Whose Wad Weighs Way More Than Ours?

[Kenilworth]

So NA claims that we have only the 6th or 7th highest budget in the division this season.
That's one to ponder on the bullshit meter or the getting your excuses in early card, isn't it?

So whose wedge is heavier than ours?
Which clubs have more clout?
Where are the big hitters going to come from?

So here are my suggestions - let me know if yours tally with this little summation.

#1 Wigan - still with some element of parachute payments makes this one a no brainer.
Wigan have to be the most affluent club in this division, bar none.

#2 Millwall - purely on the basis that they would have been receiving more in TV money than any club in this division because of their stay in the Champ for a reasonable time - but not sure why that would continue and they have to trim their squad to cope with the new revenue stream in League 1 - probably #2

#3 ?????? then I am struggling to see who else could have a bigger budget than the Blades - Blackpool are screwed so they surely can't - Swindon on the back of player sales? Really.

Look at the clubs in the league this season - I cannot say that any others bar the two already mentioned can muster a larger budget than we should be able to.

Surely us having the 6th or 7th highest budget in this division is utter bollocks isn't it?
I'd suggest we had the third highest at least - unless NC really did piss it all aware and Mother Hubbard is our new co chair

 

[Bartleby]

think someone who was there said he later corrected himself on this

 

[Tyler Durden]

Abdullahs in town today, maybe McCabe can tap him for a few quid. Won't hold my breath though.

 

[mosbolad]

Abdullahs in town today, maybe McCabe can tap him for a few quid. Won't hold my breath though.

 

[Dalelane01]

Its not the weight of the wad its what you spend it on when youve got it

 

[AnonymousBlade1995]

nice profile pic made me laugh

 

[mosbolad]

nice profile pic made me laugh

Thanks, anon Blade. The mighty Zammo from Grange Hill on their anti drugs campaign. Just Say NO!

 

[judge]

When you say wad do you mean cock and balls ?

 

[Woodwardfan]

Such statements by managers sometimes surprise us but I think we should take very seriously what NA answered to my question last Thursday night. I say "my question" just to authenticate my interest in this topic.

Personally I was surprised and indeed disappointed with the answer that there were 6/7 other clubs with a budget bigger than ours.

The reason I asked the question was to engender confidence that we are the big spenders in League 1 and our new owners had given NA a really good budget to blaze our way out of League 1.

In the question I invited NA to explain the restrictions of FFP but he never mentioned that angle.

What he said surprised me and others and he was asked to comment again later in the evening. After saying it was guesswork he basically re-iterated what he had said.

Fact is our old owner has spent up and our new owner gave the last manager two budgets to succeed but we failed. We then had to pay off Clough plus 6 of his merry men and then spend on the appointment of a real quality new management team. So for now we are levelling the expenditure.

We should not lose sight of the fact that only last January we spent some £2.5 million in transfer fees plus commitments to 5 big salaries in Brayford, Done, Freeman, Coutts and S. Davies

 

[Barney]

I think he could be referring to the following, although I am very heavily clutching at straws and shouldn't be anything we can't match or better excluding Wigan.

- Wigan - parachute payments
- Millwall - stable championship club of recent years
- Bradford - new owner (?) big club with big support nevertheless.
- Peterborough - large club
- Coventry - large club
- Swindon - based on their player sales

 

[Woodwardfan]

I think he could be referring to the following, although this is very heavily clutching at straws and shouldn't be anything we can't match or better excluding Wigan.

- Wigan - parachute payments
- Millwall - stable championship club of recent years
- Bradford - new owner (?) big club with big support nevertheless.
- Peterborough - large club
- Coventry - large club
- Swindon - based on their player sales

Have a look at the spending of Bury, Fleetwood, Shrewsbury, Burton and Southend.


Hey up Blade, we have an experienced manager who knows exactly what is going on. He does not venture into these areas lightly. A couple of weeks ago he mentioned Scunny and he knows exactly whats going on there; he said they had spent well and would be in the mix on the last day of the season; just look at their signings to date, very impressive.

