28 Apr 2025 07:27:56
It feels like a long time since we last won a premiership title.
As a club we have had a fair amount of turmoil at all levels including a small transfer ban but we did win a few other trophies along the way.
I would like to think we will win the conference league this season but I personally haven't believed that we would win any other competition since our new owners took over the helm.
The lack of tactical flexibility of our current manager continues to frustrate me but the other managers employed and then sacked by our current owners also for me had there shortcomings.
I would like to think we will make some good signings in this next window particularly in certain areas. I also think we will be saying goodbye to lots of players some of whom I will not be happy about but there is nothing unusual in that, it's been the same since I started supporting the club.
I also think that just challenging for the title next season is the very bare minimum that should be expected.
Sadly, I can only see more turmoil ahead for our current owners. I think at the very least the current partnership will go there separate ways. I think one or all of them will look to sell there interest in CFC sooner rather than later.
28 Apr 2025 09:18:43
Tom
Very good post and well thought out.
I think with the owners, at least one of the two have to stay for another 7 years as part of the purchase agreement.
As you know, 9 also agree with your comments on Maresca regarding tactical flexibility but for ne it's mire about the possession over quicker forward play.
I too think we will lose players but hopefully they are the right ones however as you know, I have no faith in our SD's to carry what's needed out.
Interesting I read thay TB is still annoyed with the amount of injuries particularly to the same players and will be looking for a solution to the problem however I wonder howcmany tines we need to change our medical team to solve the issue.
The ECL was not a completion that I wanted but has become important if only for the Europa league which when you think where we were going into the Xmas period, we should not be having to think about.
The two other issues ate the failing by the commercial department in not being able to obtain a FOS losing us circa £40mil this season and the lack of transparency surrounding the SB project but hopefully as you said Tom, we should hear something by the summer.
28 Apr 2025 09:48:05
I agree with most of what you've said but I'm confused, isn't all that what you've been campaigning against on this site? Myself and others have called out how the ownership have got it wrong and how were not achieving the bare minimum for the investments that were made.
I love that we beat everton yesterday and we played well but that was our full strength side that would play in a UCL final if we got there. Would our £1.3bn side perform well against the best sides?
Do you agree it's been a failure thus far under the new regime? I'm sorry if I've misunderstood you in the past but I've always interpreted it that you think it was a success.
28 Apr 2025 11:00:05
Standard, I sometimes feel like it’s “Groundhog Day. ”
Unlike you and some others I do NOT believe that our current owners have got “everything WRONG. ” As I’ve continually said, in my opinion they have made mistakes but they have also made some good calls. There investment is “not blown. ” It was also Ed002 who said the owners had acknowledged there mistakes and taken on better advice. Organisations make mistakes as did the previous ownership some of which we are likely to pay for. The important thing is to learn from mistakes.
Also and unlike some, I very rarely make snap judgements about players before they have played a game for our club or managers who haven’t been given ample opportunities or in the case of Potter in my opinion dealt a bad hand. I am also experienced enough in business to realise that the rarity was the Roman takeover and the success that followed. Generally it takes a reasonable amount of time for new owners to get to grips with a new co just look how long it’s taken some other clubs owners to find success (whatever that means) with their acquired assets.
We are all guessing and we sadly no longer have the guidance of Ed002.
Just a final word. The owners/ SD’s will no doubt make several signings in the next window. It’s impossible for them to make every fan happy. They will also sell lots of players and again some of those sales will not make everyone happy but it’s been the same throughout the history of CFC.
28 Apr 2025 11:23:06
Bill, I should have added to my earlier post about FOS sponsor. If we do not make CL this year all of my previous comments on how it could have made sense not to take on a long term sponsorship for this season goes completely out of the window.
