smudge
Up the Albion!
Had a very interesting conversation last night with someone who has been involved with the club in various capacities for the past 20 years (mainly as a club sponsor) will pass on what he told me...
Basically Bloom has instructed Barber and Burke to pretty much take over control of player recruitment, contract negotiations and the whole scouting network at the club, Bloom wanted a total change in the way that the club was structured and basically tasked Burke with 'cleaning up after Gus' part of that was to dispose of the players that were pro Gus (and verbally pro Gus) and at the same time ensure that the club progressed youngsters through both the academy and U21 setups, hence the progression and transition of the likes of Ince and March.
He also informed me that there will be significant changes in the summer, both within the structure of the club and also in terms of the playing squad, expect to see more of the players inherited by Gus to depart and expect to see further progression from the youth setup and increased investment in bringing in younger players to the club but within the development squad initially.
Oscar was fully aware of Blooms intentions prior to taking on the role of head coach and was also aware of the clubs long term commitment to FFP, he bought into developing the younger players and progressing them through the club and also accepted the days of spending 3 million on a player (CMS) was not in the clubs short term plans (driven by Gus under the old structure) and that whilst investment was still available and the playing budget actually increased, the clubs priority was to have the club on a steady footing financially but also to remain competitive on the pitch.
He was adamant that Bloom will not gamble with the clubs future, he won’t gamble on promotion by spending beyond the clubs means and Bloom is very much looking at the long term goal and development of the club at every level, ensuring the club is 'Premier League Ready' and setup to sustain that level rather than experience it and suffer as a consequence of it.
Finally, despite what you read in the press, Oscar is exceptionally happy at Brighton, he and his family are settled and enjoy life in England, he is very much part of the long term plan and understands his role within the clubs structure, expect to see big changes in the summer, Oscars influence grow in time but at present the focus is 'moving on from Gus' and that’s why Burke and Barber are heavily involved in the mandate given out by Bloom.
In Bloom I trust and in Oscar I believe.......
I like the sound of that. Any chance of Jones doing one though?