Pune trip

[LeChuck]

All that writing and only one sentence seems to deal with the Kean issue: "We specifically raised the concerns a great many fans had with the current team management set-up and it was clear that he was aware of fans’ feelings."

The lack of severity present in the language used suggests it probably didn't reflect the dismay felt by the vast majority of people. Apologies if I've misinterpreted that, and if I have may I suggest expanding on what was discussed around Kean's continued presence? It's all a bit wishy-washy.

[rovers_rob]

Group Summary up on pune9.com now.

Good stuff !

It is good to know that Balaji is passionate about the club.

I think the main concern of everyone that I speak to is obviously the results and the manager.

What was his reaction when you (or whoever it was) mentioned this ? Was he suprised ? Can you elaborate on what his response was to the concerns we have about the manager ?

thanks.

[47er]

Have read it. Sounds good as far as it goes.However no way from that report can I tell how firmly you pressed the relevant issues and certainly there's no mention of the outrageous statement about a few people creating thousands of emails. Surely he was asked about that?

I don't get a feel as to how he received the fans' desire for Kean to go, I guess you had to be there.

Was it put to him that the vast majority of Rovers fans think we'll be relegated under Kean---possibly by Christmas?

I stress this is my immediate reaction but first response from me is a cautious "well done".

I'd like to see things fleshed out in the next few days.It was an hour and a half meeting so there must be a lot more to say.

[chaddyrovers]

Very good statement and pleased that memebers got to meet Balaji Rao and discuss things. So credit to Balaji meeting the FF memebers and I'm pleased that Balaji is passionate and committed to rovers and improving us as a club.

A couple of questions now to the FF memebers:-

1) What did BR say about Kean as manager and his future?

2) Did you ask about the owners appointing a new Chairman/CEO?

3) Did you ask about the Bank Problems in the summer? and what happens and why?

4) Are the owners committed to spending the 5 million pounds each transfer window?

[Mattyblue]

I wasn't too far off, was I!

[Hi Mack]

Can anyone go in to detail of Bilaji's comments Re: Kean?

[ABBEY]

I wasn't too far off, was I!

Can't plus on phone but I think it's a +1

Hail the venkys

[T4E]

All that writing and only one sentence seems to deal with the Kean issue: "We specifically raised the concerns a great many fans had with the current team management set-up and it was clear that he was aware of fans’ feelings."

The lack of severity present in the language used suggests it probably didn't reflect the dismay felt by the vast majority of people. Apologies if I've misinterpreted that, and if I have may I suggest expanding on what was discussed around Kean's continued presence? It's all a bit wishy-washy.

100% agree with this - what was said by the FF about Kean, what was Balaji's reaction, and do we have any hint as to where his thinking now lies?

As a side note - did you get the impression that Mrs Desai is the key decision maker as is so often asserted?

[rebelmswar]

I wasn't too far off, was I!

Group statements always follow that format.

Just read a UN resolution on anything.

I feel that anyone would and should feel passionate about any significant investment - they would be mad not to be.

Don't know what to make of that really. If you deleted the fluff we would have a single thread of passion from the person that is part of the problem.

Whilst there is really nothing new, or of note, there, I refuse to believe the likes of Glenn etc rolled over to have their bellies tickled.

I hope and trust there is more than that.

[winstonsmith]

Did Venkys say what their 'plan of action' was ? On 4 October it was reported in the LET that, following the protests and in response to the poor results, Venkys intended to sit down and come up with a plan of action. So as they are now communicating with the fans, can it be assumed that they informed the FF what the plan is ?

[Tom]

Balaji was told directly what the fans thought of Kean and that the longer he remains manager of our club the more and more anger will switch to the owners and action needs taking before it's irreversible.

Whilst I can't remember exact words its safe to say the managers position isn't as safe as some would believe, in fact the notion that he was unsackable was laughed at during the earlier meeting and balaji was shocked to hear the 'brilliant' quote about the manager.

Tellingly not once during the talks was the manager backed or talked up.

Also no questions we had were filtered or intercepted.

The owners will be here for the next home game and were aware that more protests are planned

[LeChuck]

Thanks Tom. Sounds far more promising.

[SouthAussieRover]

Reads like a press release.

Says nothing at all about their vision, current plans and contingency plans.

Just seen Toms post...this is the sort of stuff I was hoping to read.

[Hi Mack]

Balaji was told directly what the fans thought of Kean and that the longer he remains manager of our club the more and more anger will switch to the owners and action needs taking before it's irreversible.

Whilst I can't remember exact words its safe to say the managers position isn't as safe as some would believe, in fact the notion that he was unsackable was laughed at during the earlier meeting and balaji was shocked to hear the 'brilliant' quote about the manager.

Tellingly not once during the talks was the manager backed or talked up.

Also no questions we had were filtered or intercepted.

The owners will be here for the next home game and were aware that more protests are planned

Cheers Tom, hope you dont mind having questions sent your way as I suspect you'll be asked a hell of a lot in the next day or so...

[Glenn]

Why did I know that was going to be first question

I've been wracking my brains ever since for the exact phrases used. I know Tom opened with the question and poll results were mentioned. The response whilst diplomatic was along the lines of (and my apologies, this isn't a direct quote, others may remember it differently) Everyone is judged on results, nobody is irreplaceable, I will not allow the club to go down (or at least words I took to mean this).

[Tom]

I have to say (and I know I will get stick for this) that I did come back a lot more postive than when I went out.

Their plans in India do make some sense and are achievable after seeing the passion of the fans out there but no matter what that is all totally pointless if the reason for our being (on the pitch) isn't successful. I feel they are acutely aware of this now and know that if we fail to remain in the league then their investment as well as our beloved club Goes to the dogs.

