Blackburn Rovers blog: Venky’s must spend to justify not selling

3:00pm Thursday 17th November 2011 in Chris Flanagan Photograph of the Author By Chris Flanagan, Sports reporter

KEY FIGURE Venkatesh Rao KEY FIGURE Venkatesh Rao

AMID the denials of possible takeovers this week came some telling comments.

We should find out within three months just how telling they were.

Interest from Middle East oil giants Qatar Petroleum – a company with links to crown prince Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, said to be worth around $2bn – has understandably seemed intriguing to supporters.

Tomorrow marks a year since Venky’s took over Blackburn Rovers, and not even the most committed optimist could suggest it is has gone exactly how they would have wanted.

If no shortage of fans hoped Qatari interest could lead to Venky’s admitting defeat and selling up, it seems unlikely for now.

We may never know exactly how much money QP would have ploughed into Rovers had they gained control, but the fact that it even seemed a possibility appears to now put the onus on Venky’s.

Perhaps the most significant comments from co-owner Venkatesh Rao were these.

“We don’t want to let the fans down,” he said. “We have not come here to fool around. We are here with serious motivation.”

That, in the eyes of the supporters, can only mean one thing. Venky’s must back the club with more money in the months to come.

That the owners want the best for Blackburn Rovers is not in itself a bad thing. But if they believe that staying in charge rather than selling is the right thing for the club, then now they must prove beyond any doubt that that is the case.

The first step, of course, is to make sure Rovers avoid relegation. On the face of it, that could require investment, and swift investment.

The January transfer window is now six weeks away, and Venky’s are now under pressure to provide the necessary funds to help the team move away from the drop zone.

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Fans have already been left frustrated that talk about big name signings has not led to the sort of arrivals they might have hoped for.

They will be even more disappointed if, having slammed the door shut on any possibility of outside investment, Venky’s now do not spend big. If they don’t, supporters will recall the name Qatar Petroleum with frequency.

Rovers already have a squad that should be good enough to stay up, but it is clear that survival could not currently be described as certain.

Not investing would be a risk.

There have been indications that money will be available, but just how much could be the key point. A top class striker ready to make an impact would seem to be the priority, but the spending must not end there.

There have been examples of clubs in the past who have spent money in January and saved themselves from the drop.

If Venky’s are determined to remain in control of Rovers, that is now what they have to do.

n Andy Cryer is on holiday

Comments(30)

makaveli96 says...
3:17pm Thu 17 Nov 11

Is that Venkatesh, or Venkytash?

He could do with some just for men to cover that grey!!

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he6rt6gr6m says...
3:19pm Thu 17 Nov 11

I said this over a week ago on RoversFans.co.uk...

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riversidefan says...
4:04pm Thu 17 Nov 11

The first investiment must be a decent manager otherwise it doesn't matter what players we get in. But the Venky's will never get rid of their puppet.

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RobbyRover says...
4:11pm Thu 17 Nov 11

As well as spending, I would like to see;

- Ability to make a decision (such as firing Kean, hiring back room staff etc)

- Ability to tie up a transfer quickly

- Some form of censorship for statements and press releases

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Rovers til I cry says...
4:15pm Thu 17 Nov 11

I may be speaking for myself here, but in the next twelve months if Venky's remain in charge I would far rather they would start actually giving us some concrete facts in their comments rather than the steady stream of ambiguity of the last 12 months. Its one thing saying we will spend, spend spend...finish top 6 , top 10, love the fans , have passion for the club and the rest of gold plated BS but surely its not too much to ask for something we can actually quantify... How much are we going to spend, How are we going to finish top 6-10, what are your longer term plans???

Of course they don't have to tell the Loyal Fans because it's not our company, but as I and, on a good day 20,000 of my brothers and sisters help fund the club through our hard earned and currently streched funds, it might be a nice gesture. Likewise I would also rather know if there is no money to spend or they cannot afford to pay the window cleaner, I might still be depressed but can be so knowing the club is doing its best with all it has.

