FSG actually start investing, (I know we've spent a lot but it's been mostly recouped through Torres, Babel and Meireles) and we spend say 70million on players this summer, or would you prefer we announced concrete plans for a new stadium? For me, while these performances have been incredibly frustrating, we really need to get new stadium plans going. We are going to be well and truly left behind when these new FFP rules come in if we don't start building fast. The fact that something like less than 1500 new season tickets have been issued issued in the last two decades, proves that there is the demand for tickets, so I can't understand how we're prepared to miss out on so much revenue.
I think as Dave has suggested on a previous thread, we need a clear statement of intent about the Stadium. I understand that it's smart to keep quiet while enticing investors and this seasons league form has not been the greatest advertisement for future success but if FSG really want to show commitment announcements in this area will do it. Of course the counter argument is H&G did all that, threw over £35 million at pretty drawings and what actually happened?
We can't afford to do an Arsenal, they had the best team in the land when they moved, and they have only just survived by keeping hold of RvP. Otherwise they would be mid-table. If we diverted funds from transfers at this stage, we would all be going to hell in a hand-cart. So unless the owners can find funding for the stadium from elsewhere, I would hold off for a couple of years.
Agree with you to a point, but I really think these new FFP rules are going to play into Arsenals hands. Why else would Chelsea be looking into building a new stadium? In my opinion we will fall further behind if we fail to capitalise now on our (slowly) dwindling popularity.
I would highly doubt that they havent invested in club in some shape or form, even wages and general upkeep costs money. They're just like us though getting by in a shagged economy. Can't see that breaking the bank for a stadium for a bit. We bloody need one badly though.
Chicken egg We need a stadium to get investment for players We need players to get CL to afford stadium When discussing FSG people always refer to their record with the Red Sox but forget their failure in Florida. After 18 monthss they should be making some decisions about it.
FSG have actually made a statement of sorts inthe 2010-11 financial report and the way that the figures have been presented. They have cleared the decks and ensured that the clubs commercial activity will minimally break even if the fiancial year 2011-12. This puts us in a very good position with regard to FFP in terms of both player development and the stadium decision. FSG did not buy Liverpool because they wanted to save an institution. They are not like the United Red Knights or the Rangers Blue Knights in that they wished to rescue the club. They saw a potentially successful business base on offer at a knockdown price and are seeking to maximise that potential. From a commercial standpoint they have already started that process with the Standard Chartered and Warrior deals. It should be noted that it is FSC and not LFC who are leading the search for organisations to whom to sell the naming rights. What they now have to do is make a series of decisions regarding the level and timeframe of investment that they are going to make. If they were not prepared to make those decisions then they would already be mooting the possibility of selling us on as they would almost certainly make a profit. So the decisions that FSG now make will affect bith them and us greatly. On the stadium issue I certainly would like to see them make some definitive statements - but that is as a fan and not with my business head on. Both the cost and pay-back frame of either a new stadium or a refurb are going to be high. Forget the FFP rules as there are too many precedents already in existence to limit the amount of money that could be reasonably spent. However, FSG will be looking to offset as much of that cost by sale of the nameing rights and other associated commercial activities. The present plans for a new stadium are just that - plans for a stadium with very high associated costs imposed by the Council. I could well imagine that FSG may be looking for a bigger development on a larger site and are therefore stalling the plans that they have already got in place. It would be no skin off FSG's nose to move to a new site outside of the control of the council! They are already assured that they can fill a 60,000+ stadium with or without CL football next year. They already know just how much potential income they are losing out on each home game in comparison to their rivals. Therefore a definitive decision is I feel some way off. However, it would settle fans concern if they made some general statement about their commitment to doing something! When it comes to the team, they have already started by good housekeeping. It matters not about our opinion of the players that we have bought or the price that we have paid for them. The net effect of the sales and purchases is only in the region of £25 million. In football terms and in comparison with our rivals that is very minimal. That's where I have to come to a full stop as I would only be guessing if I said that this season's results have strengthened or weakend their resolve to further invest in the team itself. The only thing that I can do is to suggest with their financial decision to clear the decks does give them the opportunity to spend. We will have to see what transpires over the summer. Will Kenny survive? My honest answer is I don't know. We have seen that they are prepared to wield the knife. The words may have been pleasant but Comolli and the internal legal council have already paid the price for both the state of the side and the handling of the Suarez affair. If they do decide to get rid of Kenny then you can expect action almost as soon as the season has finished. I really do not see them kicking Kenny upstairs - he either stays or he is totally removed from within the club. I truly hope that he is given the chance to complete the task that he took on. I accept that results appear to show that our league performance has been poor. However, with some more quality imports I believe that we already have more than enough strength within the club. I don't know where all of the above takes us but they are what I truthfully think
