[Albion] David Weir

[Greg Bobkin]

My point exactly, we never try and keep what we’ve got and allow other clubs to take what they want.
At some point letting our staff just wander off to whoever flashes their knickers at them is going to bite us on the arse badly !
The only person we’ve thrown more money at and made it difficult for him to leave is PB

There are probably myriad reasons, but the biggest factors are likely to be financial, or job progression – two things that BHAFC are, to an extrend, restricted by. I said at the time of Potter going to Chelsea that he almost couldn't turn it down. If he had stayed, he would most likely be spending a lot of time wondering 'what if' and then it possibly affecting the job he was able to do (I always point to that guy who was at QPR, rejected Rangers and then QPR slid down the table – and I think he THEN ended up at Rangers). To him, it was more money, CL football and the potential of challenging for the title, etc, etc. In reality, it didn't turn out like that, but the guy had to back himself to think that was possible.

Like I said before, the club doesn't stand in people's way if they want to leave – and no amount of trying to talk them out of it for whatever reason will make a difference. If Weir wants to go back to a club where he has contacts and a previous relationship with, there's very little the club can do, aside from forcing him to stay. That also sets a bad example to people who might be following him here, in that they wouldn't want to be restricted.

People come and go from jobs in all walks of life and the operations continue. Even in the case of an ex-boss of mine who stated if he'd left the company it wouldn't survive. Spoiler alert, he left and the overall boss sold the business years down the line for a small fortune). Football is no different and players, managers and other staff all come and go. Enjoy them while you can and then hope that the replacement is as good or, ideally, even better.

There must be loads of examples of employees who buck the trend. Mitoma being the most recent example, but I bet that other members of the hierarchy have been approached for jobs and turned them down.

 

[Stato]

Of course I’ve heard it, but at some point, if we want to move to the next level, we have to stop rolling over and try and keep a team together for longer than a season.

We all know consistency is key when you build something, and the constant change of personnel isn’t going to bring that.

I’m not forgetting where we’ve come from and I certainly don’t have ideas of grandeur but there’s no reason we couldn’t be a regular top 5/6/7 side if we could keep our best players and staff for more than 1 decent season

Tony won't take part in the wage acceleration lunacy. He knows it's not sustainable and won't allow the club to become a Leeds or Portsmouth. He has been consistent throughout that his aim is for the club to eventually be self sufficient. That's a huge ask for any football club playing at this level, but I think its the right approach. Despite their billions, even Newcastle's owners have found it very difficult to gatecrash the big money club's party. So given that we can't compete financially, we have to find other ways. That, rather than the stats and data, was the most important lesson to take from 'Moneyball'. It's a frustration, but if people want to be paid more than Tony thinks the club can afford, they'll have to get it from someone who can afford (or who is being propped up by someone who can afford). That fact will remain and, if it stops us getting to the mythical 'next level' we'll have to live with that.

By my reckoning, we have the 21st largest stadium in the English Leagues.
According to this: https://www.givemesport.com/ranking-premier-league-clubs-owners-how-rich-they-are/ we have the joint 18th richest owner in the EPL.
We have the 15th highest wage bill in the division: https://www.givemesport.com/premier-league-wage-bill/
The purchase value of our squad is ninth in the division and market value is also ninth: https://www.givemesport.com/compari...-clubs-purchase-value-to-their-current-value/
We are tenth in the league for revenue generation: https://www.deloitte.com/uk/en/serv.../analysis/deloitte-football-money-league.html, but we earn approx. €200m per year less than Chelsea, the lowest earners of the 'big six'.

Given all of this, you'd have to say that the approach that Tony has taken is maximising our on paper financial potential. However there are limitations to outlay and top ten finishes have to be a target not an expectation. Top six finishes are a fantastic acheivement.

In short, there are reasons why we couldn't become a regular top 5/6/7 side. We have less money than a lot of our competitors and an owner who, although not adverse to gambling, has made his money by gambling only when he is convinced that he has an edge.

 

[rippleman]

I'm always baffled by someone leaving us for a club which is clearly inferior to us in every way:finances, squad quality, loyalty, stadium and training centre and performance.

Yes of course if it was Liverpool or City or a big European club I would get it. It's not always about money. I have chosen to stay in a lower paying job before because I had a very good and fair employer in a role I enjoyed, and with working conditions to suit.

