The Prince interview part 1

[Nick Jansky]

Yes absolutely - I’m basing it on past performance from the club and what Prince has reported to have said on the YouTube interviews, but presumably guesses are allowed on here still?

Of course they are, but you can’t expect anyone to take them seriously.

 

[Rodley]

Is there a list of very wealthy people, wishing to become relatively poor by 'investing' in 'a' football club for which they have no previous knowledge let alone affiliation ?

Which are these 'club sale' companies, Zoopla, Henry Spencer and sons, or is it an auction speciality for the likes of Sotheby's ?

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•
27 Jun 2017

You appoint an M&A disposals team. I imagine the one we’ve appointed (finally) will be one of the multinational consultancy firms who will package up the opportunity and market to high net worth / funds looking at sport. It’ll be a specialist team who do it.

 

[Tom Bott]

Eh?, he literally just told you we spent £50+m.

Was he including their wages for the next 3/4 years though ?

The poster on the Brexit bus was a gross figure, as opposed to a nett figure, correct to some and a lie to others.

That was in 2016 though, by the time we actually left the EU in 2020 the actual figure was far higher.

Fiscal 'statistics' are great.

That's why accountants earn so much....

An accountant valued 'Swillsbrough' at £ 40million.

 

[Rodley]

Of course they are, but you can’t expect anyone to take them seriously.

Honestly if I cared whether anyone took me seriously on here or not, I’d need to give my head a wobble.

 

[Nick Jansky]

Honestly if I cared whether anyone took me seriously on here or not, I’d need to give my head a wobble.

Probably the best way to be.

 

[Tom Bott]

You appoint an M&A disposals team. I imagine the one we’ve appointed (finally) will be one of the multinational consultancy firms who will package up the opportunity and market to high net worth / funds looking at sport. It’ll be a specialist team who do it.

Someone like ALK Capital LLC then, who took over Burnley after McCabe had them lined up to take us over.

 

[Rodley]

Someone like ALK Capital LLC then, who took over Burnley after McCabe had them lined up to take us over.

I’m not sure under the more recent rules ALK Capital LLC could do that deal again.

But yes, we’d ride the tiger. The alternative is to stick with an owner who I don’t believe can fund a Premier League or Championship club (without parachute payments). And I’m unsure whether he can or will sufficiently fund again a promotion tilt with parachute payments.

I know the censorious amongst us will rail against it, but alarm bells ring when an owner starts talking about “being sustainable” etc. For about 90 league clubs, football is inherently unsustainable and requires heavy subsidy to avoid having a miserable time (see this season). All owners reach a point in the cycle where they are unable or unwilling to subsidise sufficiently for their club to be competitive. We might get some form of investment fund, we might get lucky and get someone worth twice or three times as much as the Prince, or we might get someone with the same amount of cash. The critical thing is they will be back at the start of the cycle of throwing (wasting) their cash at it. Until then it’s malaise and decline IMHO, and that’s from someone who is inherently optimistic.

 

[Bell4]

I’m not sure under the more recent rules ALK Capital LLC could do that deal again.

But yes, we’d ride the tiger. The alternative is to stick with an owner who I don’t believe can fund a Premier League or Championship club (without parachute payments). And I’m unsure whether he can or will sufficiently fund again a promotion tilt with parachute payments.

I know the censorious amongst us will rail against it, but alarm bells ring when an owner starts talking about “being sustainable” etc. For about 90 league clubs, football is inherently unsustainable and requires heavy subsidy to avoid having a miserable time (see this season). All owners reach a point in the cycle where they are unable or unwilling to subsidise sufficiently for their club to be competitive. We might get some form of investment fund, we might get lucky and get someone worth twice or three times as much as the Prince, or we might get someone with the same amount of cash. The critical thing is they will be back at the start of the cycle of throwing (wasting) their cash at it. Until then it’s malaise and decline IMHO, and that’s from someone who is inherently optimistic.

I agree

 

[JohnDenver]

So what would be your alternative other than finding a buyer with spare cash to invest ?
We could just go up to the PL from time to time and pocket the riches.

