I went looking for a programme on Saturday to see if there would be anything in there about the state of affairs we find ourselves in. They'd sold out.
I hope that Saturday's programme (or is a match day magazine or something now?) could contain some honest comments from senior figures - possibly starting with 'where the money's gone'. I know that confidential figures can't be bandied around and it's none of my business what individual players get paid. But we were ok about doing things like supporters on the board when things were rosy but now there's trouble afoot and the good relationship between supporters and owners is, I fear, going to take a bit of a beating.
So perhaps, for one week only, a bit less on the women and whatever floats into Tom Watt's mind and a bit more on the possibilities for 2009.
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People need to understand that although the Premiership is a honey pot full of money that the clubs themselves are almost NEVER profitable, with a couple of obvious exceptions.
Why? Because players and their agents, and overseas clubs as well, KNOW that the Premiership clubs are swimming in Sky money and they very effectively play the clubs off against one another (very cleverly exploiting relegation fears from the clubs) to drive up the wages to ridiculous levels.
The potential riches on offer in the Premiership even persuaded us last season - and to some extent this - to payout 100% of our revenues on wages, 90% + of which would have gone straight to players.
Let's face it, Hasselbaink on his own probably trousered the best part of 1.5 million quid in wages and signing on fees in his year here and there are plenty more where he came from.
Maybe now people understand why the club has been offloading players like Reid, Iwelumo and Bougherra.
Yes but in the case of Reid at the wrong bloody time...we are well and truly fcuked unless a buyer comes in....
I agree 100%
Correct and the board probably reasoned that it was only at that exact time that they could get the maximum price for him, 6 million being a pretty good fee to recoup having paid 4 million for him.
I can sympathise with the line of thought that says you should not sell your best players when you are in with a shout but I guess its like selling your house at the moment in the UK, do you take 200K now (even though it was worth 250 12 months ago) or do you take a risk and hold on and hope the market gets better - but accept the risk that it could get even worse and you might only get 150K in six months time.
It's an age old dilemma.
..... and that for a very ordinary player with a questionable attitude.
Are we sure Stoke have assumed the full liability of the remainder of his contract with us?
If we are paying even 50% of a Premiership wage that will distort the ratios with a severely reduced turnover.