Stefan Rupp - An Open Letter

Why did Sparkes need to fly to Munich to tell Rupp stuff he should already know.

nothings changed Rupp out Sparkes out first

 

I've been told by the grandson he's finished attending home games except the last home game of the season for obvious reasons.
Unfortunately its a completely different world Steve as we've posted many times and had a good laugh about it we were kept informed about all things football through firstly The Pink on a Saturday night followed by The News of The World on Sunday morning after dad had read it first, we for some reason expect instant gratification is not only wanted but expected expect problems solved usually by money being invested there and then which in most cases just covers the cracks till next time.
How long do the people at the club get going forward, lets assume the point I commented on was correct assumption, Ryan bringing in a DOF he has to be given a season surely ?, I'm sure some will disagree, if were not in the autos/promotion place come New Year who's the sacrificial lamb Director Of Football, Head Of Recruitment, Alexander, Ryan even though he's now nothing to do with the football side, tough call Steve, I doubt me renewing will sway the club one way or the other with regard the plans made to go forward, and I certainly wont apologise for doing so not that I believe you're suggesting that.

 

I have been more pessimistic than most on here for a long while about what the future holds. In actual fact I thought we would not last out the following season. It is in this respect only that I am slightly encouraged and, of course I do not know for sure, but this letter is so out there in the public domain now

I have been more pessimistic than most on here, and my major fear has been for the short term, in this respect only, like you say, I feel an ounce more positive about than I did this morning.

 

Although I won't be in attendance protest or game we have to see this one though, for no other reason that those who have organised it with regards the fans feelings will get ridiculed on this forum we've gone this far we have to finish the first part of what hopefully is a very short journey.

 

Thanks Faithful for a measured response. Of course I cannot know for sure, but I do not think we are being actively lied to here and the letter is there for public scrutiny. At least I do not think we are going to sink next season regardless of ST sales, but to be honest who knows for sure, whether it is Rupp who owns us or someone else.

 

Completely disagree about the budget. It's the way it has been spent that's the issue. If, and it's a big IF Rupp is true to his word about next years budget, all it will mean is even more money will be wasted unless he changes the people that will be spending it.

 

You have nailed it BantamJ and the sad thing is your list isn't even everything.

Rupp hasn't addressed the elephant in the room which is Ryan Sparks. I believe like when Derek Adams was sacked the damage for Sparks is too deep to come back from.

The lack of new contract to players that deserve them and the long contracts for those that don't will be an issue next season.

The recruitment team, inclusive of scouts are not fit for purpose. The last few transfer windows have been terrible, this isn't just a budget issue it needs tearing up and starting again. A DOF will help this but the recruitment of this role needs taking out of Sparks hands. Gent must go.

Coaching is clearly an issue also. So do we have the right people involved. Is Derbyshire a good addition of should he be cut loose. Have we found a suitable role for Trueman?

Fitness also needs looking at, and this ties in with the scouting issue too. Stop signing players with injury issues, under Nick Allen by we didn't seem to have as many problems like now this needs looking at so we make our Budget work for us.

Training facilities are also really starting to be an issue. Is this adding to our problems?

Is buying the stadium going to resolve our issues? The pitch needs massive investment to get it even usable. The stadium is aesthetically deteriorating and needs lots of work. We also hear rumours of structural issues. Also let's talk about the location. Maybe Valley Parade has reached its shelf life.

Pathway for youth players. It's great we can sell the academy players on snd we absolutely should carry on, but why have we such a lack of youth breaking into our first team? Is the strategy of loaning mediocre players in holding them back? Are the loans we arrange for our youth stalling their progress? Is Alexander the man to improve this pathway?

Also the match day experience. Food, fan engagement. Communication.

There are even more issues than all this which shows the task that a DOF will have a big job at hand.

The neglet on all areas during the Rhodes years have come home to roost now and sadly Rupp and Sparks have only made matters worse.

We need a plan, this is not going to be a short term thing. Its going to take time and it's going to take talent and its going to take competence. Does our current set up have the tools to address the above?

No, no they don't.

