[Archived] Flowers

[OJRovers]

For all those saying the protests aren't working, not one has come up with any practical suggestions. Its very easy to critisise without coming up with any ideas yourself.

[martypellowe]

For all those saying the protests aren't working, not one has come up with any practical suggestions. Its very easy to critisise without coming up with any ideas yourself.

Presactly.

Let's all just give up on the protests. It's getting cold out, after all, so let's just let it drop. Because that's what it needs, for it all to be just swept under the carpet and an even BIGGER own goal than the one supposedly conceded with the flowers.

To me it just shows the defeatist attitude of some people. Can't win, don't try. I wonder how much a West Ham shirt is these days? I hear they're doing well.

[Amo]

Its very easy to critisise without coming up with any ideas yourself.

Fun too!

[Rovers_786]

Did the flowers return back.that went missing guys.

[PAFELL]

You must be congratulated for the number of ways you have contrived to be negative about the protests. Stay comfortable on the South Coast and let the club sink slowly into the mire and do nothing!

I have given one reason why I withdrew support for this particular protest.

My view is that this particular way of protest with flowers is wrong, mainly because of how it can be misunderstood and abused. My back was put up when I read on twitter Glenns comment about a wall of shame for those who don't protest. That was the end of my support for the protest. Yes I want new owners and new manager as much as others. I just don't like to read comments that divides supporters, those who protest are true fans, those who do not are on a wall of shame.

I posted the above awhile ago, what I had read on twitter. Since then I have read other comments on here from other protestors having ago at those who are not 'involved' in the protests. Even on Sky some idiot was saying 'they are not true blues'. No idea who that person was. But I thought 'what arogance to say who is a true supporter or not'.

I have constantly said that I understand and share the reasons for the protests. Some people are able to get involved, some are not for all sorts of reasons. But they do not deserve to be hounded by those who are involved. Sadly that is not happening. They are being told they are on walls of shame, not true blues, not supporters etc etc. Even though those who organised the protests have said it is a persons choice if they get involved or not. Well people have made choices and getting abuse for it. That is not on, and totally out of order.

I also have never said "Do not protest" or that I do not support or understand the reasons for the protest. But some protestors chose to turn on supporters who support the same team and share the same concerns. That was wrong. The reasons for the protests also changed, from Kean Out to Venkys out, to improve communication to supporters. Mixed in with deciding who is a true supporter or not.

If folk want to protest - do so, get on with it. But stop having ago at those who are not or don't want to get involved.

[Gav]

And what is that goal exactly?? It was ridiculed by Sky yesterday, causing more embarrassment for the club, inadvertently strengthen Kean’s position of just 1% of supporters are against him and divided the Rovers supporters even more. If the goal was those things then yes it worked.

Regardless of it being remembrance Sunday before, it was the wrong timing given the Wigan game coming up and on the back of a good performance against Chelsea and when the plane stunt did not go down well with at least half of the supporter’s in the stadium. Sadly the protesters are in danger of becoming a laughing stock and losing respect day by day, which means the protests have much less of an impact with the media and fellow Rovers supporters. A defeat in the next two games will see people naturally protest but it all coming across very forced at the moment. It is time to stop for now and crank up the atmosphere in the stadium to see if by some minor miracle we can get some results by fully getting behind the team (Before you say we are always behind the team, these protests have dampened the atmosphere and meant the “Rovers Fans” who only sing when others do, i.e. follow the crowd are not clapping at the moment, creating a bad atmosphere). I do feel that Saturday will different and we will be more vocal than ever given the enormity of the game.

We seem to be getting a number of these posts lately, condemning the protests, but offering no other way to voice concern. People are upset at the current situation, we all agree with that, yet around 20k people are happy to sit back and watch the club be relegated/destroyed without even a whimper.

I can’t for the life of me understand how people can complain about the protest or protesters. I can think of many clubs where the fans would be singing anti owner and anti manager songs throughout the games, this isn’t happening at Ewood, the protests are being done in the correct manor.

Can’t get my head around this at all, its a strange stance to adopt.

[philipl]

If Venky's getting publicity for being thick as four planks welded together badly is considered good publicity for Indian chickens, then even the Vinjay 1 is good publicity for our cause.

The flowers have done their job by sending the message we think the club is dying and getting yet more media coverage for the fact the Rovers fans are pretty well united in their total misery at present.

There maybe differences in emphasis and opinion about what to do about the problems and even some debate over the root cause but a question of "are you happy with how the Rovers are doing at present?" - yes or no would draw as close to a 100% NO as is possible in a public survey.

[glen9mullan]

I have given one reason why I withdrew support for this particular protest.

