I disagree Eamon and Franckster. Flavio and Bernie aren't just businessmen. They have massive egos. There are easier and more certain ways to earn money than taking over a football club. They've got enough money to last several lifetimes so part of the reason they're involved is it gives them a high profile and massages their ego. The Glazers took over a worldwide brand so yes, a few supporters waving green and yellow flags isn't going to unduly bother them. But if Bernie and Flavio have to face a caldron of hate and loathing at Loftus Road and can't escape it on the TV, and become laughing stocks in their other industries because of it, eventually they'll want out. Bernie is a self-confessed non-fan anyway, so why bother with the grief?
I dont agree....Flavio has a history of doing whatever he wants to win or succeed without fear of retribution and pretty much most people hate him, whether it be in football or F1. They wont have to face it as they just simply wont turn up to games. They will do with this club whatever they want and will look to make as much money as possible, that is why they put up ST prices and Membership prices so high. I guarantee you that both Bernie and Flavio dont give a hoots about 16-18000 QPR fans....when they are rubbing shoulders with the rich and Famous in Monaco with the money they hope to aquire from selling QPR, regardless of the mess left behind.
Franckster, you're right they won't give a hoot about the fans but they will certainly care about losing face to their fellow minted blazerati, when they become a laughing stock to them. They might not turn up to games but with the Premier League beamed around the world via Sky, they won't be able to escape the hostility and subsequent ridicule from their associates. The only puzzling thing is that as businessmen they must be aware that the value of the club will never be higher than it is now. Once the season starts and we take up residence in the bottom 3 (which most of us agree will happen rapidly without further investment in the team) we become a championship team in waiting and the value will plummet accordingly. So to maximise their investment, they have to get out before a ball is kicked.
Disagree with those who say protest won't make a difference. It certainly influence Briatore's decision to step away from the club last time: -30 Jan 2010 After Scunthorpe game protests against the owners. -20 Feb 2010 Briatore steps down as Chairman Money is the main factor but these guys have ego's and have spent there whole life surrounded by yes men and brown noser's. They don't like receiving abuse and it will have some influence on them
What Briatore and Ecclestone won't want is to be seen as having backed down to Mittal. That would open the gates to anyone who makes any business deal with either of them in the future to hold out for a better deal. The thinking would be "If we wait long enough they will back down". That is no way to do business. If it looks like all the supporters are against them they might even receive MORE kudos within business circles for sticking to their guns and not backing downto "the little people", for that is all we are to these big business types - "the little people".
Am i right in thinking that the mittals own a 3rd of the club? if so that means the goons are valueing the club at 150m. In my humble opinion the is a ridiculous amount.
Regardless of what we say on here, and regardless of how the Goons are received among their peers, nothing is going to quieten the outrage of 'the little people' against the cynical excesses of the owners. Jan / Feb 2010 was minor compared to the level of anger and frustration now... Whilst the owners may well be digging their heels in, the fans will be around a whole lot longer. Interesting days ahead by the looks of it.
If all this crap is still going on on August 13th Loftus Road could be a pretty hostile environment for the Goons to face...
But they won't be there. There have been demonstrations before, some very nasty and at larger clubs than ours and it has made absolutely no difference. The object of the fans annoyance just doesn't turn up. I am not saying "Don't demonstate". I am saying don't hold your breath expecting changes.
I think you're right Eamon. Numbers north of £10m gives people pretty thick skins. Still if all of this hadn't kicked off what would we have talked about all Summer? BTW - I'm undecided as to where the best away pie might reside next season.....Wigan or Bolton I think. IIRC Wigan (the municipal town element) is 'sponsored' by either Hollands or Pukka pies. Now that's class. Living somewhere thats twinned with a steak & kidney pie it doesnt get any better than that.
If they think that there may be trouble they will stay away ... wouldn't you? Either that or they will arrive early and stay out of sight so nobody knows they are there. Then pop up in the press and say "I was there and the match was ......" Maybe they will brazen it out. But it won't make any difference to them.
This is taking brinkmanship to a whole new level, whilst mine & I'm sure most R's fans nerves are shot to pieces, what must Sir Neil be going through? He's got the players reporting back tomorrow, what's the morale going to be like? I can't see his mood being too jovial! The Goons have the club by the short & curlies, and they don't give a monkeys about the club, Sir Neil & more importantly us! All they're looking to do is swell their bank accounts, & I'm pretty sure they won't be losing any sleep until they sell. If indeed they do sell!
Maybe we will hear a little more "truth" eminating from the club if the players are told a few things tomorrow. They may be banned from twittering but I am sure that there will be a few loose tongues, especially after a half of shandy. It will be interesting to see if there is a sudden flurry of ITK reports tomorrow evening.
No-one in their right mind will pay £100 million when the club won't be worth a quarter of that if they go down. Mittal will just sit and wait...
Possibly Sooper hence two entrenched positions and little common ground. Eamon may well be right, a few choice snippets may appear at some point tomorrow / Friday.
