Concerns over the club's direction...... (4 Viewers)

[Skybluecol]

Hate to disagree but last season in the Premiership they had a wage bill of 38m so I doubt that would’ve been higher in the championship.

In the 19/20 season they had a wage bill of around 17m and they finished third.

Interesting to compare with last seasons championship.

1. Leicester City – £60,190,000

2. Southampton – £40,014,000

3. Leeds United – £39,513,000

4. Norwich City – £24,196,000

5. West Bromwich Albion – £23,060,000

6. Cardiff City – £19,444,000

7. Stoke City – £18,340,000

8. Watford – £14,952,000

9. Sheffield Wednesday – £14,584,000

10. Middlesbrough – £13,582,000

11. Birmingham City – £13,228,000

12. Bristol City – £12,894,000

13. Hull City – £12,333,200

14. Swansea City – £12,276,000

15. Queens Park Rangers – £12,020,000

16. Ipswich Town – £11,378,000

17. Preston North End – £10,942,200

18. Coventry City – £10,008,000

19. Millwall – £9,856,000

20. Huddersfield Town – £9,258,000

21. Sunderland – £9,150,000

22. Blackburn Rovers – £7,678,000

23. Rotherham United – £6,674,000

24. Plymouth Argyle – £6,060,000


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Shows why so many clubs are still in financial shock atm

 

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[SlowerThanPlatt]

Hate to disagree but last season in the Premiership they had a wage bill of 38m so I doubt that would’ve been higher in the championship.

In the 19/20 season they had a wage bill of around 17m and they finished third.

Interesting to compare with last seasons championship.

1. Leicester City – £60,190,000

2. Southampton – £40,014,000

3. Leeds United – £39,513,000

4. Norwich City – £24,196,000

5. West Bromwich Albion – £23,060,000

6. Cardiff City – £19,444,000

7. Stoke City – £18,340,000

8. Watford – £14,952,000

9. Sheffield Wednesday – £14,584,000

10. Middlesbrough – £13,582,000

11. Birmingham City – £13,228,000

12. Bristol City – £12,894,000

13. Hull City – £12,333,200

14. Swansea City – £12,276,000

15. Queens Park Rangers – £12,020,000

16. Ipswich Town – £11,378,000

17. Preston North End – £10,942,200

18. Coventry City – £10,008,000

19. Millwall – £9,856,000

20. Huddersfield Town – £9,258,000

21. Sunderland – £9,150,000

22. Blackburn Rovers – £7,678,000

23. Rotherham United – £6,674,000

24. Plymouth Argyle – £6,060,000


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Brentford’s wage bill in their most recent published accounts was £98.8m

 

[Cally Fedora]

[/QUOTE]

Performances on the pitch after spending 45 million probably

hopefully it all clicks into gear

Yeah, early days. It’s interesting how fans only look at one side of the ledger. Ok, so we’ve spent £45m. But we’ve also sold, what, £40m of talent. So should we automatically assume that differential = improved performances? You’d hope so but it may take time.

 

[Hobo]

Its been one year and a bit, and Lawrence left halfway through that. But the fact is most people aren’t arsed about what’s happening behind the scenes, if the product on the day gets worse they won’t be happy regardless of anything else.

They may well turn it around and I’d expect the fans to be happier if they do

I just get fed up of people saying the new coaching team aren't getting results and getting rid of Viveash was a mistake, then in the same breath saying the writing was on the wall last season.

You say most people aren't arsed about what is going on behind the scenes, well I think that is partially right. But a lot are. The trouble is when they are, most of the time all I hear is outdated concepts on training methods and football philosophies. It is not just our fans it is across the board.