It's worth noting that Mr and mrs roversmum held seperate talks with balaji so may have differing views.

[forumquizmaster]

Whilst I can't remember exact words its safe to say the managers position isn't as safe as some would believe, in fact the notion that he was unsackable was laughed at during the earlier meeting and balaji was shocked to hear the 'brilliant' quote about the manager.

Tellingly not once during the talks was the manager backed or talked up.

This is positive. Interesting that it would appear even the Raos might be getting stitched up by certain elements of the media in respect of misquotes or fabricated statements. This feedback, coupled with reports that Kean 'hasn't been himself' since returning from Pune, makes me believe that his days really are numbered.

Well done to the Pune 9 - it looks to me as though you handled the situation out there very well.

[Moppy]

Best bit of news for a long time that Tom + Glen. I don't see how he can keep his job to the end of the seasons - the odd wins will only be a stay of execution as I don't believe he has the ability to manage a prem team. Lets hope they act sooner rather than later - when the are in town for the Spurs game. It made no sence for them to sack him before the tour of India from a PR stance (and good PR in India is crucial to their plans). But who is to say they don't recognise they need to get rid and will not sack him after the Spurs game even if he gets a win against QPR.

[RibbleValleyRover]

Nothing really new in the statement. Venky's talk a big and bright vision with the academy being set up and increasing the brand over there in India but that is being overshadowed by their inability or refusal to act when it comes to sacking the manager.

They might care and they might want Rovers to succeed but it's hard to take them seriously right now whilst the clown remains.

[rovers_rob]

I have to say (and I know I will get stick for this) that I did come back a lot more postive than when I went out.

Their plans in India do make some sense and are achievable after seeing the passion of the fans out there but no matter what that is all totally pointless if the reason for our being (on the pitch) isn't successful. I feel they are acutely aware of this now and know that if we fail to remain in the league then their investment as well as our beloved club Goes to the dogs.

It's worth noting that Mr and mrs roversmum held seperate talks with balaji so may have differing views.

I feel more positive just for reading your response. If they can get it right on the pitch everything else will fall into place and thinks will look even better.

The statement mentions that you were suprised by Balaji's knowledge about the club, what did he say that suprised you ?

Also, does he read this forum (or any other forums) ?

[Brfcrule1]

Tom one thing that does spring to mind you say Balaji was shocked to hear about the brilliant quote am I right to assume he did not say that? and was misinterpreted? and will he take it further with the newspaper? and I heard somewhere they want to open up rovers merchandise shops all over India is this true? & when is the shop in Goa likely to open?.

[Tom]

Balaji also mentioned how much the protests and criticism of them pains him, that coupled with the fact they are in town for Spurs and know there are protests planned leads me to believe that game could be a pivotal moment. Let's hope it's not too late.

Also this is neither here nor there but balaji organised a private function on the last night which we ended up invited to, instead of talking to the Bollywood star there or the players and wives he seemed to spend a lot of his time chatting to Birdy about the club and loolong at his tattoos. Woody spent most of the night with his newly bought shirt unbuttoned to the naval balaji style'

I'm absolutely positive Balaji in particular wants it to succeed but the right decisions need to be made in order for that to happen as passion coupled with incompetence would still equal failure.

[chaddyrovers]

Balaji was told directly what the fans thought of Kean and that the longer he remains manager of our club the more and more anger will switch to the owners and action needs taking before it's irreversible.

Whilst I can't remember exact words its safe to say the managers position isn't as safe as some would believe, in fact the notion that he was unsackable was laughed at during the earlier meeting and balaji was shocked to hear the 'brilliant' quote about the manager.

Tellingly not once during the talks was the manager backed or talked up.

Also no questions we had were filtered or intercepted.

The owners will be here for the next home game and were aware that more protests are planned

That's pleased that what the fans think of Kean is getting abck to the owners.

Sound like Balaji has been misquoted again by the press just like some rovers fans were in India. Typical press!

I'm Pleased that the owners will be here for the Spurs game, shows they are commited to rovers!!!

[Ste B]

Importantly as well, the level of feeling was stressed, the 95% figure was mentioned and also that it was representative of pubs and workplaces in Blackburn.

Clearly for Venkys India plans, relegation is not an option, and clearly they will do whatever is required to prevent that.

We also stressed that meetings need to be held in the UK with fans, via the existing forum and with other groups (BRST, Kamy etc). The impression there was very positive.

No promises were made, so we have to take our own personal impressions from things, but it DOES seem that they are listening. The actions over the next few weeks will prove that one way or the other. We've done what we can as the pune 9 to get things over. If people keep chipping away with their own approaches, i'm confident that things will happen.

[Steve Kean's Hypnotoad]

Well I think you've done all right to be honest guys. For something that was written off by many early on as simply a PR exercise, I think an hour-long polite grilling of one of the owners was a decent outcome in the end. It sounds like Balaji's answers were diplomatic/cagey and didn't give much away but just the fact that he was asked the relevant questions directly is a plus. I don't imagine the people around him will do that often/at all so it gives him something to think about.

Don't suppose anyone took a tape recorder in or made notes of the meeting? The conversation with Balaji I think will be regarded as the most important part of the trip by the fans, it'd be very interesting to hear the details of all the questions asked and answers given.

The marketing in India is great but as Tom mentioned its so dependent on what happens on the pitch that its hard to muster up a great deal of enthusiasm for it with us being so bad at the moment. People abroad will only follow English sides in good numbers if they are successful. In my opinion we need to at least be making the Europa League or this India expansion will never really take off. Which either means quite a bit more investment or finding a damn good manager (having sacked the one we already had ).