BBC Radio Leeds interview with David Sharpe

It’s quite simple, they should not have banged on about Rupp supplementing the budget if that extra budget was already tied up with players that they needed to move on.
It was totally disingenuous and does nothing to build trust which is already in very short supply.

 

They said they would have a budget to compete at the top and I think we have

 

Spot on

 

Uninspiring drivel delivered in an uninspiring manner. This clever recruitment he talks around … Mansfield and Wigan when in league 1 and 2 were one of the top spenders. Where was that frugal approach preach then David, To say they’ve been disingenuous this since March is an understatement.

 

Can you provide a quote for that?

If he did say that, it wasn't the only thing he said. What else did he say?

 

He could have given us a budget of ten quid a player and you'd still be lapping it up. At this point I doubt there's anyone still left on the board that actually takes your posts seriously.

 

The patient bolted out of the gate 5 years ago.

The anger towards the club just a few months ago hasn't gone and it definitely shouldn't be forgotten by the owner and those running it.

 

Ah the old word competitive, well done Sharp did your boss tell you to throw that one out? It is seriously a meaningless statement at this stage as we are told the exact same script every season, it is just a different cast.

 

Have a day off

 

You mean the 30 or so that tried to get others to support them, but instead left to make them look tits? Because the protest didn’t really get off the ground, got mimicked by fellow supporters, the club just laughed at them

Whilst the club has fans like ParkBantam, nothing will change. Despite those protests & the increase in ST price, how many still renewed??

 

Sharpe and Gent will put together a list of four or five players and send them to Alexander with the data reports, etc. These players are usually from League One, League Two, the National League, or Scotland, so it’s likely that Alexander already knows them. - Hence our use of 2 triallists at Guiseley then.

Sharpe mentions that some players do not have a future at the club, but it’s not easy to get rid of them. - Surely it is, pay them up and be gone!! No investment from Rupp then.

Sharpe says that the club is being sensible in terms of FFP rules. - Again doesn't smack of any additional investment by Rupp to manoeuvre any FPP to our advantage.

My overwhelming take on this is - different voice, same message. I didn't draw any confidence from this at all tbh.....

 

The timing of the statements screamed "please buy a season ticket" when alot of people were saying they weren't renewing and it worked. It definitely suggested an increased budget to compete at the top of the league and i think theres a bit of artistic license been taken with that because we haven't made any really strong signings as far as i can see.

I know we finished strongly but people seem to forget this is largely the same group that were also abysmal last season.

 

Notice that he also said "competitive, compared to our previous budgets". Not competitive in regards to the division.

Slightly different wording but potentially makes a huge difference.

 

So the process goes on,the big promise ,the big build up fans get sucked in purchase season tickets filled with optimism fast forward few weeks later and the playing it down statements begin.

Every transfer window paying the price for poor decisions and long term contracts for sub average players in previous windows.

Next up…,,’we lost out on our main targets’

Then players need 10 games to get up to speed followed by plagued by injuries then repeat

 

The club are taking a massive gamble on GA pulling a rabbit out of the hat by getting this current squad over the line this season. If we haven't brought in a couple of quality signings and don't hit the ground running, then the same pressures will return to VP on a match day. GA said he spoke to each member of the squad after the final match and told them whether they would be in his thoughts or not. If so, why give them a squad number if he wants them out. There's no clearer message that you won't be playing if you don't have a number.

 

It's now clear that Hughes had far too much clout when it came to hiring. Sparkes had no idea about the football side and was too starry eyed to stop him giving deals to mates - hence the problem in getting rid of the chaff. The structure now is how it should have been years ago. I'm confident that we will see a better, more professional season this year.

 

Saw a bit of the Sharpe interview - he don't half sound like someone else at the club!!

 

I keep banging on about the lack of understanding of the word “competitive “ Dave. It’s meaningless open ended drivel , coupled with your great observation, which makes it even moreso.

Odd why some put their own “ slant” on it to mean what THEY wish it to mean , as opposed to what it really means , then winge when we don’t spend £8-£10 million to match MKD’s/ Wrexham’s largesses as an example .

I could “compete” in the London Marathon , even though the winner may go round in two hours or so, I’d take a week……..I’m still “competing” .