Pune trip

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

This and any more visits/talks with Venky's can only be considered a success if we see improvement on and off the field of play...and very soon.Nothing more,nothing less!

Sadly,I remain sceptical,why the hell did it have to take our own fans having to travel to India to tell the owners where they are going wrong,to finally extract some sort of acknowledgement that matters are not what they should be...does this sound right to anyone?

Bizarre is the word that sums the situation up for me.

We as fans demand to see positive results.Enough of the talk of 'centres of Indian excellence' etc..Ewood park is the heartbeat and where its all at.

[Mercer]

There are many issues surrounding Rovers at the moment, however, the Kean issue is undoubtedly the biggest and the main threat to our future well being, IMO. Therefore, delighted that the Pune 9 seem to have been able to convey the great concern of the majority of supporters.

As for the rest, the Venky's appear quite easily to be able to talk the talk. We will all be delighted when this translates into walking the walk. IMV, they have a huge credibility gap at the moment and whilst this may represent some first steps on 'the road to redemption', I am not holding my breath.

[Paul]

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.

Seeing as you feel ignored! I agree entirely with this question. Another poster spoke of people being easily appeased. Well I'm not in any way further convinced about the Raos. I've had ten months to form an opinion based on their actions to date. I simply do not believe they know what to do. In a month it could already be too late.

I'm very, very pleased the FF guys got the chance to do their work and ask the questions. It clearly went very well and they took exactly the right approach. I'm absolutely sure they will report back exactly what was said and what they understood to be said or implied

To follow up on this success the Raos now have to prove their words have some value by taking action here in BLACKBURN, LANCASHIRE.

For the moment I have no interest in opening shops in Pune or wherever. I care not one jot how many shirts they sell.

I need proof these are more than words and I would hope on reflection other fans will feel the same. Make no mistake we are very close to relegation and that is all that matters.

As someone else pointed out JW gave them s chance and then made his decision.

[Ste B]

Seeing as you feel ignored! I agree entirely with this question. Another poster spoke of people being easily appeased. Well I'm not in any way further convinced about the Raos. I've had ten months to form an opinion based on their actions to date. I simply do not believe they know what to do. In a month it could already be too late.

I'm very, very pleased the FF guys got the chance to do their work and ask the questions. It clearly went very well and they took exactly the right approach. I'm absolutely sure they will report back exactly what was said and what they understood to be said or implied

To follow up on this success the Raos now have to prove their words have some value by taking action here in BLACKBURN, LANCASHIRE.

For the moment I have no interest in opening shops in Pune or wherever. I care not one jot how many shirts they sell.

I need proof these are more than words and I would hope on reflection other fans will feel the same. Make no mistake we are very close to relegation and that is all that matters.

As someone else pointed out JW gave them s chance and then made his decision.

Sums up my feelings on return better than I can. I hope we got this over to balaji when we had the meeting.

[Steve Kean's Hypnotoad]

Doesn't take much to appease everyone does it.

Venkies are taking everyone for a massive ride. Nice move by then though, take a few supporters out to india, show a bit of passion, say a few buzz words like vision and long term plan ect. Did you expect them to say anything else?

One hour of fluff face to face and its changed most peoples minds already? Look at the facts. The club is a disgrace from top to bottom and these jokers are the root cause.

Can totally see where you're coming from, and very well put (had a certain stylish venom ). But I think you're misjudging some people who you assume are appeased.

My take on it is Venkys aren't going anywhere. They're just not, they've already shown they're way too thick skinned to be forced out by the fans (we can't even get them to sack a rubbish manager) and nobody else would buy us anyway. It took 5 years of actively looking for a buyer from the trust when we were a well run club in the top half.

So working on the premise that we're stuck with them and you can't change the past, all I want is to see improvement. Even if its very slow improvement its better than nothing. Appearing to come round to the idea of sacking Kean, and Balaji demonstrating pretty much beyond doubt a passion for the club, is improvement to me.

