We have a high expectation because the owners had said they had high expectations - and are now asset stripping - and because another buyer, the Mittals, wants to buy, and the Goons are holding out for an unreasonable amount of money at the expense of the club's welfare
Actually that's wrong, due to being in the Premier League, TV monies, Greater sponsorship, incresed ticket sales etc etc mean we really should be making money + spending more accordingly. Buying no players to strenghthen the team and sell the biggest asset and not re-invest is pretty shoddy form in my book.
If things stay as they are, e.g. on an obvious downward spiral, protest is inevitable. The disappointment, frustration and outrage felt by Rs fans everywhere is palpable and increasing by the day. The way we're talking suggests that protest has to be organised. That is not the case. All it needs is for one fan at one game to catch the festering mood of those around them to spark something. So, whilst we're all football fans interested only in the coming season, the owners (not the fans) through their actions and inactions are actively adding further dimensions into the mix. In short they're making a bomb (in every sense of the word). Question is why? As Lakshmi Mittal observed a few months back, 'football is not a business, it's an entertainment'. I took that to mean that whilst pro football clubs operate as businesses, that is not their sole raison d'être; a point clearly missed by the F1 boys who should know better. What do you think would happen if F1 fans turned up at a Grand Prix event only to be met with an assortment of fairground bumper cars, go-carts and a revamped Cortina with Bernie saying he doesn't care about the fans? Would there be protest? Would it need to be co-ordinated? What form would it take? What would be the effect on Ecclestone and co? That scenario omits the further negative energy being generated in the build-up we're having to suffer. Ownership does not come with the divine right of Kings. There are responsibilities involved which are ignored at their peril.
Rangers W9 by saying we are a small club who punches above our weight is irrelevant. Football is a fluid system that will forever change. No club has a right to status as âbig clubâ. It is depressing the defeatist attitude that so many people on this board have. This season is our chance to establish ourselves and start the road on to becoming a âbigâ club. Simply accepting the way we are being treated in terms of lack of signings and prices is pathetic. Kaspers points above about protesting are completely right. We have every right to be seriously annoyed at how this and what is even more infuriating is that we have the Mittlas waiting in the wings while the Goons ask for unreasonable sums. While there is debate about how much Mittals would spend what is clear is that we would be far better off with them. If protests could achieve anything it could hopefully influence the goons to leave just as it influenced Briatore to leave post Scunthorpe 2010 and look where that lead us!!!!!!
Yes, Briatore's got a thin skin - he may well avoid home matches if he's barracked - and at Bernie's age, I don't think he'd want the aggro either - if they want to see Premiership football, may be they'll buy a box at Stamford Bridge!
It would really help our cause if the media started getting onto the story and started hounding Bernie and Flabio for some answers. At the moment, this debacle behind the scenes has been largely overlooked by the media. Hopefully, Taraabt's transfer should spark some questions and debate about why none of the proceeds of the sale of our star player are going back to strengthen the squad. Particularly as it was NW's acumen in spotting Taraabt's potential and nurturing that talent that landed the Goons with this windfall in the first place. In the meantime, I suggest we start bombarding radio phone-ins, venting our displeasure, and twittering national journalists to get onto the story and put some pressure on the Goons to at least explain their seemingly suicidal policy.
As I said a month or so back (and I'm nothing if not repetitive), if we want to protest on mass, we first need to pick a match that most of us can get to and mark this as our “protest match”. If we can then ascertain the likely numbers turning up, we can then decide what from the protest should take. Meeting on Shepherd’s Bush Common and marching down the Uxbridge Road may be beyond us, but I’m sure the massed brains on his forum can think of something. I’m sure we could muster enough to meet in one of the pubs and march down Loftus Road, but others may think of something grander. The Newcastle game (live on Sky) would seem to offer a good opportunity, but may not be convenient to many. I’m open to suggestions.
Think it's a good idea, Rollercoaster, and I'm sure those on other boards will be amenable, if they aren't thinking about doing something similar themselves. We need someone who has really good contacts within the QPR fanbase to pick a match date and place to meet.
...oh, and the only thing I would add is that it needs to be done when we are sure the Goons aren't going to budge from their position. No point in arranging it and then find the club splashes out on Crouch and Kyle Walker three days beforehand...
If we're co-ordinating an opener - cos this is something that will snowball - we should organise in cohorts with QPR1ST, the Loyal Supporters Association and sites like WRTRB and LFW etc..
Can't wait for the season to start! Fed up with all this bollocks! Lets be realistic, with this squad, with or without Taarabt, we are going to get hammered every week! We're not negative because we like being gloom & doom merchants, we're just calling it as it is. No, the owners don't have to justify their actions, because they've proved to us all that they don't give a **** about our fantastic club!
Is there anyone out there who is know for their organisational skills? While I'd agree with checking to see if QPR1st and the LSA have got anything arranged, I do fear that if we try to open this to too wide an audience at the start, it will discussed for months and then dropped because nothing can be agreed on. Would it work best if we all agreed on something and did it, let the others know so they can join in if they want?
I hate Tango & no cash like everyone else but could a lot of the problem be that we just have to many players on our books allready and need to off load.although this wont be easy with players with long contracts i just wonder what the wage bill is at the moment.
Protest against Ecclestone and Flavio's running of QPR - 13/8/11 http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=122112924549882 That might need it's own thread Roller.
There are clubs in worse financial situations than us, look at Everton, they're an established PL club and they have next to no transfer funds either. Yes, the ticket prices are annoying but a march wont change that, in fact, a march would 99% most likely have no effect, you seriously think they'll care that there's 200 people protesting outside when they have 18,000 if them inside watching the game after paying.