People pay their money and are entitled to an opinion unless it is:
Shoot
Forward
They should be doing extra training.
And anybody who thinks man to man marking is a fool proof system.
The worst culprit is the guy who sits behind me and says "exactly" 20 times a game to his mates dumb ass comments. It is like having someone sat behind you in the cinema with an endless bag of popcorn

 

[shmmeee]

I just get fed up of people saying the new coaching team aren't getting results and getting rid of Viveash was a mistake, then in the same breath saying the writing was on the wall last season.

You say most people aren't arsed about what is going on behind the scenes, well I think that is partially right. But a lot are. The trouble is when they are, most of the time all I hear is outdated concepts on training methods and football philosophies. It is not just our fans it is across the board.

People pay their money and are entitled to an opinion unless it is:
Shoot
Forward
They should be doing extra training.
And anybody who thinks man to man marking is a fool proof system.
The worst culprit is the guy who sits behind me and says "exactly" 20 times a game to his mates dumb ass comments. It is like having someone sat behind you in the cinema with an endless bag of popcorn

Ultimately if we’re winning games people won’t moan and if we aren’t they will. The Sisu years taught us that. NOPM died on its arse as soon as we started winning.

 

[Hobo]

It's always polarized, the club is either seen as on the rise or on the brink of a crisis, I think there is a balanced view that we all need to try and adopt which is difficult when you're as emotionally invested as we all are.
In reality, the club is where it is and trying to improve like every other club. To a large extent, what Doug has been doing in recent months is dragging the club up to a standard it should have already been at in terms of facilities, infrastructure, recruitment, etc. He said himself, the training ground was a disgrace when he first took over. The key is to avoid getting ahead of ourselves just because we've invested some money into the training facilities and spent a few million, which by the way only happens due to Viktor Gykores and Gus Hamer. At the same time, we shouldn’t overreact to having only 5 points from the first 5 games. We are trying to improve as a club and that isn't for the want of trying but the team needs to perform or there will be more changes. I hope we do the Robins thing and turn it on soon and grow in the season and have a real go.

I agree. I think we have gone from a club on its knees to having a lot of relative success in a short space of time and moving back to playing in Coventry. Yes it has rightly and thankfully raised expectations and the fan base.

But we need to remember we are still trying to get up off our knees as a club. Not just on the pitch, but every aspect of what it requires to be a modern day club. We are playing catch up in a very competitive league. We weren't even this competitive when we got relegated from the top flight.

Just enjoy it.

The season is still young and few teams have experienced our big game moments in recent seasons.

Some fans have been getting carried away with our progress and the reality of where we actually are as a club.

Also I see a lot of disrespect for clubs around us and equal competitors to us. There are probably 3 teams up there and then about 12 competitive for the last 2 or 3 play off places. Not only is it competitive on the pitch it is competitive in the transfer market.

 

[Hobo]

Ultimately if we’re winning games people won’t moan and if we aren’t they will. The Sisu years taught us that. NOPM died on its arse as soon as we started winning.

Not entirely, what really kicked it on was moving back to playing in Coventry. The terrace and pitch feel good factor fed off each other. Moving back to Cov was a sort of turbo boost for the fans and the players.

 

[shmmeee]

Not entirely, what really kicked it on was moving back to playing in Coventry. The terrace and pitch feel good factor fed off each other. Moving back to Cov was a sort of turbo boost for the fans and the players.

Second time?

I think end of covid had most to do with the atmosphere that season and the fact we’d just won the league of course.

Ultimately we know moving back isn’t the catalyst because we did it before and the atmosphere around the club was still shit because we were.

 

[SlowerThanPlatt]

Loan players
View attachment 38504
View attachment 38503

I wouldn’t necessarily see this as a positive or sign of progress, wouldn’t want to be reliant on 4-5 but if you play it right can secure a few better than you could get on a permanent.

 

[Evo1883]

I wouldn’t never necessarily see this as a positive or sign of progress, wouldn’t want to be reliant on 4-5 but if you play it right can secure a few better than you could get on a permanent.

I think we have a bigger squad with more monetary value than at any point arguably in our history at this point which would be a definite sign of progress , I won't deny a couple of top loans could improve our chances of promotion .

