If SFC was on the stock exchange, the floor would have fallen from under our price & we'd be front page on all the broadsheets. Oh & btw, there's no way in a million years the board would get away with no statement.
Why do you believe that, for what reasons? We haven't spent much in transfer fees, we barely gave an money to agents, our wage to turnover ratio was one of the healthiest in the EPL, we had steady stream of income from TV money...
I can't believe we were in a difficult financial position. The amount of money received from the Premiership for TV rights was so large that I can't possibly see how we could have been in a difficult position. There could have been a loan, but that is normal in football, and usually secured against the earnings from that season which are received at the end of the season (I believe). Are we certain that Katharina has put money into the club? It might be possible that Markus left the club some amount of money (is nest egg the term?) to allow us to keep improving, or to improve the academy etc.
Like most on here, it is just a feeling based on the following. The escalating cost of the Academy, though replacement of the dome was part of that. Borrowing against future earnings...not an unusual business practice, but one he had said he wouldn't do. The struggle to get sponsorship...though that is also due to the determination of Katharina not to be linked to 'dubious' sponsors. The empty boxes at SFC (which were full last time we were in the EPL). Nothing on their own, but enough to make me uneasy.
I'm of the same belief that she does want whats best for the club, but she was not willing to push any of her personal wealth into it. Fair enough as the returns on any investment would be unlikely. Even if somehow we managed to get into the champions league you would then have to invest again to get a squad capable of competing on both fronts. We've seen from twatbeard and Shaw that even academy players who you think would have the strongest ties with the clubs are still ambitious young men and can't wait around for the club to progress. Like Dan said previously the top of the English game is closed off to teams like Southampton unless you spend a fortune to join it. How do we move forward from this depressing thought? Carry on with the things which us got us to where we are....A strong academy/youth system and entertaining football. If this sale of players gives us the platform to be a strong debt free premier league club for the next decade then that's progress
I think a stable club that slowly improves by selling Southampton-finished players is a good plan. No reason we couldn't get into the top 6 occasionally if we are patient. The present clear out is just a blip because we looked so exceptional last year...gave us a lot of fun but just drew the vultures. I'm sure we will go back to selling the odd player in future, though that may include some youngsters if we have a glut
Sorry, but that's totally the opposite of what would happen IMO. The debate to date has been about whether to retain all your players and push for the title with a settled team or to balance the books. The stock exchange are really only interested in the latter. To finish eight, sell four or five players for the best part of £80m and replace them with equivalent or better quality for around half the price is something that would see our price rocket.
Fran is right on all her points I think. Unless we get a look at the books we won't know the true state of the finances so like it or lump it we have to trust the board on that score. My guess is that Nicola was pushing too hard for success and Katharina wanted a lighter touch on the accelerator pedal. In terms of the current clear out, all teams go through this on a regular basis and we were always destined to lose Shaw and probably Chambers within a couple of years, so why not cash in now? As a business model selling high and buying cheap is brilliant, as long as the squad is sustainable in the Premier League. We won't know the outcome of that conundrum for a few months yet, so let's enjoy the thrills and spills for a bit!
As I said a guy on Saintsweb claims to always pay to have access to the financial stuff. He said we made a 5.3m loss 2013 season but nothing out for last year yet. How would people feel if we made a huge loss?
Presumably last season's PL prize money won't appear in last financial year's accounts, so we could well have had a loss on paper, especially with the cost of Staplewood added to the outgoings.
Very true. The reason we're getting these huge fees for our players is because the buyers are awash with cash. Not much benefit to us as supporters, having that money sat in the bank. Personally I'd rather have the players but it seems our owners think otherwise.
Yep, take your points. But why not cash-in in a couple of years, when they will have got some real Saints service in, and their values will almost certainly be higher..? However, even if their values are the same I'd rather have the players for the two seasons.
