[Archived] PROTEST!

[adopted scouser]

Send him an envelope full of scrambled egg

[Carlos090]

Protesting IMO will do nothing at this point but upset the whole foundation of the club.

If a protest were to happen or people start turning against any part of the club during a game that is realistically not a 'must win' we have much more of a chance of going down than ever before..

Everyone at this point needs to rally behind the team, the club and all the staff to keep us up. Not matter if you disagree at this point... nothings going to change until the end of the season anyway.

For those who want blood so badly, hold off until after our beloved club has been rallied to safety before you endanger the team you love into relegation.

[Paul]

Disagree completely about Samba Paul out of an extremely bad bunch I think he has looked one of those who has been trying his heart out in recent weeks. At 2-0 down we WERE beaten on Saturday. 1-0 might have been a different story.

Agree entirely there's no such things now as target games. Five games left and we HAVE to get the 5 or 6 points required. Doesn't matter if it's from Citeh and United or West Ham and Wolves.

I agree at 2-0 we were beaten and so where Liverpool on 112 minutes. I do understand what you say Rev but it takes seconds to score a goal. There have been countless matches in which teams have come back from the dead to win or draw in the closing moments. You just don't give up, especially when staring into the abyss.

No you're reading something into something that isn't there.

Personally I take the rumours about Benitez with a huge pinch of salt and I'm not a big fan myself but there's little doubt he is a huge name within the world of football and it would be a huge feather in the Rao's cap to entice him to Ewood. If negotiations have reached the advanced stage people are talking about, that's not indicative of owners who don't care or who would necessarily walk away.

If we go down plans will by definition have to be different. Someone like Benitez probably wouldn't want to come and budgets will probably look quite different. It could be nothing more than that. But I don't think it's fair to assume from comments made about what will happen when we stay up that something different entirely will happen if we go down.

I fully agree about Benitez and will just wait to see what happens. However there should be two plans; one IF we stay up and another IF we go down.

Staying up means spending a lot of money on stabilising the squad and the club

Relegation means spending a lot of money winning promotion

There isn't a lot of difference it's just which league we will be in. I know it's simplistic but if the Raos want publicity this is what it boils down to. This why IF we stay up worries me because it should be about solving whichever position we find ourselves in.

[Olveres]

Does anyone know if Steve Kean, after the game, comes out in the corner between Riverside and BBE, or in the corner between BBE and JW? Would love to tell him what I think of his job.

He's had a tunnel built, he normally exits via that and pops up at the Darwen Memorial, Doctor Evil stylee.....

[Mercer]

Great post from Paul which I am sure echoes the thoughts of most Rovers' supporters even though it has taken longer for some to see the light.

I also agree that it is UNACCEPTABLE to concede defeat with five minutes to go - you would not get that from a Ferguson, Dalglish team etc.

The time for 'pussyfooting' about has gone - Venky's and Kean need it full blast, as do the players if they are seen to be giving-up the ghost.

[Majiball]

I am not going to advocate protest but I say to those preaching restraint, back the team, wait till the end of the season, and I'm not criticising - do you not know the emotions, the passion? I'm pretty calm, know how to behave etc. but if I'm honest if my team is being beaten 2 or 3 nil against City I'm not sure how I'm going to react. I shall try to behave in a dignified manner but I know myself and if we are being slaughtered and the atmosphere turns I may well protest long and hard. There is nothing left to do, I've backed the team, I've avoided criticising the manager, I've tried to be reasonable but if Ewood erupts on Monday I may well do as well.

Just because people are asking for backing for the team doesn't mean for one second emotions are not running high for them as well. I shed a tear on Saturday, I was that distracted in the middle of my experiement I forgot to collect data, at the end I was so shaken I forgot all about saving my work. My mental well being is so linked to this club that this year it's been immensly hard to pick myself for the last few months as it's been nothing but doom and gloom.

Trouble is I look back at all of that and I ask myself why I've made so many mistakes in the last few months???

My emotions are getting in the way because my love for Rovers is strong. So do I react now based on those emotions or am I trying to put them to one side so I can regain clarity of thought and stop making silly mistakes and start making good choices again.

[Majiball]

Andy Cryers piece in todays LET:

STEVE Kean will rarely, if ever, have had a harder few days in his footballing life as Blackburn Rovers fans turn up the heat on their beleagured boss.

