Match Day Thread Sunderland AFC v Saudi State FC - FA Cup 3rd Round – Saturday 6th January 2024 - KO 12:45

I agree mate, Rusyn, Ballard, Clarke, Neil, Alese and Patto I think can easily develop in better teams.

 

I couldn't agree more mate, but I don't think protests, demands to meet the club, etc, is the way forward ...

... I just had a look at RTG and every other thread is a full on pitchfork affair.

It's all very divisive, grudge driven and infested by Mags.

When people rage because the new ticket arrangements have teething troubles, or they can't an XL away shirt , it's possibly because we can't compete financially with Newcastle or buy our way to the PL ... perhaps not, perhaps people really get really upset at these things.

 

Everything is digital by default at the club now, from the club shop to the ticket office, computers don't want a wage and work 24/7 which human beings don't. False economy not to employ enough people in the ticket office and club shop for those "customers" who can't or won't use the internet as they would more than cover their wages with sales in my opinion.

 

Even supermarkets are moving back to humans.

 

I don't know if what I heard was right but apparently the legacy contracts that are preventing a lot of the commercial plans run out this year, so hopefully we will see progress soon.

 

The work at the academy has been brilliant there is no denying that.

But the fact remains we need every single penny commercially to become truly self sustainable and we should be asking the questions of when / how things will start getting better.

As with all things there is a sensible middle ground of discussion on where we could be improving without being labelled either negative or a happy clapper

 

We were like a 'barn find' mate, everything from staff morale to the AOL and back was trashed ...

... we've cleaned out the chickens and got it started but there's a lot of work still to do.

I don't have a problem with us/RAWA/Branches asking questions mate ...

... it's when people are arranging protests for the Hull game or demanding a meeting with KLD to 'sort this mess out' that I ...

If people wouldn't protest 'to sort the huge mess out' with Donald I doubt they're doing much more than stamping their feet and twisting on forums tbh.

 

Rome wasn't built in a day. People need to remember that

 

Exactly.

And Rome was built on decent existing foundations, not the bombsite the two chancers left behind.

 

Agree.
They are a plastic club.
We are earning what we achieve, not buying it.

 

It wasn't. And we have improved in lots of areas. KLD and Speakman have done well. Aol has seen big changes. Davison has been the one that hasn't taken the club forward with his remit. That's where the key changes need to be made. I think Bruce will be a good appointment in time.

 

This is where the fanzines / podcast etc could really do some sensible good work.

Instead of being reactionary they should be posing proper questions, raising valid points rather than jumping to extremes.

RAWA need to really push on the points at the next organised meeting, there is a fairly.big list of things promised at these meetings and nothing materialised.

 

Again, I agree. Bruce seems to have made an immediate impact and whilst is a long way to go there are encouraging signs. I have faith in KLD and if people like Davidson aren't performing then they'll be moved on.

 

Good point. I think the issues around the derby should have sharpened their minds

 

What a great question.

At this point in time KLD will do for me. Not everything is perfect, but we seem to be on a very good trajectory. If it continues and we make it to the prem and consolidate then I would imagine we would become a prime target. In that case who would I not want?

I would not want quite a lot to be honest. I would give it up if we were owned by somebody like Saudi Arabia. I would never go again and would watch non league instead. I dont want some faceless organisation either, like say Red Bull. I wouldnt walk away, but I wouldnt be enamoured either. I like having someone visible as the leader and figure head. Some of the Americans dont seem to be in it for the right reasons so I would be wary. Their view of elite sport doesnt chime with mine - they seem anti-competition. Probably doesnt leave many options I suppose. Money is key and only those with deep pockets seem to make any sort of impact. The Villa model is really interesting as they are doing things well across the club. It has to be someone who invests in the academy as well as the first team. My fear though is if we do become a target it will be by people who dont fit my ideas. More likely a status or symbolic thing, with an eye on something other than glory. Not many good owners around anymore it seems, probably just count our blessings with KLD.

 

For me, the only thing better than KLD would be the German 50+1 model.

 

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Frankie Francis
@Frankie____

"The Sunderland fans were absolutely brilliant today - they never stopped. When me and Danny were pitch side before kick off it was absolutely deafening. So proud of our city and its people, and it’s our people that make Sunderland."

 

I agree. Thought Hume was poor but had no help with Pritchard in front of him (not Pritchard’s fault mind as he’s not “that” player.)

 

Yeah, he didn't have as much help as he should of had. Didn't like our shape and it really allowed for overloads.