sam's sacking - Stupid timing. I think 90% of people agree with that.

Player sales - Has anyone gone? Player sales go on in all clubs anyway so we should expect some exits.

Jerome Anderson - Nobody wants him directly in charge of anything. What does he do anyway? That's a relevant question.

Media Disasters - Yeah, funny how that's stopped isn't it?

Ronaldinho, Beckham, Maradona - Yep, they chased them at one point. This one goes both ways Philip, where is Maradona right now?

Howard Walker - What comments are they? I can't remember seeing them anywhere...

Thank goodness results have gone OK because apart from that, the real question to be asked is what is right at Rovers at present?

It looks like the club is ok, in general, at the moment.

I still think I'll wait and see. What happens next will be indicative of how the land truly lies.

[philipl]

As always Phil, multiple paragraphs of conjecture.

The abuse you've received has crossed a line, but I certainly understand why your posts over the past 6 months have wound people up.

What is conjectural about the Raos' own current paperwork and live website contradicts the Sunday Mail story about their wealth?

What is conjectural about the debt being serviced and not repaid and what is conjectural about the payment for Rovers arriving in stages?

What is conjectural about Sam's sacking was problematic in its timing and impact on supporters?

What is conjectural that the media handling has not been good?

Nothing- those are hard evidenced facts.

There are a lot of people confusing loyalty to the club with blind loyalty.

None of us who are raising these concerns are doing so because we want to or enjoying it. We would be delighted if those who are saying everything is fine are proven correct.

[BuckyRover]

Yawn.

I haven't seen you (Mercerman) post a single positive thing about the club. I would have thought your joke would be wearing a bit thin by now.

Philipl, if things go wrong I'll be holding you personally responsible for your "trust the trust" mantra and for holding your sources in higher regard than the club by not revealing them.

Just so you know

[Glenn]

I haven't seen you post a single positive thing about the club.

To be fair, we've had a decade of Philip (quite rightly) telling us how well the club is run. I thought you'll all be glad he's changed it up

[dave birch]

Yawn.

I haven't seen you (Mercerman) post a single positive thing about the club. I would have thought your joke would be wearing a bit thin by now.

Philipl, if things go wrong I'll be holding you personally responsible for your "trust the trust" mantra and for holding your sources in higher regard than the club by not revealing them.

Just so you know

Bucky, a little "what if"

How would you feel if philip is proven right (albeit at a later date)?

I know as much (probably less than you) and whilst I would like the Venky's to succeed, there is the possibility of failure; and where would that lead us?

[S15]

There are a lot of people confusing loyalty to the club with blind loyalty.

None of us who are raising these concerns are doing so because we want to or enjoying it. We would be delighted if those who are saying everything is fine are proven correct.

Everything you say is an accumulation of google searched articles found on the web. I don't think you know anything for fact, especially regarding figures, debts and repayments. That's why it's conjecture.

If you base all your opinions on media articles about Blackburn Rovers then there is always going to be negative slants on offer.

What's been written may suggest there is the odd problem, what has actually happened/ is happening suggests any problems are being greatly exaggerated/ manipulated to suit certain agendas. You've suggested all sorts of nonsense, non of which has come to fruition. You've suggested player revolts, you've suggested we'd only sign SEM clients, you've suggested Jerome Anderson is running the show, you've suggested the Rao's have withdrawn funding; the list goes on.

NON of this has proven to be true, and in fact the opposite has been proved. This suggests to me that you clearly have an agenda, and as a Rovers fan it is massively annoying. Don't patronise me about 'confusing loyalty with blind loyalty,' because I'm fully aware of the concerns that have been raised regarding the new ownership. I'll make up my own mind based on the actions of the new owners, not on the warped views and manipulated articles and opinions you throw upon anyone who will read on a daily basis.

[thenodrog]

Personal abuse of other posters on the messageboard (any messageboard) is unacceptable.

It's no excuse, but I assume that this behaviour sometimes stems from frustration when other posters make heavy hints about their insider knowledge but don't provide the details. Perhaps it would help to calm the waters if these hints weren't made at all if the information is too sensitive to ever be released in full? What is the point in making hints otherwise?

Be a bloody boring place to be if there were no messages except totally researched accurate ones. On here is like bar room speculation, one needs to sift through and seperate the wheat from the chaff. Problems only occur when gullible people place too much store in everything they read.

As for posting info etc many will have been made aware recently of the threat of legal action toward anybody posting damaging or potentially libelous stuff about the new owners and their associates (whoever they might be) . Hence a certain reluctance to name sources etc. Apparently one can only hint vaguely now. This is definitely not something that we have been used to in this country. It's a new and imo distasteful experience. Supporters messageboards are a large part of football nowadays and heavy handed threats and censorship smacks of a third world mentality with more than a whiff of dishonesty and distrust.

The result is as Glenn suggested recently, that we have to be careful how we dance down the right side of the line.

[BuckyRover]

What the hell can we do about it?

Force them out or just moan about it ad infinitum.

If we did force them out then what? Who would they sell to?

Just get behind them FFS

[47er]

Be a bloody boring place to be if there were no messages except totally researched accurate ones. On here is like bar room speculation, one needs to sift through and seperate the wheat from the chaff. Problems only occur when gullible people place too much store in everything they read.

As for posting info etc many will have been made aware recently of the threat of legal action toward anybody posting damaging or potentially libelous stuff about the new owners and their associates (whoever they might be) . Hence a certain reluctance to name sources etc. Apparently one can only hint vaguely now. This is definitely not something that we have been used to in this country. It's a new and imo distasteful experience. Supporters messageboards are a large part of football nowadays and heavy handed threats and censorship smacks of a third world mentality with more than a whiff of dishonesty and distrust.

The result is as Glenn suggested recently, that we have to be careful how we dance down the right side of the line.

The libel laws haven't changed in the last few weeks. People have a right to protect their reputations.

In any case its not as if people were naming their sources anyway---if they ever existed of course.