Internet forums have been in overdrive, letters, emails and phone calls calling for Kean’s head have been received at the Lancashire Telegraph offices, and the frustration and anxiety is clear for all to see around the town.

Who can blame them either? Blackburn Rovers is a huge part of so many people’s lives and to watch their proud club be taken to the brink is too painful for many to take.

No matter how many times owners Venky’s tell us they appointed Steve Kean because he was a ‘thinker’, the decision to replace the pragmatic Sam Allardyce in December will never, ever make sense to me – or anyone else for that matter.

Nor will their constant pursuit of superstars, like Ronaldinho and David Beckham, when all the squad really needed was a reliable goal scorer and a midfielder to improve on last season’s top 10 finish.

Venky’s and their new regime have to start getting real.

They have to understand what football fans in England want and they have so many questions to answer they should be residing in Blackburn this summer.

Should Steve Kean be Blackburn Rovers’ manager? No, of course he shouldn’t, handing such a responsibility to someone so inexperienced was another bad move by the club’s owners.

They made the mistake of listening to the vocal minority who were unhappy with Allardyce’s brand of football, listened to some bad advice, and wielded the axe accordingly.

From that moment, Rovers were always going to be heading for a relegation scrap and that is exactly where we are today. Five games to go to save the club’s future.

Being brutally honest, you can’t help but fear for the club should the worst happen. Top players would leave, a crippling wage bill would need to be reduced and ticket prices would in all likelihood increase to make up for the loss of income.

That is why there is no room for inquests. Nothing is changing between now and the end of the season, the dice has been rolled and all anyone can do is hope Rovers’ number isn’t up.

Steve Kean will NOT be sacked before the season finishes no matter how loud people shout for it to happen, how much they call for protests or how many polls are held about whether Kean should go or not.

The only people who are going to be affected by shows of discontent on match day are the players. They may be well meaning but it is the last thing Rovers need in a desperate fight to stay up.

Listening to ‘Kean out’ chants as they wait in the dressing room before the game is not exactly the perfect preparation.

It is doubtful whether we will even see the owners between now and the end of the season. They should be here, but then there are a lot of things they should have done.

These last five games cannot be about Venky’s, about Steve Kean or any other individuals. It has to be about doing everything possible to help your heroes avoid a catastrophic relegation.

Rovers need your help. It may be hard and it may be painful, but the fans have made the difference at Ewood before and can do again.

There are two options: resign yourself to relegation and carry out the protests or fight for a group of players who have given this club so much joy over the years.

I know which one I am going to do.

[47er]

Edited my post! PAPR (Paul Agnew PR).

Having said all of that, just learnt that they (Venky's) going to be on Granada reports tonight.

So they're not listening to people at Ewood and keeping quiet as you claimed?

[Kamy100]

So they're not listening to people at Ewood and keeping quiet as you claimed?

Who knows what Venky's are doing? Maybe they are listening to people at Ewood, maybe the interview with Granada was the idea of PAPR?

[onlyonejackwalker]

I agree that we must not protest either before or during the Manchester City game and said so earlier in this thread.

However, can somebody please explain how fans are expected to get their concerns and feelings across to the owners otherwise? Carrier Pidgeon to India?

In a democratic country people are allowed to voice their opinions. They can do so in any number of ways. However, no-one is listening to more modern means and methods of communication, so it may well be that the more 'traditional footballing way' has some impact.

My biggest concern is that we do nothing, change nothing and are subsequently relegated without a whimper. For those of us that voiced our concerns immediately the changes took place and have watched events at the club infolding exactly and uncannily as predicted, this would be very frustrating to take.

Even though we wished for better, it has not materialised. I personally thought Kean should have gone after the Wigan game away, so sitting here for another 5 or 6 weeks listening to people spout 'Give Kean More Time', said with absolute certainty like it means something has not got very boring to hear.

Like all of us, I do not wish to do anything that damages the club in anyway. Equally hanging around, hoping for the best and doing nothing, being totally reactive to events goes completely against the grain.