Would I prefer to work for lifelong fan Tony Bloom at a top 10 side or a yank on an asset-stripping mission at a side that is always going to be bouncing around the relegation zone? Easy decision!

 

[JBizzle]

I'm always baffled by someone leaving us for a club which is clearly inferior to us in every way:finances, squad quality, loyalty, stadium and training centre and performance.

Yes of course if it was Liverpool or City or a big European club I would get it. It's not always about money. I have chosen to stay in a lower paying job before because I had a very good and fair employer in a role I enjoyed, and with working conditions to suit.

Would I prefer to work for lifelong fan Tony Bloom at a top 10 side or a yank on an asset-stripping mission at a side that is always going to be bouncing around the relegation zone? Easy decision!

As a general rule, I agree, but I don't think that would apply for Weir and Everton because I think it would be about more than money in this case. They have a manager he trusts, are nailed on to stay up this season, have a brand-spanking new stadium and a huge fanbase as well as it being a club for which he undoubtedly has a soft spot.

If he were going to, say West Ham, or Ipswich, or Palace etc, I'd have the same view, but Everton? Not so much.

 

[Hiheidi]

As a general rule, I agree, but I don't think that would apply for Weir and Everton because I think it would be about more than money in this case. They have a manager he trusts.

Interesting reading Everton fan's opinions on this. Seems a lot aren't overly excited and think Moyes getting his mate in, is just a way to ensure he has his say on transfers without too much challenge.

 

[Hiheidi]

 

[Green Cross Code Man]

Emotive language that 'snub'. Certainly a pejorative term. Maybe we do fight to keep our best people after all?!

 

[Greg Bobkin]

Emotive language that 'snub'. Certainly a pejorative term. Maybe we do fight to keep our best people after all?!

Yeah, maybe ignore all that shite I wrote about not being able to compete on finances, etc!

 

[wehatepalace]

Tony won't take part in the wage acceleration lunacy. He knows it's not sustainable and won't allow the club to become a Leeds or Portsmouth. He has been consistent throughout that his aim is for the club to eventually be self sufficient. That's a huge ask for any football club playing at this level, but I think its the right approach. Despite their billions, even Newcastle's owners have found it very difficult to gatecrash the big money club's party. So given that we can't compete financially, we have to find other ways. That, rather than the stats and data, was the most important lesson to take from 'Moneyball'. It's a frustration, but if people want to be paid more than Tony thinks the club can afford, they'll have to get it from someone who can afford (or who is being propped up by someone who can afford). That fact will remain and, if it stops us getting to the mythical 'next level' we'll have to live with that.

By my reckoning, we have the 21st largest stadium in the English Leagues.
According to this: https://www.givemesport.com/ranking-premier-league-clubs-owners-how-rich-they-are/ we have the joint 18th richest owner in the EPL.
We have the 15th highest wage bill in the division: https://www.givemesport.com/premier-league-wage-bill/
The purchase value of our squad is ninth in the division and market value is also ninth: https://www.givemesport.com/compari...-clubs-purchase-value-to-their-current-value/
We are tenth in the league for revenue generation: https://www.deloitte.com/uk/en/serv.../analysis/deloitte-football-money-league.html, but we earn approx. €200m per year less than Chelsea, the lowest earners of the 'big six'.

Given all of this, you'd have to say that the approach that Tony has taken is maximising our on paper financial potential. However there are limitations to outlay and top ten finishes have to be a target not an expectation. Top six finishes are a fantastic acheivement.

In short, there are reasons why we couldn't become a regular top 5/6/7 side. We have less money than a lot of our competitors and an owner who, although not adverse to gambling, has made his money by gambling only when he is convinced that he has an edge.

A very well put together response, thanks.

 

[wehatepalace]

But you said we don't fight to keep our staff and just roll over. What is that if not fighting to keep the staff?

I literally say in my first post that PB is the only one
“The only person we’ve thrown more money at and made it difficult for him to leave is PB”

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

As a general rule, I agree, but I don't think that would apply for Weir and Everton because I think it would be about more than money in this case. They have a manager he trusts, are nailed on to stay up this season, have a brand-spanking new stadium and a huge fanbase as well as it being a club for which he undoubtedly has a soft spot.

If he were going to, say West Ham, or Ipswich, or Palace etc, I'd have the same view, but Everton? Not so much.

