Pune trip

[perthblue02]

This is quite normal though isn't it?

Didn't we often fly out to Dubai under a previous manager when we were quite far down the table?

Yeah the club did to specially designed sports camp centres in one of the worlds most modern cities and is a good comparison to the trip to Pune how? apart from the timing ?

[Hughesy]

I still think its a great opportunity for the 11 + Rovers staff going over. Heard there are lots of the ewood staff going over too, should be good. Your lucky for getting the opportunity, to turn it down would be STUPID! Its a way to start to build a fans link to the owners.

As for the trip......couldnt we organise a 'old shirts' collection to be handed out to Indian children whilst you are over there?? Spread the colours over there!

[Tom]

I'll be taking my old shirts over for sure Hughesy and will hopefully have the chance to get them out to people

Sorry GAV I didn't realise we went out to Dubai to train I remembered it as just a team break, my mistake

I had my immunisations with no side effects but I know not everybody reacts the same.

[Mercer]

While I can see the arguments for the Pune 9 refusing to go, and part of me would welcome it, I also can see the arguments for them going.

The main problem of refusing is that they could easily turn round and say they made an effort to reach out and speak to the fans which was then refused. What we may see as buttering up and "bribing" fans, they probably see as good hospitality.

After all, if we were doing well in the league, who wouldn't prefer meeting at a 4 or 5 star hotel in the sunshine on holiday versus sat in rainy Blackburn?

Of course there's the context of the whole thing, but given how disconnected they are from footballing reality, I doubt it'd be a context they really see. It's upto the Pune 9 to make them face facts as much as possible though.

edit

[sentient]

Well the issues - pitfalls and hopes - have been debated so the 9 are walking into this eyes wide-open. Hopefully, things go swimmingly but if things turn-out for the worse and they are done up like the proverbial kipper then they can't start bleating innocent ignorance. Assuming the worst, they need to be prepared for the undoubted flak they will receive as the fans-forum group and as individuals. I hope the trip is worth the sacrifice.

[Alex Rover]

Just found out a friend of my Mum & Dad's is one of the 9. We reckon he's a great candidate to represent us.

[Baz]

Well the issues - pitfalls and hopes - have been debated so the 9 are walking into this eyes wide-open. Hopefully, things go swimmingly but if things turn-out for the worse and they are done up like the proverbial kipper then they can't start bleating innocent ignorance. Assuming the worst, they need to be prepared for the undoubted flak they will receive as the fans-forum group and as individuals. I hope the trip is worth the sacrifice.

From comments on here, I think they are taking it as a nothing ventured - nothing gained exercise. Why anyone would want to give them flak if it turns out to be a venkys pr exercise I dont know. The blame should only be pointing one-way if thats the way it turns out. At least they are trying to help.

[Mercer]

From comments on here, I think they are taking it as a nothing ventured - nothing gained exercise. Why anyone would want to give them flak if it turns out to be a venkys pr exercise I dont know. The blame should only be pointing one-way if thats the way it turns out. At least they are trying to help.

I think many are of the view that the biggest impact could be made by not going.

IMO, this is clearly a PR ploy with a carefully garnered press ensemble in Prune. Their behaviour so far suugests that they are highly autocratic and don't really give a feck about the views of those perceived as 'minnions' - if this was not the case, this exercise would have been done months ago in open forum at Ewood

Not going would be a huge embarrassment and puncture their self righteous balloon. They would also understand that not all come running when called and perhaps there is just something wrong with the management of our club.

I honestly believe that the Pune 9 will very much regret accepting the offer of this trip.

[Tom]

OK Mercerman you have said over and over and over that you think the trip should be rejected.

Why will we regret going? I can't see the logic in turning down the trip just to stick the V's up at the owners and pass up the opportunity to engage with them.

There is much more to be gained by going than by not going in my opinion, if it turns out that nothing good comes of it then it's a shame but nothing lost.

