Match Day Thread Today's Games
- Thread starter ThaiCanary
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If Bournemouth lose today, they will drop out of the top six - they need to find form fast if they want to get promoted. Isn't it about this time (in terms of games played) that Alex Neil took over and got us through the play-offs?
Bournemouth (A), AN's first match, when he was officially just watching from the stand, was game 25 of that season. So, given that Woodgate was in temporary charge before being appointed for the rest of the season, yes, much the same in terms of available time (and league position -- we were 7th after that famous win on the South Coast).
Brentford, Swansea and Watford all winning - Cardiff winning at Bournemouth too. Good run of form by the Bluebirds.
2-0 at HT and if it stays that way Cardiff will leapfrog Bournemouth into 6th place.
Swansea, Brentford and Watford all play Cardiff later on whereas we've played them twice.
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I think their finances have always been a state. They averaged over £20m a season net spend every year they were in the Prem, and paid very good wages, despite tiny gates. None of their investment was particularly sustainable - 4-5 years in the Prem and they left with the same stadium and training ground.
Last summer they sold Ake, Wilson, Ramsdale, Arter for a combined £85m to recoup most of that, but lost a further 10 players to retirement/contract expiry. I think the only replacements they've had have been youngsters, free transfers (Wilshere) or loan signings? They've still got some very good players, especially at this level, bur I wonder if the squad depth is lacking?
Introducing their accounts (I think two years ago), their chairman pointedly noted their dependence on Maxim Demin. At that point, if I recall correctly, they were indebted to him to the tune of ca. £90 million (in the form of loans), with £40 million due to be repaid last summer. I believe that repayment was made so, given the usual structure of transfer deals, most of the upfront money from the headline £86 million will presumably have gone on that.
Furthermore, they already have history when it comes to flouting the EFL's FFP rules; they stand to be hit heavily if they transgress again.
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Not sure what the figure for our squad would be. Our starting XI vs Birmingham cost £5.75m, of which Hanley is the biggest component. Although Skipp and Giannoulis being on loan helps massage that figure, and more expensive players like Hugill, Placheta, Onel, Dowell were all on the bench. Gibson, Quintilla again hard to budget for.
What was the final figure for Buendia? We played for our promotion, more than £2m I believe, so his final cost was nearly £5m. Thus the cost against Brum was much more than your quote DHC.
Good to see Barnsley's progress up the table since beating us in the FA Cup. What a story if they proved to be the traditional late arrivals at the play-off party, with the momentum to get to and win at Wembley!
We have an interest in so far as Ishmael has been mentioned as a possible successor to DF.
(PS Billy Beane, he of Moneyball fame, is on the Barnsley board; see what you can do with £6 million if you make serious use of stats .......... )
We have an interest in so far as Ishmael has been mentioned as a possible successor to DF.
(PS Billy Beane, he of Moneyball fame, is on the Barnsley board; see what you can do with £6 million if you make serious use of stats .......... )
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Add ons to the £300k Barnsley paid would be prodigious to be sure.
Under 23s: 'Boro 0:3 Norwich
Stiepi with the first goal (a penalty) and assist for the third
Stiepi with the first goal (a penalty) and assist for the third