Ultimately failure of the ownwers to talk facts only leads to rumours, a rift between fans and the club, and terrace protest and we wouldn't want that would we..

So come on Venky's in future tell us something we want to know rather than something you think we want to hear as unlike you we have seen it all before and you might find it goes along way to healing the current situation

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Rod of the Rovers says...
4:18pm Thu 17 Nov 11

Venky's have already let the fans down. Just look at what's happened in 12 months of their control (or lack of!). You say that there are 6 weeks until the transfer window and yet our future is likely to be decided over the next 6 games. If we do poorly over the next six games we can kiss the Premier League goodbye. 6 wins in 32 games under Kean has seen the club spiral down the league and things have turned so badly that even when we have been playing quite well in the last few games, we have still been unable to get 3 points. Venky's will go down in the history of Blackburn Rovers, but I am afraid it will be for all of the wrong reasons.

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CARover says...
4:54pm Thu 17 Nov 11

They are crazier than drunken fruit bats if they do not sell and if the keep Kean, a failed experiment in ownership and management!!

At least you know big oil screws you every time you fill up your car!! so I would be happier knowing I am being screwed with QP than being screwed and not knowing it by Venky's

Here's to a win on Saturday over Wigan
Have a great week

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alfa111 says...
4:55pm Thu 17 Nov 11

Same old same as comments, as i recall myself and others saying exactly the same things, must invest must strenthen the team and club, must spend big, must hit the ground runinig.So here we are again 12months down the line and we are right down the line no mans land .Feeble excuses and comments from venkys as usual, same old we are with you, we want sucsess we want to be some were higher but not lower than we are, what do this mean? it means one thing, we will try to survive keep our heads above water. venkys feed the baby it will grow, dont feed some other baby in india, learn your baby to walk, walk with it be there for it, not some were thousands of miles away, put the money you claim to have for your baby and put it in to the growth of your baby that you love so much, im sure you will see a greater improvement, if you actualy bond with it. You have lost the fans of blackburn rovers, BRFC is a parentless baby.let the oil giants in qatar look after us we will be better off with them and have a better future, inshala.

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FredrikMG says...
5:05pm Thu 17 Nov 11

Venkatesh? More like VENKYTRASH !!

KEAN OUT - VENKYS OUT!

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A Rover 45 years and over says...
5:49pm Thu 17 Nov 11

There is no money otherwise we would have seen it by now. They have streched their selves just to get their noses in the premiership cash trough, and in their fantasy world the thought they just had develope and sell players to generate money and build the club up that way. I also remember the chair lady saying when she bought the club that they dont need to buy players they can rent them. ( no intention of spending big from the start. ) Now they are being very selfish by destoying the club just to satisfy their own ego's and not admit that they got it badly wrong. If they care about the fans they should sell to someone who has the funds to run it properly. If they **** up they will just have their pride hurt. We will loose the institution that many have loved for generations.
SELL NOW VENKY'S for the fans sake youv'e had your chance and blown it.

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OnePostThenTheOther says...
5:51pm Thu 17 Nov 11

“We don’t want to let the fans down,”

“We have not come here to fool around. We are here with serious motivation.”

Wait for it, wait for it:

£5,000,000 !!!! Whooo- hooo!!!!

We're going to get the Hoffenheim nobody for £3.5m and with the remaining £1.5m we're going to get the crock Andy Johnson and another crock out of city reserves Onuoha.

Impossible? The maths and commitment don't add up? Don't you worry because Ipswich are going to give us £20 million for Andrews.

I sometimes wonder why I ever doubted Venkys.

