I have just stumbled across a fantastic, well thought out article, that is somewhat critical of Tony Fernandes. Whilst I don't necessarily agree with all of the points crafted, it offers some great balance. http://davidmcintyre.wordpress.com/...s-is-old-news-what-happens-next-is-important/
Hadn't read it before so thanks sku. Very good if uncomfortable read. the most important way of respecting the fans isn’t by holding court on Twitter or in the pubs of Shepherd’s Bush, it’s by running their club properly and carefully. If that principle is applied, Fernandes’ position arguably became untenable long ago. What is the alternative though and what would it mean for the club? We are playing a high-stakes game. I dread the consequences if things don't come right.
For the consequences look no further than Portsmouth, if we're lucky we might just avoid the Conference...
I used to really like DM but he's been trying to find an angle about Fernandes ever since he took over. Just what he is trying to achieve with this article? Is he looking to force TF out? If so, I hope he has earned enough from his marginal career as a journalist to become our new backer. That'll be about £100m please David plus further massive investment for the new ground and training facility. Oh you don't have it? But then very few do, right? The simple fact is that a wealthy man with passion and very good intentions took over our club and has done what he felt best to bring us success. He more than anyone knows that he hasn't got things right but even when faced with massive losses for the second year running he still stands by us. I honestly don't know what more we could ask.
We could ask for less mistakes? The way I see it is that TF is a nice chap with loads of money. I've got no doubt that his heart is in it. But that's not enough to prevent **** ups. What if he continued to eat pies with the fans and let us know about a change of toilet tissue brand at Loftus Road but continues to make bad choices on appointments and allowances for management staff, causing season after season of bad football and loss of team identity? Where do we draw the line? Maybe he's firmly behind the team and will back us all the way. All the way to what? Maybe he'll stay at the club for 20 years and we'll be in league 2 with a team with no guts. Will you be so happy to have a top bloke as owner then? Or do you think things have gone well since he came on board? And we're evidently heading in the right direction? The above are honest questions. Provide evidence to show we're heading in the right direction. I'm not actually a Tony Frenandes hater. But I do think he should improve the way he manages the club or leave. If he cares about the club yet it's gone wrong consistently he either needs to make it work or leave QPR for QPR's benefit. The same goes for all the owners and directors.
He's not going to now say he's leaving us, is he? What often happens is one day, out of the blue, it all goes tits-up, or in our case even more tits-up. Remember at Portsmouth they signed allsorts for silly money on silly wages, an ambitious plan for a new stadium was published and they even won the FA Cup under someone who's name escapes me. At least they won something before the sh*t hit the fan, or fans in this case...
It seems to be an inexplicably harsh view. Right from the point where it forgets that Fernandes inherited a Premiership team that had been stripped of the season's TV revenues (or am I wrong) to the point where TF is carrying the can for Austin being the only player firing consistently this season. There are mistakes on his part and a clear vision of the football strategy / vision for the next 5-10 years is a must IMO but what he is lacking in football knowledge (and he doesn't hide the fact that he's learning), he doesn't in business acumen - that extends to knowing that a sustainable source of talent through the youth system and a stadium that can generate revenue are key growth areas. These might not be in place but the movement on these will, in itself, have already cost a fair amount so to doubt his commitment on this is also harsh. To say that he didn't walk after the Premiership debacle but is still here is a negative totally opposes my own view that it's a massive positive and a key indication of his intent.
I won't say it's gone well since he's been in charge on the pitch (as mentioned before, I think he's on the right track with the infrastructure). I think Redknapp was a necessary reaction to Hughes and I think Hughes was a decent appointment in principle (not hindsight). We're still in a position where each decision is a necessity of a previous event and have yet to have a stable platform upon which to build. That either happens soon or Fernandes needs to make it happen by force of will (by the start of 2015/16 season I'd say). If not, I'd judge him badly. If so, I expect him to have learnt and get things working better (otherwise I'll also be on his case). Generally, I won't judge a man on his mistakes but on his ability to learn from them.
My own take on this is that FFP any be a blessing in disguise. It will mean that Fernandes learns his lesson. I get the feeling he is entirely genuine in his love for the club but needs to be brought back down to earth in his ambition to get us to the promised land, one where we become an established and successful PL side. He won't be able to splash the cash in the future and if it means we start buying sensibly, players with a promising future, not an illustrious past and achieving a balance in our team, a few wise old heads helps, he will achieve his ambitions albeit over a longer time frame than he had wanted.
Sorry AW but that's a bit passive aggressive. The heavy sarcasm coupled with the 'he should leave'? Has nobody told you what happens if he and the other owners leave? Nobody else wants a club with £177m debts, so if he asks for even a fraction of his money back its administration or possibly liquidation. The end, goodbye, fin. Even if he writes the debt off and gives the club to the fans ( a board of directors consisting of blokes on here? ooh err Missus) we have massive expenditure and no means to generate the cash (tiny, crappy ground, a youth system developing nothing of value)....you mock League 2, get used to it. It really doesn't matter what you, me or anyone else thinks of Fernandes or the mistakes he has made (only two, neither of which were criticized at the time - getting Hughes then Redknapp and backing them), the future of QPR is entirely in his hands, for as long as he wants it to be. He is not an employee you can 'ask to leave'. He has made it clear what he wants - ultimately something big, shiny and self supporting. He has indisputably put his money where his mouth is. Everyone is free to criticise and snipe, but frankly I think its less painful to get with the programme and enjoy, where possible, the ride. As DT has consistently pointed out, many of us may not like the journey or the destination, but that is immaterial, we're going there anyway.
sb_73 - we often have opposing opinions on this board, but I read your words here, and I broadly agree.
