BBC Radio Leeds Fans 'Forum' 7th Feb 6-7pm

We already have one of the top budgets in the league and look where it's got us. Would you honestly trust Sparks and Gent to spend wisely any extra revenue an increase in season tickets would generate? Because I certainly wouldn't. Let's see what they do with the Lewis money and the extra income from the second hand car cup before we give them anymore of our money.

 

We have a top 7 budget according to Sparks.

I absolutely do not trust Sparks and Gent to make good choices, but an increased player budget wouldn't hurt us even if used sub-optimally.

 

Great idea. If something isn't working and you don't trust those in charge to make it work, give them more money.

 

All fair points Bronco, just don't trust or believe some of the bull that comes out of the club.

For eg Sparks 'mediocre' statement, it's taken many many months to share last night's definition with the fans - why not before, because it could have a major impact on season ticket sales - so why now as we are soon to start selling them again. It was purely for Sparks self preservation thats why!

Add having to listen to the bumbling of our dynamic head of recruitment as well - finished me off last night. Yes I'm angry about what they are doing to our club and yes I know a lot of the answers lie with Rupp.

A sustainable club is an essential goal but that alone should NOT be the VISION of the club!

 

I still can't interpret what he meant when he was bumbling on about the mediocrity comment

 

Absolutely. No way would I trust them.

 

In an ideal world, Sparks goes or we get someone in to take charge of the footballing side of things, and Rupp sells to someone willing to invest. But from the forum last night there is zero indication either of those things will happen soon.

That's why I said 'practical and realistic' in my first post about increasing season ticket prices.

I take it you are perfectly happy with our current position and watching a team treading water in League 2 with no hopes of getting out.

 

Whilst i sort of agree and see the reasoning behind your original point, there is a little contradiction in there.

You just quoted Sparks in that we have a top 7 budget - we are 18th
I believe at some point Sparks may have said last year was a top 3 budget - We came 7th(?)

We have, if the above is to be believed, a competetive budget, its just been spent on rubbish players and paying of managers who are dealing with the said rubbish players.

Chucking more money at the Status Quo, is not going to guarantee success

 

When the question was raised regarding bringing in a Director of Football, did Sparks swerve that one too or did he actually give a proper explanation?? I am having a mind block and no way am I going to punish myself having to listen to that tosh again!

 

He said he has considered it and wouldn't rule it out in the future, from my recollection.

 

Ok thanks. Another completely hollow answer then, if he hasn't pursued anything! I went to the cafe the other day and considered having a bcon & egg butty. But I also considered a full English. It is anyone's guess which - if any - I ended up having

 

Wife thought so too!

 

You could hear the nervousness in Gents voice from the get go Simon I wouldn’t beat him up for that alone but I have said a long time ago….He should have gone with MH.

 

Neither, you had a cuppa and went to the chippy next door.

 

what would the going rate for a decent director off football be at this level? £80-100k?
That’s one less squad player realistically and I know what I’d prefer

 

The real point I think Sparks was making is that we did increase our budget this term but 4 others increased theirs by a boatload in comparison . Mansfield , Stockport , Wrexham and MKD perhaps?
That’s how I read it. Mansfield are being bankrolled big style , which surprises…..Wealthy owners willing to throw money at football, but never quite seem to manage it?

Last year it was Salford, Mansfield and Stockport

 

Considered it, looks at all options. Many different models out there. Doesn't think its needed.....as we spaff a top 7 budget in 18th place of the khazi league....

 

Of course I'm not happy with the current situation. I just don't believe increasing season ticket prices whilst Sparks is still CEO and Gent is still head of recruitment is the answer. The budget every season since Sparks became CEO has been more than adequate to get us out of this league if spent wisely, but it's largely been spaffed away on players that simply aren't good enough, are too old or injury prone and/or don't fit into the formation we are playing at the time. I don't know why you seem to think that would change if we handed them even more of our money.

 

Something else just occurred to me which I’d say is a very pertinent question which was not asked. Is Ryan incentivised based upon our sustainable performance? If we make a profit he gets a bonus of ‘x’, a slight loss ‘y’?

 

One of the reasons that you perhaps have an experienced football man, DOF, is for the reasons that they mentioned about Hughes ripping up the blueprint at the end of the close season and wanting more and different style players....ask him WHY? Is it required or needed? Sparks / Gent clearly didn't have the experience, knowledge or cahoonas to say NO!!!