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Reg Rover says...
7:31pm Thu 17 Nov 11

ARE ROVERS FOR SALE?
According to the weekend’s national press and media the mega rich Crown Prince of QUATAR is back in the market for a Premier League club after giving up on Man United. And with 500 million to spend, he has fixed his sights on strugglers Everton and Blackburn Rovers.
Sheik Tamim Bin Hamad Al – Thani, heir to the throne of QUATAR, had been bidding to buy United.
But he decided that the asking price of around £2 Billion was too much, with Old Trafford’s controlling Glazer family in no mood to do business.
Instead, bizarrely, Blackburn have emerged as an option – within insiders claiming the QUATARIES have been to Lancashire and India in the past week.
If the QUATARIES could buy Rovers at the Venkys purchased price, and inherit their debt it would leave an unbelievable amount of cash for new players.
However sources at Ewood Park claim that not even a whacking profit would make the Rao family walk away now.
They have invested in making Blackburn India’s Premier League club and they do not want to lose face, however sources within the Venky organisation are saying that two members of the family want to sell whilst Balaji Rao is blocking the move.
Insiders at Ewood reveal that Kean ( the man who cannot win football matches) has been given improved terms on his contract in preparation for a bumper compensation pay-out when the QUATARIES do take over and sack him, which they would of course do.
Also the Rao family want to cash in on the transfers of Junior Hoilett and Chris Samba in the January transfer window, giving them a huge profit of around £30 million for the two players before they sell to the QUATARIES.
Supporters in favour of the sale are urged to email, fax and communicate in any manner possible with the Rao family urging them to sell.
Venkys email address can be found on regoftherovers.co.uk website or as follows, corp.shares@venkys.c
om, info@uttarafoods.com
, info@venkys.in, rovers@venkys.in,
I urge Venkys to sell, it makes good business sense. It is the last time they will have the opportunity to sell a Premiership Club at a large profit because 6 months from now they will have been relegated (with Kean in charge) and the club will be worth TUPPENCE / ZILCH / PEANUTS as we say in Lancashire.
Reg
www.regoftherovers.c
o.uk

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Reg Rover says...
7:32pm Thu 17 Nov 11

Gradual Success Under Kean !!!
In an interview last week to a national Newspaper Steve Kean said and I quote “ Blackburns Owners want us to be competing in Europe within four or five years, season on season”, Kean goes on to say ”I don’t think there is any reason why we can’t do that. But what they want to do is do it gradually”.
And it is certainly happening gradually, with just one win this season, six in the last thirty one games and the club rooted firmly in the bottom three.
It really doesn’t get more gradual than that.
You really could not make it up. Kean and the owners are completely deluded. Send for the men in white coats!
Reg.
www.regoftherovers.c
o.uk

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Reg Rover says...
7:33pm Thu 17 Nov 11

Happy Anniversary!
This Saturday the 19th November sees one year since the Venky’s takeover of Blackburn Rovers FC.
Venkatesh Rao famously said during last season’s relegation battle “judge us after one year not a few months “. Ok let us do that.
The same time last season Rovers were 11th in the Premier League with 18 points, this season, with the trip to Wigan to come, we are 19th in the Premier League with 6 points. Already relegation looking a certainty.
Three games into their reign, Rao family sacked Sam Allardyce, Rovers were then 13th in the Premier League with 21 points.
Mrs Anuradha Desai speaking to Sky Tv Sports news the day after Allardyce sacking infamously said “ Allardyce had to go because Rovers should have been in the top four, playing in Europe, their football was not attractive to watch and I like to be entertained”
Well Mrs Desai what have you say now, one year later? Your silence is golden.
I will tell you exactly what you have achieved.
1. You sacked a more than capable manager.
2. You employed the worst manager in Blackburn Rovers history and possibly in time the Premier League’s
3. You dismissed two excellent administrators in John Williams and Tom Finn plus other staff too numerous to mention. Leaving Ewood Park a shadow of its former self.
4. You have managed to antagonise and annoy the supporters of a club that has no previous history of fans unrest. Blackburn people are by nature a placid and accommodating multi-cultural community. It is your arrogance and lack of recognition of supporter’s opinions that is partly to blame.
5. An apology for the sacking of Allardyce and Williams would go a long way to healing the rift and draw a line under your ridiculous statement following Allardyces sacking.
6. The sacking of Kean and the appointment of a proper and capable manager would solve almost all your problems, although probably too late to stave off relegation.
7. To say you have “egg on your face is an understatement”.
8. You employed Jerome Andersen as advisor to yourselves and he like you has been a complete disaster.
9. Your lack of investment is staggering, why did you buy the club in the first place?
10. You were one of only two Premier League clubs to make a profit during the summer transfer window.
I could go on and on and on but what is the point. The club is severely wounded and will probably never recover under your ownership.
To say you have been a complete and utter disaster is putting it mildly.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
Reg
P.S. I posted on this website before a ball was kicked this season that if under Kean, Rovers had 21 points from 17 games, the same as Allardyce at the time of his sacking, I would close down this website and offer perfuse apologies to Kean. Somehow I think my fingers on the keyboard are going to busy for some time yet!
www.regoftherovers.c
o.uk

