manorpark

He sure learned that lesson well. I was told in another thread that Mort has been running things for months (before he was even appointed to the board) without the old board having any involvement. Is that in the rules? As a number of people in this thread are in the "wait for the review" camp, can someone please answer my questions here. Cheers. YOUR QUESTIONS / MY ATTEMPTS AT ANSWERS: *This internal review has been ongoing for 3 weeks now. How much longer do you think it's going to take? DEPENDS WHAT THEY FIND . . . INEFFICIENCIES/INADEQUATE EMPLOYEES . . . FRAUD??? *Is 3 weeks not easily long enough to review the major parts of the business which would affect transfers and allow a transfer budget to be assigned? Obviously Allardyce has some money to work with, but it's equally obvious from his comments yesterday that this is currently a limited amount. Ashley has his own people in now who can negotiate the deals, so he'll know what's going on during a new transfer. If a more substantial amount of money is forthcoming, then what's stopping it? HE IS REVIEWING THE WHOLE BUSINESS THOROUGHLY. REMEMBER HE DIDN'T DO 'DUE DILIGENCE'. *Reading between the lines of his interview yesterday, Allardyce seems to be almost as much in the dark as we are. Is this review so time intensive that Mort can't even spare an hour to discuss things with the manager of the club at a critical point in the season for transfers? I THINK THEY WILL BE DISCUSSING THINGS (PROBABLY) EVERY DAY. *Do you believe that this review is anything more than just a cost cutting exercise and review of the managerial structure? The major monetary ins and outs are all in the club's accounts and will have been reviewed before he bought his first share. Do you think that lots of secret undercover work is being done to find hidden debts or something? IT IS A REVIEW OF PROCESSES, PROCEDURES, AND PEOPLE - NOT THE 'MAJOR MONETARY INS & OUTS' - ALSO, I DO NOT THINK IT IS A COST-CUTTING EXERCISE. THERE IS NO POINT IN "JUST" DOING THAT. NOT WHEN YOU HAVE INVESTED £133m. *I've repeatedly heard many posters on here claim that the only way Ashley is going to make money from the club is by investing lots in the playing staff to ultimately get us into the CL. If this is the case, then what difference is an internal review going to make to the amount of money spent on the squad? What could it possibly turn up (after 3 weeks) which would significantly change this policy? ALL OF US HAVE A WAY OF DOING THINGS - THIS IS OBVIOUSLY HIS. MY COMMENTS : The main thing that is holding us back is the review (now that we ARE de-listed, from this morning) - but add to this also, the fact that Ashley/Mort are 'currently inexperienced' in the ways of football transfers and finance. Sam has already commented twice on this - hope it doesn't lose him his job. I really think he has to be careful doing this, suspect Mort will 'have a word' (probably already has). I think we will look back on this learning-period though, and be glad our owners were initially 'prudent' and took the time to learn. Apart from Manchester Uniteds and (some of) Liverpools player purchases, no-one is buying many that I would want, at this stage. Plenty of time to start getting-it-right!!

Be interesting to see if theres any offical/local confirmation of this. If Owen does stay, until January at least, then we do indeed have some very decent forward options again, injuries permitting! Can't find anything to link us to on the Express website. Where did you see this? EDIT - just seen you refer to "The Gossip Column", not sure if you can link to that!

Back to the real business. Ashley (for many reasons) will stump up the cash when we have delisted. He is a very successful ("if not always as meticulous as he might have been" . . . ) businessman. He will be what we need to (also) be successful. what reasons? why does he not think he owns the club right now? is he simple? you've ignored the fact he's already stumped up the money, it's Fat Sam who can't land the players, but I really want to see this gem explained I will not debate such an obvious issue, which I (and Jai) have in any case fully explained already. you haven't explained it all, because you can't. there is no reason why he would not spend money now, that's a fact. He may surprise me!! I hope he does. Anyway, it's been a long day, think I'll just go and see if she is still awake . . . . in fact who cares, won't let that get in the way! Goodnight.

Back to the real business. Ashley (for many reasons) will stump up the cash when we have delisted. He is a very successful ("if not always as meticulous as he might have been" . . . ) businessman. He will be what we need to (also) be successful. what reasons? why does he not think he owns the club right now? is he simple? you've ignored the fact he's already stumped up the money, it's Fat Sam who can't land the players, but I really want to see this gem explained I will not debate such an obvious issue, which I (and Jai) have in any case fully explained already.

Back to the real business. Ashley (for many reasons) will stump up the cash when we have delisted. He is a very successful ("if not always as meticulous as he might have been" . . . ) businessman. He will be what we need to (also) be successful.