There isn’t much of an alternative. We’d just drop to a level commensurate with HRH’s bank balance. Perhaps worse given his approach to last season.

 

[Millhousesblade1889]

Can't understand why wilder as taken the job on, how can he turn the squad over when the bullshitters got no money? He's in exactly the same position as when he left us!

I think he likes to try and turn a club around when it’s low & I think as he’s a blade he’s aware that the way he left divided fans opinion of him & he wants to get back to where he was.

The issue he’s got is we’re in a massive transition period when we’re relegated. At least Hecky had Wilders previous foundation to work from, Wilder will be rebuilding a whole new squad at this rate.

 

[FTPE]

I've just listened to Part 2.
I still think Anel is on his way out.
We've not given up hope that Jebbo will stay.
And, Ndiaye is definitely coming back in January.

 

[billyblademan]

I've just listened to Part 2.
I still think Anel is on his way out.
We've not given up hope that Jebbo will stay.
And, Ndiaye is definitely coming back in January.

I know you’re being tongue in cheek but it would be pretty on brand SUFC short termism to swap Anel for Ndiaye on loan and call the job a good one.

 

[Bell4]

I know you’re being tongue in cheek but it would be pretty on brand SUFC short termism to swap Anel for Ndiaye on loan and call the job a good one.

Wonder if we can swap Suza for Berge , or even a chocolate orange ?

 

[FTPE]

I know you’re being tongue in cheek but it would be pretty on brand SUFC short termism to swap Anel for Ndiaye on loan and call the job a good one.

I dont think they go hand in hand.
I get the impression Anel's ego and dad think he deserves better, and with him being one of only a few sellable assets I think we might cash in.
Less tongue in cheek, the Prince did says 2 or 3 in regardless of departures, but we'd also be open to sell if the price and player was right.
As out of form as he is I think we will have made a profit on him.

Alan Nixon has said it would be loans that we are looking at, Thomas would have to leave for one to be domestic so a foreign loan, for a player we already know, would make sense.

I also think osborn might be allowed to leave.

 

[Carlton Blade]

21/22 post relegation squad -
Keepers - Ramsdale, Wes, Davies, Olsen
Defenders - Baldock, Bogle, Bash, Egan, Robinson, Stevens, RND, Ben Davies, Uremovic, Gordon
Midfielders - Norwood, Berge, Fleck, MGW, Hourihane, Osborn
Forwards - Moose, McBurnie, Burke, Brewster, Didzy, Sharp, Ndiaye, Jebbison, Osula

Main additions for 22/23 - McAtee, Doyle, Ahmedhodzic, Lowe, Khadra
Main additions for 23/24 - Hamer, Souza, Archer, Trusty, Thomas, Larouci, Traore, Slimane

Players currently available for next season (with senior experience). Left Archer out because I'm not sure how that deal works.

Keepers - Amissah
Defenders - Robinson, Trusty, Seriki
Midfielders - Brooks, Arblaster, Hamer, Souza, Davies, Slimane
Forwards - Brewster, Osula, Traore

With limited additions, the group of players that formed the squad after relegation obtained 2 top 6 finishes. It wasn't spectacular but it was battle tested, had lots of institutional knowledge. knew each other and believed it could achieve something.

I would say it's extremely unlikely that the club will be able to put together a squad that will definitely be as good as 21/22 or 22/23. Too many variables and a limited budget. Not impossible obviously but I'd be more inclined to expect a season like 17/18. Some good performances but ultimately mid table

 

[Beans]

21/22 post relegation squad -
Keepers - Ramsdale, Wes, Davies, Olsen
Defenders - Baldock, Bogle, Bash, Egan, Robinson, Stevens, RND, Ben Davies, Uremovic, Gordon
Midfielders - Norwood, Berge, Fleck, MGW, Hourihane, Osborn
Forwards - Moose, McBurnie, Burke, Brewster, Didzy, Sharp, Ndiaye, Jebbison, Osula

Main additions for 22/23 - McAtee, Doyle, Ahmedhodzic, Lowe, Khadra
Main additions for 23/24 - Hamer, Souza, Archer, Trusty, Thomas, Larouci, Traore, Slimane

Players currently available for next season (with senior experience). Left Archer out because I'm not sure how that deal works.