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Reg Rover says...
7:33pm Thu 17 Nov 11

HAS KEAN FINALY CRACKED
Following last week’s game with Chelsea, Kean did the usual round of post-match interviews. Asked about fans unrest, the Kean out campaign and the plane that flew over Ewood Park trailing a Kean out banner, Kean replied that he and the players only received positive feedback from supporters they met in and around the town.
Now let us get this straight when do Kean and any of the players go around the town of Blackburn. They don’t simple as that, they largely preside in Cheshire around the towns of Alderley Edge and Wilmslow. They commute on the M61 to the M6 leaving the M6 at Preston 15 minute drive to Brockhall and back again on a daily basis. The only time they ever see Blackburn is when they play at Ewood Park which is again just off the motorway and out of Blackburn itself. David Dunn apart, who resides locally, when does Kean and the players ever interact with supporters other than fans forums which under Kean never take place.
Kean also went on to say that comments re: himself and the team were positive in the National press.
WHAT PAPERS ARE YOU READING MR KEAN, I HAVE OBVIOUSLY MISSED SOMETHING AND I READ EVERY NATIONAL NEWSPAPER.
If, god forbid, Rovers lose at Wigan this Saturday will Kean (the man who cannot win football matches) resign? Any decent person would do so in view of the fans unrest and take the decision away from the beleaguered owners. But I’m not holding my breath!
Reg
www.regoftherovers.c
o.uk

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Reg Rover says...
7:34pm Thu 17 Nov 11

Is Lee Clark The Next Fergie?
Back in June 2011 I posted on this website information about an up and coming young manager to watch, Lee Clark of Huddersfield Town, Ex Newcastle United, Fulham and England u21 International.
As time as gone by Clark has taken Huddersfield to 48 division 1 league games without defeat, an astonishing run stretching from last season into this season.
Ok Huddersfield are division one but Clark impresses in every way and reminds me of a young Sir Alex Ferguson or a Martin O’Neil.
Already Clark is attracting the attention of the bigger clubs. Anyone wanting to build and plan for say the next five years could do a lot worse than employ Lee Clark.
BLACKBURN ROVERS AND VENKYS TAKE NOTE, he would not break the bank to get and could work on a tight budget as he has proved at Huddersfield.
Dismiss “pie in the sky” such as Sven Goran Ericson and Avram Grant, their names having been recently linked with the Rovers, they are as bad if not worse than Kean and would cost a fortune. Eventually having to be sacked with a large compensation package.
With Rovers heading for almost certain relegation a manager is needed to rebuild and win promotion back to the Premier League.
Rao family, show some inspiration and go for CLARK now, you won’t regret it.
KEAN MUST GO.
Reg.
www.regoftherovers.c
o.uk

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CheshireRover says...
7:42pm Thu 17 Nov 11

Well said Rovers till I cry. Spot on

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stick to football says...
7:44pm Thu 17 Nov 11

Venkys are more of a disappointment than the Manager - not a lot was expected of him and that is how it has turned out.

