Listening to Radio 5 on my woay to work this morning there was (I think) an interesting article regarding Beckham possibly going to Paris St Germain. PSG are yet another club taken over by Middle-east oil magnates with oodles of cash. They bought PSG for around £75m - cheap, apparently, and they are the only football club in Paris(?), so the potential is massive. Russian teams also being given vast chunks of money by their energy billionaires - Etu on £250k per week? What I'm trying to say is it feels like we are falling further and further behind these teams. THIS IS NOT A KNOCK AT ANYONE! How do we compete? Our solution has to be by bringing kids through then keeping hold of them. Any comments? x
Seems as though the Middle East rich boys are spreading their money now bobby. It does seem though that the EPL is sort of losing it's appeal overseas now..
We need a **** off rich Arab Sheikh. They could redevelop the coast while they're on, put a palm like at Dubai (and soon Marbella) of Roker. Winner?
We don't. And that goes for Newcastle and Sunderland. The top 4 is out of the question for teams like ours UNLESS a new rich mega-spending owner comes in. It's basically the only way I can see now.
Just watched that on ESPN about Beckham, and was actually thinking when is a player to old? Would you like to see him at the SOL. But back to the original question, it's only one or two teams in each league that are throwing the money around, maybe these leagues will end up like the SPL, where 2 teams will dominate... Where-as the prem has 5-6 that have a chance, or maybe just 2 the way it's going. Wasn't that long ago the Italians league ruled the transfers, guess it's just all about power-shifting, and there's nothing which we can do about it. Money rules, and oil is where the money is, rich man's playthings.
We just need Short to spend some more money, I have said this before, the guy is work something like 4000 million quid, even if he put 10% of that (400 million) it would make a massive difference, imagine what the club could be worth in the future? when you think utd are about to float 25% of their shares for 650million.
I'm not saying ES has to move over - I truly believe he is one of the good guys. I just worry because whilst we probably could compete financially if he wanted too, well, we don't. It just hit me on my drive to work that all the good work being done and been done might be worth nowt. I also don't really want us to go the Man City or Chelsea route. Does that make sense? It seems a bit like, well, cheating? Am I rambling even BEFORE the red, red wine? x
Fair point on Ellis mind Vegas/Bobby. He has been wonderful for the club, without question, but he is not just a billionaire, but a multi-billionaire. Does there come a point when you wonder how commited he is, because despite what he's done, if he WANTED to, he could do a lot more. Not a dig at the man, but a genuine question and observation.
I wonder if some of his money is still tied up in this hedge fund he is behind. I just get the feeling this summer for some reason we had to stop spending because of his cash flow, there is a lot that does not add up (or does if you look into his business dealings). Makes me think once this big deal he is part of settles down Bruce could have a bumper Jan window.
We haven't been a genuine top 4 contender for over 70 years so its not something I lie awake at night worrying about. Even through the 40's & 50's, when money was no object, we fluffed our lines. What the likes of watford, forest and ipswich proved in the past, is good teams can win trophies as much as money can. They operated in an era where a small minority had all the wealth but came out on top despite this.Now, there can be no denial that money is a bigger influence in 2011 than it was in 1970's and 80's but I still think there is room for a surprise in there. Look at Moyes and Everton. I've got a bigger bank balance than they have and yet they are a top 6 or 7 club these days. Stoke have spent a bit but not a kings ransom and are in Europe and cup finals, with Birmingham and Pompey there too. Both us and Newcastle should have the wherewithal to be in that category without spending £200m doing so. Are there 2 better supported clubs in the UK with nothing to show for 40 plus years? Money is nice but good coaching and management more important. Remember, under reidy only 8 years ago, with a bit more ambition, we could have well broke into that top 4 as well. I may be wrong but its very unlikely.
Totally see where you are coming from beaky. I suppose it's a bit like the man who can well afford a Roller but buys a Mondeo. He sort of likes his cars but there's other things he would like to spend his money on..
There is no way we can compete on level terms at present, so why try my philosophy, and go to games for a good drink, a good sing song and try and make games into occasions to enjoy and savour, regardless of the standard of football....taken from the words of Bobby Mcferrin...'Don't worry be happy..
Have you thought that maybe he just doesn't think Steve Bruce is a manager you can give £400m to with any confidence he will do the job. Jose Mourinho yes, Steve Bruce definately not.
Not all these Billionaires are to be trusted... Before the oil fella, city had Thaksin Shinawatra, and they don't come much dodgier than him..
