Haven't seen it emblazoned across the places headlines should be - yet, but the way things are going, it can't be long until we get lumbered with the big CCQPR tag. Don't worry, I'm not about to list all the reasons why they'll be calling us THAT. The factors have all been identified and thoroughly thrashed to bits on most of our threads for months - in fact ever since we got wind of the FA bringing charges against us, there've been report after report on MBs of yet more trouble at t'mill. Whilst David Mac and the other tweeters and bloggers have also been at it non-stop, media reports both televisual and press, have curiously ignored the smoke and flames beltching out over LR - and simply delivered the standard close season transfer stuff. That is until yesterday (was it?) when it looked like Warnock was on his way out (again). The fact that the cameras turned up on that occasion, means they'll do so again when he actually does depart... and then the investigative reporters, columnists, documentary teams etc. will really go to town. It'll be 'Crisis Club QPR' ever after (or for ages anyway). What difference will it make to us being labelled a crisis club? Will we feel vindicated having spent days, weeks and months mulling over and expressing concern after disappointment? Or will we feel ashamed that, after dominating the Championship all season long (no mean feat) we ended up choking before the Premier League season even kicked-off?
This will just grow and grow as long as no signings are made and no takeover materialises. This time next week there may be three or four new players on board and the mood will be a lot lighter, then again, there may be no new signings and the panic may be setting in. Remember, the transfer window only opened yesterday, so quoting Corporal Jones "Don't panic, don't panic, don't panic...."
Being hours from going bust is a crisis, not having money to pay the tea lady's wages etc is a crisis. The current situation is **** but it's not a crisis.
My plan A was always to have the Mittals at the helm. If that's not possible my plan B, which is probably more than a hope than a plan, is that the following has happened behind closed doors: 1. Briatore comes back from exile with a renewed interest upon promotion (to which he contributed nothing apart from original introductions) and with his negligible man management skills, starts to interfere in team matters. 2. NW, who had support from the Mittals and Paladini last season, is incensed, has a blazing row with Briatore and threatens to go. 3. Ecclestone, who to give him his due admits to knowing nothing about football and has always been content to rely on NW's undoubted skill, steps in between the two and tells Briatore to back off. Ecclestone has a statement of support for NW put out in the press. If those are the facts, then it seems to me that where there is any vacillation by a good potential signing because they are uncertain of NW's position, the player should meet with NW AND Ecclestone, so that the latter can reassure the player of stability within the club. I see Mackail-Smith has not made a final decision to be Sven's lad. Let him meet with NW and Ecclestone.