As for spending money we will see. Apparently Spartak Moscow arte said to be interested in Steven Nzonzi £8M - will they sell or are they still tying up Juniors deal

What the Club needs is some proper Management, proper direction and a pulling together of all parties - sadly on this alone Venkys are a walking disaster after 12 months. Trust Faith Commitment are all lacking

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jogalot says...
7:47pm Thu 17 Nov 11

Chris Flanagan wrote:
"Perhaps the most significant comments from co-owner Venkatesh Rao were these.

“We don’t want to let the fans down,” he said. “We have not come here to fool around. We are here with serious motivation.”

That, in the eyes of the supporters, can only mean one thing. Venky’s must back the club with more money in the months to come."
.
Come on Chris, not a mention of Kean anywhere - why do you stick up for him? THE ONE THING IN THE EYES OF THE SUPPORTERS IS TO SACK KEAN. We already expect Venky's to put money in, not lots, but similar to what Kean has had. With a proper manager that would be enough to see Rovers climb the table.

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bluebella says...
8:51pm Thu 17 Nov 11

- Ability to make a decision (such as firing Kean, hiring back room staff etc)

>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Hiddink is a free agent....grin..

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Soccerover says...
9:16pm Thu 17 Nov 11

Reg Rover wrote:
Happy Anniversary!
This Saturday the 19th November sees one year since the Venky’s takeover of Blackburn Rovers FC.
Venkatesh Rao famously said during last season’s relegation battle “judge us after one year not a few months “. Ok let us do that.
The same time last season Rovers were 11th in the Premier League with 18 points, this season, with the trip to Wigan to come, we are 19th in the Premier League with 6 points. Already relegation looking a certainty.
Three games into their reign, Rao family sacked Sam Allardyce, Rovers were then 13th in the Premier League with 21 points.
Mrs Anuradha Desai speaking to Sky Tv Sports news the day after Allardyce sacking infamously said “ Allardyce had to go because Rovers should have been in the top four, playing in Europe, their football was not attractive to watch and I like to be entertained”
Well Mrs Desai what have you say now, one year later? Your silence is golden.
I will tell you exactly what you have achieved.
1. You sacked a more than capable manager.
2. You employed the worst manager in Blackburn Rovers history and possibly in time the Premier League’s
3. You dismissed two excellent administrators in John Williams and Tom Finn plus other staff too numerous to mention. Leaving Ewood Park a shadow of its former self.
4. You have managed to antagonise and annoy the supporters of a club that has no previous history of fans unrest. Blackburn people are by nature a placid and accommodating multi-cultural community. It is your arrogance and lack of recognition of supporter’s opinions that is partly to blame.
5. An apology for the sacking of Allardyce and Williams would go a long way to healing the rift and draw a line under your ridiculous statement following Allardyces sacking.
6. The sacking of Kean and the appointment of a proper and capable manager would solve almost all your problems, although probably too late to stave off relegation.
7. To say you have “egg on your face is an understatement”.
8. You employed Jerome Andersen as advisor to yourselves and he like you has been a complete disaster.
9. Your lack of investment is staggering, why did you buy the club in the first place?
10. You were one of only two Premier League clubs to make a profit during the summer transfer window.
I could go on and on and on but what is the point. The club is severely wounded and will probably never recover under your ownership.
To say you have been a complete and utter disaster is putting it mildly.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
Reg
P.S. I posted on this website before a ball was kicked this season that if under Kean, Rovers had 21 points from 17 games, the same as Allardyce at the time of his sacking, I would close down this website and offer perfuse apologies to Kean. Somehow I think my fingers on the keyboard are going to busy for some time yet!
www.regoftherovers.c

o.uk
Absolutely spot on Reg - every word you have written is "as it happened" - well done for describing this 'annus oribbilis' so accurately.

So Venkys ? how are you going to 'spin' your way out of these FACTS. ?

As jumped up Punkah Wallahs you should sell out while you can and get on your bikes back to India.

