LouTheBlade
Active Member
Finances;
Although we appear to have a massive debt, from an outsider looking in it would appear to be under control to a certain degree and if we are to take Mr. Birch’s word then we have the assets and means to service it. As nearly all football clubs seem to have debt and we are as an attractive investment as anyone else to willing buyers. Particularly if you consider the other aspects of the club’s infrastructure and the potential it has as a brand (albeit not being fulfilled at the moment). I don’t like the idea of a £46M debt anymore than the next person but I don’t think we are in a position where we need to push any panic buttons.
Team;
We have a good core of decent players with the likes of Jamie Ward, Lee Williamson, Mark Yeates, Richard Cresswell, Darius Henderson etc. We also have a good group of younger players that can and will get better when circumstances improve, such as Ched Evans, Kyel Reid etc. so as long as we can hold on to most of them for a change we shouldn’t find ourselves struggling. Which leads me to my next point, the manager...........
Manager;
We all have our own opinions about Blackwell. I was pro-KB at one time but have rapidly shifted sides over the last month or so and am less than enamoured with the style of football we play. I have said this countless times recently. What we have to understand though, is that he’s not going anywhere in the immediate future. He is a cheap option for the directors and has us in a semi-reasonable league position on a tight budget which is all they’re asking for. The fact that most of us feel that we can and should be doing better is irrelevant. There are two ways of looking at this situation in respect of looking for the positives – He will either exceed the expectations of his critics and get us playing well whilst finishing in the playoffs; or this ugly style of football will continue and we will end the season missing out. The latter could ultimately lead to his departure, probably by resignation taking into account his character.
Next Season;
‘IF’ we miss out on promotion and stay in the CCC for next season, which is a distinct possibility on current form – then this will likely be the division next season;
(Assuming Newcastle, West Brom and Forest go up / Portsmouth, Burnley and Bolton come down – just for the sake of this exercise) and;
(Assuming Reading, Plymouth and Peterborough go down / Leeds, Norwich and Charlton come up – just for the sake of this exercise)
CCC 2010/11 – Portsmouth, Burnley, Bolton, Cardiff, Swansea, Leicester, Blades, Middlesbrough, Blackpool, Barnsley, Watford, Preston, Bristol C, Coventry, Derby, Doncaster, QPR, Pigs, Palace, Ipswich, Scunthorpe, Leeds, Norwich, Charlton
That is a very average looking division to me and has a lot of sides in it that have / will have financial problems (highlighted in bold). Hence they won’t have the greatest resources either - I would imagine many of the others arent exactly flush either. Out of that Bolton would likely win the league hands down but I don’t see anyone there that is likely to improve vastly between now and august 2010. I stress again this is not exactly how I think the division will end up but it has to be pretty close.
I’m just basing it on current league standings for the purpose of making this point. I know a lot can happen between now and then but the current financial climate suggests that not a lot will for the better with many clubs. Just be patient and wait to see what happens next season. If we go up this season BONUS, and my expectation will have been vastly exceeded.
UTB!!!
Although we appear to have a massive debt, from an outsider looking in it would appear to be under control to a certain degree and if we are to take Mr. Birch’s word then we have the assets and means to service it. As nearly all football clubs seem to have debt and we are as an attractive investment as anyone else to willing buyers. Particularly if you consider the other aspects of the club’s infrastructure and the potential it has as a brand (albeit not being fulfilled at the moment). I don’t like the idea of a £46M debt anymore than the next person but I don’t think we are in a position where we need to push any panic buttons.
Team;
We have a good core of decent players with the likes of Jamie Ward, Lee Williamson, Mark Yeates, Richard Cresswell, Darius Henderson etc. We also have a good group of younger players that can and will get better when circumstances improve, such as Ched Evans, Kyel Reid etc. so as long as we can hold on to most of them for a change we shouldn’t find ourselves struggling. Which leads me to my next point, the manager...........
Manager;
We all have our own opinions about Blackwell. I was pro-KB at one time but have rapidly shifted sides over the last month or so and am less than enamoured with the style of football we play. I have said this countless times recently. What we have to understand though, is that he’s not going anywhere in the immediate future. He is a cheap option for the directors and has us in a semi-reasonable league position on a tight budget which is all they’re asking for. The fact that most of us feel that we can and should be doing better is irrelevant. There are two ways of looking at this situation in respect of looking for the positives – He will either exceed the expectations of his critics and get us playing well whilst finishing in the playoffs; or this ugly style of football will continue and we will end the season missing out. The latter could ultimately lead to his departure, probably by resignation taking into account his character.
Next Season;
‘IF’ we miss out on promotion and stay in the CCC for next season, which is a distinct possibility on current form – then this will likely be the division next season;
(Assuming Newcastle, West Brom and Forest go up / Portsmouth, Burnley and Bolton come down – just for the sake of this exercise) and;
(Assuming Reading, Plymouth and Peterborough go down / Leeds, Norwich and Charlton come up – just for the sake of this exercise)
CCC 2010/11 – Portsmouth, Burnley, Bolton, Cardiff, Swansea, Leicester, Blades, Middlesbrough, Blackpool, Barnsley, Watford, Preston, Bristol C, Coventry, Derby, Doncaster, QPR, Pigs, Palace, Ipswich, Scunthorpe, Leeds, Norwich, Charlton
That is a very average looking division to me and has a lot of sides in it that have / will have financial problems (highlighted in bold). Hence they won’t have the greatest resources either - I would imagine many of the others arent exactly flush either. Out of that Bolton would likely win the league hands down but I don’t see anyone there that is likely to improve vastly between now and august 2010. I stress again this is not exactly how I think the division will end up but it has to be pretty close.
I’m just basing it on current league standings for the purpose of making this point. I know a lot can happen between now and then but the current financial climate suggests that not a lot will for the better with many clubs. Just be patient and wait to see what happens next season. If we go up this season BONUS, and my expectation will have been vastly exceeded.
UTB!!!
