Meet the Manager (2 Viewers)

[kingharvest]

Just got back from a meet the manager event with Andy Thorn at the Casino.

Good effort from the club to put it on, and Thorn was on form cracking the funny's.

With regard to the club/team/etc. there wasn't much we don't already know. I'll try and summerise:

We're playing good football
I wish we could hang on, its psychological and we're working on it, not just the kids - senior players need to take responsibility as well
All young players have agreed deals - not yet signed
Bigi could be anything he wants to be - he's phenominal
Freddy has no place at the club, earns alot of money and gives nothing so he has to go
Loans haven't happened and he isn't gonna moan about it or use it as an excuse, if freddy goes it might free up some wages

The most worrying thing was probably his reaction to a question about contracts, and specifically Clingan. He said he's confident the rest will sign (cranie, Shef) and that he'd love sammy to sign cause he's crucial to the team but its up to sammy whether he wants to - really sounded like he weren't confident.

But as i say, nothing we didn't really know. The usual mix of 90% crap questions with the odd couple of decent ones.

If i remember anything else i'll post it.

 

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[Covstu]

why do i always miss these little shin digs???

 

[tippex9]

I didn't even know this was on....

 

[Jimthor]

Would've defo gone to this if i'd known about it!!

 

[6 Generations]

Would've defo gone to this if i'd known about it!!

I would also have attended with prior knowledge. Why is the loan issue being dismissed?

Who asked the questions?

Who chaired it?

Onye Igwe promised loans,

In light of an ever youthful and diminishing squad, Who asked any relevant questions?

Such as "WHERE ARE THE PREMIER LOAN PLAYERS THAT WERE PROMISED?"

 

[CovKingChris]

Clingans got a thing for not signing contracts e.g Forest & Norwich. Wouldn't be surprised if he didn't sign.

 

[Mumford and Daughter]

Ive got a season ticket and didn't know about it. How was it publicised?

 

[kingharvest]

It was for the corporate season ticket holders. First time they've tried it - i think it was a bit of a trial and they seemed keen to host a few more. I guess they'll make this available to all fans in the future.

Questions were asked by the fans via Geoff Foster, with some Q's at the end. Onye introduced it but didn't say much. The focus was on Thorn as it was about him...

Quite a few questions about loans, etc but Thorn basically said that they just haven't happened. He did seem slightly frustrated about it and when pushed on whether he was being backed by the board he was very diplomatic.

Tell you what was interesting, he was talking about speaking with other managers and was on about the fact that last night he was talking to David Moyes and the other day he was talking to Harry Redknapp. He clearly has decent links into other clubs, and now we play decent stuff, it kind of eliminates to reasons not to send a player to Cov on loan. Cash is clearly a big issue but then we already know that.

 

[skybluereeve]

Sisu are twats I've had a gutful why tell us we will get loans???? Fuck pigs I hate them lying fucks

 

[kingharvest]

Did they actually promise loans? not sticking up for them here just getting the facts...did they promise? or did they say they'll try and get loans in?

Look - we all know we can't afford feck all, he said getting rid of freddy will help and he hopes he'd get some of that cash to put towards others. But going back to the football i like his attitude - he won't accept passengers and he won't make excuses. He thinks we're mid-table at worst and that if we keep doing things the right way that the results will come.

 

[skybluereeve]

Kingharvest it was as good as wasn't it? Why even say it if they have no intention? That's what gets on my nerves.not having a dig at you buddy

 

[Lord_Nampil]

I don't think Freddy will leave until the end of the season!!!!

 

[kingharvest]

nah i know you're not diggin at me - i take what you're saying and i agree. Its just a line to appease the fans a bit longer isn't it.

What annoys me is, why don't they just actually say we have no money so we'll have to make do until we can find some. If we do, we'll tell you, otherwise, take it that we don't.

I actually wouldn't mind that - at least its honesty

 

[hackneyfox]

I would also have attended with prior knowledge. Why is the loan issue being dismissed?

Onye Igwe promised loans,

Such as "WHERE ARE THE PREMIER LOAN PLAYERS THAT WERE PROMISED?"

I thought they said they would be trying for loans, did they mention PL?