My view is that this particular way of protest with flowers is wrong, mainly because of how it can be misunderstood and abused. My back was put up when I read on twitter Glenns comment about a wall of shame for those who don't protest. That was the end of my support for the protest. Yes I want new owners and new manager as much as others. I just don't like to read comments that divides supporters, those who protest are true fans, those who do not are on a wall of shame.

I posted the above awhile ago, what I had read on twitter. Since then I have read other comments on here from other protestors having ago at those who are not 'involved' in the protests. Even on Sky some idiot was saying 'they are not true blues'. No idea who that person was. But I thought 'what arogance to say who is a true supporter or not'.

I have constantly said that I understand and share the reasons for the protests. Some people are able to get involved, some are not for all sorts of reasons. But they do not deserve to be hounded by those who are involved. Sadly that is not happening. They are being told they are on walls of shame, not true blues, not supporters etc etc. Even though those who organised the protests have said it is a persons choice if they get involved or not. Well people have made choices and getting abuse for it. That is not on, and totally out of order.

I also have never said "Do not protest" or that I do not support or understand the reasons for the protest. But some protestors chose to turn on supporters who support the same team and share the same concerns. That was wrong. The reasons for the protests also changed, from Kean Out to Venkys out, to improve communication to supporters. Mixed in with deciding who is a true supporter or not.

If folk want to protest - do so, get on with it. But stop having ago at those who are not or don't want to get involved.

Wall of shame??? You took a 140 letter tweet which had nothing to do with Anti Protestors and made it fit the crime?

My tweet had nothing to do with supporters and everything to do with the infrastructure at Ewood

[DE.]

Excellent post EiT, these stunts are not working, organisers need to take a deep breath, step back and ask 'what are we trying to achieve?' and 'what is the endgame?'

As the sub heading of this very thread says, 'the slow death of the club', yet this changed to 'the death of communication from the club'. It has veered badly off course in my opinion and less and less fans are identifying with the protests and protesters, creating a situation in which people broadly agree with the organisers but refuse to follow.

There is only one thing left for us fans to do- chant, chant and chant some more when results go badly.

Dissent from the crowd against Man City this season and Ince at Wigan, they were passionate and wholly spontaneous displays of anger and nothing else has come close.

I agree with this. I completely respect everything Glen & Simon have set up, but it's time to let some spontaneity come back into the protests. It feels almost too organised now - as Matty says, best thing to do is chant as loud and hard as possible. Loud enough and the message will be heard.

[den]

I have given one reason why I withdrew support for this particular protest.

My view is that this particular way of protest with flowers is wrong, mainly because of how it can be misunderstood and abused. My back was put up when I read on twitter Glenns comment about a wall of shame for those who don't protest. That was the end of my support for the protest. Yes I want new owners and new manager as much as others. I just don't like to read comments that divides supporters, those who protest are true fans, those who do not are on a wall of shame.

I posted the above awhile ago, what I had read on twitter. Since then I have read other comments on here from other protestors having ago at those who are not 'involved' in the protests. Even on Sky some idiot was saying 'they are not true blues'. No idea who that person was. But I thought 'what arogance to say who is a true supporter or not'.

I have constantly said that I understand and share the reasons for the protests. Some people are able to get involved, some are not for all sorts of reasons. But they do not deserve to be hounded by those who are involved. Sadly that is not happening. They are being told they are on walls of shame, not true blues, not supporters etc etc. Even though those who organised the protests have said it is a persons choice if they get involved or not. Well people have made choices and getting abuse for it. That is not on, and totally out of order.

I also have never said "Do not protest" or that I do not support or understand the reasons for the protest. But some protestors chose to turn on supporters who support the same team and share the same concerns. That was wrong. The reasons for the protests also changed, from Kean Out to Venkys out, to improve communication to supporters. Mixed in with deciding who is a true supporter or not.

If folk want to protest - do so, get on with it. But stop having ago at those who are not or don't want to get involved.

Pafell, I would say you're 180 degrees out with this. From day one the fans who have protested have been told to "get behind their team", suggesting that's what real fans do.

You could have gone either way here.

[Exiled in Toronto]

The flowers have done their job by sending the message we think the club is dying and getting yet more media coverage for the fact the Rovers fans are pretty well united in their total misery at present.

But the intended message is not being picked up and broadcast by the press. All they see is some fans, and not many at that, who think their club is dying because they are 19th in the alleged best league in the world. We have been 19th under our previous 6 managers at some stage or other! It is simply not a believable message to the outside world and trying to spread it is dimishing the credibility of the protesters by the day so that when they do have a credible protest, people may well no longer be listening.

This comes back to the mismatch between alleged insider knowledge and everyone else. No outsider will ever believe the club is dying: we have some good young players, we spent a ton of money in the window, the players seem motivated and united.