Keepers - Amissah
Defenders - Robinson, Trusty, Seriki
Midfielders - Brooks, Arblaster, Hamer, Souza, Davies, Slimane
Forwards - Brewster, Osula, Traore

With limited additions, the group of players that formed the squad after relegation obtained 2 top 6 finishes. It wasn't spectacular but it was battle tested, had lots of institutional knowledge. knew each other and believed it could achieve something.

I would say it's extremely unlikely that the club will be able to put together a squad that will definitely be as good as 21/22 or 22/23. Too many variables and a limited budget. Not impossible obviously but I'd be more inclined to expect a season like 17/18. Some good performances but ultimately mid table

Only nitpicking here because I'm looking for a definitive list of out of contract players myself, but I think Amissah's deal expires this summer too. Possibly Seriki and Brooks as well? Apologies if this has been widely discussed on here, couldn't see anything with a search.

 

[Carlton Blade]

Only nitpicking here because I'm looking for a definitive list of out of contract players myself, but I think Amissah's deal expires this summer too. Possibly Seriki and Brooks as well? Apologies if this has been widely discussed on here, couldn't see anything with a search.

That must be why Brooks is playing so well.....

 

[Carlton Blade]

Only nitpicking here because I'm looking for a definitive list of out of contract players myself, but I think Amissah's deal expires this summer too. Possibly Seriki and Brooks as well? Apologies if this has been widely discussed on here, couldn't see anything with a search.

I think it's this. The only youth players who I can see have a definite extension past June 24 are Louis Marsh at June 26 and Harry Boyes at June 25. Hackford signed a deal in 2021 and they have been 3 years with other players so that's a reasonable assumption

Adam Davies

Andre Brooks

Antwoine Hackford

Ben Osborn

Chris Basham

Daniel Jebbison

Femi Seriki Finley Potter

George Baldock

Ismaila Coulibaly

Jack Robinson

Jayden Bogle

Jili Buyabu

John Egan

John Fleck

Jordan Amissah

Max Lowe

Miguel Freckleton

Oli McBurnie

Oliver Arblaster

Oliver Norwood

Rhys Norrington-Davies

Sai Sachdev

Wes Foderingham

 

[Beans]

I think it's this. The only youth players who I can see have a definite extension past June 24 are Louis Marsh at June 26 and Harry Boyes at June 25. Hackford signed a deal in 2021 and they have been 3 years with other players so that's a reasonable assumption

Adam Davies

Andre Brooks

Antwoine Hackford

Ben Osborn

Chris Basham

Daniel Jebbison

Femi Seriki Finley Potter

George Baldock

Ismaila Coulibaly

Jack Robinson

Jayden Bogle

Jili Buyabu

John Egan

John Fleck

Jordan Amissah

Max Lowe

Miguel Freckleton

Oli McBurnie

Oliver Arblaster

Oliver Norwood

Rhys Norrington-Davies

Sai Sachdev

Wes Foderingham

Ta very much. Robinson signed a 2-year deal last summer and Sachdev signed his first pro contract around the same time which I'm presuming is longer than a year, too

Could pick a decent XI out of those OOC players which is both good and very, very bad

 

[Rodley]

Only nitpicking here because I'm looking for a definitive list of out of contract players myself, but I think Amissah's deal expires this summer too. Possibly Seriki and Brooks as well? Apologies if this has been widely discussed on here, couldn't see anything with a search.

FFS Beans shhhhhhhhhh! It’s bad enough as it is!

 

[Carlton Blade]

Ta very much. Robinson signed a 2-year deal last summer and Sachdev signed his first pro contract around the same time which I'm presuming is longer than a year, too

Could pick a decent XI out of those OOC players which is both good and very, very bad

I knew about Robinson. He was the last one on my copy paste and I forgot to delete him!!

