http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2013/05/28/4010363/-? or this version http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/story-19121087-detail/story.html?#axzz2UezqZGep
It is a joke, the same story but a completely different spin on it. Which just shows that you shouldn't rely on any of the press for an accurate analysis of the situation.
Just goes to show what some of us have been saying all along - journos put spin on stories to sell papers. It's how they make a living.
Here's another version of the same story - http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/may/28/michael-laudrup-swansea-city
One quote that seems to be consistent in all articles is this " If they don't have the possibility of making a good team, I don't know what can happen. Michael needs good players." This is the bit that worries me as it does suggest that there is some kind of rift. We all know we need to strengthen, so why is it constantly mentioned as a big thing that determines what's going to happen with Laudrup next season? The problem is that Laudrup doesn't take any ****...but neither does Jenkins
Keep the faith, Mr laudrup knows full well how the Board operates and so I believe it's a non story being embellished to feed the need by the public to have something to talk about.
In all if this one structural thing stands out - overseas we are relying on ML's network and people he has brought in - domestically we are using whoever remained after Rogers and priors. There may be a real difference of opinions and motives on player evaluations and on fund allocation to which "team" etc. this could easily be a point of friction. We have to have 8 domestic players - with our involvement in Europe they cannot be throw-ins but must be capable of turning a shift in every competition. The likes of Tate, Gower, Monk etc are not in that category - Bartley seems to be on the outside also (???). I hope politics, a false sense of loyalties and misplaced priorities do not interfere with the clubs's best interests - it does call for straight headed, timely leadership. We won't know how this turns out for another few weeks yet. Speculation on my part, but that is what I get out of these reports. It must be added that reporters scumingly delight in spinning the negative whenever they can.
Look, a freelance journo printed a pack of lies relating to something that happened to me at work many many years ago. It appeared in the EP and within days it was in the News of The World and The Sunday Express. Both exaggerated (in very different ways) an already untrue story. I don't trust them and I never will. ...and before you ask, no it was nothing lewd or sensational but they made a story out of nothing just to sell papers. Whereas this Laudrup/ Board "clash" could have a grain of truth I'm very wary of anything I read in the press.
http://www1.skysports.com/football/...ichael-Laudrup-warns-Swansea-of-glass-ceiling Reading the comment by ML here (if it is actually what he said) then I think he needs to take a step back and see what we're trying to achieve. 'Walk before you run' comes to mind. For now and probably for the foreseeable future we're happy with being a solid mid table team who put in some good performances, win the odd cup, get into Europe once in a while, make a profit every season and don't live beyond our means. When one day (and I hope it's not soon) we get a rich benefactor then we can push on but I'd prefer the continued profits to provide the 'hundred million' to build a Premiership winning side. For now we live in the moment, spend about £20-30 million MAX one 5-6 players next season AND spend it wisely and see where it gets us. If he's as good as he seems in the transfer market and not just lucky then he should have no worries.
I'd rather we stay as we are , a sensible board , a voice with the elected Trust no or very little debt , a rich benefactor wouldn't want that I would imagine unless a local lad wins the Euro lottery .
If he really means that, then he needs to have a good long hard look at himself!!! http://tinyurl.com/omsk9cd
That's the first time I have read that "quote" ... I think that was mis-heard or I find hard to believe he would make that statement after all of the statements I have heard him make that state clearly his understanding of the club's budget and financial strength. If he means to theoretically to challenge with the likes of Madrid, Barca, Bayern etc. - then for sure that is the size of the commitment that is needed by any club. I think context is everything and we have no idea from the report the context.
I don't think what he's said is incorrect. It is unlikely we'll do as well without significant investment, and exactly for the reasons he's stated. Other clubs around and below us almost certainly will spend heavily and bargain basement deals aren't always around as other clubs have become alerted to what is happening in Spain. I think the hundred million comment is just a throwaway line. But he's right, there is a glass ceiling and it's one of the reasons in many ways I actually used to prefer the Championship (ok not last season) where anyone can beat anyone. In the Prem you can usually pick the top 6 and the other 14 teams fight it out for the rest. Glad we're where we are though.
I'm becoming a little nervous now with all these press stories. As they say, no smoke without fire, and whoever is at logger heads with ML really need to pull their heads out of their arse and should give him the money he needs to take us to the next level as I believe that we are not that far short of being able to go to the next level.
http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/Swansea-City-tight-lipped-Michael-Laudrup-s/story-19121087-detail/story.html
Yet more journo crap. "Swansea were refusing to comment last night after Laudrup’s agent, Bayram Tutumlu, challenged chairman Huw Jenkins to deliver on his summer-spending “promise”." I read the Tutumlu interview and didn't see it as a 'challenge' at all - he was simply stating the facts. Stick a word like 'challenge' in and it reeks of confrontation. Well done, journo.
“The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers.” ― Thomas Jefferson “You're miserable, edgy and tired. You're in the perfect mood for journalism.” ― Warren Ellis “The most truthful part of a newspaper is the advertisements.” ― Thomas Jefferson “I became a journalist because I did not want to rely on newspapers for information.” ― Christopher Hitchens “By giving us the opinions of the uneducated, journalism keeps us in touch with the ignorance of the community.” ― Oscar Wilde