Still think they've made an absolute mess of the club and are the worst thing to happen to Rovers in years up to this point. But its either give them a second chance and hope as fans to have a positive impact on them, or steel yourself for a good few years of anger and bitterness, cause they aint going anywhere.

[Paul]

Sums up my feelings on return better than I can. I hope we got this over to balaji when we had the meeting.

I'm very relieved to read that Ste. Good man.

[Wing Wizard Windy Miller]

Anybody ask about the transfer farce during the summer? - any explanation over the bank issue/net spend? The disappearance of list A, and probably list B? Junior's contract saga? Sponsorship?

Great that you think Balaji's heart is in the right place, as many others have said though, we need actions.

[DE.]

Have to agree with the general 'actions speak louder than words' sentiment. We've all been fed far too much bull to feel comfortable about any words coming out of the mouths of the club's owners. They've talked and talked and talked... well I'm sick of hearing them talk, time for them to put up or shut up.

What I will say is that, regardless of my cynicism, I'm pleased to hear Balaji was genuinely knowledgable about the club and expressed what appeared to be honest interest in Birdy and the people that make the club what it is. It seems at the very least he's done his homework on Rovers... it gives me the faintest glimmer of hope that there is some genuine intent behind the words. Time will tell.

[Rovers_786]

is there any clips on Youtube of the fans meeting the owners thanks

[Baz]

Did you guys ask for an meeting with Rovers fans & Venkys at Ewood, where we can meet the owners and ask our own questions? Or do you think given the hesitation to meet the FF even in Pune this is unlikely in the near future?

Also, glad you all enjoyed it and got chance to speak to Balaji and put your points across. As others have said actions speak louder than words.

[Rovers_786]

Did you guys ask for an meeting with Rovers fans & Venkys at Ewood, where we can meet the owners and ask our own questions? Or do you think given the hesitation to meet the FF even in Pune this is unlikely in the near future?

Also, glad you all enjoyed it and got chance to speak to Balaji and put your points across. As others have said actions speak louder than words.

I am working on this as , I am talking closely with the club and the owners have got my letter waiting for them to pick up about a fans forum for us lot in the UK.

[47er]

If they went over kicking on screaming which people were calling for then no progress would have been made.

Yet again -----nobody wanted them to behave in a crass or boorish way. Can we stop making this ridiculous claim?

What can we pull out of all this for certain?

Their hearts are in the right place, they aren't going anywhere and they have plans for the future.

To sum up in one phrase "good intentions". Its up to them now to prove that they are capable of translating those intentions into positive actions.

And they haven't much time to do it.

Sacking Kean is an absolutely essential first step.

[mogster]

Well done to everyone who went out to India and got their point across to the owners. I also hope you enjoyed your time there, I'm sure it was an amazing experience and I certainly don't mind admitting to being a little envious :-)

This is all a bit like a works seminar.

You go to the meeting and see all the new products and hear the new ideas; things that are going to revolutionise the company.

You go back to your branch, buzzing with info to relay to the staff and you're met with 'sounds good if it ever happens' or 'we've heard that before'.

Then, when you're back at work and in the swing of things you realise that nothing has changed and you're back on auto-pilot within a week. You grudgingly admit that it's no wonder the staff were skeptical.

Bringing this back to Rovers, I think this thread may be forgotten once the next home game starts and Kean tries out another new formation and the defence aren't protected properly. And by the time the Norwich match ends and we enter November on less than 10 points, no amount of talking from the owners will be able to change any of that. Well actually, they only need to utter two words to give us any hope at all - YOUR FIRED!

[Ste B]

Did you guys ask for an meeting with Rovers fans & Venkys at Ewood, where we can meet the owners and ask our own questions? Or do you think given the hesitation to meet the FF even in Pune this is unlikely in the near future?

Also, glad you all enjoyed it and got chance to speak to Balaji and put your points across. As others have said actions speak louder than words.

,

Yes. I hope what we did was the first step that leads to things opening up.

