Blackburn’s Indian owners plan ‘action’

Posted Tuesday, October 04, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

The Indian owners of Blackburn vowed to draw up a "plan of action" on Tuesday as they attempt to reverse the Premier League club's dismal start to the season.

After narrowly avoiding relegation last year, Rovers are languishing in 19th place this term having lost five of their opening seven matches, with their most recent defeat a 4-0 home loss to Manchester City.

That loss saw Rovers fans demand the dismissal of manager Steve Kean, who was installed as boss in place of the sacked Sam Allardyce shortly after Indian poultry firm Venky's bought the club last year.

Venkatesh Rao, who co-owns Rovers with sister Anuradha Desai and brother Balaji Rao, said a "very big discussion" was planned this week and added that he had already held talks with Kean to address the club's problems.

"I have spoken with Steve and we are working on our weak points," he told Sky Sports News. "We are going to sit this weekend and we are going to have a very big discussion over this.

"I'm sure we are going into the depth of it and believe me, myself, my sister and my brother, all of us are going to sit and have a long, long chat and come out with some plan of action."

Rao also said Blackburn supporters were within their rights to protest.

Mario Balotelli for Manchester City against Blackburn at Ewood Park on Saturday. The visitors won 4-0

Andrew Yates, AFP/Getty Images
"It is like a family and we should know totally what the fans feel about it," he said.

"It is an open interaction, so that we know exactly where we are going wrong, where we are doing good and where we can improve ourselves."

Rao acknowledged Venky's were partially responsible for the club's problems but insisted they were determined to transform results.

"I think we are going to be here for a long time and we are going to see the club be very successful with the help of the entire team. We are there to stay and serve the fans," he said.

"The responsibility is not just on the club - it is ours also and we are equally disappointed, not with the players or anybody, but with ourselves.

"We promise the fans that we will deliver results by hook or by crook."