I sat in the Northam for the first time against Cov, normally Itchen North, but the guy behind me every time we passed the ball he was expecting it to go forward and for us to score, and started shouting abuse when we passed it back or sideways, then it was the common "F**king hell Guly RUN TO THE BALL" or "WORK HARD FOR F**K SAKE" or talking about Schneiderlin shouting where he should be and why he he was having a bad game for not doing what he himself would have done and why as a whole the team isn't good enough for the prem. This didn't stop even when we were 4-0 up so I turned round and in the heat of the moment shouted a barrage of abuse at him how he should enjoy the moment and stop complaining!
The lowest ive felt as a saints fan was finding out after Poortvliet finally went that we appointed Wotte untill the end of the season. The last glimmer of hope of getting in a manager with knowledge of english football to help us surive had left.
Steve Kean is a terrible manager who has done a poor job at Blackburn and doesn't inspire confidence with his boring ways and excuses.The fact is that Blackburn have got a good team that should never of been relegated,they're a mid table team.
I don't think Blackburn will be back up in a hurry. The best players will leave and they'll be left with enthusiastic, but not especially gifted Championship players and the expensive rubbish who are ther because they're on long contracts and no one wants them. I can't see Venkys spending money or having any sort of grand plan.
Fair enough, always interesting to meet someone like that outside the game. I still have no sympathy for Branfoot, his approach was completely wrong for Saints (Wimbledon tactics?) and he was our worst manager result-wise since the 1910's..It's not just about Le Tiss but he would have left if Branfoot had stayed on, which is unthinkable! Kean is a similar figure, just that if you're not good enough at your job, or in the wrong job, it's best to get out.
Intrigued to see the comparisons between Kean and Branfoot but I think the main difference is that Venky's fired Allardyce before appointing the new manager whereas Nicholl had left Saints. At the time I was dismayed by Branfoot's appointment and I think the fans generally didn't want him there from the beginning. Seem to recall a friendly, pre-Season game at the Dell and he was getting plenty of abuse in that game as the style of football was so alien to what Saints fans had been used to for so many years. Even though the Dutch pairing was hopeless, I don't think it matched the dispair I felt watching Branfoot's teams which seemed to be picked to provoke the Saints fans. My piano teacher lived next to the Dell in Hill Lane and a neighbour had a young child who learned to say "Branfoot out" before anything else. This teacher was a great friend of Ted Bates but he would never disclose to me what he had said out Branfoot in private although it was pretty clear that the older man was horrified. At least Kean has shown a degree of dignity in the circumstances whereas Branfoot continually antagonised the supporters. The irony for me is that he let Jason Roberts go out on loan and the striker was subsequently instrumental in helping Reading to promotion. Come next week, Allardyce could have taken West Ham up whilst his former club take their place in the Championship. Not convinced by Kean's ability as a manager even if he is a capable coach but Venkys should shoulder the blame for the disaster area they have created. I think that the Venky situation illustrates how foriegn owners can frequently get things horrendouly wrong. We have seen this with Portsmouth. Radio 5 reported yesterday that Venky's are supposed to have bought Rovers without realising that you could get relegated from the Premiership. The negative expectations about their future have also been echoed by Robbie savage on the BBC today (not a fan if him as a pundit) but I can't see Kean keeping his job or Venkys holding the reins next season.
Blackburn won't be back up in a hurry. They've been punching above their weight for years. If it wasn't for Jack Walker's money, they'd be no different to Burnley or Preston.
The strangest aspect is the Venky's have the resources to have helped pushed Blackburn up the league, they've apparently put in 50 million to the club but not been active in the transfer market (or at least not sufficiently replaced those leaving). In another tenuous link between Saints and Blackburn, the Walker family decided to sell while the Liebherr's have given their full backing to Cortese to develop us. Wouldn't be surprised to see Blackburn sold again in the near future.
Whatever you think of his management skills, you've got to admire the guy's sheer invincibility. He's like the T-1000. While those around him and above him get the shove, he's standing there untouched, as he might well be who knows how long down the line, amidst the rubble.
Just seen this on BBC website. Blackburn Rovers deputy chief executive Paul Hunt wanted manager Steve Kean sacked in December, it has emerged. According to a leaked letter seen by the Sporting Intelligence website, Hunt told the club's owners that change was needed following a 2-1 defeat at home by Bolton. What a mess!
Yes - was 49 million last season, reduced a bit now after player sales. I have no idea if this is average or high for the Premier League but was 86% of turnover...
How about the Barmby episode, he complained that he wasn't given any resources to do the job, the response was, you haven't got a job.
Yes, then they suspended him like a naughty schoolboy..They did offer him some money but he didn't take it and then lied about it..Dear oh dear..The Hull site is interesting, Hull apparently wanted Billy Sharp in January but the move wasn't able to be funded. Or was funded or something like that. I'm confused by the whole thing...
Uh oh... [video=youtube;9xcB9XfLjL8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9xcB9XfLjL8#![/video]
This is an interesting watch if you havent seen it. Steve Kean being secretly filmed before the start of the season. http://youtu.be/9xcB9XfLjL8 I have/had respect for B'burn, how can any player watch this and have respect for their manager. However I like the bit about slating BFS....gold