Also, we know it's likely Archer is going back and that at least one of Hamer/Souza will be sold

 

[Rodley]

I knew about Robinson. He was the last one on my copy paste and I forgot to delete him!!

Also, we know it's likely Archer is going back and that at least one of Hamer/Souza will be sold

It’s perhaps the biggest overhaul of a squad since the post-Robson / Blackwell era?

 

[Carlton Blade]

It’s perhaps the biggest overhaul of a squad since the post-Robson / Blackwell era?

I dunno, Summer 16/17, Clough's 200 signings etc

 

[GrunkyPeep]

It is quite interesting that some fans want PA to drop his price to make it easier to sell. Nah, if the buyer is waiting until the price drops, I don't want them.

We need someone who can buy us and then invest not a tightarse waiting for a deal to save some cash.

 

[The Crab]

Wonder if we can swap Suza for Berge , or even a chocolate orange ?

Crab Sports can exclusively reveal that the chocolate orange has turned us down and signed for B&M bargain basket…….

 

[Houston_Blade]

It is quite interesting that some fans want PA to drop his price to make it easier to sell. Nah, if the buyer is waiting until the price drops, I don't want them.

We need someone who can buy us and then invest not a tightarse waiting for a deal to save some cash.

I’d rather have someone who pays a reasonable price for it and retains more cash to invest into the club than someone who pays over the odds and makes Abdullah richer.

 

[Nedski]

Only nitpicking here because I'm looking for a definitive list of out of contract players myself, but I think Amissah's deal expires this summer too. Possibly Seriki and Brooks as well? Apologies if this has been widely discussed on here, couldn't see anything with a search.

I think T-Blade said we don't need to worry about Brooks signing

 

[BalticBlade]

It’s perhaps the biggest overhaul of a squad since the post-Robson / Blackwell era?

And we all know how that ended

 

[BalticBlade]

21/22 post relegation squad -
Keepers - Ramsdale, Wes, Davies, Olsen
Defenders - Baldock, Bogle, Bash, Egan, Robinson, Stevens, RND, Ben Davies, Uremovic, Gordon
Midfielders - Norwood, Berge, Fleck, MGW, Hourihane, Osborn
Forwards - Moose, McBurnie, Burke, Brewster, Didzy, Sharp, Ndiaye, Jebbison, Osula

Main additions for 22/23 - McAtee, Doyle, Ahmedhodzic, Lowe, Khadra
Main additions for 23/24 - Hamer, Souza, Archer, Trusty, Thomas, Larouci, Traore, Slimane

Players currently available for next season (with senior experience). Left Archer out because I'm not sure how that deal works.

Keepers - Amissah
Defenders - Robinson, Trusty, Seriki
Midfielders - Brooks, Arblaster, Hamer, Souza, Davies, Slimane
Forwards - Brewster, Osula, Traore

With limited additions, the group of players that formed the squad after relegation obtained 2 top 6 finishes. It wasn't spectacular but it was battle tested, had lots of institutional knowledge. knew each other and believed it could achieve something.

I would say it's extremely unlikely that the club will be able to put together a squad that will definitely be as good as 21/22 or 22/23. Too many variables and a limited budget. Not impossible obviously but I'd be more inclined to expect a season like 17/18. Some good performances but ultimately mid table

Unless something dramatic happens (new owners etc) I can't see anything other than a bottom half finish in the Championship etc.

Our strategy is supposedly one of sustainability and building for the future but the reality is anything but. We're not building, we are dismantling and demolishing.

 

[Carlton Blade]

Unless something dramatic happens (new owners etc) I can't see anything other than a bottom half finish in the Championship etc.

Our strategy is supposedly one of sustainability and building for the future but the reality is anything but. We're not building, we are dismantling and demolishing.

I honestly don't know. If Wilder and Mitchell have retained a lot of the contacts they had in L1/L2 then maybe we can put together a team that starts slow but rounds into a playoff challenger by the end of the season. But there'll be a lot less institutional knowledge to fall back on. A lot less on field partnerships with years of experience together to help tide the new players over till they get up to speed. It's the equivalent of 16/17 but in the Championship rather than L1