Pune trip

[BRFC95]

The marketing in India is great but

I think we may have missed the boat there.

During ITV's coverage of the match in Pune, half a dozen or so kids in the stadium were asked who their team was and to a boy each said Man U.

[Tom]

Thanks for Replied Tom.

Thant's good to know that communication between Ewood Park and Pune!

It was Reassuring to meet some of the guys who work in India along with the folk at ewood, I knew already there are some great guys working at Ewood but it was nice to see that the guys they liase with share the desire and passion.

As I said the plans in India are solid and if they take care of the core business on the pitch it's achievable, I remember saying to Balaji that if Rovers are a success it will in turn mean that Venkys are a success.

[Tom]

I think we may have missed the boat there.

During ITV's coverage of the match in Pune, half a dozen or so kids in the stadium were asked who their team was and to a boy each said Man U.

Each one they showed said Man u but there would have been plenty they didn't show, the trip proved to me how selective quoting can change everything.

One last point before I actually do some work, massive credit I feel should go to steve Patrick and especially Steve pickup who was out there ten days by himself along with the team in india getting the pitch into a decent condition in the end.

[SergioPeter89]

People must not forget that Pune FC had an event regarding this match, where everyone were engouraged to wear red t-shirts. Therefor it is not that surprising that a lot of people showed up with Scum United-shirts.

[Steve Moss]

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.

Good news. The "brilliant" comment caused me to rage a bit. Glad to know it was not said. What is it about reporters making up quotes?

I still think they have inexplicably given Steve Kean far too much time. And as all we've had from them so far is words, I can't say that I support Venkys until we see some action. Hopefully the Pune 9 had a solid sense of what is going on with Balaji and we'll see some sooner rather than later. But I'm not counting on it.

[FGS5635]

To me its great that balaj seems passionate etc. Its also a great gesture that they picked up the tab for the fans that went. That aside, I find it quite rude and alarming that Venky, Mrs D and Balaj didnt have some time sceduled to meet all of you whilst there. Cant see why they wouldnt want to

[Ste B]

To me its great that balaj seems passionate etc. Its also a great gesture that they picked up the tab for the fans that went. That aside, I find it quite rude and alarming that Venky, Mrs D and Balaj didnt have some time sceduled to meet all of you whilst there. Cant see why they wouldnt want to

This is my opinion only, but I think that we had to build up a certain amount of trust first. It was quite obvious later on that Balaji in particular wanted to spend time with the fans. Firstly insisting the fans were brought into the nightclub event. (which was supposed to be a gala dinner but was washed out by a monsoon). After this event I believe he was disappointed that he hadnt had time to chat to Roversmum/dad so went up to their Room with his sons to talk at length between 4am and 6.30 am.

[FGS5635]

This is my opinion only, but I think that we had to build up a certain amount of trust first. It was quite obvious later on that Balaji in particular wanted to spend time with the fans. Firstly insisting the fans were brought into the nightclub event. (which was supposed to be a gala dinner but was washed out by a monsoon). After this event I believe he was disappointed that he hadnt had time to chat to Roversmum/dad so went up to their Room with his sons to talk at length between 4am and 6.30 am.

Cant buld any trust without speaking to you in some capacity. Fair play to balaj then and it seems he's come out of this trip with alot more credit and respect which is great. LIS above though, I just find it a bit rude that they would fly you all around the world at a fair expense, then not have the common decency to meet with you all. On one hand its a great gesture and on the other it just seems strange and rude. No biggie in the grand scale of things I suppose. It just puzzles me.

[PAFELL]

When talking about kean. Did the pune 9 suggest who fans would like to have as manager. Were names mentioned?

[only2garners]

This is my opinion only, but I think that we had to build up a certain amount of trust first. It was quite obvious later on that Balaji in particular wanted to spend time with the fans. Firstly insisting the fans were brought into the nightclub event. (which was supposed to be a gala dinner but was washed out by a monsoon). After this event I believe he was disappointed that he hadnt had time to chat to Roversmum/dad so went up to their Room with his sons to talk at length between 4am and 6.30 am.

It's more than your opinion Ste. I think that was exactly what was going on. They wanted to see us as a responsible group of fans who were not going to make a scene but who they could have a constructive dialogue with. As you have posted before that was why we took a very softly softly approach at the temple on Thursday. It meant that the Granada footage that was shown here on Thursday and Friday night annoyed many of you as you presumably thought we were blowing our chance to speak openly and honestly. But that was clearly never going to happen with Venky, who is deeply religious, at the family temple on a particularly holy day.

By the way, to the poster a few pages back who said our statement read like a press release, I'll take that as a compliment, as that's exactly what it was.

