Unbelievable

Howay the lads!

How do you define “breaking the top 6 cartel”, because as far as I can tell we’re on course for doing exactly that for the second time in three years since the takeover in the most important way I can think of, on the pitch in league and cup competitions..?

Fair play mate. It’s just every couple of days you come on here complaining that our owners aren’t somehow doing enough, which is a bit odd and at odds with being content with how well the club is doing and being run.

You have no idea what they have tried behind the scenes. Let me ask you this: do you actually enjoy being a NUFC fan these days, or do you long back to the Ashley years?

I agree with that, but this is only true because the increase in cost from an Ashley run skeleton club (including playing squad) to the current one making progress in all areas and with a playing squad that pisses all over the one from 3 years ago. In short: the owners have used the available spending room extremely well and have now run into the limitations put in place to stop us from challenging by continuing to spend at the same rate. Yet they are still finding ways to keep us challenging. You appear to be very frustrated by something entirely beyond your control or the control of our owners. Realistically these owners have done everything and more than could have been expected post Ashley. Just enjoy the ride man

What do you mean by that? The new owners have brought in one of the best commercial directors in football, hired loads of new staff, brought in new sponsors every year to increase commercial revenue by more than their target, and a higher percentage than probably any of our competitors over the same time period. They have decided not to increase ticket prices massively, which I think is to be commended. TV revenue they have little control over, but they’re certainly doing a damn sight better than the competition as well by having us punch above our weight on the pitch. What else do you want them to do? Simply break the rules of the PL and Uefa by having Aramco sponsor us for hundreds of millions per year, and then getting us expelled from Europe and regelated to the Championship? I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I’d much rather this version of NUFC, where we progress to the top in a way that any other owner with half a brain could have done, than a steroid charged one blowing everybody away with the near limitless funds of the people of Saudi Arabia.

Do what?

Did we not give Joelinton a pretty hefty wage hike (and contract extension) in this period too? Then there is bonuses to take into account if we finish higher and qualify for Europe/CL. I think we’re sailing pretty close to the wind financially, as evidenced by having to fire sell Anderson and Minteh in late June of last year.

Absolutely 100% this. A cap on spending is fine in principle, not a cap that indefinitely locks every club in their place at some random point in time. I watched this yesterday and recommend it even if it is a bit long: Maguire makes some very good points, including why any legal challenge is unlikely to succeed (PL being a members club and clubs like us now perhaps entertaining legal challenges having previously agreed to these rules).

The problem we have is that the PSR referenced here is still applicable for this 2024/2025 season, but for next season (and following season) we have new rules coming in whereby a club qualifying for European competition (which we hope to do) can only spend 70% of their revenue on wages + transfers (amortisation), in line with Uefa rules. So whilst theoretically we may be able to spend some money (which as others have said, is nowhere near 80m because last reporting period we were already losing 71m before any player transfers), spending significantly would set us up for PL points deductions and possible exclusion from European competition in 2025/26. As ever, the club needs to raise revenue, which will probably mean inevitable ticket price increases, but hopefully especially continued progress on the commercial revenue side (approx. 40% increase year on year since takeover). What it all boils down to indeed is a slow build for the next few years, and smart selling as well as buying. Hopefully Eddie can keep us over-performing relative to richer clubs while we attempt to close the gap.

I don’t think you’re fully up to speed on the new PSR rules, especially the ones that apply to competing in Uefa competitions. It’s not the 105m allowable losses that is the problem, it’s our wages to turnover ratio.

Was that it? I heard something till I die, but couldn’t make out what it was. Lost

Are these always so shit? Surely they are not coming back up playing like this..?

Gotta love the handful of mackems actually there supporting their team shouting support for the SMB

Lewsing

I think both. He clearly isn’t interested in moving sideways even at an undoubtedly higher wage, so fair play to him I say.

I wouldn't know, but he doesn't have to move, does he? I mean, he's playing a decent amount in a team walking the Dutch league and doing fairly well in CL. It's a bit "Arsenal should just go and get Isak" to suggest he should be chomping at the bit to join us when he may be enjoying playing at his current club and having the self belief to play for a team that has a better chance of winning silverware, especially if in the same breath it is being suggested that he would be seen as a reserve player here

A club in our (PSR) position can't go out and pay 30-40m for a Bakayoko and then have him deputise for another RW. I know that's what we have essentially done with Barnes, but that luxury has also prevented us from upgrading a number of other key positions since that transfer window. And that's even ignoring that it's not even that likely that Bakayoko wants to join us, even as a first XI player, let alone if you tell him he's here to take Miggy's place in the squad. We are not Chelsea.

For the last few decades PL clubs have pillaged academies across the continent, so ai doubt the catchment area argument really holds. If NUFC develop the best academy, hire the best scouts and coaches and provide a strong pathway into a first team competing for silverware, then there is absolutely no reason why in 10 years time our academy can’t be at the level of Chelsea’s or City’s. This is one area where PSR is not as restrictive too, so you’d expect our owners to be all over it (and to an extent they are considering the reputation of youth prospects that have joined in recent years).

No Hall is even worse

Well, looks like we’d need to sell either now or in June, so presuming nobody comes in for our expendable players, which first teamer do you suggest we sacrifice?

They could just scrap the January transfer window as part of such a move. Would be more fair anyway.

I see what you did there

6m was the rumour

Ridiculous this