[sijoco]

Why was Kean appointed manager in the first place and why is he, after a shocking points return, still manager? It's all good and well Billy Venky giving it large about the club. Why are people surprised he knows about Rovers and the history? If l was lucky enough to have a few quid and l was buying Bury (for arguments sake) l'd be looking into all sorts about the club. Christ, the stuff l could learn in 12 months would put some fans knowledge to shame.

I don't care if they've been misquoted, how they only have the clubs best interests at heart, how they paid for however many supporters trips, l care about BRFC and where we are now. Where we are now is in the relegation zone with a complete tool as manager, WHY THE FUDGE was Kean appointed manager of this great club? Was this question asked cos l for one am still fuming as to how any sane person would make this decision. And if they didn't make the decision, WHY THE FUDGE are they sticking with someone elses decision considering how bad it was?

[dave birch]

If words were converted to points, we'd be leading the League by a long way.

As it is, all these words mean nought, if things on the park don't change and we start winning games.

Things have to change, and fast.

[antartica]

I must say that I am outraged that the so called "Fans Forum" went out to meet with our so called "owners" to try and start a dialogue about our so called "problems". Even though I live in London and can't be bothered to go to Ewood. I watch the mighty Blackburns on sky 2 or 3 times a season and its an outrage that I wasn't invited to India. What are they trying to say, that people who selflessly show up week in week out and talk about exciting topics like the temperature of pies are more deserving than me?

Why couldn't we have had some sort of 15,000 person ballot. I know the Venkys Lovers say "that would cost a fortune and be a logistical nightmare". Well, wise-guys, why couldn't we have had a who can shout "Venkys Out" the loudest contest? That way a real fans could have gone, rather than just those who show up on a wet Wednesday night to try and lower the price of season tickets. I don't even have a season ticket, so why do I care what they cost? Why do these "fans" deserve a "reward" for their years of service?

Set aside the fact that its grossly unfair that these so called "hard-working" fans got invited. I can say that had I been offered a once in a lifetime chance to travel with the team I love to a country I could never afford to travel to otherwise. I would NEVER have gone, and since I wasn't asked and I can hide behind my username on an anonymous forum; I can say this with absolute certainty.

The only way to get our message over to Venkys would have been to turn down this trip. Imagine the headlines that would have created. Nothing says frontpage headlines in the Times than "9 people turn down business trip to India". That way we could have all sat at home making angry posts on here instead. I mean from my 0 years of PR experience I know for sure that theres nothing that catches the media attention better than someone bitter sat in their basement ranting on an internet forum.

On third thoughts, if I had gone it would only be so that I could have told those Venkys blokes the real truth. I can't believe the FF wimps refused to have a discussion at the holy temple on a holy day. If i'd been there I'd have nutted Venkatash and set the place on fire shouting "Kean Out!!!". That would have showed them! Imagine how much positive press that would have got our cause.

Having seen the Facebook pic of the Pune 9's photo with the smiles and coziness with Barry White (get a shave you lazy slob) , I'm now convvinced they sold their souls . You all realise you have posed with the people destroying our club dont you? It's like posing with hitler , it's wrong. By all means go and ask questions but to pose and smile with them grrrrrrrrrrrrr .feels like you've danced on uncle jacks grave IMO.

I couldn't agree more that photo is a disgrace, its almost exactly like "posing with hitler". In fact if you ask me taking a photo with the owner of our club is almost certainly worse than starting a world war. I too am seething with rage at seeing the FF being all civil and sociable, are you trying to convince me that the Venkys are some kind of "humans" or "people". Your not fooling me.

Oh and that Mark Atkins is effing useless… Keith Andrews in disguise. Super Atko OUT!

[Rovers_786]

I must say that I am outraged that the so called "Fans Forum" went out to meet with our so called "owners" to try and start a dialogue about our so called "problems". Even though I live in London and can't be bothered to go to Ewood. I watch the mighty Blackburns on sky 2 or 3 times a season and its an outrage that I wasn't invited to India. What are they trying to say, that people who selflessly show up week in week out and talk about exciting topics like the temperature of pies are more deserving than me?