[Give 'Em the Axe]

Well done to all of you. And thanks for taking the time during your work schedule to flesh out that press release with personal recollections.

I hope we're at some manner of turning point. COYB.

[FGS5635]

Well done to all of you. And thanks for taking the time during your work schedule to flesh out that press release with personal recollections.

I hope we're at some manner of turning point. COYB.

x2 and more importantly well done for keeping your composure under a barrage of abuse in this thread at times. Hats off to you.

[barry_]

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.

A massive point.

I would hope that, if the decision to get rid of Kean is made, a plan of action is already in place as we won't have time to waste.

[Tom]

Whilst we are getting a lot of questions about the managerial situation and we did mention it was a concern of the fans it's worth noting that simply focussing on the manergeial situation was never the purpose of us going.

What we all want is what is best for the club no matter what that is and what action it may take and I think from the whole experience no matter what else came from the trip the thing that pleased me most is balaji seems to very much share that notion.

I certainly feel more postive about the owners and am personally convinced their motives are the right ones and it seems a couple of people already after reading a bit of what we have had to share can also feel a little better, which is great.

Ultimately as cliche as it may be it all comes down to results on the pitch though and that I believe is taking paramount importance, sort that and the future plans can come together behind the scenes.

[philipl]

This is encouraging to read but it still leaves the question of why did they not do this much much earlier instead of letting that money man Jerome Anderson come between them and Blackburn Rovers reality?

[Ste B]

This is encouraging to read but it still leaves the question of why did they not do this much much earlier instead of letting that money man Jerome Anderson come between them and Blackburn Rovers reality?

We are where we are, what is important that from here that we get things right.

[den]

While your meetings have been reassuring to some people Tom, it changes absolutely nothing. We are where we are with them*. I have never doubted their intentions, but have, and still do question their ability to make the right judgements and decisions. That's what matters. Have you heard anything from them that might suggest that they know they've made some decisions that have put our status as a Premier League club in great danger? Have you heard anything from them that suggests they know what needs doing? If so, what?

* Edit. Bloomin' eck, SteB's just used the same words.

[PLJPB]

Was the subject of Jerome Anderson discussed?

Is he still involved, and if so, in what capacity?

[Ste B]

Was the subject of Jerome Anderson discussed?

Is he still involved, and if so, in what capacity?

I dont believe we discussed it, but could be wrong.

He WAS both at the game and nightclub event. My guess is that he is there to promote the India trophy.

[PAFELL]

Whilst we are getting a lot of questions about the managerial situation and we did mention it was a concern of the fans it's worth noting that simply focussing on the manergeial situation was never the sole purpose of us going.

What we all want is what is best for the club no matter what that is and what action it may take and I think from the whole experience no matter what else came from the trip the thing that pleased me most is balaji seems to very much share that notion.

I certainly feel more postive about the owners and am personally convinced their motives are the right ones and it seems a couple of people already after reading a bit of what we have had to share can also feel a little better, which is great.

Ultimately as cliche as it may be it all comes down to results on the pitch though and that I believe is taking paramount importance, sort that and the future plans can come together behind the scenes.

I am surprised that getting the manager out, was not high on the subject list. Fans unhappy with kean. Could have been followed up with, but fans would be happy with ------ as manager or with -----. This could help the owners look in the right direction. After all, we do not want kean replaced with another clown.

[Al]

We are where we are, what is important that from here that we get things right.

I believe that is the attitude we all have to take now Ste. What we should concentrate on is to let the management know what our feelings are and hope that they listen to us.

[Rovers_786]

I am enjoying reading this thread, I think the owners are not daft and will 100 per cent remove Steve Kean if he doesn't pick any win.

I hope the fans got there answers and I hope the owners bring back John Williams back. I am happy that there are coming to the games and, I hope the owners can make there stay full time in the UK.

please remember lets not target the owners or there will never to the fans.I am trying to sort a meeting out with the club and owners as , I like to see them and put my points across to them.

[LeChuck]

We are where we are, what is important that from here that we get things right.

That can't happen until Kean is replaced though. It almost feels like we're just waiting to lose the next 2 games before we can start moving forwards.

[FGS5635]

That can't happen until Kean is replaced though. It almost feels like we're just waiting to lose the next 2 games before we can start moving forwards.

That is the big worry I have, that kean keeps getting the odd result that gets him a bit longer. happened with avram grant and west ham last yr. Everytime he looked on the verge of the sack, he managed a win and it saved him for a week or 2 more. Then it repeated. If venkys are only coming to 1 game each month say, it would be a disaster if we keep winning that 1 game and losing the rest.

[Iceman]

Did the Pune9 ask Balaji about me and those long standing supporters outside of the UK? All I'm hearing is about expanding to India etc, but what about those other countries. V's out!