Adkins does not need to "clutch at straws", what's all that about?

 

[Barney]

Hey up Blade, we have an experienced manager who knows exactly what is going on. He does not venture into these areas lightly. A couple of weeks ago he mentioned Scunny and he knows exactly whats going on there; he said they had spent well and would be in the mix on the last day of the season; just look at their signings to date, very impressive.

Adkins does not need to "clutch at straws", what's all that about?

No, no. I was clutching at straws thinking them teams up! Didn't mean it to come across as if I were talking about Adkins, I have edited the post, apologies

 

[Kenilworth]

Hmmmn. Some concerning clarifications in there.

Very astute question Woodwardfan

Not sure I am convinced we are in a strong enough position to alter the squad sufficiently to mount a significant challenge on promotion.

This emphasis on positivity and maintaining a United front is all well and good but I can't help feeling that it is being pushed a bit too much by NA. In corporate terms he is setting realistic expectations from the off. It's a sure sign there is very little to play with at the moment in the transfer kitty. Maybe we need to sell before he can buy and the delay is around who will be out the door first.

Have to say that already I am not getting a warm and fuzzy feeling about this season. I'm convinced we will start the season with pretty much the same squad as ended last year with NA only being able to improve it by shipping some out and by making a reasonable start to the new campaign.

You know when summat smells of fish and looks like a fish, odds are its a fish.

 

[TarquinDelouche]

When you say wad do you mean cock and balls ?

Phat stacks, yo.

 

[finlaytheblade]

Hmmmn. Some concerning clarifications in there.

Very astute question Woodwardfan

Not sure I am convinced we are in a strong enough position to alter the squad sufficiently to mount a significant challenge on promotion.

This emphasis on positivity and maintaining a United front is all well and good but I can't help feeling that it is being pushed a bit too much by NA. In corporate terms he is setting realistic expectations from the off. It's a sure sign there is very little to play with at the moment in the transfer kitty. Maybe we need to sell before he can buy and the delay is around who will be out the door first.

Have to say that already I am not getting a warm and fuzzy feeling about this season. I'm convinced we will start the season with pretty much the same squad as ended last year with NA only being able to improve it by shipping some out and by making a reasonable start to the new campaign.

You know when summat smells of fish and looks like a fish, odds are its a fish.

F

Have a look at the spending of Bury, Fleetwood, Shrewsbury, Burton and Southend.


Hey up Blade, we have an experienced manager who knows exactly what is going on. He does not venture into these areas lightly. A couple of weeks ago he mentioned Scunny and he knows exactly whats going on there; he said they had spent well and would be in the mix on the last day of the season; just look at their signings to date, very impressive.

Adkins does not need to "clutch at straws", what's all that about?

I think the only way these small clubs can beat our budget is if. Rich chairman are flashing the cash (bury,Burton, Fleetwood, Scunthorpe) it is allowed in this division.Bournemouth, Brentford and. Even Rotherham have done. This on. The back of benevolent. Chairman.doing it under the radar is something we can't get away with.I think Adkins touched on this last Thursday it's a gamble and if it does,nt come off they can be in the shit. It's an ego trip for these rich men and the supporters are left to pick up the pieces,Portsmouth are a club (although a big club) in this position there are other examples.
I think it's the attraction of premier ship riches. That these chairman are after as the small clubs don't have a fan base able to sustain it wigan are a good example of this. Bournemouth are the latest who have a great young manager who has built a really good team how long will it last?.until the rich Russian gets tired of. putting large amounts of cash in
.

Such statements by managers sometimes surprise us but I think we should take very seriously what NA answered to my question last Thursday night. I say "my question" just to authenticate my interest in this topic.

Personally I was surprised and indeed disappointed with the answer that there were 6/7 other clubs with a budget bigger than ours.

The reason I asked the question was to engender confidence that we are the big spenders in League 1 and our new owners had given NA a really good budget to blaze our way out of League 1.

In the question I invited NA to explain the restrictions of FFP but he never mentioned that angle.