Why couldn't we have had some sort of 15,000 person ballot. I know the Venkys Lovers say "that would cost a fortune and be a logistical nightmare". Well, wise-guys, why couldn't we have had a who can shout "Venkys Out" the loudest contest? That way a real fans could have gone, rather than just those who show up on a wet Wednesday night to try and lower the price of season tickets. I don't even have a season ticket, so why do I care what they cost? Why do these "fans" deserve a "reward" for their years of service?

Set aside the fact that its grossly unfair that these so called "hard-working" fans got invited. I can say that had I been offered a once in a lifetime chance to travel with the team I love to a country I could never afford to travel to otherwise. I would NEVER have gone, and since I wasn't asked and I can hide behind my username on an anonymous forum; I can say this with absolute certainty.

The only way to get our message over to Venkys would have been to turn down this trip. Imagine the headlines that would have created. Nothing says frontpage headlines in the Times than "9 people turn down business trip to India". That way we could have all sat at home making angry posts on here instead. I mean from my 0 years of PR experience I know for sure that theres nothing that catches the media attention better than someone bitter sat in their basement ranting on an internet forum.

On third thoughts, if I had gone it would only be so that I could have told those Venkys blokes the real truth. I can't believe the FF wimps refused to have a discussion at the holy temple on a holy day. If i'd been there I'd have nutted Venkatash and set the place on fire shouting "Kean Out!!!". That would have showed them!

Hi I got to say you come out with some good points, I enjoyed reading that mate.

[Baz]

Yes. I hope what we did was the first step that leads to things opening up.

Thanks for raising and totally agree.

[Hughesy]

When you discussed our sh!t manager and how he isnt wanted, did you discuss the need for an EXPERIENCED PREMIER LEAGUE manager? Or throw any names into the mix?

[sijoco]

FAO Antartica

For a puddle drinker you certainly can string a sentence together. How about stringing some words together to make those aforementioned sentences make sense?

Oh, as for the humour

[Myles Anderson]

I must say that I am outraged that the so called "Fans Forum" went out to meet with our so called "owners" to try and start a dialogue about our so called "problems". Even though I live in London and can't be bothered to go to Ewood. I watch the mighty Blackburns on sky 2 or 3 times a season and its an outrage that I wasn't invited to India. What are they trying to say, that people who selflessly show up week in week out and talk about exciting topics like the temperature of pies are more deserving than me?

Why couldn't we have had some sort of 15,000 person ballot. I know the Venkys Lovers say "that would cost a fortune and be a logistical nightmare". Well, wise-guys, why couldn't we have had a who can shout "Venkys Out" the loudest contest? That way a real fans could have gone, rather than just those who show up on a wet Wednesday night to try and lower the price of season tickets. I don't even have a season ticket, so why do I care what they cost? Why do these "fans" deserve a "reward" for their years of service?

Set aside the fact that its grossly unfair that these so called "hard-working" fans got invited. I can say that had I been offered a once in a lifetime chance to travel with the team I love to a country I could never afford to travel to otherwise. I would NEVER have gone, and since I wasn't asked and I can hide behind my username on an anonymous forum; I can say this with absolute certainty.

The only way to get our message over to Venkys would have been to turn down this trip. Imagine the headlines that would have created. Nothing says frontpage headlines in the Times than "9 people turn down business trip to India". That way we could have all sat at home making angry posts on here instead. I mean from my 0 years of PR experience I know for sure that theres nothing that catches the media attention better than someone bitter sat in their basement ranting on an internet forum.

Epic

[BuckyRover]

I must say that I am outraged that the so called "Fans Forum" went out to meet with our so called "owners" to try and start a dialogue about our so called "problems". Even though I live in London and can't be bothered to go to Ewood. I watch the mighty Blackburns on sky 2 or 3 times a season and its an outrage that I wasn't invited to India. What are they trying to say, that people who selflessly show up week in week out and talk about exciting topics like the temperature of pies are more deserving than me?

