As we have a new development i thought now would be a good time to get a general consensus as to the opinions of Bassini and his actions. I for one did critisize him and question things he would be doing. But i also understand that he is a business man and wants to make money, but thats the same for any owner of any football club. Yes he has to take £10mill out of the club to pay off the debts, but he also showed some restraint and good common sense with holding out for 4.5mill for DG and Bucko, which is more than some people on here expected. Moreover, he is very open and honest about most things (yes it might be what he wants us to hear) which is more than can be said for other previous owners of Watford Football Club. So the question is simply this; What do you think of Bassinis performance so far as owner of WFC?
I've gone "as expected", but I should clarify that this is because I expected him to be terrible. To sink below those expectations he would have to demolish the stadium, put us into administration, or do something so bad as to cause a club legend to say that he would never have anything to do with Watford again.
To early to say I would say - Based on his "history" and my experience with The Lettuce Boys, I am VERY wary of these characters. But although losing Winter is worrying and does create speculation as to was he pushed or did he go on his own, there is not much else I can say he has done wrong. But early days and for me the jury is very much out!
I agree with W-y ,its simply too soon to say , He is now facing a major test , If he manages to keep MM ,then trust in him will rise,with that popularity will improve! Lose MM ,Then he has proved his words mean nothing, that he is an incompetent liar! I wont vote yet , next 48 hrs or so will prove very interesting!
Quite interesting views here - some judge Baz's success by whether Malky stays or not!!! I think you will find Malky will leave irrespective of what Baz does or says. I know Baz is out of his depth in his current post, but honestly he has little say in whether Malky stays or goes. I hope Baz already knows Malky's destiny, if he doesn't he has failed big time. Baz's job is to secure the best for Watford FC, if Malky wants to go then Baz needs to maximise the compensation deal and then move on rapidly to secure his replacement and put everything into place.
Baz said he will try at all costs to keep MM , Its a simple enough statement to understand, MM goes ,he is a liar , MM stays the guy goes up in popularity! So yes Elixir as a man of my word ,I will judge Baz on his!
I would agree with the to early to say. In my opinion the transfer deals were good if looked on in a prudent light, doubling the initially offered fee on Will Buckley and upping that on Danny Graham by one million, though who is to know if that could have gone higher. Also warding off Cardiff and their desire to take MM away looks good. unless Cardiff don't come back again or if MM does want to go. Also having the rugby back may work out to be a good move as the pitch will have had some time to recover and only gets bad in the winter when hopefully the Saracens will have gone. Baz is in a tigh spot and seems to be doing the right things, if a little slowly or publicly.
With Buckley he performed as expected (the right amount) With Graham he performed below expectations (not enough money personally) Something happened with Winter that made him leave, most likely involving Bassini in some way, but we can't say for sure. Now with Malky, he's performing above expectations by rejecting the approach. A different poll option for all the above issues (my opinion!), so I think we need more time to fully assess what he's really like.
I think he is performing much as expected , but then my expectations were low. This based on his history, lack of business success, secrecy over motives and intentions, naive handling of the media, odd board appointment, etc --just all adds up to a lack of credibility in this role for me. The tests will come if Malky goes (and Norway, Bas COULD do his best to keep him but still lose him) and then we need rapidly to appoint a credible new manager, and probably other coaching staff too. Also how well he rebuilds the senior management team after the resignation of Winter s a test. If we lose Malky in succession to Winter and Stephenson going-- well, those are big losses at the top of the club. Can Mr B provide the leadership and vision to sell the club to new people to replace these? The young man from Scotland is a start.
I said exceeded, but I expected terrible, however he has shown some bals by rejecting the approach for Macky, and that is good to see, I mean Buckley was a good deal for us and I can sort of understand the DG deal, so I think he is doing rather well considering I was very worried
I voted "exceeds" as my expectations from him were zero and he is not yet that low.- NOT a vote of confidence though and realistically it is much too early to judge him
Come on Norway - if Malky said 'I'll stay but I want £1m PA' then 'at all costs' would include paying that ransom - don't know about you but I wouldn't bend over on that.
I agree Harrow - all "reasonable" costs must be inferred there. Malky willingly signed a new 3 and a half year deal a few months back - he knew the situation fully about ownership, money other clubs likely to target him etc - he should not now be pressing for a move but should honour what he freely signed up to
Bassini could do everything he reasonably can and Malky could still go - that is not his fault. At the end of the day we all expect Malky to move on one day. The real test, as Roger said, would come with who he looked to get in if that scenario occurs. I'd say he is doing as I expected so far but overall it is still early doors.
I have modest, very very modest expectations of Baz. But I find he is struggling to live up to his modest billing. Yesterday he came out with NO to Cardiff, but then said err wait a minute I'll have a word with the board (I have no authority to say NO to money) and by this morning he had said to Malky "get down to Cardiff - the trains leave Paddington at 8, 10 and 12 o'clock" (I know that from history). So he has all the authority of an (amateur) Bluffer IMO. It is clear that Cardiff were given permission to talk to Cardiff pretty quickly - but then there was another pantomime this morning "no permission granted". Except that it is now clear Malky was already on his way. I have seen more authority in a squeedgy operator!!!
Got to say I`m with Elixir on this , talk about U turn! Baz is so far out of his depth its not funny! All the worst fears are being realised,I seriously fear for the clubs continuing survival, on and off the pitch with this muppet in charge! whats worse is he is now proven to being a lying muppet! How many more people have to leave the club before the populace cotton on to the fact this guy is a shyster!
FFS Norway, I am starting to get seriously pissed off with your, elixir's and, to a degree, Roger's unwarranted slagging off of the bloke. How do you work out that he is a 'lying muppet'? Leonardo, as a mod I think you ought to be getting this stuff toned down - this is libellous. Not a friend of Bazini (you will note that I have been 100% consistent in using his real name) but enough is enough. Some people might start believing this garbage.
Your righr Harrow I apologise , I have only met the guy and when asked questions evaded most of them , In fact all he could say was because its a fantastic club ,Point 2 is Did he really need to bring a minder to football club function! Other observations were GT and Baz didnt speak to each other , Infact GT looked embarrassed! Allied to the fact that his whole style ,impression and manner was of a slimy weasel!! However to avoid upsetting the more sensitive happy Baz clappers! This is purely my opinion, which like it or not ,is just as valid as yours!
While I am having a go Harrow ,I think your attitude to welcoming Newbies could be toned down ,calling them delusional just because their view differs from yours is not very friendly and welcoming!
Guys can we find a middle ground here. Whilst we all have our opinions, some comments are getting a bit OTT. Bassini has not done anything unreasonable so far; he held out for 3.5mill Cash in hand for DG and 1mill Cash in hand for Bucko which are both fair deals for a club which needs cash like we need air. He denyed Malky the chance to talk to Cardiff which is what everyone wanted, but then Malky turned round and said he wants to talk to them. He cant stop this anymore than we can stop the sun rising! He either lets Malky talk or Malky resigns and we are a manager short and £X compensation short too. He might have upset Winter, but we know Winter chose to leave for what ever reason, and this is tough and we have to deal with it. Bassin has not lied about anything, he has been more open than the Russos and the rest and despite him taking money out of the club to pay off debts rather than invest his own money, he is at least attempting to get the ground improved and the pitch relaid and the pa system replaced.