 

He's not alone it will be for various reasons my last match as a season ticket holder may not even bother to stay and watch the game either just pay my respects as I always have done irrespective of the state of the club
Frankly watching the players doing the lap of failure sorry honour would be too much
You've hit the nail on the head with Ryan appointing a DOF I hope he has more luck than he has had with his managerial selections i have no confidence yet Rupp seems to turn a blind eye to his failings
Would never criticise your choice in renewing it's all about opinions after all

 

He turns a blindeye because we are sustainable his epic fook ups are covered by season ticket sales ............. once it starts hitting Rupp hard in the pocket then things may change

 

Got to go ahead if ut doesnt then it simply looks like folk are happy with this letter

 

I was mildly hopeful reading the start of the statement, really got my hopes up when reading that Ryan Sparks had requested to meet him in Munich, but quickly lost interest when that wasn't followed with "to tend his resignation".

If he isn't going to sack Sparks then, as a minimum, I feel we need a comprehensive, independent review of football operations. Something like Aberdeen have commissioned as per this article https://www.footballscotland.co.uk/spfl/scottish-premiership/dave-cormack-outlines-aberdeen-review-28571628? to try and figure out why they are underperforming and what they need to change.

I can only hope that anyone who is appointed on the football side is someone with no links to the club whatsoever and can come in completely afresh, however I feel contacts are so limited that will prove not to be the case.

 

The elephant in the room in Rupp's letter is, of course, Ryan Sparks. Not only has he been hopeless on the football front he also seems to have managed to alienate other employees and sponsors, if reports are to be believed. He's a reincarnation of Rahic. I can't conceive of any meaningful progress being made as long as he's here and I also can't see Rupp getting rid of him, at least not for a fair while. And that's very depressing as he's the root of all our problems.

 

And, in as in the Bee Gee's song.

"It's only words and words are all I have"

 

So Sparks flew to Germany to tell him he needs to increase the football budget. So, what happened in the summer when it was clear that the likes of Mansfield, Wrexham, Stockport, Notts County, Gillingham etc might have bigger budgets than us. What happened in the Jan window?

See this the the problems Sparks is clueless on the footballing side of things and Rupp hasn’t tackled the main thing which is the Sparks needs sacking and the whole club needs addressing. However, due to a lack of season ticket sales and the protests plans he came out with such a poor statement to fans. It’s too late. It really is!

Get Sparks out to highlight you are serious about the club or just sell!

 

I doubt Sparks even flew out TBH. Hope you are shouting loud and proud tomorrow at the protest. I will be.

 

Rupp apparently just believes people when they boast about how they know football and work hard.

 

I will take the letter at face value, Rupp seems a genuine man to me.

Increase the budget , and fill the team with the right type of character , never say die grafters who are not here just for the money, who can handle the expectations at this club and will run through a brick wait .

There is too soft an underbelly at this Club. A players character is just as important as their ability.

The club identity has been lost and urgently needs to be restored.

 

Think it was maybe Denis who did the analysis but the budget in real terms has reduced year on year.

In this league due to the goldfish bowl environment inculding large fans, the league itself and opposition upper their game we need in my opinion the maximum budget we can provide. It has to be top 3!!

That attracts normally the better players technically which we are lacking , more strength in depth which we are lacking, more goals which we are lacking.
Most importantly a winning mentality as they’ve likely brought success at other clubs which is totally and unequivocally missing!!!

 

It just seems completely meaningless to me. No substance at all.

Let's not forget, it is less than 2 months since Ryan was on the record as saying more footballing knowledge wasn't necessary, Rupp had put no more money in and the model was sustainability. Radio Leeds 'fan's forum.

It's less than 2 weeks since Ryan met with Rupp and Graham on the Friday to talk about next season's budget.

Now everything has changed and we should all be thankful!!! Why the change? Oh, planned protests.....

Nothing's changed, let's keep it going guys. Protest continues.

 

I'm not disputing what Denis has shared about a real term reduction in the budget year on year but the fact remains that the budgets we have had since Sparks has been CEO have been adequate enough to build a promotion winning team - if spent wisely. Unfortunately what has happened is that money has been frittered away on players that are injury prone, too old, not good enough and/or don't fit the system we play and nothing will convince me otherwise. I'm also not sure why you think giving the same people that have done that a bigger budget will help to improve things. It won't.