You have FAILED Venkys - just as your makee learnee manager has FAILED.

All we can expect though is another diatribe of LIES from both Owners and Manager.

Jeeezus it's facking depressing.

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SimonGarner says...
10:37pm Thu 17 Nov 11

"Fans have already been left frustrated that talk about big name signings has not led to the sort of arrivals they might have hoped for"

Rovers fans have never, ever had delusions about big name signings. Blackburn will never be able to sign big names.

STOP patronising the supporters.

All Rovers fans want, is for the club to not exist under a smokescreen of lies.

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one more season says...
10:55pm Thu 17 Nov 11

If by selling Nzonzi,Hoilett and Samba Venkys can pocket enough cash to make them sell, BRING IT ON.
They can then **** off with their stupid grins and equally stupid statements and show to the world what they were really about which is TAKING as much cash out of Blackburn as they can before they bankcrupt us.
In the meantime for Gods sake dont spend a penny at the club as you all know where its going.

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one more season says...
10:56pm Thu 17 Nov 11

If by selling Nzonzi,Hoilett and Samba Venkys can pocket enough cash to make them sell, BRING IT ON.
They can then **** off with their stupid grins and equally stupid statements and show to the world what they were really about which is TAKING as much cash out of Blackburn as they can before they bankcrupt us.
In the meantime for Gods sake dont spend a penny at the club as you all know where its going.

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petergray says...
12:19am Fri 18 Nov 11

Alot of posters here are so wrong.

They think venkys are some kind of idiots that don't know what they are doing.

They are wrong.

venkys are very, very clever.

Sly, you could say.

They know exactly what they are doing.

They have a cunning plan.

They will make a fortune out of Rovers by relegating us.

There are many very easy ways to do this.

I can think of half a dozen ways.

Can't you?

venkys win.

We lose.

Evil scum.

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smellthecoffee says...
1:30am Fri 18 Nov 11

VENKYS CAN YOU NOT SEE THAT NO ROVERS FANS WANT YOU OR YOUR PATHETIC MANAGER. POLITE WARNING....YOU HAVE DESTROYED THE CLUB. SELL UP NOW TO THE ARABS AND LEAVE GRACEFULLY BEFORE THIS TURNS REALLY NASTY. THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE WHOM YOU HAVE UPSET.

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Morst The 88th Min Heartbreaker of Dingles! says...
8:51am Fri 18 Nov 11

Venky's need to confirm that any funds spent are still funds from their existing resources and not from mortgaging future income of the club - they have to stop the rumours?
.
33rd..............

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RobbyRover says...
9:02am Fri 18 Nov 11

Here's a thought...

If Rovers get relegated and lose their best players, Venky's could bring in some Indian players who wouldn't be as totally out of their depth. If you look on their facebook pages there's pictures of them with Indian football 'stars'.

How big would that make them in India? Even if it's the second tier, with a few locals in the side they'd be heroes!

Just another conspiracy theory for you ;)

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StLedge says...
10:20am Fri 18 Nov 11

smellthecoffee wrote:
VENKYS CAN YOU NOT SEE THAT NO ROVERS FANS WANT YOU OR YOUR PATHETIC MANAGER. POLITE WARNING....YOU HAVE DESTROYED THE CLUB. SELL UP NOW TO THE ARABS AND LEAVE GRACEFULLY BEFORE THIS TURNS REALLY NASTY. THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE WHOM YOU HAVE UPSET.
You need to step away from the coffee!!

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alfa111 says...
4:08pm Fri 18 Nov 11

RobbyRover wrote:
Here's a thought... If Rovers get relegated and lose their best players, Venky's could bring in some Indian players who wouldn't be as totally out of their depth. If you look on their facebook pages there's pictures of them with Indian football 'stars'. How big would that make them in India? Even if it's the second tier, with a few locals in the side they'd be heroes! Just another conspiracy theory for you ;)
i wouldnt put it past them, its exactly the way there minds think.

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