Of course that's one of only a few possible definitions of the word highlighted above but one that is applicable to the newest entry into the Blackburn Rovers dictionary... Shebby Singh.
Prior to his arrival I'll hold my hands up, I knew nothing of the man. Some more familiar with ESPN and Asian football knew him as a motor mouth TV pundit, a part time advisor to Rovers Indian owners and something of a smooth operator with no substantial background in the administrative side of football.
So to hear he was being given an fairly powerful and prominent role at the club didn't seem like an occasion to smash open the champagne and sit there with frenzied excitement and anticipation at the next move.
Throw into the mix that on practically his first day in the job he had to stand in front of a crowd of people and announce that (understatement coming up) less than popular manager Steve Kean was being kept in his position against all better judgement and a summer that had started badly was getting even worse.
Those first few days in the Ewood office coupled with Singh's early activity in his role presented a further opportunity for the fans to be let out of the traps again and given a scent to sniper down the latest "pawn" in the Venky's game of ownership chess. You could understand why, I mean why trust someone who's being employed by the masters of elaborate and broken promises? And someone who in all his early interviews seemed to be falling in line with the Rao family company line?
It sounded horrific to us all and possibly another heavy nail in the rather large, proverbial Blackburn coffin.
But lo and behold in the space of a few weeks he's really started to turn it around. From the still burning ashes of another disaster has come something with promise, something dare I say that could even be of benefit to a club's fan base that really needs every single reason to be optimistic.
Shebby Singh has spent the last month going on something of a charm offensive. He's taken every spare minute he's had going to build bridges with organisations set up to express concern about the one he is employed by and even more importantly he's mended some severely broken communication bridges at Blackburn Rovers that have long been closed off without explanation since November 2010.
By all accounts he's been very honest and straight forward with all who've asked him the tough questions, the people involved in the BRSIT, the BRFC Action Group and he's even indulged *SHAMELESS PLUG KLAXON* one of our rowdy bunch over on Vital Blackburn by answering some tough questions that would have gone unanswered had the malfunctioning Rovers PR machine been asked them six months ago.
It's become fairly clear since his appointment that he's not just some go between an outpost in Pune and the rest of the Rovers community. He's the man charged with running the show at Ewood Park and he's employed by the Rao's and not the club to oversee the likes of Kean, Agnew and Derek Shaw, it's even strongly rumoured he has the power to remove people from their posts if they're under performing (can't think of anyone in particular mind).
Singh has even made it the likes of Andy Cryer's job easier, we can now find out with relative ease what in the four layers of blue hell we are doing in the transfer market.
Previously sceptical people who have up to this point been strongly opposed to Venky's and their running of the club have been sold on Shebby Singh by his style, his demeanour and the intent he displays. Of course the all important follow up action is yet to appear and that will determine how much of a success he will be during his tenure.
He could yet be the biggest disaster so far or he could be the massive turning point we've been looking for.
But there's no doubting he's bought himself a chance with a portion of pretty influential fans and he does have an opportunity to back up the impressive spiel he's been waxing since his appointment.
The message to Shebby is clear - don't fail where others have before you and don't waste this chance.
So to hear he was being given an fairly powerful and prominent role at the club didn't seem like an occasion to smash open the champagne and sit there with frenzied excitement and anticipation at the next move.
Throw into the mix that on practically his first day in the job he had to stand in front of a crowd of people and announce that (understatement coming up) less than popular manager Steve Kean was being kept in his position against all better judgement and a summer that had started badly was getting even worse.
Those first few days in the Ewood office coupled with Singh's early activity in his role presented a further opportunity for the fans to be let out of the traps again and given a scent to sniper down the latest "pawn" in the Venky's game of ownership chess. You could understand why, I mean why trust someone who's being employed by the masters of elaborate and broken promises? And someone who in all his early interviews seemed to be falling in line with the Rao family company line?
It sounded horrific to us all and possibly another heavy nail in the rather large, proverbial Blackburn coffin.
But lo and behold in the space of a few weeks he's really started to turn it around. From the still burning ashes of another disaster has come something with promise, something dare I say that could even be of benefit to a club's fan base that really needs every single reason to be optimistic.
Shebby Singh has spent the last month going on something of a charm offensive. He's taken every spare minute he's had going to build bridges with organisations set up to express concern about the one he is employed by and even more importantly he's mended some severely broken communication bridges at Blackburn Rovers that have long been closed off without explanation since November 2010.
By all accounts he's been very honest and straight forward with all who've asked him the tough questions, the people involved in the BRSIT, the BRFC Action Group and he's even indulged *SHAMELESS PLUG KLAXON* one of our rowdy bunch over on Vital Blackburn by answering some tough questions that would have gone unanswered had the malfunctioning Rovers PR machine been asked them six months ago.
It's become fairly clear since his appointment that he's not just some go between an outpost in Pune and the rest of the Rovers community. He's the man charged with running the show at Ewood Park and he's employed by the Rao's and not the club to oversee the likes of Kean, Agnew and Derek Shaw, it's even strongly rumoured he has the power to remove people from their posts if they're under performing (can't think of anyone in particular mind).
