Valérien Ismaël: Blackburn Rovers Head Coach

[wilsdenrover]

39 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

I wish he hadnt offered to reduce the transfer budget to compensate although I understand its just him stressing the importance.

It should be either or. We badly need new players and a suitable pitch. 

I’m surprised he thinks there is a transfer budget. 

[aletheia]

Really dislike conspiracy land but with this club’s lack of communication it’s hard not to get embroiled.

Did Val already know that no new money would be forthcoming in January and thus his plea for a pitch remedy instead of transfer money is straight out of the club playbook as Rev says?

His rant seemed a little long for that to me -he just seems embarrassed and doesn't want blame attached to him.

Edited 5 hours ago by aletheia

[DE.]

Sounds he's losing the will to be the human shield who absorbs blame whilst the real culprits hide in the background. It's what he signed up for, granted, but I doubt he envisioned being grilled over not being able to play games at home when it rains. 

[Tomphil2]

He's not daft, this time next year when we are struggling again no doubt having decimated the squad further to cut costs he's already got his excuse in.

Then Gestede will say fans should be grateful the owners provide a pitch fit to play Sat/Tues.

Edited 5 hours ago by Tomphil2

[RevidgeBlue]

30 minutes ago, aletheia said:

he just seems embarrassed and doesn't want blame attached to him.

That's all it is for me.

"Nothing to do with me guv" as far as the fans are concerned and a "Don't worry here's how you can sort it out - I wont complain" message to his employers.

Edited 5 hours ago by RevidgeBlue

[blondie]

Venky's Dictionary

Transition: Cost Cutting

Transparency: Hide behind the Manager/ Fans Forum minutes debacle.

Alignment: Agree or lose your job.

[rovers11]

Much like those before him, VI clearly not happy with how the club is run and he's now struggling to hide his annoyance at what, quite frankly, is a joke of a club.

Let's face it, if we were a well run club then VI wouldnt be here in the first place. However, if he gets offered another job, he'll be off like a shot, just like our previous two managers. Sadly for VI, he won't be very in demand so I suspect he'll have to suffer through the pain like the rest of us.

[rovers11]

2 hours ago, Mike Graham said:

VI is well and truly having a go now.  This is from Radio Lancs / LT…..

Valerien Ismael says Blackburn Rovers must invest in Ewood Park's pitch after labelling the Sheffield Wednesday abandonment 'embarrassing'.

It is the second time this season that Rovers have been unable to complete a home fixture due to heavy rainfall. Understandably, the 36-year-old Ewood Park surface has come under scrutiny after the weekend.

Ismael has called on those in charge at Rovers to provide a clear plan of action to prevent any further issues. He believes money must be invested to provide peace of mind to staff, players and supporters.

"I am not the right person to give you an explanation," Ismael told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"Normally, it would be someone else here to explain what's happened. We have a lot of 'head of' in the club. Groundkeeping or someone from the board to give an explanation.

"I am like you, I'd like to understand. Like the players, like the fans. Why has this happened again? We were in a good position, especially when we spoke about creating something positive with the fans in home games after the Ipswich game.

"Now to be ahead, four points in two home games, would be great for us. Especially with a lot of games. Now we are sitting there with a situation that has happened again and I think everyone has the right to have some clarity, some guarantees, why has this happened again?

"What is the plan? Especially in the near future to make sure that money is invested to renew the pitch. It's as simple as that. I want guarantees I can do my job properly, the players need guarantees to do their job properly and the fans when they pay to see a game, they want to see a full 90 minutes and not have to go home with a big frustration.

"I am sitting here not knowing exactly what the next step is. It's not my job to explain that. Someone else has to stand up and show up and explain to the people why it's happened again."

Ismael conceded his is concerned whether Tuesday night's fixture with Oxford United will go ahead. Heavy rainfall has been forecast this week which is causing the head coach further concern.

"We have had no meetings," he continued.

"We had an explanation of what will happen the game in terms of rescheduling the game. It's another game on the schedule, another load for the players.

"My problem is this is happening again since Ipswich. I want a clear plan, clarity as to what the problem is and what the plan is. 'We can't renew the pitch now but in the summer we'll invest but this is the solution'. This is what is missing: a clear plan.