Everton is a perfect fit for him.

I watched that fan's vid of the stadium opener the other day. I know that dock area well. It is massive and so is the stadium. It makes our place look quaint. The days of the Gwladys Street End and the terraced houses will soon be a distant memory.

 

[Justice]

Tony won't take part in the wage acceleration lunacy. He knows it's not sustainable and won't allow the club to become a Leeds or Portsmouth. He has been consistent throughout that his aim is for the club to eventually be self sufficient. That's a huge ask for any football club playing at this level, but I think its the right approach. Despite their billions, even Newcastle's owners have found it very difficult to gatecrash the big money club's party. So given that we can't compete financially, we have to find other ways. That, rather than the stats and data, was the most important lesson to take from 'Moneyball'. It's a frustration, but if people want to be paid more than Tony thinks the club can afford, they'll have to get it from someone who can afford (or who is being propped up by someone who can afford). That fact will remain and, if it stops us getting to the mythical 'next level' we'll have to live with that.

By my reckoning, we have the 21st largest stadium in the English Leagues.
According to this: https://www.givemesport.com/ranking-premier-league-clubs-owners-how-rich-they-are/ we have the joint 18th richest owner in the EPL.
We have the 15th highest wage bill in the division: https://www.givemesport.com/premier-league-wage-bill/
The purchase value of our squad is ninth in the division and market value is also ninth: https://www.givemesport.com/compari...-clubs-purchase-value-to-their-current-value/
We are tenth in the league for revenue generation: https://www.deloitte.com/uk/en/serv.../analysis/deloitte-football-money-league.html, but we earn approx. €200m per year less than Chelsea, the lowest earners of the 'big six'.

Given all of this, you'd have to say that the approach that Tony has taken is maximising our on paper financial potential. However there are limitations to outlay and top ten finishes have to be a target not an expectation. Top six finishes are a fantastic acheivement.

In short, there are reasons why we couldn't become a regular top 5/6/7 side. We have less money than a lot of our competitors and an owner who, although not adverse to gambling, has made his money by gambling only when he is convinced that he has an edge.

Not spending it recklessly & not having it are two different things, I was once reliably informed TB could pay off Man Utd’s debts and not give it a second thought.
We have no idea along with everybody else how much wealth our owner actually has.
Barber is the second highest paid CEO in the PL which is a statement all by itself.
Revenue wise not the largest our owners wealth we just don’t know.

 

[ac gull]

DW will also be able to talk to DA who knows full well the grass ain't always greener

 

[dazzer6666]

I know no more than you do, but generally speaking if we’d made counter offers to convince someone to stay I’m pretty sure it would be reported on somewhere.

No chance in most cases.

 

[drew]

It’s obvious he’ll go, but what is more worrying, is we always hear what a fantastic club we are, how well run we are and we’re such an amazing club to be involved with……..yet never does anyone come out and say…..no I’m not going to (whoever) I love it at the Albion, they’re always very keen to jump ship at the first opportunity!

Are we a bit of a soft touch ?

Meanwhile, back in the real world! Pretty sure that everyone that has left will have done so for either financial reasons or personal ones! Not sure it serves any employer to hold on to staff that have an eye on anther job. That applies to players as well as admin staff.

 

[wehatepalace]

Meanwhile, back in the real world! Pretty sure that everyone that has left will have done so for either financial reasons or personal ones! Not sure it serves any employer to hold on to staff that have an eye on anther job. That applies to players as well as admin staff.

So you quote my post and yet completely miss the point of it while trying to be condescending with it.
Just to confirm: everyone says what a wonderful club we are to be involved with, yet they hot foot it out of the door at the first opportunity.
That’s the real world sir.

 

[drew]

So you quote my post and yet completely miss the point of it while trying to be condescending with it.
Just to confirm: everyone says what a wonderful club we are to be involved with, yet they hot foot it out of the door at the first opportunity.
That’s the real world sir.

It is the real world. Maybe if we weren't such a great club to work for the turnaround of staff would be even greater! PB is in high demand by other clubs and well respected in the football admin world yet he's been here longer than he's been at any other job! Pretty much everyone that has left has left for more money, just as they do in the world outside of football.

And yes, it is worth being condescending as not everyone hot foots it out the door at the first opportunity!!