Should a club in our position predominantly be looking to recruit the type of players who can steamroller the Championship in two seasons if the unmentionable happens? Players like Bridcutt, Austin and Rhodes would give us a good shot at survival in the Prem, but possibly more importantly they would be the type of players who could get us straight back up again if we didn't make it the first time. West Brom had to be a yo-yo club for a few seasons before they established themselves in the EPL so maybe we shouldn't be looking at a short term **** or bust strategy when it comes to our long term hopes. Also FFP will probably weaken a lot of Championship clubs from now on (Leicester fans are already preparing for less exciting signings than last season) and the quality gap between the divisions could get bigger, so isn't the priority now to take advantage of our success by securing the type of players City would struggle to attract if we were still in the Championship? I know any talk of not succeeding in the EPL could be seen as negative, but a fair number of promoted clubs don't stay up and a good businessman like Mr Allam would weight any long term strategy in favour of consolidating what we've already gained first and foremost.
In theory I'd agree with you, in reality I disagree. The championship is a notoriously hard league to move upwards from, how many relegated sides bounce straight back up? Not many. And the 3 examples of players you chose, assuming they all stay at their current clubs, where will they be playing next season? How many key players will we lose if we get relegated? I say go for it, spend the budget, but don't take chances, spend what we can afford to.
Normally I would agree about the strength of the Championship - and last season backed up your point with none of the relegated clubs even making the play-offs - but FFP is likely to make a big difference. Existing Championship clubs will struggle to compete with relegated EPL clubs that retain a strong (Championship level) core and also have parachute payments. If City bought now with a two season strategy in mind we could be extremely well equipped to bounce back up if the worst happened.
I would be hoping Bruce and the Allams would be looking at players who can next season get us to 15th in the PL and then we build on that position by attracting slightly better players next summer than we can attract this summer to slowly build us into a side which is a mid-table PL side each season in years to come. That should be possible given astute management.
Someone should tell Gareth Bale and Spurz that.... Seriously, in the Champ, having a steady team with 1 outstanding player IS good enough, and all those players played for teams who could have done better. But didn't. Eh? I've no idea what point I'm trying to make either.... Anyhoo, we need to never get relegated again. Europe after this coming season, and a FA Cup Win, hopefully beating Man C who will then sack their current manager.
Even i would not go that far, but we shall stay up. Ive got money on it already. Stoke and Palace as things stand are 2 of my tips to go down.
Rumour has it that if we stay up we will be having a total change of identity. Newish club colours: corporation blue and white. Along with a new nickname. The Mermaids, it's all to do with the logos and our fallout with the council.
At least the Tiger onesies would be replaced with strange, flowing wigs of hair. 'The sirens' could be the nickname.