What he said surprised me and others and he was asked to comment again later in the evening. After saying it was guesswork he basically re-iterated what he had said.

Fact is our old owner has spent up and our new owner gave the last manager two budgets to succeed but we failed. We then had to pay off Clough plus 6 of his merry men and then spend on the appointment of a real quality new management team. So for now we are levelling the expenditure.

We should not lose sight of the fact that only last January we spent some £2.5 million in transfer fees plus commitments to 5 big salaries in Brayford, Done, Freeman, Coutts and S. Davies

 

[TJB.]

If the finance situation is as bad as it has been guessed to be, then it really does emphasize what a colossal fuck up last season was under Clough. To spend that much cash and be that far off the pace of the top two sides is a failure that may just haunt him in his hunt for future employment.

Having said that, I'm not that concerned about our money situation for four reasons:

1) Players will be sold. We have an over-inflated midfield and generally a few who aren't up to scratch.

2) If we don't have much dosh knocking about, it's clear to see why Lee Turnbull was top of the shopping list. He'll be working hard to find a player as we speak.

3) The main place we need to improve is at centre half, where we need a minimum of two. I don't think you need THAT much about you to be a centre half in League 1. Just strong, organised and competent. I'm sure we can find a couple of these types knocking about somewhere that won't cost the earth. Perhaps I'm over simplifying things in that department, but all we need is two players better than Jay McEveley and if we can't find them anywhere we're buggered!

4) We absolutely MUST use the loan market to greater effect than we have done in recent seasons. Adkins is well respected in the game and is known for bringing
through young talent. This place must be seen as a great opportunity for players to come and make a name for themselves and get a promotion on their CV, possibly earning themselves a good move afterwards (see Benik Afobe). I'm confident that we'll see this happen, especially if we're cutting back on transfer fees.

As has been reiterated by Adkins, it's going to be a waiting game. It's frustrating as a fan and it's even more frustrating if we've blown too much dosh and now have to cut back, but lets keep the faith in the new management team. We're in good hands.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Hmmmn. Some concerning clarifications in there.

Very astute question Woodwardfan

Not sure I am convinced we are in a strong enough position to alter the squad sufficiently to mount a significant challenge on promotion.

This emphasis on positivity and maintaining a United front is all well and good but I can't help feeling that it is being pushed a bit too much by NA. In corporate terms he is setting realistic expectations from the off. It's a sure sign there is very little to play with at the moment in the transfer kitty. Maybe we need to sell before he can buy and the delay is around who will be out the door first.

Have to say that already I am not getting a warm and fuzzy feeling about this season. I'm convinced we will start the season with pretty much the same squad as ended last year with NA only being able to improve it by shipping some out and by making a reasonable start to the new campaign.

You know when summat smells of fish and looks like a fish, odds are its a fish.

So the last Nigel was too negative and this Nigel is too positive.

Is Goldilocks looking for a job?

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

I think he could be referring to the following, although I am very heavily clutching at straws and shouldn't be anything we can't match or better excluding Wigan.

- Wigan - parachute payments
- Millwall - stable championship club of recent years
- Bradford - new owner (?) big club with big support nevertheless.
- Peterborough - large club
- Coventry - large club
- Swindon - based on their player sales

Isn't the point though that it's not (just) about fan base. Size doesn't matter.

FFP in Division 3 is very flexibly interpreted and if the chairman is prepared to chuck money at it then he can basically with impunity.

I'd be really interested in the answer to the question.

Is one starting point who outspent us on net transfers last year?

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

F

I think the only way these small clubs can beat our budget is if. Rich chairman are flashing the cash (bury,Burton, Fleetwood, Scunthorpe) it is allowed in this division.Bournemouth, Brentford and. Even Rotherham have done. This on. The back of benevolent. Chairman.doing it under the radar is something we can't get away with.I think Adkins touched on this last Thursday it's a gamble and if it does,nt come off they can be in the shit. It's an ego trip for these rich men and the supporters are left to pick up the pieces,Portsmouth are a club (although a big club) in this position there are other examples.
I think it's the attraction of premier ship riches. That these chairman are after as the small clubs don't have a fan base able to sustain it wigan are a good example of this. Bournemouth are the latest who have a great young manager who has built a really good team how long will it last?.until the rich Russian gets tired of. putting large amounts of cash in
.