 

[Hobo]

Second time?

I think end of covid had most to do with the atmosphere that season and the fact we’d just won the league of course.

Ultimately we know moving back isn’t the catalyst because we did it before and the atmosphere around the club was still shit because we were.

Yes forgot about the COVID influence and getting promotion? But still think moving back added to the impetus.

But the club was still a shit show behind the scenes. This is what some fans forget or aren't aware of. To have a really successful side you can't just put it all on the pitch, the infrastructure has to be invested in an grow along side it and support the growth.

Anybody that thinks what is on the pitch is the be all an end all - quite frankly only has a grasp of the tail on the fatted calf.

 

[shmmeee]

Yes forgot about the COVID influence and getting promotion? But still think moving back added to the impetus.

But the club was still a shit show behind the scenes. This is what some fans forget or aren't aware of. To have a really successful side you can't just put it all on the pitch, the infrastructure has to be invested in an grow along side it and support the growth.

Anybody that thinks what is on the pitch is the be all an end all - quite frankly only has a grasp of the tail on the fatted calf.

Did anything really change other than Robins and the performances on the pitch? I’m not sure. But if it had and we’d stayed being shit in L1 people would still be unhappy because ultimately even though we’ll spend 18 hours a day arguing about the appointment of a kit man all we really want is entertaining and ideally successful football once a week.

 

[Cov4life]

Not everyone thinks we’ve gone in the right direction the last couple of years.

In fact on the pitch we’ve gone backwards and that’s all that matters to most.

That’s where I’m at to be honest, deep down I don’t think we’re progressing on the pitch, but think it’s fair to see what happens this season and we’ll know.

My main gripe is the recruitment, I don’t think it aligns with our aspirations.

 

[Matt smith]

That’s where I’m at to be honest, deep down I don’t think we’re progressing on the pitch, but think it’s fair to see what happens this season and we’ll know.

My main gripe is the recruitment, I don’t think it aligns with our aspirations.

The recruitment has been not good enough this summer

the fact we still need a midfielder is a bit of a joke to be honest

 

[Cov4life]

The recruitment has been not good enough this summer

the fact we still need a midfielder is a bit of a joke to be honest

That was absolutely paramount to recruit someone in the midfield.

Personally I think there was some questionable recruitment last season aswell. I mean, the goalkeeper situation we have now is just baffling.

 

[Matt smith]

That was absolutely paramount to recruit someone in the midfield.

Personally I think there was some questionable recruitment last season aswell. I mean, the goalkeeper situation we have now is just baffling.

Completely agree, our recruitment is questionable at times

this summers has been poor in my opinion

If we sell a haji or whoever in the summer, I’m not confident we’d spend it wisely with this current recruitment department

 

[shmmeee]

That’s where I’m at to be honest, deep down I don’t think we’re progressing on the pitch, but think it’s fair to see what happens this season and we’ll know.

My main gripe is the recruitment, I don’t think it aligns with our aspirations.

Robins has earned at least one season. But the fact is it’s not good enough yet for the time and money spent on the squad. Ripping out the coaching team is a choice and not an excuse. Plenty of new teams come in and have an immediate impact as do plenty of new players. The odd one or two it’s fair enough but when it’s across the club you’ve got to ask why people aren’t performing.

Watford was good. It’s not a trend yet but if it carries on with a decent performance tomorrow and a win on Saturday I’ll happily start believing we’ve turned a corner.

 

[SlowerThanPlatt]

That was absolutely paramount to recruit someone in the midfield.

Personally I think there was some questionable recruitment last season aswell. I mean, the goalkeeper situation we have now is just baffling.

What’s baffling about it? I think we tried to move Collins on but couldn’t find a taker, one of the drawbacks are of having a big squad you can end up with a lot of expensive deadwood quickly.

