The rights are sold around the world. They're not paying to watch Southampton v Portsmouth. They can watch City v United or Spurs v Arsenal in the Premier League. I think you're seeing this very much from you traditional view and not from the perspective of those under 30 all around the world who are the real audience that they'll be selling to.
The usual fear that the big 6 leave and all the other clubs die. This the same premier league that was boring as sin last year? The same Premier league where clubs depend on billionaire owners to survive let alone compete? I seem to recall us, Leeds etc having sold out grounds most weeks, younger fans want to see games live, that gets them hooked. Football would survive without them
It's the same Premier League which has more viewers around the world than any other league in history. Us and Leeds didn't sell out in League One - because the standard was ****e. I'm not saying football wouldn't "survive" without them, I'm just saying it would be so much ****ing worse than it is today.
Yeah I agree that we will be doing so, got to keep people positive in case we don't manage to bring in a keeper. But it certainly seems that we want to.
The Premier League rights are sold worldwide not just here. Half of clubs in it have sponsors whose goods/services are not even available in this country, same with perimeter advertising. There are millions of people watching it on TV who have literally never set foot in the UK. Sky are more interested in these people not the "legacy" match going fans in England. Sad but true.
Honestly if they didn't want to sell Xhaka they'd just brief that. Every player is available to an extraordinary offer you'd only explicitly say it to signal you're expecting further bids at least in my mind. Sounds like negotiation to me
Us and Leeds in league one had no influence from the big 6. Look at what we are spending now to try and get 17th place in the premier league, yet you can name the top 6 or 7 places in the league already. Thats not the most attractive thing is it?
Just had a look and his profile picture is blank, just a black circle, but there's still of pictures and of him and various SAFC players including him holding the playoff trophy. Unless I'm mistaken I don't think there's much in it.
100% it’s negotiation. As you say, it’s easy to say “not for sale”. They’ve invited something extraordinary to happen. They’re essentially wanting a bidding war. Best tactic now is to walk away and go back to them if and when more interest is shown, or if it isn’t, later in the window
Yep. I'm not saying I love football how it is, just that it's where we are and to undo it causes so much more pain. It's the same as capitalism to be fair. It's gone way too far, it's horrific but just ****ing it off would cause a **** load of bigger problems.
It is to the rest of the world. It's the most watched league in history. This is the product that they want.
Mate I think Patto has good qualities. I’d bet on him not being our number one by kick off but if he stays he’ll get some game time and develop by working with a better keeper and a better coach.
The Premier League is a paragon of capitalism. The rich survive and the poor go to the wall. If the sugar daddy of TV money decides to pull out then tough. Much as Ellis Short did. It is a house of cards. Greed is what's wrong with capitalism and it also what's wrong with the football pyramid in England post "Premier League"
Then footballers would have to take a more sensible wage wouldn’t they? Instead of demanding 300 grand a week?
It certainly won’t bother me, sooner they’ve gone the better. Let’s see who comes crawling back after a few years. Do you think their fans want it, I don’t.