Another reason I cannot see the current strategy working is that the owners seem like the type of people who will NEVER be seen to give in. Perhaps now is the time to negotiate: offer them a period of time without protests and give them the opportunity to bin Kean and it be seen as strength on their part, not weakness.

[glen9mullan]

But the intended message is not being picked up and broadcast by the press. All they see is some fans, and not many at that, who think their club is dying because they are 19th in the alleged best league in the world. We have been 19th under our previous 6 managers at some stage or other! It is simply not a believable message to the outside world and trying to spread it is dimishing the credibility of the protesters by the day so that when they do have a credible protest, people may well no longer be listening.

This comes back to the mismatch between alleged insider knowledge and everyone else. No outsider will ever believe the club is dying: we have some good young players, we spent a ton of money in the window, the players seem motivated and united.

Another reason I cannot see the current strategy working is that the owners seem like the type of people who will NEVER be seen to give in. Perhaps now is the time to negotiate: offer them a period of time without protests and give them the opportunity to bin Kean and it be seen as strength on their part, not weakness.

BBC and ITV will both cover story on local news tomorrow evening, and I did not mix my words today regarding the last 12 months

[PAFELL]

Wall of shame??? You took a 140 letter tweet which had nothing to do with Anti Protestors and made it fit the crime?

My tweet had nothing to do with supporters and everything to do with the infrastructure at Ewood

Then that should have been made clear. Though I accept difficult with 140 letters. It was how I read it and maybe others also. But if you were honestly having ago at the infrastruture at ewood park - then so be it and fair enough. But this was mentioned awhile ago now, which you could have responded to. But you have now, so be it and needs go no further.

But there are also others who have had ago at those not involved in protests - which is out of order. This is likely to have a detrimentle affect on the protest if turning on each other and fellow rovers supporter.

Though whoever put that banner up today was totally out of order, you did not deserve that. I had an issue with the protest and aired it publicly - no need for nasty and cowardly R.I.P banners and the like.

But all those involved in the protests have to respect those who chose not to get involved. They are entitled to their choice as are the protestors. There maybe reasons, unbeknown to others, why they are not involved. Reasons that must be respected. I believe we all want the same thing, a successful club, on and off the field.

[OJRovers]

Seems like the anti-protestors can dish out a lot of criticism and advice to the protestors - but don't like it when they get it back at them! You can't have it both ways.

[den]

But the intended message is not being picked up and broadcast by the press. All they see is some fans, and not many at that, who think their club is dying because they are 19th in the alleged best league in the world. We have been 19th under our previous 6 managers at some stage or other! It is simply not a believable message to the outside world and trying to spread it is dimishing the credibility of the protesters by the day so that when they do have a credible protest, people may well no longer be listening.

This comes back to the mismatch between alleged insider knowledge and everyone else. No outsider will ever believe the club is dying: we have some good young players, we spent a ton of money in the window, the players seem motivated and united.

Another reason I cannot see the current strategy working is that the owners seem like the type of people who will NEVER be seen to give in. Perhaps now is the time to negotiate: offer them a period of time without protests and give them the opportunity to bin Kean and it be seen as strength on their part, not weakness.

Who cares what the outside world thinks? The protests are meant to put pressure on the Raos - who employed the idiot 12 months ago and are standing watching our demise. Offer them a period without protests? If they want him out they can fire him any time. Protests aren't preventing that EIT.

[PAFELL]

Pafell, I would say you're 180 degrees out with this. From day one the fans who have protested have been told to "get behind their team", suggesting that's what real fans do.

You could have gone either way here.

I will always get behind the team, no matter who the owners are or the manager. Those involved in the protests, I agree have also done so.

Seems like the anti-protestors can dish out a lot of criticism and advice to the protestors - but don't like it when they get it back at them! You can't have it both ways.

Nobody should be dishing it out to anybody. Everybody should have the choice to choose and all repect others choice. Anyway I am off to work now.

[glen9mullan]

Then that should have been made clear. Though I accept difficult with 140 letters. It was how I read it and maybe others also. But if you were honestly having ago at the infrastruture at ewood park - then so be it and fair enough. But this was mentioned awhile ago now, which you could have responded to. But you have now, so be it and needs go no further.

But there are also others who have had ago at those not involved in protests - which is out of order. This is likely to have a detrimentle affect on the protest if turning on each other and fellow rovers supporter.

Though whoever put that banner up today was totally out of order, you did not deserve that. I had an issue with the protest and aired it publicly - no need for nasty and cowardly R.I.P banners and the like.

But all those involved in the protests have to respect those who chose not to get involved. They are entitled to their choice as are the protestors. There maybe reasons, unbeknown to others, why they are not involved. Reasons that must be respected. I believe we all want the same thing, a successful club, on and off the field.

