I think for some clubs, including Saints, dropping down the divisions and getting a reality check has done the club and it's fanbase some good. Yes, much pain has come with it as well, but it makes you appreciate what you had/almost lost. I get the feeling that many fans of Prem clubs that are just treading water are almost bored to death by it, or by a similiar measure, expecting too much (like some Blackburn fans right now). The Everton comment maybe tongue in cheek, but I'd bet many of their hardcore fans would love going to new grounds and winning lots of games like we have over the last 2 years. That really is much more fun than grinding out draws and narrow wins year after year after year. The atmosphere at Goodison is almost dead most weeks apart from when they play L'pool or Man U (as told to me by a regular Everton fan who goes there most weeks). I agree no club has a divine right to be wherever, but the Prem is better having Norwich in it... and it will be better for having Saints in it (hopefully) and if its at the expense of Wigan/Blackburn/Bolton, then it has to be net gain for everyone.
as an example in 2007, wigan found themselves with a £14million deficit because their revenue didnt match their wages even closely. in terms of cost management they are in the danger level and have been for many years.
oh and some more stats for you http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/table/2009/jun/03/premier-league-turnover-wages-debt who wants to disagree with me now bitches?
Interesting points, I agree with much of this, and indeed, I do have more appreciation now. Loving the journey, just hope we establish ourselves with a little more aplomb when we reach our destination.
Lallana has been quoted today saying that Saints benefitted from relegation and rebuilding. Says there is better to come.
They do have a relatively tiny debt, though I imagine it has increased a fair bit if they've kept this up since then.
Yes your point still stands that Wigan's wages were very high but I don't see where you got "the 90 odd % of their turnover" from. In many instances people will pluck figures from the air and others believe it. If you've gone over their balance sheets etc. fair enough.
Got to get to 100 replies on this then can we put it to bed? Wigan deserve to be in EPL Assuming they dont improve, Wigan deserve to be relegated Dave Whelan is still a top man.
Hmmm have a bit of trouble with some of the words to describe teams in the premier. For starters anyone who is in the premier deserved their place there as they earned the right. If they stay there each season they have earned their right. Just as we did for 27 years on the trot!!! You cannot take that away from them. We punched above our weight for so many years we had the lowest gates but we deserved our place because the others couldn't knock us out of it. We took some hidings that's for sure we pulled off loads of upsets as well. It is true that Wigan is not a football town but they are a premier side, they too surprise. They may be in debt up to their eye balls but at least for now they are there. Blackburn another of the old clubs good tradition champions at one stage lest we forget. Bolton another of the old clubs lots of tradition...been in and out of the top division for Donkeys years. Gone a bit stale over the last few seasons but still pulling off the odd surprise. You cannot say they do not deserve to be there because until you knock em out of there they stay! I think having had the knocks we have had over the last few years should we really criticise those that seem to be about to go down the same road?
Such a sweeping misguided statement Jen. How many people living in Wigan do you know? (misguided aimed at the people from Wigan, not the finances) I agree they shoot above their weight but "joke" club is a bit disrespectful. And the ONLY reason is the bank rolling chairman???? Nowt to do with a bloody good coach who took them through the divisions then?