 

[Matt smith]

What’s baffling about it? I think we tried to move Collins on but couldn’t find a taker, one of the drawbacks are of having a big squad you can end up with a lot of expensive deadwood quickly.

Yeah to be fair I think one of the few positives has been Dovin, he’s going to be good for us

 

[Paxman II]

We have all made this thread a mixture of opinions and it strikes me so many take a comment and run with it instead of considering the comment in its context.
That said, just to clarify for my own sanity....
Talk of not replacing Hamer is not entirely fair. O'Hare I think is the missing key. A lot depends how Rudoni, Torp, Sakamoto to add to Sheaf, Eccles, Allen settle in. Torp is clearly a very good player improving game by game. He has goals in him. Rudoni too has yet to come consistent. We have others who can dig in there like Lautebeduerre. If there is some weakness there, then Allen and Eccles are not improving or harhsly perhaps not at the level we now are. Asante, Mason Clarke - good players are also in the squad don't forget. Depth is one of the best in the league for quality. We will see a marked improvement in midfield with what we have already as games come thick and fast. At Watford for 45 minutes we dominated the ball. It's coming, be patient. Also, Simms and Wright will be among the top scorers in the division - again be patient. Bassette is one for the future but could be useful and Rodrigues.
I think MR's listening to him explain the system in todays pre match interview makes clear he knows this. It's just a little frustrating it hasn't clicked in quicker, but that first half at Watford we saw what can be.
Undoubtedly we will improve and top 6 is highly likely. Top two? It could still happen. I don't see any runaway teams as yet. Burnley, West Brom, Sheff.Utd, Blackburn all look good bets with ourselves. Leeds like us on a go slow start and I doubt that will last.
For all that they do, confidence is key in players. The best can have mares or lose form quickly. That's why winning, believing in the manager and getting some good performances and wins is so important so they don't slip into mediocrity. That's why I said earlier a win at Watford was now needed or a good performance. Well we got a confidence boost, so hopefully the run we need will start to materialise after Spurs!

 

[Cov4life]

What’s baffling about it? I think we tried to move Collins on but couldn’t find a taker, one of the drawbacks are of having a big squad you can end up with a lot of expensive deadwood quickly.

The baffling thing about it is we’re repeating the same situation we had last year. We had 3 first team GK’s last season, there were lengthy discussions on here and with other fans about which one was going to leave the club out the two (Not including Moore who was already off). It was important that one left as we didn’t need 3 first team keepers. One keeper had to either leave on a permanent, or, a loan, instead we have 3 first team keepers again, aswell as using an academy goalkeeper in the kit promotional material. It’s quite clear that Collins isn’t going to play this season.

I think you and i would agree we needed another midfielder, however it appears we’ve ran out of funds by the looks of things, I can’t help but feel if the recruitment was a lot better, in this situation the goalkeepers, then we might of signed another midfielder. The situation with Tavares is strange aswell, it doesn’t look like he’s going to get a look in this season now we’ve recruited BTA and Norman, so why wasn’t he loaned out?

It’s fine margins, that could of been two players out and one quality midfielder in.

 

[quinn1971]

Is our midfield really that bad ? First half saturday was quality and we get to add sheaf to it, not sure who drops out the starting 11 when he’s back, torp maybe ? But it makes the midfield options off the bench stronger, don’t think it’s as bad as everyone’s making out

 

[HuckerbyDublinWhelan]