It goes both ways and mud been thrown from both sides of the fence, I don't take too much notice of those not protesting, Thats their right and their stance, But I do spend hours each day having to defend protestors from anti-protestors, So its only natural that those who take part would react and respond

[Exiled in Toronto]

BBC and ITV will both cover story on local news tomorrow evening, and I did not mix my words today regarding the last 12 months

3 points:

1) I thought the goal was to rattle cages in Pune.

2) I hope your message comes across as intended, often they don't.

3) If you haven't already, get some PR professionals on board.

[BPF]

But the intended message is not being picked up and broadcast by the press. All they see is some fans, and not many at that, who think their club is dying because they are 19th in the alleged best league in the world. We have been 19th under our previous 6 managers at some stage or other! It is simply not a believable message to the outside world and trying to spread it is dimishing the credibility of the protesters by the day so that when they do have a credible protest, people may well no longer be listening.

This comes back to the mismatch between alleged insider knowledge and everyone else. No outsider will ever believe the club is dying: we have some good young players, we spent a ton of money in the window, the players seem motivated and united.

Another reason I cannot see the current strategy working is that the owners seem like the type of people who will NEVER be seen to give in. Perhaps now is the time to negotiate: offer them a period of time without protests and give them the opportunity to bin Kean and it be seen as strength on their part, not weakness.

John, you do realize the fees are in Pounds and not Canadian Dollars?

[Exiled in Toronto]

Who cares what the outside world thinks? The protests are meant to put pressure on the Raos - who employed the idiot 12 months ago and are standing watching our demise. Offer them a period without protests? If they want him out they can fire him any time. Protests aren't preventing that EIT.

So your suggestion would be to keep doing the same thing and expecting a different result? I am trying to suggest alternative strategies to ones that are not working and, imo, can't.

I'm sure the Raos are quaking that a plane flew over when the cameras weren't looking and that there are some flowers by Jack's statue. The ONLY way these protests could work is by awakening the outside world to what is going on and. That simply isn't happening.

[he6rt6gr6m]

Did the flowers return back.that went missing guys.

Went down earlier, and the step with Jack on it is almost completely covered in flowers, shirts, scarves and cards. There's even a balloon that says "Congrats to you!" on it.

[glen9mullan]

3 points:

1) I thought the goal was to rattle cages in Pune.

2) I hope your message comes across as intended, often they don't.

3) If you haven't already, get some PR professionals on board.

1.) As Venkys are due for their anniverary come saturday the message is loud and clear and has been put out as that.

2.) We can't control what papers print or what bits of interviews they air, but the message when it leaves us is clear.

3. We are supporters not a professional body, and prefer to talk from the heart and give our honest truth, What we need and have always needed is more supporters willing to talk to the press, we got a few to yesterday, but I could not get anyone to do so today. The more supporters who speak with the press the better it is IMO

Went down earlier, and the step with Jack on it is almost completely covered in flowers, shirts, scarves and cards. There's even a balloon that says "Congrats to you!" on it.

I saw the one with the Balloon and that had been ordered from Finland, Big respect

[Kendalrover]

So your suggestion would be to keep doing the same thing and expecting a different result? I am trying to suggest alternative strategies to ones that are not working and, imo, can't.

I'm sure the Raos are quaking that a plane flew over when the cameras weren't looking and that there are some flowers by Jack's statue. The ONLY way these protests could work is by awakening the outside world to what is going on and. That simply isn't happening.

I was on holiday when the Chelsea game was on but I watched the match on TV and I can assure you the plane was shown clearly on at least 2 occassions. So everyone who watched the match live and on TV saw it. (Sorry I forgot Steve Kean never saw it).

[he6rt6gr6m]

I saw the one with the Balloon and that had been ordered from Finland, Big respect

Ah yes, I read that card. That was the same bunch? Legendary!

[den]

So your suggestion would be to keep doing the same thing and expecting a different result? I am trying to suggest alternative strategies to ones that are not working and, imo, can't.

No.

The biggest vocal protest to date was in the game against Man City. That wasn't planned, and was also despite Magicalmorten and others views about only protesting in games that we can win.

Personally, anyone who has the courage to speak out against this current regime has my backing. However, if and when the crowd turns on Kean or Venky's during a game in big numbers, is when things will become untenable. It might well be too late at that point, but those protests if they come, are going to put far more pressure on Kean than anything else. I've seen it. If we get to the point where massive "Kean out" chants are ringing around the ground, then he'll have nowhere to hide and no way of suggesting it's only 1% against him.

I hope Glen doesn't see this viewpoint as an argument against his own attempts to change things, because it isn't meant to do that.