"It will happen again. If you see tomorrow, we see the forecast. The weather won't be nice. We don't know and that's terrible.

"It's pressure on your mind to see it's a home game, a rainy day and you don't know what will happen. It's a long-term issue which we have to think about.

"We need clarity. The players, the staff, the fans, the EFL. Everyone needs a reliable answer to make sure this embarrassing situation can't carry on."

Remarkably, Ismael even said he would sacrifice money to spend in the transfer market to ensure the Ewood Park pitch is rectified.

"I think it's an emergency call now.

"This is something we can control. You can't control the weather but you can renew the pitch. It's something you can control. It was a problem before me, it's a problem now and I hope it won't be a problem in the future anymore.

"If I can do anything to help, I will do it. If I can influence it, if we have to save money in the transfer market to add money to get a new pitch, I'd be the first person to do it. If I have to sacrifice that for the better of the club and the pitch, I will do it.

"I want to see everyone happy. Fans coming into the stadium and seeing the game until the end. I want to see my players getting their reward throughout the 90 minutes.

"If it's something I can do, I'll do it. We need a clear plan on the table for everyone to follow and understand."

Oof this is the first time I've seen thr full quotes. Good on VI for speaking up, but this won't go down well at all with the club. Venky's mantra has always been toe the line or you are out. They banned the local newspaper for similar reasons.

[Upside Down]

2 hours ago, wilsdenrover said:

They don’t think they need a CEO.

Maybe they’ll try a no manager approach too.

They already did that for the first two years so why not.

[RTM08]

Like that he's come out strong, but it has also given the perfect excuse not the reinforce the squad in January, which I fully expect them to take. Knowing them, they'll half-ass the pitch maintenance too.

[47er]

1 hour ago, rovers11 said:

Oof this is the first time I've seen thr full quotes. Good on VI for speaking up, but this won't go down well at all with the club. Venky's mantra has always been toe the line or you are out. They banned the local newspaper for similar reasons.

How could we possibly save money in the transfer window and stay up?

[RevidgeBlue]

2 minutes ago, 47er said:

How could we possibly save money in the transfer window and stay up?

Perhaps VI knows his job is safe whatever happens and (like Suhail and Gestede) isnt bothered whether we stay up or go down.

Therefore might as well do the pitch.

[Gav]

4 hours ago, Mike Graham said:

VI is well and truly having a go now.  This is from Radio Lancs / LT…..

Valerien Ismael says Blackburn Rovers must invest in Ewood Park's pitch after labelling the Sheffield Wednesday abandonment 'embarrassing'.

It is the second time this season that Rovers have been unable to complete a home fixture due to heavy rainfall. Understandably, the 36-year-old Ewood Park surface has come under scrutiny after the weekend.

Ismael has called on those in charge at Rovers to provide a clear plan of action to prevent any further issues. He believes money must be invested to provide peace of mind to staff, players and supporters.

"I am not the right person to give you an explanation," Ismael told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"Normally, it would be someone else here to explain what's happened. We have a lot of 'head of' in the club. Groundkeeping or someone from the board to give an explanation.

"I am like you, I'd like to understand. Like the players, like the fans. Why has this happened again? We were in a good position, especially when we spoke about creating something positive with the fans in home games after the Ipswich game.

"Now to be ahead, four points in two home games, would be great for us. Especially with a lot of games. Now we are sitting there with a situation that has happened again and I think everyone has the right to have some clarity, some guarantees, why has this happened again?

"What is the plan? Especially in the near future to make sure that money is invested to renew the pitch. It's as simple as that. I want guarantees I can do my job properly, the players need guarantees to do their job properly and the fans when they pay to see a game, they want to see a full 90 minutes and not have to go home with a big frustration.

"I am sitting here not knowing exactly what the next step is. It's not my job to explain that. Someone else has to stand up and show up and explain to the people why it's happened again."

Ismael conceded his is concerned whether Tuesday night's fixture with Oxford United will go ahead. Heavy rainfall has been forecast this week which is causing the head coach further concern.

"We have had no meetings," he continued.

