SAK

Having to run things past PIF is partly why we’re so slow. I’m all for them using their financial might to support us (direct sponsorship and leveraging their business relations with others) but we need to streamline the decision process because running things up to PIF and waiting for a response isn’t working. We need the CEO installed quickly and they need to be delegated responsibility and authority to make key decisions without having to run to PIF for the OK.

For a hands off fund they do sure like to be involved in day to day operations be it club infrastructure or signings. Wish they’d just set the budget and let football people get on with the rest.

Man City, we’ve been lurking in the shadows providing evidence for their claim against the PL. We should stop skulking around and bring in our own challenge.

I don’t think there’s a lack of pull, just an inability to pay the fees and salaries being demanded. If we could up the budget then signings and keeping players would easy.

He’s got three years left, even players with one year go for high prices.

Are we sure he’s leaving, did not miss the last friendly due to not being ready?

Think the identification is fine, it’s the negotiation part we’re failing at. We’ve been naive on prices and salaries and our ability to pay.

The stakeholder clubs are the PL, they're not two different entities. If the rest wanted to do something they could vote through relaxation of PSR but they don’t. Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Man U, Man City and Tottenham, the lower middle table pack and relegation battlers are very happy with the current situation. The top are protected, the middle pack get into Europe via Europa or Conference once in a while and the owners don’t need to dip into their own pockets to make up shortfalls for acceptable losses and the relegation candidates survive as the newcomers can’t spend enough to stave off relegation. The gravy train continues. Only US, Villa and Forest would want change.

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As long as he can negotiate fees and player contracts he can leave the player identification to Nickson and Co. Dont need a big name talent spotter type of DoF like Mitchell or Monchi, we need a good football administrator who can run the various departments in addition to the above.

That would be terrible scouting, planning and bid preparation. Sometimes the price is the price.

The thing is because of the rules they supported they’ll never get any of that sweet sweet Saudi tax. They can keep demanding high prices we just can’t afford it.

Enough with this fucking around on fees. If their asking price is £40m plus that’s unrealistic considering his age and contract length. We should offer £35m plus £5m achievable add ons and make the offer quickly and move on if rejected. Enough of this protracted negotiations.

Not really, the local planning authority make the decision though they will listen to the views of the public.

Wouldn’t be unhappy with Wissa, prem proven with a good goalscoring record. Can play backup to Isak and we can rotate the two with plenty of games for both. If we can complete for a decent fee and it allows us to sign a GK, CB and midfielder I’d be very happy with the window. We’ve got a good first 11, we need to improve the overall squad now and I’d accept incremental improvement over drastic improvements which we’re struggling to do. The players that come in need to be offer more than those they replace in terms of availability and ability. Wissa>Wilson in terms of availability and goals which improves us straight away.

Hey, hey, easy on the badly part.

Technically we’ve signed four players though three of them are prospects: Anthony Elanga Park Seung-soo Antonio Cordero Vakhtang Salia (When he turns 18 in August).

We’re not getting Sesko with his reputation and Leipzig to deal with for £60m.

Wasn’t intended to be but if you look at the rich Middle Eastern nations the common denominator is oil wealth the only exception is Egypt which has a large tourism industry due to interest in its ancient civilisation. I exclude Dubai as that’s a constituant of the UAE which through Abu Dhabi has oil wealth.

Kiss of death that.

I’d take incremental improvement right now rather than a big bang which we’ve tried but can’t seem to pull off. We need to replace and improve on the output Wilson and Longstaff offered, improve on an ageing Schar and improve on Pope due to his poor ball playing ability. Im sure there’s players out there we can get that can do that.

@Wandy I think it will happen but it’s on pause until the new CEO comes in to move it forward. It will take a long time as they will want to review the plans that’s before you get into all the design work (architects, structural engineers, service engineers, consultants for the pitch design/install, cost consultants) and then all the planning work before submitting to the council. If the plans are for Leazes Park as suggested if we get permission I doubt there won’t be legal challenge by groups concerned about the loss of green space. I reckon 6-8 years from now.

Yes, they invented homosexuality.

Doubt we’re being sold. No racist but a lot of these Middle Eastern countries lucked out due to geography and didn’t amass wealth through brilliant business acumen. I think our current limbo is a mix of incompetence from PIF, Eales about to leave and Mitchell’s departure breaking the link from club to PIF and not having the drive of a majority owner who is a person rather than a business entity like when we had Stavely for all her faults. As we’re an investment for PIF and not a vanity project they’re not going to push more important projects/investments to the side to deal with our shit. Yes, they want success for us but not at the expense of other more important things for them. Again this is where Stavely was good as she could get on to them and make things happen. Hopefully when the CEO and DoF sorted we’ll operate better but fear that won’t happen until after the transfer window closes.