According to Alan Brazil, we've run out of money.

[Seagull over Canaryland]

Relative to some other clubs in the division we are skint. And clearly we are not spending money on transfers in the way we have done for the last two seasons.

But, the squad that reached the play offs last season is virtually unchanged, other than having Ulloa for the whole season, but not having Bridge.

Therefore there is nothing to suggest we will struggle as a result. So Brazil is kind of right about the money (although badly worded) but not about our prospects.

Unfortunately I suspect Alan Brazil is not comparing like with like - we are not a minted Prem club and we are not on parachute money either. We are in the 3rd division financially speaking that now exists in English footie, merely a club that has to survive within FFP and almost entirely dependent on our own means. In practice we might be one of the better off Clubs in that bracket but we still have to play by different financial rules to our more minted cousins. It is a cheap shot to suggest we are skint. We are not even a selling club otherwise we could have cashed in on our best talent (Bridcutt etc).

Plus I would suggest those Clubs in the top 2 financial tiers are now living a very artificial existence largely based on someone's else's money, so if anything we are closer to reality. So Mr Brazil needs to be very careful before making such comparisons.

 

[lawros left foot]

I reckon our finances are as healthy as Alan Brazils liver------erm

 

[Barrel of Fun]

I sincerely hope that we've not run out of money. As I recall, it was not so long ago that we were told that the playing budget was on a par with last year; and since we've signed nobody of note there must be lots left in the pot (one assumes?). I hope that Tony Bloom asks the Brazil nut to retract his comment... and quickly.

Nobody of note?

We've signed one chap from the Premier League and pay the wages/a proportion of the wages of two players on top flight contracts. Plus, persuaded Lopez to sign again, despite interest from other clubs, surely?

I'm sure none of those are on small time contracts.

Edit: And Upson - dropping down from the top flight.

 

[Seagull over Canaryland]

The trouble with Talksport is their hosts and pundits deliberately set out to be controversial by making provocative statements in a tabloid journalism sort of way in order to keep listening figures up. They have advertisers to keep sweet and therefore maintain their own income.

Actually Alan Brazil doesn't come across as being such a tw*t normally. Yes his boozy lifestyle is tiresome - but I suggest he's quite mellow in comparison to Adrian Durham who really is a twunt.

 

[BHAZiggy]

Deleted by author.

 

[kevtherev]

I will probably get stick for this but I personally believe Bridcutt will be sold, we have already been shrewd filling that gap with Andrews, Kemy and maybe a born again Crofts. Lualua can go, March has that covered and Barnes can go as well.....If we got £4.5million for Bridcutt/Barnes & Lualua and used that cash to fund signing a striker like Sharp or McCormack I think that is fantastic house keeping and you can argue we end up with a better squad into the bargain...Simply economics.

 

[Stu1]

Allegedly I have heard a story where by a company,wouldn't contract with the club because of the financial position, which shit me up, some people need a massive reality check on here, be hugely thankful for Tony and don't expect massive signings

 

[JCL - the new kid in town]

If we were broke surely they wouldn't have signed Ward and made do with masimenko and chicksen?

 

[Seagull over Canaryland]

Allegedly I have heard a story where by a company,wouldn't contract with the club because of the financial position, which shit me up, some people need a massive reality check on here, be hugely thankful for Tony and don't expect massive signings

You can understand Companies and contractors being wary of dealing with football clubs in the current financial climate and seeing alarmist headlines or media items won't help either. Just look around at our closest geographic rivals who have all had major financial problems (and in some cases are serial offenders) Southampton, Portsmouth, Crystal Palace, Crawley, Aldershot and that's before you get to local non-League Clubs like Lewes. The Albion has had its own problems in the distant past although thankfully never putting us into administration.

Surely a blue chip sponsor like American Express would not lend their name to our Club if they were satisfied we would not cause them any embarrassing financial headlines (or would they..........maybe we are subject to punitive interest charges )

 

[RexCathedra]

Would sadden, but not shock me. There are maybe 4-6 clubs in all of English football that aren't fundamentally 'selling teams'....

It wouldn't necessarily be a sign of anything except not being one of those teams.

 

[SeagullinExile]

Unfortunately I suspect Alan Brazil is not comparing like with like - we are not a minted Prem club and we are not on parachute money either. We are in the 3rd division financially speaking that now exists in English footie, merely a club that has to survive within FFP and almost entirely dependent on our own means. In practice we might be one of the better off Clubs in that bracket but we still have to play by different financial rules to our more minted cousins. It is a cheap shot to suggest we are skint. We are not even a selling club otherwise we could have cashed in on our best talent (Bridcutt etc).