Yes. Like putting nitro in your car.

(Know nothing about cars so I'm getting this analogy from films and songs.)

 

[grafikhaus]

I might be wrong, but I just don't get this assmption that Wigan will be the one to beat this coming season. Like us in seasons past, they may think that they're one of the 'big beasts' in Division Three and everything will fall into place. Not so. Sure they'll have parachute payments from being in the Championship, but they won't be anything like they would be used to from being in the PL. My argument is, why didn't they use their parachute payments, revenue from winning the FA Cup, Uncle Dave's fortune etc. to stay in the Championship? Selling James McClean was the equivalent of us selling Maguire - if you've got plenty of money, you don't need to cash in for the first offer (£1.5m from Premiership West Brom is peanuts).

We'll see...

 

[HighfieldBlade]

So whose wedge is heavier than ours?
Which clubs have more clout?
Where are the big hitters going to come from?

...It's time to vote off The Weakest Link

 

[Hartley Hare]

I wonder what became of all the old Grange Hill actors?

 

[Grecian2000]

That's easy Harters.

Those who could just about act/fit (i.e.dirty) enough for the casting couch = The Bill > Eastenders.
Those who were ugly scroates/couldn't act = Drugs > Dole > Oblivion.

Back to the biggest wad. Only time will tell, let's see what January brings.

 

[raul]

http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/jun/27/grange-hill-benny-green-death-simon-hattenstone

 

[Kenilworth]

So the last Nigel was too negative and this Nigel is too positive.
Is Goldilocks looking for a job?

On the face of it she couldn't do any worse, I guess

I think you will find that the parable you are referring to had a porridge that was just right and a bed that was just right.
They are not beyond any critical analysis - any of them. There is a litany of excuses and incompetence which pervades this club
When you scratch the surface you don't get a rose garden you get compost

But, hey - you carry on accepting mediocrity and drink from the fire hose of meh

Sweet dreams

 

[Grappler]

I think it is safe to say we don't have the "wad" that Nige Clough was given previously. I would love to be proved wrong of course. I just don't see it. The new season is almost upon us and we don't seem to have even that many rumours of who may be coming in! That being said, I would assume that with his track record, Nigel Adkins and crew already has a list of players they have been keeping an eye on, of varying budgets, depending on which club they ended up at.

A little worrying if not!

 

[BornOnShorehamStreet]

Hmmmn. Some concerning clarifications in there.

Very astute question Woodwardfan

You know when summat smells of fish and looks like a fish, odds are its a fish.

 

[Barney]

Isn't the point though that it's not (just) about fan base. Size doesn't matter.

FFP in Division 3 is very flexibly interpreted and if the chairman is prepared to chuck money at it then he can basically with impunity.

I'd be really interested in the answer to the question.

Is one starting point who outspent us on net transfers last year?

I'd say we were the biggest spenders last season, Bristol City not far behind us.

Brayford, Done, Coutts, Freeman, Higdon, and Che Adams will all have commanded large transfer fees for a league one team, and that's not taking into account the vast amount of other players we signed last year who will have signed on big wages. Players like McNulty and Basham being a couple.

 

[Barney]

Safe to say, if Adkins had been appointed at the beginning of the 2014/2015 season, with that budget, we'd have been in the championship by April of this year.

 

[blade too long]

its very complex

is a club with a squad of 18 on 4 k a week average with 8000 gates better off than a club with a club with 25 on 5000 a week average with 18000 gates

it soon levels out 18 players on 1k a week less on the squad and 35k a week better off not having 7 more to pay for
so 53 k a week x 52 = 2 and 3 quarter million over a year , against 10000 x average 300 quid season tickets , nearly the same income / outgoing

our gates mean we can pay a bit more but its not a deal breaker