 

[skybluereeve]

Kingharvest my thoughts exactley mate gets on my tits.they try and be more open but the more they are the more they lie a? Oh well mate nothing we can do a?

 

[valiant15]

Sisu-drop dead the lot of you. I bet there was a load of arse lickers there. Wankers.

 

[Disorganised1]

We are where we are Valint ~ it's no use kicking the donkey because it won't give milk - you've just got to get a cow. In this case the cow might be the crop of young players we've got coming through ~
to be honest I think that's our only hope.

 

[les_miserables]

I don't think Freddy will leave until the end of the season!!!!

We have to pay Eastwood until his contract is up, he hasn't asked for a transfer, so Thorn's statement about using his so called freed up wages for someone else doesn't run true to me.

 

[Otis]

Just got back from a meet the manager event with Andy Thorn at the Casino.

Good effort from the club to put it on, and Thorn was on form cracking the funny's.

With regard to the club/team/etc. there wasn't much we don't already know. I'll try and summerise:

We're playing good football
I wish we could hang on, its psychological and we're working on it, not just the kids - senior players need to take responsibility as well
All young players have agreed deals - not yet signed
Bigi could be anything he wants to be - he's phenominal
Freddy has no place at the club, earns alot of money and gives nothing so he has to go
Loans haven't happened and he isn't gonna moan about it or use it as an excuse, if freddy goes it might free up some wages

The most worrying thing was probably his reaction to a question about contracts, and specifically Clingan. He said he's confident the rest will sign (cranie, Shef) and that he'd love sammy to sign cause he's crucial to the team but its up to sammy whether he wants to - really sounded like he weren't confident.

But as i say, nothing we didn't really know. The usual mix of 90% crap questions with the odd couple of decent ones.

If i remember anything else i'll post it.

I thought letting Westwood go was supposed to free up wages. Oh and letting King go and oh, letting Gunnar go and letting Turner go and oh, letting Doyle go and letting Carsley go and Osbourne and McIndoe and ....... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Maybe if we let another 12 players go it will free up wages for loans. :facepalm:

 

[Covstu]

We are where we are Valint ~ it's no use kicking the donkey because it won't give milk - you've just got to get a cow. In this case the cow might be the crop of young players we've got coming through ~
to be honest I think that's our only hope.

yes we have too many on those upfront and giving us milk at the moment!

 

[6 Generations]

I thought they said they would be trying for loans, did they mention PL?

Onye Igwe clearly states in an open letter to the ever decreasing fanbase, that 'Premiership players would be acquired on loan deals.

He, like all of the present board members was, once again, economical with the truth.

As Kingharvest states, we would rather be told the truth.

 

[skyblueinBaku]

Thanks for the post, kingharvest. As you say, there is nothing new, but nonetheless it's good to be kept up to date.

 

[skybluesam66]

last 14 months excluding goalkeepers we have signed 1 outfield loan player, and 1 permanent

at the same time we have given extended contracts to baker/bell/mcpake

Now if money is tight, surely the above shows it is going in the wrong direction

 

[smileycov]

We have to pay Eastwood until his contract is up, he hasn't asked for a transfer, so Thorn's statement about using his so called freed up wages for someone else doesn't run true to me.

Why? AT said he wants him out, if we get decent (or shit) offer he will be sold....wages freed up, if he shifts him on loan (bournemouth showed bit of interest) they pay wages hopefully......wages freed up.

Either way, he has made public statement that he has no future at Cov now.

 

[WillieStanley]

What's more attractive to buy, a club with debts up to its eyeballs, no stadium and alot of players with little or no time left on their contract

Or

A club with debts up to its eyeballs, no stadium and its crop of players tied down. If a new owner comes in we could sell Baker, Bell to lower clubs for more money... I think that's the theory... It doesn't mean I agree but as far as I can see, that's what's being done. Its all either a preparation for a take over or the tax man.