I would love us all to be fully united again and fully supportive. The club desperately needs that. But,the only way that can happen is if Kean is removed immediately. Why should I respect a person with zero qualifications for the job he holds? Especially after he has gone on to fully demonstrate he is very poor at his work. I state quite truthfully that I think I could have got more points than Kean has achieved with the players at his disposal, in the run of easy fixtures he enjoyed and with 5 million to wax on who I wanted. 14 points from 48 is absolutely shocking from the fixtures played. We are an established PL team and club, not some mickey mouse johnny come lately's who hope for the best whilst expecting the worst. We are better than the form shown under Kean.

It is of no suprise to me we are now in our worst run of form for 25 years, dating back to dear old Bobby saxton. 25 years and counting! After City Kean will be on target to break even longer standing records and will soon be close achieving the amazing status of the worst ever PL manager of all time. How have we got lumbered in this way!!

For these reasons I cannot see what harm can come from protesting after the game on Monday. It simply cannot get any worse and failure to act, or plan, is the same as planning to fail. If we do nothing, change nothing, then I assure you nothing will change.

Sitting idly by whilst we are relegated would be sad. In life it is infuriating when that seeing events unfold badly, when you knew all along that something needed changing. The time for talking is long gone. What choices remain?

[SouthAussieRover]

WTF is all this stuff about get behind the players and not protest.

90 percent of them will have already contacted their agents.

Why? To find them a new club.

I hear what Dougie is saying, but most modern day players don't give a flying (Please don't use that word again) about the clubs they play for.

So my anger will be directed at the whole kit and caboodle.

[Stuart]

"The time for protests": When exactly is this time?

For some we have past that time and it is too late. For others it is still not the time - certainly not until after the season has ended.

If we don't protest before or during the Man City game, this suggests that we should protest afterwards. But on what basis?

If we lose, or even draw, to Man City, it's hardly a great surprise - and would have people thinking the fans are mad. Plus depending on the weekend's results, might not even be a disaster.

If we beat City, matchday fans would be in raptures making a protest unlikely, but does the reason for protest suddenly go away? If it does then it suggests was never really anything to protest about.

The time for me would have been after defeat by Birmingham - but because we didn't lose there was no appetite for it, simply more questions.

We have needed a bad defeat to a near rival and it hasn't come leaving everyone debating, should we or shouldn't we.

Given all that has gone on, with so many "not quite good enough" results rather than desparate ones, we can only really do what Cryer (and other) have suggested and back the team to the hilt.

It isn't the easy option by any stretch but we have to do it.

As BRFC Supporters.

The fundemental basis of this messageboard.

[Exiled in Toronto]

Being 3,500 miles away, I obviously get no vote on whether to protest or not, but reading the comments it sems to me that the pro-protest lobby is being driven by their need to vent their feelings rather than it being a thought-through plan designed to achieve a specific outcome. It seems pretty clear to me that Kean won't be sacked this season and also, having been in Ewood on VE Day, that fans can influence the performance and result. If supporting the team hasn't worked so far then perhaps even more support might work? Just a thought. A baying mob certainly won't.

Fair play to Timmyjimmy - he's all but come out and said that, and I'm filling in the blanks here as he has asked us to do previously, a consortium of wealthy fans has got something together to offer the Raos a way out of their self-created nightmare, but obviously no-one on earth can consider buying the club if we go down, that would just be lunacy.

[TimmyJimmy]

WTF is all this stuff about get behind the players and not protest.

90 percent of them will have already contacted their agents.

Why? To find them a new club.

I hear what Dougie is saying, but most modern day players don't give a flying (Please don't use that word again) about the clubs they play for.

So my anger will be directed at the whole kit and caboodle.

SAR there are two seperate issues that are being discussed yet only one proposed solution, this cannot be right. Situation 1 is that we all hate what Venkys have reduced us to and we want them to know how we feel and fix it. Situation 2 is that we need to fill the players with confidence and try to get them to perform above their current levels. The single solution being aired here is to protest. For me and the other anti protest posters I consider a protest would only help Situation 1, it would be disasterous for Situation 2.

Protesting would make us all feel better because we will feel that we have done something yet the only thing we will have done is virtually guarantee relegation for the club, IMO. I'm calling for everyone to put aside this lust for some temporary gratification and think about what's best for the team.

