think that we are at our limit with the wage cap? Ward has recently stated... "I have to try and strengthen, but there are limits to what I can do due to the Football League regulations regarding the wage cap. We can only go so far in what we play for players and we have to abide by those rules. The Football League currently impose a cap that limits spending on wages to 55 per cent of turnover and have powers to place clubs under a transfer embargo if they pass the threshold." http://www.not606.com/showthread.php/220465-Ward-on-Wage-Cap 55% wage cap. We are currently not up to our limit as there is money available to get in O'Toole or another CM. But that is it. We will be up to the wage cap limit meaning cannot bring in any reinforcements. Do you believe this? I dont. Its just a theory I have and I could be way off. I think its mind games. We been after O'Toole for ages. Ward has admitted he has been in constant talks with O'Tooles agent. If Ward had said we are still in a hunt for 2/3 players then O'Tooles agent would be thinking we have money still available in the wage cap and therefore be asking for more money for his client (it is his job after all to get the best deal for O'Toole). As Ward has come out saying we are up to our limit, O'Tooles agent knows what has been offered by us is the best he will get. Since Ward has said this about the wage cap, all of a sudden O'Toole has been left out of Colchesters team for 2 friendlies on the bounce. Maybe its just a coincidence! I think O'Toole will be signing with us very shortly and then expect to see 2 more players join on loan to strengthen where needed. Now remember our squad last season. It was a big squad! Now add all the loans that we signed during the season to act as reinforements: Walker Etheridge Mildenhall Bolger Branston McDonald Lund O'Toole Hitchcock Eaves Then add other signings made during the season which you could class as loans: McChrystal (signed a short term deal with us to the end of the season) Riordan (signed a short term deal but left 3/4 months later) Tounkara (signed a short term deal with us to the end of the season) Thats 13 extra players brought in during the season which would have impacted on the wage cap on top of a big squad that we already had. How can we have managed that without going over the wage cap? All of these players listed above left us. We also lost Bevan, Virgo and Anyinsah who I think were on good wages. Overall I think this will have freed up a massive chunk of wages. So far out of this chunk, wages have gone on resigning McChrsytal on a longer term deal and Mildenhall joined us as well on a permanent deal. Their wages cant be much more on what we paid them last season. Then Harrold, Hammer, Clarke have all been given 1 year new deals to prove themselves. Their wages would not have been increased as they have to prove themselves. Smith has been given a new deal which I think will include a rise. 4 youth players been given deals as well. No way have Smiths new contract and 4 youths getting contracts along with McChrystal/Mildenhall wages which would be similar to last season along with Harrold, Hammer and Clarkes new contract which would have been the same, no way have these wages used up all the wage that has been freed up. And O'Tooles wages as well would not take all of it either. I cant see how we only have enough for O'Toole left in the wage cap. Sorry but I am not buying it! Mind games me thinks. What do you all think?
Was the wage cap in operation last season or has it just come in? If it's just come in then that would explain why the purse strings have been tightened all of a sudden. If not, I take your point about mind games. Also, does the wage cap affect the emergency loans system? With our luck with injuries, we're going to need some loans come the end of next month. I still think we'll be alright this season if JJOT comes in. If not, I think we could be in for yet another mediocre season.
Wage cap was in last season It was also in the season before. Crawley when in League 2 (2011/12) went over the limit so in the Jan transfer window they sold 2 of their best players Wesley Thomas and Matt Tubbs to bring them back below the cut off point. O'Toole wont be enough. Hunter, Santos, Harrison and you can add Richards as well are not experienced enough to our main wide men who will be setting up Harrold. A winger is now needed. If Richards goes wide due to Hammer's injury then we need another striker. I think we need another striker anyway as we have no pace at all. I believe emergency loans are still counted in the wage cap
I may change my mind after a few losses but I still reckon that Ward has a few irons in the fire and he 'ain't telling no-one'! None of us saw Mildenhall, McChrystal or O'Toole coming last season, but all of a sudden they were here and playing their hearts out for the club. I think there's some mind games and poker being played!
Dont forget to factor in the cash we are spending on the new stadium this upcoming season this could also be a reason why there is not so much money to splash on players. Brinkmanship is one reason we have not yet signed a decent midfielder or we are looking to pick someone up on a loan basis its the cheap way. COR
but that money for the new stadium has nothing to do with the money used in the wage cap "The Football League currently impose a cap that limits spending on wages to 55 per cent of turnover" the wage cap is completely different to other out-goings. there is no cap on other out-goings. but there is a cap just on wages which is part of teh financial fair play rules. ward is claiming we are at our limit on the wage cap once o'toole or another CM comes in. this is what i find hard to believe that we are up to our limit and why i feel its just mind games by ward. other out-goings has no effect on the wage cap
So if we can fill the terraces for the first few games surely the accountants can tweek the forecast so that our estimated annual turnover will increase therefore allowing for a greater spend on labour?????
i think the wag cap is based on last seasons turnover. i think. either way, this shows how people who decide to stay away can hurt the club!
hi, excuse the invasion, but many clubs are tightening their belts. it appears we are looking to run on a squad smaller than last year. here's hoping this season is better than last, well there is 6points from city and 6 from wolves. perhaps city may stay up. I doubt it! best of luck gas for the season.
Hi CJ I understand the limits agreed by the league all I was saying is that the money being spent on the upcoming stadium will no doubt impact how much the directors allow Ward to use this season as we dont unfortunately have a money tree just because the limit is 55% does not mean that we have to spend 55% of revenues even if the fans want you to! we will have to make savings in all areas of the business. COR
Maybe we are happy at the mo to compete in the lower tier of football for another year or so,the money somehow always appears when we get into deep trouble at the wrong end of the league so you are right we have plenty of wiggle room but the directors have a tight reign on finances not a bad thing but it could prove to be another frustrating season rather than an exciting one ,who knows, there is still time to pick up some quality or perhaps dip into the loan market similar top last season. We are only a couple of decent players shy of completing the jigsaw so perhaps we should have faith although the messages coming out of the mem are not encouraging. COR
