Thanks guys and girls I would like to add that just because DG and WB appear to be on their way out, that doesnt mean that the core of experience (Eustace, Taylor and Cowie) will be sold. A poster on the Wobby mentioned the word "untouchable" when discussing these 3 players - i wouldnt be surprised if they genuinely are.
Of course it is good for fans to have a "never say die" attitude , and we can all identify with that. But BBT makes a false comparison and draws the wrong conclusions. Malky knew when he took the job that the first two seasons would be about moving players on--the high earners the club could no longer afford. He has done that. He also understood that his job was to find and develop youngsters SOME of whom would be sold to keep the club solvent. He has done that. But he must have hoped that he would also be allowed to build and KEEP a team that would be competitive in this division, and that he would not have to rebuild his team every 6 months as key players get sold on and loanees get sent back because we cannot afford to keep them. The interview he gave in the WO reveals his frustration at this state of affairs , and to me signaled that he will move on sooner rather than later. As I have said previously, this is not to question his loyalty to the club ,or his desire to do his best for us, but just to credit him with the serious ambition to be a manger at the best level he can reach. Watford does not offer him that opportunity. We are stage one of his managerial career--he is ready for stage two, and he knows it. And do not use the old argument "we have always been a selling club..." Quite. But in the past players were sold partly to keep the club solvent and partly to provide funds for investment in ground or squad That actually was the original Winter plan for financial stability and footballing progress. But now players are being sold to keep the club solvent, pay back loans taken out to buy the club or to pay back loans to former owners. I am not convinced that Malky will buy into that financial model. Expect him to go either before or when Cowie is sold.
See, now i was feeling quite up after BBT's post, now i'm thoroughly depressed again! But there's a lot of sense in what you say Roger, sadly.
Even before Bas and his gang came in, the board said we would have to sell to break even. You do have to wonder how much the previous board would have accepted for DG, and how much Ashcroft would have taken out of it to pay back some of his debt! Everyone has their price - Buckley if I'm honest is about right, but DG's was probably a bit more, especially considering a decent percentage goes to Carlisle!
Roger's post is closer to the money, in my opinion. True, Mackay knows all about our financial problems. But I'm in no doubt he'll grow more and more disillusioned if sales keep happening; if fees received are below par; and if he doesn't get a significant proportion to reinvest. He strikes me as a little tetchy, given his remarks about competitiveness with regard to wages and the state of the pitch in light of the Sarries' return. Against this backdrop, who could blame him for looking elsewhere, were he to do so?
Good points Roger. Id like to point out, however, that two players being sold doesnt entail a squad rebuild. More players could be moved on, but for now that is not the case. £3.5 for Graham is disappointing, theres no hiding that fact. But the deal is by no means set in stone, and any of the other clubs who made previous bids can come in and hijack the deal - clutching at straws i know, but still very much a possibility. We can have no complaints about £1m for Buckley - a hefty sell on clause will be inserted, making it a good deal for all parties concerned overall.
If..... Danny and Buckley + one are the only sales and if there was half a million to buy in new talent yes I'd stay. I'm disappointed if 3.5 is all we realise as bravado aside I think DG is worth 4.5 to 5 as it stands but if that sale is made at 3.5 in the knowledge of the traders doing the deals that it frees up cash to conclude a couple of deals that might be on the edge at the moment then that would be good work and as the manager of the team I'd want my squad for next season fixed as soon as possible to get the summer to gel it all together and not be worrying pre season about who I'm going to lose and what gaps will need filling. Early security of squad names and a solid idea of direction would be what I'd want from the board. We're feeding of very limited information and I think this regimes biggest mistake is in their communications, was going to put with the fans but just leave it as communications in general. The problem we have is the cash shortage caused by having such a ridiculous cost to revenue ratio over the past 3 years and nobody willing and able to just gift 15 million to the club. I do not see 2 or 3 player sales as anything unexpected and just hope it does stop there and we start to see some signatures signing in at WFC....
I have just been reading that Joe Cole is on the move. Fee £3m Bags of experience, International player. You would have some good idea that he can hack the prem. whereas with DG it has to be a chance that he will be good enough. Maybe prices are going to be lower this summer.
Is Joe Cole really worth that, he had a terrible season at Liverpool, not half the player he used to be! IMHO
Whilst it is just rumour at the moment it's very likely Shane Long of Reading will go for at least £5m. Whatever you think of DG's value in the currently market you have to say these two are very similar so the prospect that there will be well in excess of £1.5m difference in their sale value shows the predicament we are in. I suspect Swansea have offered £3.5m up front, no strings attached, hense the speedy nature of our acceptance. I actually doubt any other club will be able or willing to match that.