I may not have said all that specific detail Jai, but that is what I meant by the company being all his (meaning, off the LSE and without all the fuss associated with a PLC). apologies manorpark but I didnt quite get that from your post, and vic its not just a little paperwork, any large amounts have to be fully justified to sharholders, even if you are a 95% shareholder! This means employing people to draw up justifications and minute account details for everything! But it is more likely he is waiting until the internal review is over and then he will know exactly how much total money is needed. He seems like quite a meticulous man, unlike fatty! Agree he will probably feel he has to do the latter, and he is obviously a meticulous successful businessman. However, let us all hope the review can be concluded soon. Perhaps though, The 'bigger picture' in this mad world of football club ownership (different from most other businesses) may actually require him to go against his normal behaviour, and take a bit of a time-related chance, prior to full completion of the review (but post-delisting!). god this is absolutely nauseating, you're talking such crap tbh meticulous businessman? who researched so thoroughly on how to float a company he lost over half the value of SportsWorld on th stock market in two months due to his own self confessed errors? not even freddie managed that in 10 years! I seem to remember he said his personal errors were "PR" related. Anyway, even meticulous people do not always get everything right! Even I was wrong once. normally I would advise you to go read up on it, but I fear what really happened might come as too much of a shock to you and do you some permanent emotional damage tbh I don't do damage - thanks.

I doubt that, quite a very lot actually. You been married Vic? He hasn't even kissed a girl, so I doubt it. Explains a lot

I may not have said all that specific detail Jai, but that is what I meant by the company being all his (meaning, off the LSE and without all the fuss associated with a PLC). apologies manorpark but I didnt quite get that from your post, and vic its not just a little paperwork, any large amounts have to be fully justified to sharholders, even if you are a 95% shareholder! This means employing people to draw up justifications and minute account details for everything! But it is more likely he is waiting until the internal review is over and then he will know exactly how much total money is needed. He seems like quite a meticulous man, unlike fatty! Agree he will probably feel he has to do the latter, and he is obviously a meticulous successful businessman. However, let us all hope the review can be concluded soon. Perhaps though, The 'bigger picture' in this mad world of football club ownership (different from most other businesses) may actually require him to go against his normal behaviour, and take a bit of a time-related chance, prior to full completion of the review (but post-delisting!). god this is absolutely nauseating, you're talking such crap tbh meticulous businessman? who researched so thoroughly on how to float a company he lost over half the value of SportsWorld on th stock market in two months due to his own self confessed errors? not even freddie managed that in 10 years! I seem to remember he said his personal errors were "PR" related. Anyway, even meticulous people do not always get everything right! Even I was wrong once.

I doubt that, quite a very lot actually. You been married Vic?

I may not have said all that specific detail Jai, but that is what I meant by the company being all his (meaning, off the LSE and without all the fuss associated with a PLC). apologies manorpark but I didnt quite get that from your post, and vic its not just a little paperwork, any large amounts have to be fully justified to sharholders, even if you are a 95% shareholder! This means employing people to draw up justifications and minute account details for everything! But it is more likely he is waiting until the internal review is over and then he will know exactly how much total money is needed. He seems like quite a meticulous man, unlike fatty! Agree he will probably feel he has to do the latter, and he is obviously a meticulous successful businessman. However, let us all hope the review can be concluded soon. Perhaps though, The 'bigger picture' in this mad world of football club ownership (different from most other businesses) may actually require him to go against his normal behaviour, and take a bit of a time-related chance, prior to full completion of the review (but post-delisting!).

I may not have said all that specific detail Jai, but that is what I meant by the company being all his (meaning, off the LSE and without all the fuss associated with a PLC). you so did not mean it that way Oooh - but I am not biting tonight!

I may not have said all that specific detail Jai, but that is what I meant by the company being all his (meaning, off the LSE and without all the fuss associated with a PLC).

I will not debate such an obvious issue, which I have in any case, fully explained already.

What worries me is that he may not do so until it is too late for the coming season. Don't get me wrong, what Sam has done already (in terms of new players) has greatly improved things, and his organisation and planning and motivational skills, will improve the squad - as it is now - even further. But, as Sam has also said, we need to loosen the purse strings and react more quickly, to strengthen the defence. Ashley needs to invest sooner rather than later. Hope you are ok with that Vic?

Do you mean "I make you . . . . . "? Otherwise, I do not understand your post.

The originally stated plan was for de-listing to be 'on or about' 18th July. However, the time it has taken Ashley to gain the required 90% of the remaining shares available after the initial amount he had purchased from Sir John Hall (equating to about 95% of the total shareholding) has taken longer than expected. So, I think the de-listing date may be later than today, for that reason. I am not totally certain on this, mind!! The sooner the better, for me. I would imagine that Ashley will not feel too happy about putting his own money into the club (to buy players, etc) until he feels the club is all his - and delisting from the LSE to form a private company, could well be a significant part of that process for him. do you have a template for your posts? thry all have the same format, and are all about the same length? <repeat information obvious to all, with OTT detail> <token personal doubts> <sentence about what Ashley/Alardyce is sure to be thinking> voila, new post! p.s. the last sentence is absolute s****, what difference would it possibly make You are a funny guy, Mr Vic. Your posts often (perhaps always) verge on the insane, and this one is no exception! The answer to your question (I will indulge you) is - no. As to your comment on the last sentence of my post, if you were to think about it, it is simply 'human nature'. I am certain that Mr Ashley is one of those (not so sure about you . . ) and he will most certainly be more likely to spend his money improving this company when it is his company, than when it is not. I would be tempted, were I addressing anyone else other than you, to give some analogies to illustrate what I mean. I feel that you may treat them with an element of disrespect - so I will not bother.