 

[ccfcway]

Sell Baker and Bell



Just like we could "sell" Eastwod

 

[WillieStanley]

<p>Eastwood is slightly different as at the moment as he now has a &quot;bad apple&quot; reputation. The clubs who would have him can't afford even a slice of his wages and the clubs who can, don't want him. Buyers won't come in Jan as he's a free agent in the summer

 

[wingy]

Sorry Willie ,i view their signings as an obstacle to anyone taking over ,its going to lengthen Sisu's tenure ,its a cynical offputting manouvre designed as a ball and chain to potentiaal suitors,and illogical ,these players will have no value in the transfer market,as we've been told there will be a plethora of free players at the end of this season due to these fair play rules we're preparing for.

 

[WillieStanley]

That's a fair view, Wingy. I'm not involved in any kind of big business, that's just how it looked to me! As City fans, we're used to hidden agendas so we do what we do best, speculate! My guess is as good as yours... But not OSBs!

 

[Snozzer]

Tying players simply to contracts increases the asset base (on paper) of the club which in turn gives SISU a stronger hand when they look to borrow more money. The extensions of these contracts are not footballing decisions but an attempt to add to the clubs fixed assets.

 

[kg82]

I truly cannot believe the amount of criticism that's been handed out about tying Bell, Baker and McPake down to new, longer contracts. If we get any money for them in the long run then surely that will have been worth it - but people are looking short term, again. I also have no beef with any of those players (Oh my GOD, the SHOCK!). Also, it now looks like all the kids AND Cranie are going to sign, which is excellent news. If Clingan doesn't sign then that's up to him but at least we know all these players have been offered contracts and the club aren't just waiting till the end of the season again.

 

[Sky Blue Sheepy]

I truly cannot believe the amount of criticism that's been handed out about tying Bell, Baker and McPake down to new, longer contracts. If we get any money for them in the long run then surely that will have been worth it - but people are looking short term, again. I also have no beef with any of those players (Oh my GOD, the SHOCK!). Also, it now looks like all the kids AND Cranie are going to sign, which is excellent news. If Clingan doesn't sign then that's up to him but at least we know all these players have been offered contracts and the club aren't just waiting till the end of the season again.

Agreed. Whilst I'm not exactly a fan of Bell, Baker is good enough for us when he has a bit of confidence and McPake's a great player - though ofc. extremely injury prone. The money side, I would rather they had some value than none at all and if a lower league club comes in, it's a few extra quid for us...

 

[oldskyblue58]

I can understand that the club want to ensure that they retain players, that we are not left with an exodus in the summer, that makes sense to some degree. There will be a lot of players looking for clubs in the summer because of the new rules coming in so there is a good chance of picking up players that contribute as much as those three come next pre season, possibly at cheaper salaries. I think that is a reasonable assumption too.

Do they add value on paper as suggested by the board - no. We have paid no new signing on fee so no value will be included in the accounts for any of the three. The only way they add worth is if (a) they are sold or (b) a potential investor comes in and values them within the player pool. The player pool value is an individuals perception, i am sure there is a value but is it enhanced by giving them a longer contract ? However any potential value would be offset by the remaining liability of their unexpired contracts. Say for example McPake is on £4k pw over the next the next four years that equates to £832K which is the contract liability we have as it stands now - given his injury record is he valued at that ?, given his injury record is that not an expensive cost per game ? Given the injuries would a potential investor discount his perceived player pool value perhaps even discount to nil? (no, yes, & yes )

The club are trying to get some stability, I think thats right. The club are trying to tie players into the future of the club, I think thats right too but question the extent players rewarded (4 years ?). Does this add to the present worth of the club - i dont think so. I think it hints of inability to get better than the three - and that ties in with everything we know about player dealings at the club right now

The best news however is that the club are moving relatively quickly to secure the young lads to the club - that I totally support. They are the future of the club but the downside is that the more they play the more they become saleable. Do they currently have a value on paper -no but perception must be that they add to the value of the playing pool the more they play.

 

[cloughie]

Tying players simply to contracts increases the asset base (on paper) of the club which in turn gives SISU a stronger hand when they look to borrow more money. The extensions of these contracts are not footballing decisions but an attempt to add to the clubs fixed assets.

Agreed like most decisions taken by sisu never for footballing reasons. Asset value higher better price for selling the club.

 

[blueflint]

We don't care! we dont want to finish mid table we want better than that :facepalm: