Already in discussion on another thread, Stereo. But my take is that he's just making the point that without substantial investment we're unlikely to replicate this season because other teams will strengthen. We were close to WBA in 8th but then there was a rather large gap to Liverpool in 7th (12 points). Like Laudrup, I just don't see us challenging for top 6 any time soon. Nothing wrong with ambition but you have to be realistic too. Just like Dai.
All he said is "We did really well this year. We're not going to do any better than this unless we were to spend hundreds of millions". He's not asking for that money. He's just setting expectations for what we can realistically achieve next season.
Anybody though starting to get a little worried with all these reports. I have to be honest I am. No smoke without fire.
I think this is probably the worst quote I've heard from Laudrup since he started, he's usually so measured in what he says. I'm sure it's probably taken out of context and may have been an off-hand remark though... Whilst I can understand him wanting to rail back expectations for next season, that's a really negative thing to say. He's already proven that you DON'T need to do a Man City or Chelsea to progress, he seems to embrace the sensible approach and I hope that continues and this isn't the start of silly pressure being put on the board to over-extend the finances.
I agree it's a weird quote NS, but as others have said he's not asking for that money. He's just saying that without an Arab billionaire we're probably never going to improve that much on what we've done this year. He's right. We don't have the crowd size or the stadium capacity to be a truly big club and I'm OK with that. Sure, it's possible we'll break the top six but it's highly unlikely. That's the Prem for you. His statement appears rather negative but he was probably asked a question and answered it.
I wonder if ML & his agent are preparing the way for his "honorable" exit - ML signed an extension to his contract, a summer transfer kitty was agreed, Swansea now not keeping to their word, so ML has no option other than to leave...................... Hope I'm wrong.
We dont know they're not keeping their word do we, it is al speculation at the moment. We spent some 16.5 million last close season, I have no doubt who ever the manager is he will have at least that to spend again this year.
If he wants to play games then do it in the Board Room - not in the Press. Sounds as though his agent had a scuffle with Huw last week. Whatever happens the Board are in charge and have done a fine job over the last decade. If Laudrup wants to throw a tantrum then so be it - he will be gone next season but the fans and Board will still be here .
Yeah - he's not asking for the money - just stating that's the kind of money needed to take the next step. We will finish below Man U, Chelsea, Man City, Arsenal, Spurs (with Bale) Probably below Liverpool - although it's not as big a gap to them as those above. I think we can match Everton. So the best it could possibly get in my eyes is 7th if we have an amazing season or definitely 8th as we could have got this season. I don't see why we can't achieve the same this season. People talk that the other teams will strengthen - I don't see it that way - they will buy new players that's all. Doesn't mean they'll be any stronger - not all purchases work out for the better. Same for us - Aspas may turn out to be no better than what we've already got. Most of the players bought by us and the teams around us will be largely untried in the Premier League. If every team 'strengthened' each year we are basically saying that all teams who have bought players are better than they were a few years ago. I don't agree with that personally. Are Arsenal strengthening by (possibly) buying Ash as a replacement for Vermaelen or just buying another player ?
I was thinking of a little bit more mate........pay you back honest and I'll throw the keys to my mk11 Escort in as well. Haven't got the car mind just the keys.............
