Filed under: Blackburn Rovers, Premier League, Football
In their short tenure, Blackburn's Indian-based owners, who made their fortune in the poultry business, have already left many at Ewood Park spitting feathers.But the latest outlandish prediction from the Venky's Group is sure to leave their growing army of critics among Rovers fans flapping mad.
If you needed reminding of their past bullish statements, here they are.
Not content with axing Sam Allardyce in December - because they wanted to change the brand of football and compete for a Champions League spot - they plucked rookie Steve Kean from obscurity and into the hot-seat in his place.
Then there was the bungled pursuit of Ronaldinho and David Beckham, which many believed were only ever publicity stunts.
Having already given the unpopular Scot the vote of confidence, in the wake of the club's longest winless streak in 25 years, they now claim Kean will stay and will help inspire the team into the shake-up for a European place next season.
It's no surprise those Rovers supporters who welcomed the £23 million takeover five months ago have grown increasingly frustrated by the owners' premature talk of grandeur, especially after a worrying slump which leaves them tipped by many to go down.
Owner Balaji Rao said: "Next year, we should be finishing in at least eighth, pushing for Europe and at least one cup - we deserve that."
His brother Venkatesh was next to take up the mantle, and said: "I have full confidence in the manager and the players. We want to see every fan with a smile on their face."
Those fans have some way to go before those grimaces turn back to smiles.
Still only one of four clubs to have won the Premier League, back in 1995, the Lancashire outfit are light years away from competing for honours.
They have not invested any serious money since winning the title under Kenny Dalglish, have no real history or reputation and will always struggle to attract the top players without spending top dollar.
Let's face it, the half-hearted backing from the new owners is hardly on a par with the multi-millions splashed out by Chelsea benefactor Roman Abramovich or Manchester City's Abu-Dhabi rulers.
Signing the likes of Jermaine Jones, plus Ruben Rochina and Mauro Formica who have hardly figured since their deadline-day arrivals, will hardly send shivers down the rest of the league.
It's all turning into a bad dream for those at Rovers.
They must be craving for the return of Big Sam and a repeat of last season's top-10 finish.
Because from the moment they wielded the axe, Rovers were always apparently heading for a relegation fight and that's where they are today.
With games against the likes of Manchester City, Bolton and Manchester United to come, it doesn't look good.
But one thing is for certain, the Venky's who claim to have been given such a warm welcome by the Rovers fans, won't be welcomed quite so warmly on their next visit if they drop down to the Championship.
And then you really are in the real world - a place where the owners need to start living and fast.
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Source: http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/04/20/blackburns-owners-must-start-living-in-the-real-world-to-avert/
Daniele De Rossi David Albelda David Beckham David Ferrer David Silva
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