We've all seen it a thousand times before with other relegation candidates, the stakes get too big for the players, they become scared to make a mistake, they don't show for the ball, they leave the risk taking in the final third to someone else, they'll pray for the final whistle so that they can get off the pitch and away from the anger/hatred. This will go on for the remaining games, guaranteed zero points. IMO to displace any anger within the earshot of the players on the park would be tantamount to shooting ourselves in the foot.

The fat lady is only clearing her throat, it's not over yet. We don't expect 3 points against ManC our points are more likely to come from other games. Let's not lose our heads. Stay calm and carry on is some of the best advice I ever heard.

[PAFELL]

PROTEST PROTEST PROTEST.

I haven't supported Blackburn Rovers because of the division. This crowd of clowns need to get the message loud and clear. We need our soul back.

Enough is enough.

Read the LET and various posts on here. Now is not the time to protest. I detest the situation Rovers are in now. I cannot put into words the anger and disgust I feel towards those responsible. But I am heeding to the pleas that have been made not to protest - FOR NOW.

We can wait for 5 games to make our protest - it is only 5 games. Have you not read TimmyJimmys post about back stage things going on. But maybe dependant on the club remaining in the prem. To do that all supporters have to do their part and back the players like never before. Then after these 5 games are finished then vent your anger. But for now, just a few weeks - that may seem a long time - back the team to the hilt by NOT PROTESTING JUST YET - they need to concentrate on their football, not fans feelings towards the owners or the manager. Their whole focus, as must the supporters be, on the football. Roar the Rovers to survival in the premiership. That is the task currently in hand.

[Mattyblue]

For me, we either protest now or don't bother.

Doing it at the end of the season would be utterly, utterly pointless- especially as our last game is away from home. Can't see a few dozen turning up on the Sunday night at a locked and deserted Ewood Park making much impact.

[roversmum]

What outcome do you hope for, Matty?

[PAFELL]

For me, we either protest now or don't bother.

Doing it at the end of the season would be utterly, utterly pointless- especially as our last game is away from home. Can't see a few dozen turning up on the Sunday night at a locked and deserted Ewood Park making much impact.

Then don't bother. Keeping the team in the prem is what matters. supporters have to do their part by backing and supporting the players. How often is ROVERS TILL I DIE sung? Well we are not dead yet. Until that happens - and it will not - get behind the players.

[roversmum]

this is the facebook page for the protest

I am not in favour of it but some might like to comment.

[ABBEY]

How often is ROVERS TILL I DIE sung? Well we are not dead yet. Until that happens - and it will not - get behind the players.

The Venkys are not rovers til they die tho are they ,lets fiddle whilst rome burns. Like I said earlier everyone will be behind the team until we go one down and then the volcanoe will erupt.

[Mattyblue]

What outcome do you hope for, Matty?

No idea.

To be honest, I am completely torn, I hear snippets that if we stay up, brighter times could be on the horizon. So, for the 90 minutes I will be getting behind the lads to try and get over the line.

However, I am disguted by the way the club has been run over the last few months- this club has been such a source of pride for me and to see it in this state is heartbreaking.

Do we meekly trudge home for the remaining weeks of the season, saying 'just get behind the lads next week' until we are relegated?

Or after the game on Monday night do we the fans, for the first time in a generaton, say ENOUGH- we want to be heard.

[roversmum]

I understand exactly where you're coming from, Matty, but will the owners?

[Gav]

The Venkys are not rovers til they die tho are they ,lets fiddle whilst rome burns. Like I said earlier everyone will be behind the team until we go one down and then the volcanoe will erupt.

Do you remember the Fox out demos in the 80s Abbs, seemed to be every week at one stage, and in reality the man didn't do a bad job keeping the club going through the bad times.

[RibbleValleyRover]

Perhaps if the players finally realised about how much trouble we are in and saw the protests going on it might give them a kick up the backside they need? They've been backed 100% and cheered on in recent games, apart from the performance against Arsenal it doesn't look like it has worked at all.

[ABBEY]

Do you remember the Fox out demos in the 80s Abbs, seemed to be every week at one stage, and in reality the man didn't do a bad job keeping the club going through the bad times.

i still have a scar on my head where the coppers wacked me on nuttall st!

looking back he did a good job and young daft and drunk springs to mind lol.

the venkys misheard the chant and heard "rovers roll the die!"