The originally stated plan was for de-listing to be 'on or about' 18th July. However, the time it has taken Ashley to gain the required 90% of the remaining shares available after the initial amount he had purchased from Sir John Hall (equating to about 95% of the total shareholding) has taken longer than expected. So, I think the de-listing date may be later than today, for that reason. I am not totally certain on this, mind!! The sooner the better, for me. I would imagine that Ashley will not feel too happy about putting his own money into the club (to buy players, etc) until he feels the club is all his - and delisting from the LSE to form a private company, could well be a significant part of that process for him.

We need (as Sam himself has said) two good players for every position. This means that defensively (including the goalkeeping position) we should have 10 good first-team quality (ideally 'better' than other teams have) players available, to cover injuries and suspensions. The situation. at present, is (in my opinion) as I wrote on another thread some time ago: GOALKEEPER - 2 (Given/Harper, so NONE needed) CENTRE BACK (A) - 1 (Taylor, so ONE needed) CENTRE BACK (B) - 1 (Rozenhal, so ONE needed) RIGHT BACK - 1 (Geremi, so ONE needed) LEFT BACK - 0 (so TWO needed) So - we still need to acquire a total of FIVE new, top quality, defenders (in my view).

Being linked to loads of people is fun / amusing - gives us lots to talk about. Personally, I am happy the club has avoided starting things off that attract media ramblings (if it needs the club to do anything for that to happen!!) this week, because I am sure they are working hard at buying players, hopefully defenders of quality. That means that the Ashley/Mort/Allardyce combo, is actually doing it WELL, ie they are not getting found out and are also not deliberately leaking cr*p to the media, either. It is called, in my book, "professionalism" . . . and I like-it!

. . . er . . . YES !!!!

Doesn't Michael Owen (scoring LOTS of goals for us in the coming season) sell shirts worldwide?

Definite improvement to their team though. Exactly, also both players have a good 5 years until the peak of their careers. So with any luck they will be average in 5 years.. From watching Chopra closely, on the few occasions he played for us, it seems that he cannot hack it in the Premiership. What has changed? He is going to be a waste of their money, which I don't care about, but it is a pity for him that he could not have just been left to do his work, at the level to which he is more suited.

There is a distinct lack of information - hard information - around at the moment. We cannot 'know' what is going on at times like this, however I think (I 'think') we can be certain that Sam is working on bringing in the players (4 or 5 defenders, in my view) that he wants. It will happen. Now, to Mike Ashley, and your fictional 'exchange' above. I do not believe that our rich and intelligent (thats how he got his money) billionaire, will be having any "proactive" input AT ALL. It is all cr*p to suggest that he does have (I'm not saying you are). He (in reality, Mort) is leaving it to Allardyce, while their 'review of the business' continues. I imagine that review will (amongst many other things) end up supporting the retention of Allardyce. We just have to be patient. I like to think we are an 'intelligent' club now, and are leaving the "buy anybody" / "we have £50M to spend screaming" to clubs like Man City/Villa/West Ham. The only thing we have to worry about is letting Liverpool, Man U and Chelsea "pull too much farther away from us". Patience is the key (along with ignoring all the press totally-made-up stories) for us uninformed fans, at the moment though!!

What the f***? It's July, we've made a few signings, and I'm sure there are more on the way. We aren't Chelsea though, and this isn't FM07 - Sam doesn't get to press a "Make offer for player" button. I don't want to come over all Glenn Roeder, but signings can take a while. Chill out. The teams that are "striding ahead of us" were already a mile ahead of us. Can understand the feelings of frustration though! Particularly in relation to the teams 'striding ahead of us', that you refer to Gemmill, as these are exactly the teams we need to be 'catching up to in the transfer market' (not letting them stay as far ahead as they were, or get even further ahead). We need to chill though - remember, it is still only mid-July!

that goes for the entire squad. Owen never wanted to join in the first place though. imo hes never been happy having to come here none of them wanted to come here,given the choice between us or man utd/arsenal/chelsea/liverpool they wouldn't be here!!!!!!! what we have to do is get into the position where they'd rather be here than those other places. Thats it exactly - and we need to have gone a very long way towards achieving just that, by the end of the coming (first Ashley/Allardyce) season!