"We had an explanation of what will happen the game in terms of rescheduling the game. It's another game on the schedule, another load for the players.

"My problem is this is happening again since Ipswich. I want a clear plan, clarity as to what the problem is and what the plan is. 'We can't renew the pitch now but in the summer we'll invest but this is the solution'. This is what is missing: a clear plan.

"It will happen again. If you see tomorrow, we see the forecast. The weather won't be nice. We don't know and that's terrible.

"It's pressure on your mind to see it's a home game, a rainy day and you don't know what will happen. It's a long-term issue which we have to think about.

"We need clarity. The players, the staff, the fans, the EFL. Everyone needs a reliable answer to make sure this embarrassing situation can't carry on."

Remarkably, Ismael even said he would sacrifice money to spend in the transfer market to ensure the Ewood Park pitch is rectified.

"I think it's an emergency call now.

"This is something we can control. You can't control the weather but you can renew the pitch. It's something you can control. It was a problem before me, it's a problem now and I hope it won't be a problem in the future anymore.

"If I can do anything to help, I will do it. If I can influence it, if we have to save money in the transfer market to add money to get a new pitch, I'd be the first person to do it. If I have to sacrifice that for the better of the club and the pitch, I will do it.

"I want to see everyone happy. Fans coming into the stadium and seeing the game until the end. I want to see my players getting their reward throughout the 90 minutes.

"If it's something I can do, I'll do it. We need a clear plan on the table for everyone to follow and understand."

He’s gone up in my estimations, slightly. 

To be honest though, he’s a victim just as we are, only difference is he’s being paid and thinks he can make a difference. 

VENKYS OUT - NOTHING ELSE MATTERS

[Tomphil2]

4 minutes ago, RevidgeBlue said:

Perhaps VI knows his job is safe whatever happens and (like Suhail and Gestede) isnt bothered whether we stay up or go down.

Therefore might as well do the pitch.

Yep he probably knows it's inevitable sooner or later and we're going to need a playable pitch whatever league we are in.

The actual chance of there being 2 million in the budget that can be transferred to pitch rebuilding instead of players is fanciful by anyone's thinking.

So it's a green light to sell another player or two and take whatever comes after.

He'll probably have escaped back to a foreign league before next summer anyway.

[SuperBrfc]

3 hours ago, aletheia said:

Really dislike conspiracy land but with this club’s lack of communication it’s hard not to get embroiled.

Did Val already know that no new money would be forthcoming in January and thus his plea for a pitch remedy instead of transfer money is straight out of the club playbook as Rev says?

His rant seemed a little long for that to me -he just seems embarrassed and doesn't want blame attached to him.

His offer to remedy the pitch immediately even if it takes something off the January budget are the words of a man desperate to fix the situation.

He is showing more urgency and desire to resolve this than any of the hierarchy are doing. He doesn't want the fans, the players and staff to lose out because of the incompetence and lack of knowhow of bastards like the shadow man.

A common theme around this club is the notion "that's too expensive, we can't do that". All he has done is offered a begrudging compromise. I.e take it out of the January budget if you have to, but fix this now!

I do not think this is some sort of ploy where he is distancing himself from blame and giving his superiors an easy get out.

Edited 2 hours ago by SuperBrfc

[RevidgeBlue]

10 minutes ago, Tomphil2 said:

He'll probably have escaped back to a foreign league before next summer anyway.

I think he's here until the end of his contract come what may but we'll see I guess.

[B16Rover]

I've known football clubs to win games at this level without a European jobber worth £2m 

I haven't known a football club to ever win a game at this level, that can't provide an adequate pitch to play on

 

I am presuming the above is the logic.  I am also aware some of you more pedantic than me may reference Coventry and similar case.  They don't count! 

[Blue blood]

After how many years of being dumped upon by Venkys I don't buy Ismael's latest comments - other than the fact its embarrassing. Offering the January transfer money to pay for the pitch is like a parent saying we'll pay for the kids food with the money we were going to spend on their clothes. Both are needed and its a farcical situation to be in. Owners who never hesitate to sign a cheque? A couple of words too many in that sentence. 

