I have seen my name crop up on here a couple of times today but have not been in a position to join in with any discussion. Firstly I must object to Northolt's decription of me as an appologist for Ecclestone and Briatore. I don't think that I have ever wanted to, or have been, that. I have merely stated a different view based on the information available ... and not the speculation or misinformation that has been doing the rounds. My stance on the Mittal takeover was not pro Ecclestone/Briatore, rather I was concerned that many people thought that Mittal would be a saviour who would pump £50m into transfers, etc, etc. Mittal/Bhatia played the fans by releasing information, trying to get support for their takeover bid. We will never know if the £50m bit was true, but having seen how the guy operates in other areas I do not believe it would have been the case. BUT that is old news. Now to address some of today's issues. I have read that a lot of people are unhappy with Briatore's involvement in the sale of Adel Taarabt. Somwe blame the board for selling him (if it does go through). Quite frankly the only person selling Adel Taarabt is ... Adel Taarabt. He has constantly been doing it since he got here. Between him and his "advisors" they have wanted out to a bigger club, more money for the player and a nice big slice of the action from any transfer fee. The thought that by offering him another £20k a year would persuade him to stay is ludicrous. The "advisors" who use Adel as a meal ticket would not stand for that. They want the big money that goes with a transfer. As a few people pointed out, if he was prevented from going he would sulk and his "advisors" would find other ways to disrupt the apple cart. He would rapidly go from being 50% genius and 50% liability to 95% liability. In this instance the best person to handle the sale IS Briatore as he will squeeze every last Euro out of any deal. The fact that none of the money raised (if Adel goes) will be made available for new players is very perturbing and seems not make sense. However, to me this shows that Briatore and Ecclestone want out (if they can get enough money) and it would be much easier to sell if the balance sheet looks good. Any new owner may, or may not, want Warnock to continue as manager. If they don't, then it would be far easier to sell the club in A1 financial condition instead of one that has spent heavily on players that a new owner and their choice of manager might not want. A new manager wants to add their own players, but if the money has already been spent they might not be so keen. As for Warnock being in collusion with Ecclestone and Briatore in asset stripping the club, well, we all know that is complete bollocks. Getting on to the asset stripping ... I do not believe that Ecclestone and Briatore are asset stripping the club. As I have said above, I think that they want to make the club VERY appealing to a new owner. I believe that Mittal doesn't stand a chance of becoming the new owner as things stand unless he is willing to stump up over the odds for the club. He pissed off E & B with his underhand methods in his first takeover attempt and I think that whatever he tries, unless he teams up with a third party, will be doomed to failure. Following on from that ... I have seen lists of exactly what our owners are worth. Some fans find it very hard to believe that these people won't plough millions into the club as it is a drop in the ocean for them. In the same way I cannot see why they should want to asset strip the club for £10 or £20 million. Similarly on protests. I read "hit them in the pocket". Does anyone actually believe that if a few thousand (usually) loyal supporters decided to boycott games there won't be a few thousand plastics who take their place? Even if there are 5 thousand empty seets at every game the money lost would not be that significant to them. It would lower the cash flow of the club, but they may have already covered that by the sale of Adel Taarabt. The Indian flags or the scarves in original QPR colours makes nice spectacle, but would be pointless. Crowds gathering outside the ground or a pitch invasion on a match day would also be pointless. The two protagonists will not be there. I also doubt that anyone who would be willing to buy out E & B would be put off by fan demostrations. They might even think that it might be easier to buy the club as Ecclestone and Briatore are so unpopular! For the last few months there has been even greater vitriol aimed at Ecclesotne and Briatore. However if you think that calls of "splash the cash" will be treated with anything but disdain by two people who know that they are called "Goons", "Tango and Cash", "Poison Dwarf", "Midget", etc are deluded. If someone came to your front door rattling a tin and asking you for a pound for a good cause you would probably put your hand in your pocket. If when you opened the door they said "Come on you fecking tw@t, give us a quid for the orphans, you ****er", you might not be so inclined! The current position regarding playing staff is frustrating and worrying and relegation would be a real possibility of the season started tomorrow. (That's the pessimistic bit) However, THERE IS STILL TIME FOR SOMETHING TO HAPPEN. Whether it be a new owner or a change of heart from Ecclestone and Briatore. You never know, if they can't sell they may feel they have to put money in to try and keep the club in the premiership so that they can still make it an attractive buy. (That's the optimistic bit.) There is no doubt that Neil Warnock is frustrated. He is desperate to do well in the Premiership and finish his career on a high. As things stand if he keeps the club in the Prem he will be considered (quite rightly) a miracle worker - a God among managers. If he fails and the team is relegated nobody will be surprised because of the lack of investment. If he is pushed out he will receive a tidy pay-out. If he walks away he will receive nothing. He will stay. When he leaves (or retires) his book is going to be EXPLOSIVE!
My only thought is that if Briatore and Bernie were ever going to sell the club, then that would be AFTER the sLe of Taraabt....bit more money in the kitty....
Perfect reply to a rather long-winded ramble trying to excuse the inexcusable. P.S No offence Eamon mate, just disagree with ya
Bernie and Flavio are businessmen and, therefore, want to make money. Their holdings in QPR have nothing to do with the club's success -they simply want profits. Bernie has admitted he knows nothing about football. Flavio is handling the transfer of Adel to PSG. My best hope is that they leave when we are relegated after our season in the Premier League and we get a decent board.
Thing is, don't they realize that selling now would be far more valuable to them than waiting till the end of the season, or until we are in complete chaos. Either invest and give us a chance or **** off asap.
I gree bakes well said, but I fear that those two are too thick skinned to take any notice of the supporters.
Sorry my post should have said that I agree with what bakes8 said, but those 2 Bernie & Flavio are too thicked skinned to listen to the supporters.
Unfortuately I cannot disagree with word you have written, I think you have pretty much nailed it Eamon.
This made me laugh in an otherwise depressing situation. Whilst i admire your reasoning, i do fear it is through rose tinted spectacles.
Depends on what your definition of pointless is, really. It would be a spectacle because we'll get so much more coverage in the prem - it would be visible, high profile, get press, etc. Couldn't getting that much attention actually amount to meaning something (i.e. not being pointless?)
I think the situation at Loftus Road has been largely ignored in the press because it is close season. The visible protests will become much more high profile once the season begins. Just think of the headlines if there is a massive protest at the Bolton game and beyond. You can criticise the supporters but they are merely venting their frustration in the only way available at present. We all want to see the back of the gruesome twosome and hopefully things will pan out to this effect in the coming weeks. I agree with your comments regarding Taarabt, he reminds me very much of Anelka, 'Le Sulk' and I imagine his career will follow a similar path without reaching the same heights.
Who changed the title of this thread? Does this mean that I can change the title to anyone else's thread if I like? Please remove it. If you want to make a comment that is fair enough, but to change what I have written so that it suits your own purpose is not on. Is this an attempt by some cretin to bully me off the board?
ooooh Red font. Don't let them get you down Eamon, always good to read your views even if I don't agree with them.
Unless you posted this as an article, rather than just as a post, I think your thoughts have been hijacked and are now readily available on the internet. I just found it in google. I'd take it as a compliment, but would agree that if this is the case you should be consulted first.
Interesting to know whether the site (through its Terms & Conditions) or the writer has copyright. Would think the latter.
Undoubtedly the site, but some form of polite request or just being told would be nice. I'm sure all the sites have these issues, but we don't need to hack off our best posters. Wearing thin.
