As to the Mittals, they are sleeping partners. Except they sleep with one eye open. If Fernandes bails out, they may well step in, subject to price and state of the club's finances. As to TF's culpability, there's a fair bit of hindsight being spread about on this thread. TF was entitled to rely on Hughes' expertise, subject to retaining a prudent amount of healthy businesslike caution. There were anomalies admittedly. The two no. 1 goalkeepers. The sale of Helgusson, our top scorer in 11/12. The lack of a purchase of a top CB. Bringing AJ in, who was always going to be a injury risk. Indeed, Flyer's general point about buying too many veteran players But there was also cause for confidence. Cesar was a world class keeper. Hoilett and Granero looked to be good captures. Faurlin was back. Diakite had been a good signing the season before. Nelsen looked sound. Fabio's loan signing held promise. Park and Bosingwa were less certain but no one could doubt their pedigree. In short, there was a fair amount of optimism in the club, from the fans, articulated by management, at the start of the season...before the kick off against Swansea...What is clear, and what TF can't be blamed for, is the division in the dressing room that is likely to have existed even at this early stage. Division that Hughes did nothing to heal. Indeed he did ridiculous stuff like sending non squad members to train with the kids. Breeds more bad feeling. He was unapproachable. He did not motivate. Zamora gave an interview about being disillusioned with football. This is all down to Hughes. The promoted players resented losing their places to the highly paid incomers. Again, Hughes should have been sensible to this, and Warnock before him. TF was entitled to listen to them as his experts. I agree with Col. TF's crime is to be inexperienced in running a football club and starstruck over Hughes. But I won't be too critical of him if he either stays the course (a wiser man) or finds a worthwhile new owner, hopefully the Mittals, to sell the club to. Imho it's too early to castigate him now (especially in the absence of the latest accounts), and about as counter-productive as booing the team when they come on the pitch.
Good post Goldie. Should have been MORE business like caution imo, but, as you say, it's all easy to see with hindsight.