Cue another hodge-podge sticking plaster on the ground and a convenient excuse to continue to underinvest in the squad. The downward spiral continues. 

[RevidgeBlue]

10 minutes ago, SuperBrfc said:

A common theme around this club is the notion "that's too expensive, we can't do that". All he has done is offered a begrudging compromise. I.e take it out of the January budget if you have to, but fix this now!

What sort of proper manager does that? 

He should be insisting the pitch is sorted AND there's a workable transfer budget.

It reminds me a bit of Mowbray trying to dissuade the owners from spending or wanting to sell Rothwell to our major rivals for promotion.

[Paul Mellelieu]

He might be using it to bond and protect the players, or at leas the few we left who are fit.  Six first teamers out is it?

[JHRover]

It's just something that would never been seen or heard in public at any other professional football club, yet here, due to the void and silence, we have another manager turning to the media to get his message out there in the vain hope someone in India picks up on it and acts

The impenetrable wall of silence and inertia between Ewood and India leaves confused and frustrated managers with only one option - wash our linen in public in the hope it makes something happen.

It wouldn't be necessary or accepted anywhere else, because you'd have contactable owners with a drop of decency or pride in their systems, but here we all know these people are far from decent and have never had any pride.

Ismael knows full well that the budget will be maxed out for the year and funding won't be forthcoming for remedial works at Ewood. So his only option is to try and balance it with an offer of a reduction to his playing budget. A crazy situation but the only chance he and we have of seeing this work get done in the near future. Otherwise all the money is allocated and there's no more.

Head stooge isn't ringing Pune for more cash, that's not an option. More than his job is worth.

Remember that when they shuffle the pack in January, wheel and deal, move a couple out and bring a couple in on lower wages, this isn't the owners investing. They're merely allowing the stooges to reduce outgoings by replacing higher earners with lower/younger/cheaper ones

The club can manage all that in it's own budgets without input from Pune.

[simongarnerisgod]

val to be relieved of his duties(in the guise of him resigning) before christmas,he`s broken the vow of silence that is a prerequisite of the job,the excuse will be  he misses his family 

[philipl]

4th Manager in a decade about to sack the club?

[SuperBrfc]

1 hour ago, RevidgeBlue said:

What sort of proper manager does that? 

He should be insisting the pitch is sorted AND there's a workable transfer budget.

It reminds me a bit of Mowbray trying to dissuade the owners from spending or wanting to sell Rothwell to our major rivals for promotion.

He is a proper manager, but just like those before him, he has realised this isn't a proper setup.

I agree with the bolded. He absolutely should be insisting on both. It should never be an either/or situation at our level and especially not with so called billionaire owners.

The fact he has made such a suggestion is, IMO, quite likely due to the "woe is us, we can't spend, we need to cut costs" kind of vibe around the place. What are the chances that Ismael has been hearing a lot of that lately i.e we've got limited funds, player x, y and z are too expensive to sign, we need to cut the wage bill, yada yada. That lot crying about funds.

It would be easy to conclude in that scenario that we can't do both, hence the suggestion he has put forward. It feels like a desperate suggestion from someone who wants the situation resolving quickly, rather than a Mowbray type thing. That's just my view though.

It would not happen at any normal club.

Edited 1 hour ago by SuperBrfc

[roversfan99]

1 hour ago, RevidgeBlue said:

What sort of proper manager does that? 

He should be insisting the pitch is sorted AND there's a workable transfer budget.

It reminds me a bit of Mowbray trying to dissuade the owners from spending or wanting to sell Rothwell to our major rivals for promotion.

I think you are allowing your dislike of individuals to cloud your judgement. As has been proven by quite a few different individuals.

I also referenced that I dont like the idea of it being either the pitch or transfer money. But that is not the take home conclusion of what Ismael said today. He spoke very critically of those above him, he said it is "embarassing" and questioned the structure at the club. Him saying that he would sacrifice funds just to me suggested quite how desperate he is not to be embarassed in such a way again.

Similar to how you have twisted Mowbray going out of his way to stop the owners from investing loads of money or wanting to sell 6 months worth of a Rothwell who downed tools in order to get a couple of new players in another season where the owners had turned the taps off.