I know a lot of people thank Briatore And Ecclestone for saving us but I was thinking tonight that these two really f****d up our return to the premiership. I was watching Swansea tonight and Routledge who we couldn't keep because we didn't have the money, and Graham who we couldn't buy because of the Uncertainty are two good players we missed out on. Graham wouldn't come because he couldn't get assurances Warnock would still be the manager, (there was talk of him being replaced at that time), and he also liked the way Swansea played their football. Instead we had to wait to buy because of them two and got the likes of Barton, Ferdinand, Young, Dyer and Wright-Philips. On top of this what is really annoying is we were linked with Ki this summer and favourites to buy him for 8 million. Instead we ended up with Park. I watched Ki for Swansea (who they paid 6 million for) tonight against Chelsea, and the other day against Arsenal and his workrate was amazing. Who got the better player us or them? Also we are back in for Graham and it looks like he prefers to go to Sunderland, so we still can't get him. My question is how can Swansea manage to buy these players while we struggle to get anyone decent in. Remember we were champions they came second!
How can they buy those players? You should ask their owner how he made and makes his money. Was there yesterday checking out his recently purchased industrial park on the Camarthen Road and admiring the new units built with or ****** planning permission. It was raining as always. **** that godforsaken city, its foul climate, deformed population and shady dealings. Had to put up with lawyers being paid hundreds of £'s an hour taking the piss out of QPR. Christ I hate the ****ing place with every bone in my body.
Do you know what N.London.. that is a bloody good question. It is one that I also cannot really answer. But it does make me wonder as to which side had the real unconditional long term plan in place?
To be honest, we couldn't even do our promotion properly what with "faurlingate" hanging over us at the time. No problem with Tony's heart being in the right place, just some rash decisions made. With regards to Swansea I really don't know how to explain. Suffice to say some very astute signings; Michu anyone? and a good infrastructure & a tidy stadium. No problems with them but have nightmares about Cardiff going up in may whilst we go the other way. Please lord, no.
the problem is all the big agents were earning a fortune selling these big name stars, when the bargains were over looked, because they came through a unlikely source, michu was offered to a number of clubs and no one wanted him, swansea put a lot of clubs to shame shame they are welsh lol
Gotta love the little guy.......they are a small club doing good........ i can respect that....and besides , the way they slapped Chelski tonight only brings them right up in my esteem. The Chelski forums must be absolutely imploding with the way things are going for them right now hahahaha.
We were all over them in the promotion year and look how far they've come in two years? They had no experience in the EPL but did all the right things and made the right decisions. Huw is a chairman who knows his ****. He has the last say on all matters. Tony, take note.
I thought they'd struggle, when Rodgers left, to maintain the level they'd achieved last season. I was wrong, they've actually done a lot better. Unlike some I'm happy to see them do well, got a few Swans mates, sound lads.
Imaz,you clearly have MAJOR problems,and I wish you well in dealing with them. I don't know how old you are,or what your state of health is,but with so much anger and spite in you,a stroke is not beyond the realms of possibility. So,chill out.
They're the polar opposite of us: ..... A well run club. They are to be admired, & I hope they win the cup.
It would possibly be unfair to post the link taking you to the thread on this forum where about 90% of posters here were all predicting our demise back in the Summer. They weren't very complimentary about our club, our fans, or the Welsh in general. Many predicted us getting thumped on the opening day because "we are so much better than them in all departments" yadda yadda yadda. Karma - got to love it. As an outsider it's not hard to see where Fernandes got it wrong. Typical, rich foreign owner thinking he could just delve deep in his pockets and buy success. The team that did so brilliantly in the Championship was jettisoned with some exceptions and a load of Prem journeymen - albeit with talent - brought in on ridiculous wages. Team spirit destroyed in one stroke (no offence to IMAZ above who as Vetch says is heading for one). Contrast Norwich and Swansea. The Swans are owned mainly, though not exclusively, by local people including the The Supporters Trust who have a representative on the Board. We employ managers who fit the club's style and philosophy. Anyone who thinks differently won't be considered by the board, and Hughes wouldn't have been interviewed here. We buy cheap where possible and when we sell it's usually for much more than we paid. We pay decent wages but much less than most clubs in the Prem. Ben Davies, our 19 year old LB who is having a great season and who unexpectedly stepped in for the injured Neil Taylor has just had a pay rise from £200 to £2,000 a week. If players don't like it, then they don't come and play for us. We made £14M profit last year and are well in the black. On the downside, training facilities and the Youth Academy have been poor in recent times but that's now being put right at long last. We'll also be lucky to keep Laudrup and stars like Michu, but that's the way of things. So that's the way I see it. Sorry, but you did ask.
"Lovely boy" - been watching 'Ain't Half Hot Mum' again? Not much for stereotypes, right? No gloating from me at all. The question was posed and answered. The post I referred to on this forum from last summer was recently mentioned on our board because the overwhelming majority of you guys rubbished my team and/or our fans and/or Wales in general. If it's not Karma the way things have turned out then fine, call it what you will. But if the positions were reversed don't tell me you wouldn't have got some satisfaction from what's happened. Thought not. Re ownership: we have a Dutch investor who owns 25% and an American who owns slightly less. The latter has nothing to do with the Club on a day to day basis. Over half the Club is therefore owned by Swansea people. Was there something about "owned mainly, though not exclusively, by local people" that you misunderstood? Northolt: Good one
Perhaps not the most magnanimous post knackered, but I don't disagree with your analysis. I can only hope TF has learnt from the whole experience. He's a hard-nosed businessman and so I hope he's used to taking a step back, looking, and most importantly, learning.