Edit: Glenns post here http://www.brfcs.co.uk:81/mb/index.php/topic/25386-pune-trip/page__view__findpost__p__1149573 says it far better than I ever could

[Mattyblue]

If the FF had said from the moment it was floated as an idea from the owners, 'no, we think it would be more beneficial to have a meeting in Blackburn' then all this 'we don't want to put two fingers up and cut any dialogue' wouldn't have been an issue.

However, it is all too far down the line now and if people pulled out, yes they would be riled and less likely to engage in the future.

Plus, who on earth is going to pull out of an all expenses paid trip to India?

[bob fleming]

Plus, who on earth is going to pull out of an all expenses paid trip to India?

Grella probably with a calf strain or such like.

[Stuart]

Grella probably with a calf strain or such like.

Many a true word spoken, Bob...

[Baz]

I think many are of the view that the biggest impact could be made by not going.

IMO, this is clearly a PR ploy with a carefully garnered press ensemble in Prune. Their behaviour so far suugests that they are highly autocratic and don't really give a feck about the views of those perceived as 'minnions' - if this was not the case, this exercise would have been done months ago in open forum at Ewood

Not going would be a huge embarrassment and puncture their self righteous balloon. They would also understand that not all come running when called and perhaps there is just something wrong with the management of our club.

I honestly believe that the Pune 9 will very much regret accepting the offer of this trip.

Personally I think your underestimating the FF members. Of the ones I know going to Pune, neither SteB or Glenn are anyone's patsy, and are knowledgable intelligent people who wont be influenced by anything as little as a freebie.

[Gav]

Plus, who on earth is going to pull out of an all expenses paid trip to India?

Me!

I wouldn't go after some soul searching, it makes not the slightest bit of difference that its all expenses paid, but maybe I'm an exception to the rule.

[Mercer]

OK Mercerman you have said over and over and over that you think the trip should be rejected.

Why will we regret going? I can't see the logic in turning down the trip just to stick the V's up at the owners and pass up the opportunity to engage with them.

There is much more to be gained by going than by not going in my opinion, if it turns out that nothing good comes of it then it's a shame but nothing lost.

Edit: Glenns post here http://www.brfcs.co.uk:81/mb/index.php/topic/25386-pune-trip/page__view__findpost__p__1149573 says it far better than I ever could

Tom - I think by going, you are playing into their hands. As their guests, it will be very difficult to appear anything other than amenable and it will all be 'positively spun'.

By rejecting the trip, I believe that the 9 would be making a huge statement on behalf of all Rovers' fans and it would puncture what, I believe, is a crass attempt on their behalf to paint 'a nice picture with that nice man'.

[Gav]

Personally I think your underestimating the FF members. Of the ones I know going to Pune, neither SteB or Glenn are anyone's patsy, and are knowledgable intelligent people who wont be influenced by anything as little as a freebie.

You obviously don't know Steb :lol:

[RovertheHill]

Tom - I think by going, you are playing into their hands. As their guests, it will be very difficult to appear anything other than amenable and it will all be 'positively spun'.

By rejecting the trip, I believe that the 9 would be making a huge statement on behalf of all Rovers' fans and it would puncture what, I believe, is a crass attempt on their behalf to paint 'a nice picture with that nice man'.

I completely disagree. Who cares what the spin is? I think that if we want change then the best way to convince the Rao's is by rational and adult dialogue directly with them, with a case made by passionate fans who have the best interests of the club at heart, rather than rather churlish and empty gestures such as not going. In fact I think it will be a tremendous opportunity lost if the fans do not go and do not take the opportunity to present the issues directly.

[Miker]

The Pune 9 should refuse to go until Kean is sacked.

You have some power over the owners now, use it.

The clown must go.

[Al]

The Fans Forum are a group who regularly meet the Rovers management but are not allowed to discuss football matters like the team or the manager. How do you expect them to discuss anything different when they are being entertained royally in Pune with the corporate hospitality they will enjoy in there.

It will be a PR excercise for the most influential fans on the forum. The best we can expect is that it may later lead to a further meeting in Blackburn where some of the other fans can attend and make there feelings felt. By then it may be too late.