28 Apr 2025 12:14:44
The were in agreement tom. Never said they've got everything wrong. I've not had much of a problem with them. My criticism lies with the transfer 'strategy'. Ed did mention they'd learned from their mistakes but we've seen absolutely no evidence that this is true. They shipped out gallagher to offset there poor transfer dealings (pure profit) and will do the same in the summer with chalobah, when less deserving players brought in for big fees will remain in the side (with worse performances than the player shipped out for FFP) .
That's been my criticism. And seeing how you've switched your tune the last couple of months you share the same opinion. I do however disagree that anything less than challenging for the league title is less than expectations. Were simply not there, but I think can be in a couple years aslong as we hold onto our good players and improve.
28 Apr 2025 13:07:00
Standard, I’m also fed up with all the continued harping in about the CG sale.
In my opinion he was a squad player who got vastly overrated because he runs about a lot and that what some fans are happy with.
I wouldn’t have loaned out Chuka, I would have loaned out Veiga. I wouldn’t have signed Felix because I think Chuka offers more than him. I think KDH continues to be under rated but I except him general performances have deserved criticism but to be fair he is playing better lately. Neto I would have signed every day of the week.
So, they are just my opinions they could be right or they could be wrong.
Also and for god knows how many time but always for just your benefit. I have been critical of players manager, Sd’s and owners when I think it’s justified. I very rarely see things in black and white and under NO circumstances do I share your opinions about the owners or the investments they have made.
I have continually asked for fans/ posters to show patience but for some, on day one of there ownership they drew criticism from a certain section of fans.
We got spoilt rotten through the RA years but that doesn’t mean we have lose sight of the normality of football club ownership.
28 Apr 2025 16:37:15
I really don't get the connor Gallagher thing. When he was with us most people shouted he isn't good enough. I personally think he worked hard but that's about it. His football ability lacked but work effic was good
We sold him for a decent amount then people say its a joke we only sold him for pure profit.
The same is being said about big trev. Is he a great defender I don't think so. But others will.
My point being people call these players not good enough but when we sell them it's a mistake.
28 Apr 2025 17:45:40
Let's be honest, CG was sold because he would not sign a new contract therefore he would have left on a free which we all would have moaned about.
The only thing I would say is we bought JF really as part of the CG deal.
28 Apr 2025 17:56:28
Interesting thread. I’m not going to add to it as I’ve said all I need to say throughout the course of the season. Frankly, I’m exhausted with it all and can’t wait for the season to end. That said, I enjoy this site and the different views of our posters.
28 Apr 2025 18:16:36
Jimbo, I agree.
28 Apr 2025 18:18:59
Bill, I wouldn’t have a clue if Felix was part of the CG deal but it makes sense that we sold an asset who’s contract was running out and bought an asset on a long term contract in the belief we could sell him at our leisure.
28 Apr 2025 19:39:17
I sincerely hope you are right Tom.
28 Apr 2025 20:35:50
Bill, as always I’m only guessing as I am when thinking our present owners will sell the club but I have taken on board your earlier point about a seven year resale arrangement.
29 Apr 2025 09:55:46
I be honest tom the board quietly must surely be concerned about who the hired as a manager, he has been so naieve in his interviews and so inexperienced,
I can see us bottling the Eucl to be honest betis are flying and i think they beat us in a final, This team just don't no how to win big games yet
I hope im wrong of course I do, I hope we win it and add a trophy to our cabinet, and be the only team to ever win all european cups, it will be a long time before anyone ever does it again id imagine
I would give him 1 more year should he win UECL and get europa league even do CL would be better
If he doesn't win UECL and doesn't get CL football he's got to go no questions asked.
29 Apr 2025 12:04:39
Poch, if your predictions come true then you could well be right but I still have my doubts.
It’s probably just me but I’m ok generally with his interviews. Like all managers he talks in cliches and he has made some blunders but what managers haven’t? I would also add that to me he doesn’t come across as being arrogant but his tactics would suggest he is stubborn.
30 Apr 2025 08:17:35
Very stubborn Tom!