Stefan Rupp

You into S&M as well?

 

ha.
well there's always the chance I'll be wrong, and we might put together a decent side and have a good go.

 

Here ya go @Ricc

 

You're not really getting this. They had to speculate to get where they are, it didn't happen by chance. I agree in the fact they are a well run club but a large slice of risk was administered to get where they are now. Let's not make the mistake of equating this with our time in administration, it's completely different. Our administrations were because of BFG and his six weeks of madness. Burnley's success is down to first and foremost a successful team funded by a management team willing to take a calculated gamble.

 

And that's a question I'd love to be able to directly ask the board. I want to know why Rupp invested in the first place. Edin we know - he put all his money in because he wanted to play Football Manager in real life, but Rupp is a financially astute business man with millions in his pocket. What is he looking to get out of this? If he's not putting money in to escalate us up the leagues where the real money is, then what timescale is he looking to get a return on his investment, and what's his model for doing so?
I think you've seen, that if you are Wigan or Blackburn, then it is easy to invest in some proper players. Key word being "invest".

 

I'm not sure much of our fan-base understands there is a difference between "spending until we go in administration" and "speculating a touch more than we are guaranteed to earn"
the way people are talking you'd think it's either go bust or only spend what we have coming in. there is no middle ground.

 

I have also renewed and think next season could well be a struggle, should I just have not bothered as well?

 

I just can not see the fun in going to watch something that you think is going to be shit for the whole season with a team full of non-league players. I could think of better ways to spend £150 and 20 Saturday afternoons.

 

Because I'm an eternal optimist and hope that next season will be a successful one. That doesn't mean I expect it to be. I'm not gonna kid myself, unless I see some quality coming into the squad we will struggle next season. We don't even have a manager signed up for next season yet. If these things change then my view will change. I'm not giving up on them despite a wretched season but I want to be here at this time next year singing the praises of our owners not criticising them for poor running of the club.

 

So not as downward looking as the comment I actually replied to.

 

I still think the Burnley model, was financed sensibly and at with a calculated risk. As I said, there is much our owners can improve on and taking more of a risk is one of them - but the point remains that they could have spent 10% more this season and ended up in hardly a better position, because if injuries eat up 3 or 4 of your main players - you've got a problem

I don't think we can just simply say this seasons plan has failed. If anyone can remember an injury season like we had and we still thrived, then I stand corrected. But add in the weirdly disruptive February / March (due to the weather) and it's simply been one of those seasons

i.e. I think a repeat policy, which is slightly more bold, should get us in the play-offs, provided the players we invested in kick on and they could well do that, all of them (not Poleon!!) have shown something that can be worked on. Even Brunker is showing what can happen when you have decent coaching

However, I am more than happy for Rupp to make us the highest spenders next season!!

 

1 - Rupp stated in an interview he realises that "football is a fun investment not a financially productive one" Paraphrased.
2 - A financially astute businessman HAS invested into our club. infrastructure, players and this summer will continue to do so with a new pitch and with Abbott's list we can assume they are looking at transfer targets too.
3 - Wigan and Blackburn are not Bradford City, they have more money, they are arguably a lot more attractive to players. It is hard to compete with this.

 

The Josh Morris point is a great one

Few and I include myself, were sorry to see him go. Those who were, ended up been proved correct. If we'd had him last season, I'm certain we could have got second

Players develop at all rates. I have this nightmarish vision of the likes of McCartan going elsewhere and astonishingly coming back to haunt us. I remember Don Goodman leaving and everyone been happy with the deal as we got the wily Ron Futcher. Last game at Odsal and Goodman comes back with West Brom and every time he touched the ball the Baggies were cheering - much to our bemusement. He's still a folk hero with them!!

 

1 - That statement is a little worrying to me @Derrie, as it suggests if the club goes tits up he may be willing to write that investment off as, nowt but a little fun, with no thought about what it might do to our club.
and fans.

2 - I suggest he doesn't have a lot of choice if he doesn't want to potentially see his original investment go down dramatically.
3 - I'm not too sure it's competing with the likes of Wigan or Blackburn because they are attractive, but it certainly is with regards the financial packages they will be offering players in comparison.

 

But they weren't huge spenders. I think they had several season of been the only Championship Club (or one of the few) in black. Their financial prudence was lauded, in comparison to the kamikaze Hull. Forest or Cardiff models

You assume they spent lots, when relative to where they were they did similar to what we're doing - which is why it took them 20 years to become a highly established Championship club and then promoted

Burnley, is a good parallel for us. They spent seasons in L2 struggling and then slowly built themselves back up

 

Totally agree, we just cannot afford to throw babies out with the bath water. The form has been poor and there is certainly deadwood in the team but there is still potential within the squad.

 

Josh Moris was with us for a full season started well then got an injury and was never the same player after, he was gone by the time Stuart was made manager as Phil Parkinson let Graham Alexander take him.
Ron Futcher was brought from Oldham, Terry Dolan paid 40,000 for him, and great business at the time.

 

I used to like Don Goodman. Had the occasional sweet touch and always gave his all. It came as quite a surprise that City were willing to let him go. I missed his last season with BCAFC, due to endless months (It seemed ) in the Welsh mountains.

 

I see your point Bronco, Rupp indeed may think its nothing but fun and games but there are also statements from him that indicate he is obsessed with the club etc. We can only judge Rupp by his investment and actions. This summer will be hugely indicative.
I also agree that we do need continual investment. I'd love if they did splash more cash but this is their money so they will calculate things differently I suppose.
I still disagree with the Wigan/Blackburn point. I think they are viewed as being bigger, better and more attractive to play for compared to us (sadly). Glad you agree that we cannot compete financially with them, I wish a few more would appreciate this point.