Dr Xiao or what ever his name is, is a must follow on Twitter, actual comedy gold. He is not a billionaire, prior to his purchase of Villa, he was undectable on the internet, not named in any rich list and he is basically trying to get back to the prem on a shoestring budget and earn millions. I dont think they will manage it and I can see Roberto Di Matteo getting fed up and either quiting or getting sacked due to the lack of quality and belief in their side. I cant recall a player they've signed, I've also seen fans asking for refunds on ST on Twitter because they know this owners a hoax
Another shoestring operator winging it, I did came across guys like this in the hotel industry, I was at a hotel in Bideford with a crap owner, he only told us he sold the hotel on the night before he left, the guys who bought it came in the next day and I asked them where were the stocktakers, what about the accounts and software packages to run the hotel, what about contingency funds to pay bills and staff for the first month or so, they thought they were going to just walk in and start banking money, best bit was when I told then that myself, the chefs and reception staff were all from an agency and as we were not employees of the hotel that there was not a contract between us and therefore we were all leaving that evening as instructed by our agency. Villa deserve better, it remains to see what happens but I think like many others they will struggle and may even drop further, for all Ashley's faults he at least had the money and seems to have finally learnt the hard way about how to operate the club, funny that after all the problems that even with all the players coming and relegation that we are going to make a profit on transfers and actually improve the squad.
There will be a small minority of bitter / jealous / envious fans from other clubs, but I suspect that many fans are actually looking forward to the mighty Toon Army descending on their clubs and an away day to the Cathedral on the hill has got to be a rare treat for most of them. How often are they going to be able to visit a proper Premier League ground and watch their team play. So to those fans I say Welcome................... to the beelers I say......... **** Ya'
I am sure you have convinced the fans of the rest of the league of your superiority and invincibility
From a Bristol City fan I say welcome back to the Championship! I fully expect you to bounce straight back up again. As to spending; I don't begrudge any club spending their money the way they see fit. Yes, I would like it if we had your budget, but if we did would we spend it? F-in right we would. The only thing that does grate with me (and I suspect the majority of fans of clubs that haven't seen top flight for a while) is the parachute payments awarded to clubs for simply being too **** to stay in the premiership. That gives every relegated club an advantage over all the other clubs fighting and scratching for a seat at the top table. So, if you do detect some annoyance, for me it's a it those parachute payments - but if it was us receiving those payments I would of course take them gratefully. Good luck for the season guys - and I hope you enjoy the visit to the new rebuilt Ashton Gate (but not the score of course!)
To be fair, we will probably end up making a profit from player trading this summer. The parachute payments are there to help prevent clubs from going to the wall due to having to service Premier League wages in the Championship. It's not a perfect system for sure but it is what it is.
Thought everybody loved Newcastle. Everyone's 2nd team apparently. What about deluded? Oh wait, they've already said that.
I thought Newcastle were your 2nd team bri what with you having brian blessed as your signature pic for a while
Isnt that part of the fun of being a fan - you can be as optimistic as you want until you are brought down to earth by the actual results. You should try it while you can - you only have 5 days left.
His 2nd team are Newcastle united used to go to st james' when younger.likes to recite the teams that won the F A cup
