I think that statement was true relatively early in to Venky's ownership. Certainly the rumour which was repeated in the media - whether true or not - that they bought the club unaware that there was relegation from the Premier League pointed to how low their standing was in the game.

There was also contempt for the ridiculous talk about signing Ronaldhino etc which pointed to them knowing the square root of nothing about football

Just now, arbitro said:

And some of the protesting Rovers fans were spat on and threatened by those holding different views.

And no place for that sort of behaviour either

Just now, SIMON GARNERS 194 said:

Stand by what I say.

Have a good night's sleep and think it over. For all you know those "gutless bastards" may include former members of the Armed Forces, people who have fought against cancer, overcome injustice etc.

Just now, SIMON GARNERS 194 said:

They are the same gutless b'stards who derided and laughed at the protests during the Kean shambles.No time whatsoever for their ilk.

Simply no place for describing Rovers supporters who hold different views to yourself in those terms.

Just now, JHRover said:

The manager is the most important position at any club. For owners flushing £15 million a year down the drain I'd say shelling out on a quality manager who might get us up is a worthwhile investment if serious about promotion. Sadly I don't think they are, so they will try and do it on the cheap and get nowhere.

Agreed. And unfortunately I think your final sentence is correct as to how they would proceed.

Just now, Stuart said:

Doesn’t need to be a messiah. Mowbray is a very very average Championship manager.

Unfortunately very very average is the best they have done so far after nine years and four of their appointments were much worse than that

Just now, LDRover said:

Probably about as likely as them shelling out 12 million for 2 non scoring strikers.

We will probably have to agree to differ. I get the impression that they are prepared to shell out on assets on which they think they can turn a profit but do not believe in paying above the normal going rate for employees like managers.

Just now, Mattyblue said:

Then we stay as we are, a club in suspended animation for evermore, as these owners don’t look to be going anytime soon.

 

Unless we get lucky with Mowbray's approach yielding results or a new Messiah appearing as manager that nobody could realistically have forecast then you are correct

Just now, JHRover said:

Oldest trick in the book is to argue against a managerial change because 'who could we realistically get?' or 'nobody better out there' 

If that attitude was followed at every club then nobody would ever improve or escape relegation.

There are always improvements out there. Key is finding them. When you've got an incompetent and disinterested ownership and management structure and shop purely on the bargain aisle then you end up interviewing Russell Slade and appointing Owen Coyle.

When you have some nous and ambition you end up unearthing people like Wagner, Farke and Cowley. Huddersfield could have accepted their lot in life and stuck with Chris Powell and battled relegation every year. They didn't, they wanted better and pulled off a masterstroke.

 

As you say, the key is finding them . Do you see Venkys managing to do that given their track record ? Even if they did would we be a more attractive proposition than other clubs who might come calling for the individual in question ? Cowley is reputed to have demanded and got a salary package of £1m a year before he would go to Huddersfield but can you imagine Venkys being prepared to pay that ?

Just now, rigger said:

It would seem you are prepared to follow blindly, people who have no interest, bar money, in our club. I am not. If we are in the same position at the end of the season, I doubt if I will renew my season ticket. This does not mean I have walked away from the club I have supported every season for fifty years, but from the uncommitted people at all levels that now run the club.

I am not following the owners blindly - a large number of my posts provide critical comment on them - but I see no reason to allow their incompetence to drive me away from the club  although of course you have the choice to do what you want. Ultimately I believe we are supporters of the club and not customers and I conduct myself accordingly.

1 hour ago, rigger said:

I remember a turning point away at Tranmere, but even then at our lowest point I had belief in the manager. Now I don’t. If your idea of a true supporter is someone who never questions the club, so be it. It is not mine.

I'm prepared to question the club but not to walk away from it

3 hours ago, RevidgeBlue said:

Re: Johnson, or any other rookie manager for that matter, they are  never going to land a job at a decent level when things are going swimmingly well, their only realistic chance is to go in somewhere where the wheels have fallen off and establish their credentials  by doing a good job in difficult circumstances.

Why do they have to start off "at a decent level" rather than prove themselves lower down the scale ? Alex Ferguson started at East Stirling

Just now, rigger said:

So you are willing to settle for second level mediocrity, with non-entertaining football. I think my money would start to be spent elsewhere. 