[47er]

The Fans Forum are a group who regularly meet the Rovers management but are not allowed to discuss football matters like the team or the manager. How do you expect them to discuss anything different when they are being entertained royally in Pune with the corporate hospitality they will enjoy in there.

It will be a PR excercise for the most influential fans on the forum. The best we can expect is that it may later lead to a further meeting in Blackburn where some of the other fans can attend and make there feelings felt. By then it may be too late.

This is my worry. If the fans aren't allowed to discuss football matters like the performance of the manager then its a set-up from the start, a mere PR exercise. If the explanation is that the Fans Forum never discuss football matters anyway then the choice should have been from somewhere else.

Spin-- everywhere we look.

[ABBEY]

You obviously don't know Steb :lol:

Mint

I don't do things lke fans forum , I have no interest in doing it or have the time. Am I reading if right tho that a rovers ff can't discuss managers and rovers stuff? Or is just anexcuse to go for a bevy?

[Gav]

Mint

I don't do things lke fans forum , I have no interest in doing it or have the time. Am I reading if right tho that a rovers ff can't discuss managers and rovers stuff? Or is just anexcuse to go for a bevy?

They have a mandate to discuss off field activities only, from what I can gather Abs.

They do a great job also, some stuff that slips under the radar to the average fan, and their commitment is to be applauded.

[Glenn]

The Fans Forum are a group who regularly meet the Rovers management but are not allowed to discuss football matters like the team or the manager. How do you expect them to discuss anything different when they are being entertained royally in Pune with the corporate hospitality they will enjoy in there.

It will be a PR excercise for the most influential fans on the forum. The best we can expect is that it may later lead to a further meeting in Blackburn where some of the other fans can attend and make there feelings felt. By then it may be too late.

This is my worry. If the fans aren't allowed to discuss football matters like the performance of the manager then its a set-up from the start, a mere PR exercise. If the explanation is that the Fans Forum never discuss football matters anyway then the choice should have been from somewhere else.

Spin-- everywhere we look.

Mint

I don't do things lke fans forum , I have no interest in doing it or have the time. Am I reading if right tho that a rovers ff can't discuss managers and rovers stuff? Or is just anexcuse to go for a bevy?

As I've mentioned this at least 3 times in this thread. Yes, the current FF rules don't allow for on the fields discussions and I see the logic in this, the club can influence things like ticket prices, but if we'd done several seasons of "d'ya know Keef's a bit rubbish" it would have been a waste of time as ultimately the club would always have to leave the on the field stuff to the manager (and in my eyes, they certainly should, if he's getting it wrong, replace him). It's been frustrating at times, but it means we actually talk about causes we can influence (such as unreserved seating the the DE) rather than things we can't (why MGP can't take corners). I honestly don't remember what if anything got mentioned last time there was manager unrest (over Ince I assume) but I don't know if that counts as on the field or not (there were certainly comments made to club officials about Kean and the fans reaction to him at the last meeting, whether these were minuted or treated as an aside I don't know).

.... but all that said. We don't know the format of what's happening in India. It's been strongly hinted at the any meeting would likely to be much more informal and therefore not necessarily following the normal FF rules, so who knows what we'll end up discussing.It could be Kean's future, it could be turning Manxman hill into a chicken themed water park, it could be how the Rao's are perceived by than fans, it could be how nice the lamb madras is ... we simply don't know. But don't for one moment think that just because the FF's remit doesn't include on the field stuff that we're incapable of discussing it, oddly enough we all care about Rovers outside of the bi-monthly meetings too, we all have opinions (and are aware of others opinions of other too) and aren't afraid to share them.

Plus, if there WAS a group of fans that HAD been regularly talking to the club about on the field issues as well as off and had already tried to secure an audience with the owners, then they may be a better choice than both the FF and a random sample of fans. But there isn't (as far as I'm aware).

[Ricky]

But they didn't get your ledge sorted did they Gav.... I would have a word if I was you!!

[3rdpillar]

I dont think you should be going. But if you do you should go as you and not Fans Forum. The thought that the FF is going and being bound by some rules is diabolical.