Why couldn't we have had some sort of 15,000 person ballot. I know the Venkys Lovers say "that would cost a fortune and be a logistical nightmare". Well, wise-guys, why couldn't we have had a who can shout "Venkys Out" the loudest contest? That way a real fans could have gone, rather than just those who show up on a wet Wednesday night to try and lower the price of season tickets. I don't even have a season ticket, so why do I care what they cost? Why do these "fans" deserve a "reward" for their years of service?

Set aside the fact that its grossly unfair that these so called "hard-working" fans got invited. I can say that had I been offered a once in a lifetime chance to travel with the team I love to a country I could never afford to travel to otherwise. I would NEVER have gone, and since I wasn't asked and I can hide behind my username on an anonymous forum; I can say this with absolute certainty.

The only way to get our message over to Venkys would have been to turn down this trip. Imagine the headlines that would have created. Nothing says frontpage headlines in the Times than "9 people turn down business trip to India". That way we could have all sat at home making angry posts on here instead. I mean from my 0 years of PR experience I know for sure that theres nothing that catches the media attention better than someone bitter sat in their basement ranting on an internet forum.

On third thoughts, if I had gone it would only be so that I could have told those Venkys blokes the real truth. I can't believe the FF wimps refused to have a discussion at the holy temple on a holy day. If i'd been there I'd have nutted Venkatash and set the place on fire shouting "Kean Out!!!". That would have showed them!

I couldn't agree more that photo is a disgrace, its almost exactly like "posing with hitler". In fact if you ask me taking a photo with the owner of our club is almost certainly worse than starting a world war. I too am seething with rage at seeing the FF being all civil and sociable, are you trying to convince me that the Venkys are some kind of "humans" or "people". Your not fooling me.

Oh and that Mark Atkins is effing useless… Keith Andrews in disguise. Super Atko OUT!

+1

[PAFELL]

I must say that I am outraged that the so called "Fans Forum" went out to meet with our so called "owners" to try and start a dialogue about our so called "problems". Even though I live in London and can't be bothered to go to Ewood. I watch the mighty Blackburns on sky 2 or 3 times a season and its an outrage that I wasn't invited to India. What are they trying to say, that people who selflessly show up week in week out and talk about exciting topics like the temperature of pies are more deserving than me?

Why couldn't we have had some sort of 15,000 person ballot. I know the Venkys Lovers say "that would cost a fortune and be a logistical nightmare". Well, wise-guys, why couldn't we have had a who can shout "Venkys Out" the loudest contest? That way a real fans could have gone, rather than just those who show up on a wet Wednesday night to try and lower the price of season tickets. I don't even have a season ticket, so why do I care what they cost? Why do these "fans" deserve a "reward" for their years of service?

Set aside the fact that its grossly unfair that these so called "hard-working" fans got invited. I can say that had I been offered a once in a lifetime chance to travel with the team I love to a country I could never afford to travel to otherwise. I would NEVER have gone, and since I wasn't asked and I can hide behind my username on an anonymous forum; I can say this with absolute certainty.

The only way to get our message over to Venkys would have been to turn down this trip. Imagine the headlines that would have created. Nothing says frontpage headlines in the Times than "9 people turn down business trip to India". That way we could have all sat at home making angry posts on here instead. I mean from my 0 years of PR experience I know for sure that theres nothing that catches the media attention better than someone bitter sat in their basement ranting on an internet forum.

On third thoughts, if I had gone it would only be so that I could have told those Venkys blokes the real truth. I can't believe the FF wimps refused to have a discussion at the holy temple on a holy day. If i'd been there I'd have nutted Venkatash and set the place on fire shouting "Kean Out!!!". That would have showed them!

I couldn't agree more that photo is a disgrace, its almost exactly like "posing with hitler". In fact if you ask me taking a photo with the owner of our club is almost certainly worse than starting a world war. I too am seething with rage at seeing the FF being all civil and sociable, are you trying to convince me that the Venkys are some kind of "humans" or "people". Your not fooling me.

Oh and that Mark Atkins is effing useless… Keith Andrews in disguise. Super Atko OUT!

I for one am pleased you were not invited.

[Beta Ray Bill]

I for one am pleased you were not invited.

Woosh!