We have all made this thread a mixture of opinions and it strikes me so many take a comment and run with it instead of considering the comment in its context.
That said, just to clarify for my own sanity....
Talk of not replacing Hamer is not entirely fair. O'Hare I think is the missing key. A lot depends how Rudoni, Torp, Sakamoto to add to Sheaf, Eccles, Allen settle in. Torp is clearly a very good player improving game by game. He has goals in him. Rudoni too has yet to come consistent. We have others who can dig in there like Lautebeduerre. If there is some weakness there, then Allen and Eccles are not improving or harhsly perhaps not at the level we now are. Asante, Mason Clarke - good players are also in the squad don't forget. Depth is one of the best in the league for quality. We will see a marked improvement in midfield with what we have already as games come thick and fast. At Watford for 45 minutes we dominated the ball. It's coming, be patient. Also, Simms and Wright will be among the top scorers in the division - again be patient. Bassette is one for the future but could be useful and Rodrigues.
I think MR's listening to him explain the system in todays pre match interview makes clear he knows this. It's just a little frustrating it hasn't clicked in quicker, but that first half at Watford we saw what can be.
Undoubtedly we will improve and top 6 is highly likely. Top two? It could still happen. I don't see any runaway teams as yet. Burnley, West Brom, Sheff.Utd, Blackburn all look good bets with ourselves. Leeds like us on a go slow start and I doubt that will last.
For all that they do, confidence is key in players. The best can have mares or lose form quickly. That's why winning, believing in the manager and getting some good performances and wins is so important so they don't slip into mediocrity. That's why I said earlier a win at Watford was now needed or a good performance. Well we got a confidence boost, so hopefully the run we need will start to materialise after Spurs!

Not replacing Hamer is the issue though. We should have gone all in on Alan Browne he’d have been perfect.

he strikes me as the type of player who’ll get in other players and crucially the refs faces aswell - something we sorely miss.

Hamer had that direct bit about him.

 

[Skyblue Bangkok]

Not replacing Hamer is the issue though. We should have gone all in on Alan Browne he’d have been perfect.

he strikes me as the type of player who’ll get in other players and crucially the refs faces aswell - something we sorely miss.

Hamer had that direct bit about him.

Don't really get the " getting in the refs faces" you would just be booked all the time for dissent.

 

[HuckerbyDublinWhelan]

Don't really get the " getting in the refs faces" you would just be booked all the time for dissent.

They should do but they don’t. Teams regularly do it against us and we’re sitting here wondering why the ref doesn’t give us anything but gives everything to the other side

 

[shmmeee]

Yeah bit naive to claim it can’t happen. Would be like saying goalkeepers can’t waste time.

 

[Hincha]

Every recruitment department has misses. Not every signing can be amazing.

We’ve spent £40m and have £50m+ worth of talent in 4 players (Sheaf, Wright, Simms, MvE) plus an entire squad that we’ve not had since promotion to the championship of young players whose values will increase.

I’ll admit the midfield situation is less than ideal. Robins not making sub there against Watford despite players being out on their feet shows that. Would even go as far to say it’s a good enough excuse for us underachieving this season.

Is that the recruitment departments fault? They identified Browne, Stamenic & no doubt others. Clearly there wasn’t a deal that Doug/Austin thought was good value

 

[SkyBlueSam01]

Interesting rumour from the FB group

 

[HuckerbyDublinWhelan]

View attachment 38513

Interesting rumour from the FB group

I’ve heard this is true - Jo Dhinsa, Dale Evans, the Mad Hatters and Preston Haskell are joint backers

 

[robbiethemole]

I’ve heard this is true - Jo Dhinsa, Dale Evans, the Mad Hatters and Preston Haskell are joint backers

Where's William Storey on this list?? No1 bullshitter

 

[procdoc]

View attachment 38513

Interesting rumour from the FB group

You save up to buy a car or a house, not a football club

 

[wingy]

You save up to buy a car or a house, not a football club

Well if you're old skool!

 

[SkyBlueSam01]

You save up to buy a car or a house, not a football club

Saving up the salary paid to him directly from the club accounts as well

 

[Sky Blue Harry H]

Plenty of new teams come in and have an immediate impact

Name me plenty. Think that's a bit of a throwaway comment.

 

[shmmeee]

Name me plenty. Think that's a bit of a throwaway comment.

Managers who impact their team positively within the first three months? I’d argue it’s most of them.