Plus I would suggest those Clubs in the top 2 financial tiers are now living a very artificial existence largely based on someone's else's money, so if anything we are closer to reality. So Mr Brazil needs to be very careful before making such comparisons.

Really good point. I for one believe that we will benefit in the long run when FFP really kicks in by acting now. I see a few of our 'bigger' rivals being slapped with transfer embargos and hefty fines in the next couple of years, and as far as I'm aware, those fines go straight into the coffers of teams abiding by the rules?

Nothing to worry about here - We're in good shape for the future.

 

[kevtherev]

If we were broke surely they wouldn't have signed Ward and made do with masimenko and chicksen?

We needed a left back. What was the points difference between 22nd and 6th last season. Very fine lines between the clubs in this division and to have a gaping hole in the defence is asking for trouble. Relegation is unthinkable. So broke or not, we deffo needed a left back, as we do a striker, but that wasn't quite as urgent.

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

I will probably get stick for this but I personally believe Bridcutt will be sold, we have already been shrewd filling that gap with Andrews, Kemy and maybe a born again Crofts. Lualua can go, March has that covered and Barnes can go as well.....If we got £4.5million for Bridcutt/Barnes & Lualua and used that cash to fund signing a striker like Sharp or McCormack I think that is fantastic house keeping and you can argue we end up with a better squad into the bargain...Simply economics.

Some good points, however, I would anticipate £3.5m - £4m for Bridcutt, £1m plus add-on's for KLL, plus £2.5m for Barnes plus add-on's.

As you point out with Andrews and Agustein we do have Bridcutt's area covered. March for KLL and perhaps Sharp for Barnes, wouldn't be too bad and should leave us £5.5m clear I would suggest.

 

[JCL - the new kid in town]

We needed a left back. What was the points difference between 22nd and 6th last season. Very fine lines between the clubs in this division and to have a gaping hole in the defence is asking for trouble. Relegation is unthinkable. So broke or not, we deffo needed a left back, as we do a striker, but that wasn't quite as urgent.

We needed a left back to compete at the top end of the table, however a left back from a top league 1 side would be good enough to prevent relegation with the strength of the rest of the squad and he'd only improve as the season went on. Do you honestly think we would get relegated with masimenko or chicksen at left back or calderon? My point is if we were really broke we wouldn't be signing players.

 

[kevtherev]

We needed a left back to compete at the top end of the table, however a left back from a top league 1 side would be good enough to prevent relegation with the strength of the rest of the squad and he'd only improve as the season went on. Do you honestly think we would get relegated with masimenko or chicksen at left back or calderon? My point is if we were really broke we wouldn't be signing players.

What a load of rubbish. Four years ago he was a left back in a championship winning side, three years ago he was a premiership left back. By that token you must think Kevin Doyle and Roger Johnson are league 1 players who couldn't play in a championship promotion chasing side as well

 

[kevtherev]

Some good points, however, I would anticipate £3.5m - £4m for Bridcutt, £1m plus add-on's for KLL, plus £2.5m for Barnes plus add-on's.

As you point out with Andrews and Agustein we do have Bridcutt's area covered. March for KLL and perhaps Sharp for Barnes, wouldn't be too bad and should leave us £5.5m clear I would suggest.

£2.5million for Barnes Well I suppose we got £1.5m for Virgo so anythings possible. Remember Jamie Mackie has just gone to Forest for around £1m. If we got anything near approaching £1m for Barnes i'd snap anyone's arm off. Although the closer it get's to deadline day the more desperate people get.

 

[Westdene Wonder]

You have made three very good points,if Bridcutt does go I fear the worst.
If you are really into sport there is only one station, thats TALKSPORT

 

[MICK PATCHAM]

Alan Brazil is a sweaty alky ....i wouldnt trust a word that comes out of his mouth

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

£2.5million for Barnes Well I suppose we got £1.5m for Virgo so anythings possible. Remember Jamie Mackie has just gone to Forest for around £1m. If we got anything near approaching £1m for Barnes i'd snap anyone's arm off. Although the closer it get's to deadline day the more desperate people get.

Won't get into a Barnes debate with you, as I am certain we will agree to disagree. But how much did Palace pay for that forward?

 

[JCL - the new kid in town]

What a load of rubbish. Four years ago he was a left back in a championship winning side, three years ago he was a premiership left back. By that token you must think Kevin Doyle and Roger Johnson are league 1 players who couldn't play in a championship promotion chasing side as well

I wasn't talking about ward, I meant chicksen was a top league 1 team