I believe in "We'll support you evermore" and don't shop around like a consumer which is not the attitude I associate with true supporters. I am old enough to remember when second level mediocrity was an upgrade on what we were presented with but I didn't desert the club then and won't now.

I don't like the present level of performances and believe that there are other managers who could get better results than the present incumbent - but I don't trust the owners to make that appointment and will stick with Mowbray at least until the end of the season

3 hours ago, RevidgeBlue said:

"Avoiding relegation" isn't acceptable and a reason for keeping him though is it?

What have you seen on the pitch and what are your reasons that make you think we can turn the season round?

I think the point that is being made is that there is a significant risk of a disastrous new appointment which would make relegation far more likely - perhaps probable - and in the circumstances sticking for the rest of the season with a man who some of us believe won't get the club relegated is the right course of action

15 minutes ago, Gavlar Somerset Rover! said:

I really don't get this school of thought, which many on Twitter are peddling too. Why give him to the end of the season? What evidence is there to show he'll turn us around and get us competing at the right end of the table? I have seen more than enough to know he needs moving on.

I don't think the people like me who feel this way think that we will be competing at the right end of the table - just that we don't think we'll go down either under Tony Mowbray and there is a serious risk of a really disastrous appointment being made if he were fired

1 hour ago, martonrover said:

Agreed, the speed (or lack of it) in making decisions continues to be a problem.

I don't believe for a minute that the actor Steve Waggott is empowered to make strategic decisions.

They will act when it's far too late, and then make another poor appointment.

That's the problem in a nutshell

Just now, Scotland1 said:

Very attractive little attention on you, good squad and plenty of wages and funds shown in the last 18months. 

Dont think you can blame he owners since we’ve come back up to be honest

But maybe the funds have now been spent and in any case does the manager have the say as to how they are spent ? Additionally what sort of wage are Venkys prepared to commit to a manager and his team ?

As I have said before anyone anyone any good will have a choice as to where they work ( I suspect the likes of Hughton and Moyes are waiting on much better jobs than us ) and Venkys standing in the game is very poor - hence Lambert only coming to us with a get-out clause in his contract

Just now, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

This " possession " football is killing us Parson. We don't appear to be good enough to pass and run accurately so we pass and walk. We're taking the ball stood still most of the time when are opponents are on the move, even then we need a couple of touches before we pass the ball. It's so easy to play against.

Good analysis - we appear to have bought in to a fashionable concept with "possession football" without having the players to execute it. We need to approach games with a higher tempo

Just now, Scotland1 said:

Mark Hughes or Javi Gracia for me 

With the best will in the world how likely do you think it is that either of those two would find working for Venkys an attractive proposition ?

Just now, Amo said:

What about Roberto Di Matteo? He was hot sh*t a few years ago. Dunno what he's up to lately.

Been out of work for three years

Just now, Oldgregg86 said:

i don’t believe for one minute Holtby is injured

Why not ? What motive could the club have for dissembling ?

4 hours ago, Mercer said:

IMO, Mowbray has to be axed - it's a no brainer.

Pointless giving him tonight or another three games or until Christmas.  He's been here almost three years now and we know the nature of the beast.

I think we are mentally and physically unfit for purpose, disorganised, unbalanced and churn out turgid and predictable football.  Tactically, IMO, Mowbray is not at the races - how many times do we change formation during a match (once recall Bennett playing five different positions in one game), how many times does his substitutions actually make matters worse.  As far player trading, absolutely woeful I think with £millions spunked away.

It's time, IMO, our managerial dinosaur was replaced with a young, hungry and innovative manager.  I think the taxi leaving Ewood should be big enough to also take Waggott, Venus, Lowe and Benson.

Who is this unnamed manager ?

How likely is it that in identifying their eighth managerial appointment in nine years that Venkys would manage to get it so right when they have not managed it before ?

How likely is it that this outstanding individual would choose to join us over other clubs ?

If we are so bad why do you keep frittering your money away on backing us to win games when you could give the money to a worthwhile charity ?

Just now, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

Better still.

Please don't tell Mercer

Just now, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

Get a tenner on it.

You can get 14/1 with SkyBet

Just now, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

But you wouldn't want to bet on him keeping us up this time. I wouldn't anyway.

Well currently the shortest price being quoted by bookmakers on us being relegated is 8/1 so clearly they don't see it as that likely. 15 points from 12 games is no great shakes but equally is never going to mean relegation