Singh has even made it the likes of Andy Cryer's job easier, we can now find out with relative ease what in the four layers of blue hell we are doing in the transfer market.
Previously sceptical people who have up to this point been strongly opposed to Venky's and their running of the club have been sold on Shebby Singh by his style, his demeanour and the intent he displays. Of course the all important follow up action is yet to appear and that will determine how much of a success he will be during his tenure.
He could yet be the biggest disaster so far or he could be the massive turning point we've been looking for.
But there's no doubting he's bought himself a chance with a portion of pretty influential fans and he does have an opportunity to back up the impressive spiel he's been waxing since his appointment.
The message to Shebby is clear - don't fail where others have before you and don't waste this chance.
Not buying it. Take a step back from everything that has happened and everything we expect and look around. Steve Kean is still here and if Shebby is really here to change things for the better Steve Kean would be long gone. The fact that he is still here means Shebby has failed already. Just my opinion but no sef respecting owner, director or "globel advisor" would tolerate anything Steve Kean has done. I know we'll never get John Williams back but i'd like to quote him just after he sacked Paul Ince " Blackburn, Bolton and Fulham all got promoted together ten years ago and i'll be dammed if Rovers are the first of the three to get relegated." Until Shebby has that kind of attitude and sacks kean he has failed.
ReplyDeleteIn fairness to Shebby, he might not be able to sack Kean yet. From what he's been saying though, it sounds as if it could be last chance saloon for Kean.
Deletesorry, you just dont get it do you! given what has happened clearly SK is unsackable in the eyes of Desai. He has probably played on the fact that he has had to take such a beating of the fans and that may have won him admiration (yes, incorrectly placed but admiration none the less!).
DeleteSo how do you go about get rid of him? shouting and screaming, begging and pleading have not worked... so you manage the situation... you give SK enough rope to hang himself (or any of his staff with dubious ability)... if he succeeds then everything is cushty, if he fails then goodnight keano, time to go.
This is how the real world works, Shebby is a clever, clever man and knows how to play the game... he knows how to get Desai on side.
Rumour has it that SK is on borrowed time, and when asked how long has SK got? until Xmas? No, Shebby replied... 3 games!
remember "don't tell steve"!
fairly good appraisal of the man,not phased by the boo bully boys too!
ReplyDeleteGo home, your just a Venky puppet, sack the drunkard Kean, the swindler Hendry , BRING HONESTY TO ROVERS.
ReplyDeleteThe only way forward is for SS to get rid of kean the you will see the crowds come back
ReplyDeleteI just am so fed up with BS from the Raos who have no ethics and integrity. To me, Shebby is just another puppet of the old hag Desai.
ReplyDeleteWe want them all out and have our club running clean the way it was before the chicken farmers came clucking nonsense and ruining it all.
Shebby is just there as a showman.. and the circus will keep going with this idiotic lot running the club.
So I don't support anyone linked to the corrupt Raos. Venkys out!
I doubt whether we can get the Venky's out, much as I'd like to see them kicked into space. However, Kean MUST go. I really do not understand why they've hung onto him. What more does this man need to do to "prove himself" to the Venky's? He narrowly avoided relegation in season 1. Then he achieved relegation in season 2. He is a failure who has had his chance. He is a failure who has had his day. He is a failure full stop.
ReplyDeleteGiven my past experience of following Rovers' annual fight against promotion under Don Mackay, and being witness to the shambles under Brian Kidd, I firmly believe that only a strong and capable manager can take the club back to the premiership. Steve Kean is not that man. He should be dismissed today.
It must be strange for Venkys to watch the Olympics and see professionals getting rewards for success instead of failure.
ReplyDeleteThe dumb Venky's must be thinking.. how do we buy an Olypmic team? They are clueless and pathetic! Venky's out!
ReplyDeleteFrom the time the clowns from Pune took over the club, it has been nothing but a disaster. They should have bought a circus instead!
ReplyDeleteThey have no clue on how to run a football club, their motives seem to be dark and we as fans need our Blackburn Rovers free of them.Miss good football at Ewood.
Venky's out!
Shebby's interview today shows that he is buying time for the owners. These guys are trying to cover up alot and wish there was evidence against them as the whole stuff stinks and it's just sad that we fans have to take the blame. Wish the media would highlight our plight more so that some positive action starts taking place.
ReplyDeleteShebby is just a puppet put afront by the clowns of Pune!
Hi Mikey.
ReplyDeleteThanks for writing good and fair articles.
It is such a shame where Blackburn Rovers has got to since the Venky's came in. The Rao's Venky's have demolished so much to date and they continue doing so! Shebby Singh is another stooge appointed by them to speak on their behalf as they do not have the guts to come face to face with the public. An acquaintance of mine told me of the way these guys are.. no character nor integrity!
According to what all has been happening it looks like Singh has been placed to gently let the baldie go.
Hope this season is lucky for us. .. without the Venky's!