Rupp & Sparks Out?

There’s no one single model that equates to success. What’s needed is vision and a plan, and the means to execute that plan. And it can’t come from your manager, he has to be an agent for delivering that plan. We don’t have a vision or plan.

 

He came by recommendation of Rhodes. It is really not professional. Then I suppose he was cheap! I don’t see how he can do what is in effect two jobs. The commercial side has been great and he made sure he had the right ppl in. The football has been chaotic to say the least

 

The lack of a plan leads to 3 year deals being given to poor players and 'shortcuts' like Derbyshire & McDonald.
The club needs to set the plan and the Manager is recruited to suit the plan. We're just rolling the dice every 18 months.

 

Agreed, any plan comes with risk and that’s a word that seems to scare some on here. But it’s a bigger risk to sit on your hands and do nothing when it’s obvious we are failing.

A paranoid part of me things Rupp wants us to stay in League 2 as the wage bills are cheaper, then he can wait without risking a loss until an owner comes along. It’s a foolish idea long term but this is a guy who was hoodwinked into buying a club from a guy with no money so anything’s possible. He’s probably seen the wage bills in the championship and thanks his lucky stars for what happened at Wembley.

 

Archie Christie
Greg Abbott
Stephen Gent.

rank in order of ineffectiveness, ladies and gents……….

 

Ryan being castigated the fall guy in the abyss that is Bradford City and the real issue, Stefan Rupp, the solution?

Hunting out Ryan may feel the right thing in our dilemma but will it change the philosophy, direction, ownership of structure?

DOF cost. Experienced CEOs cost. The will to change costs. Structure costs.

Appetite costs but can be vital. Our owner lacks appetite, philosophy, direction and want.

Rupp OUT.

 

The sad probability is that Rupp would invest to maintain the status quo, rather than investing now to get the right level of quality needed to get us out of this league.

 

It's not necessarily a D.O.F that's needed at the club, rather an experienced body or body of people, appointed by the club to assist in the future strategy on the footballing side. Titles are irrelevant, but we should know for clarity, who is making and getting the decisions so badly wrong, over and over again. Sparks has said he consulted with others in the appointment of GA. Who are these people, has he spoken to them about previous appointments? Why the cloak and dagger approach? I appreciate some things need to be confidential, but surely it's time that Sparks held his hands up and admitted that something radically has to change in the approach, because HIS way hasn't worked (on the footballing side) for over 3 years. Get people who know the club. There's a similarity between the successful teams under MacFarland, Kamara, Cherry, Jewell and Parky. Attack at pace, central striker, decent wingers and strong midfield partnerships. Our DNA if you will. Focus on this blueprint and the majority of fans will get behind whoever is in charge. It might seem dated, but we're not in a position, nor do we as fans have the patience to watch the slow possession based football Hughes tried to introduce or see in the Premier league. It's not why I came and stayed for so many years, it's not what gripped me and I'd imagine it's the same for many others too.

 

It baffles me that some - including it would seem those running the club - think our ethos of 'sustainability' means no/low risk. Make sure the club exists and hope that success arrives eventually. It equates to standing still and slow regression and in a competitive industry, it means you lag further and further behind, until eventually you die off. One bad season would end this club, and that could very well be this season.

 

The real issue is both and maybe people like @wetherbywhaler also.

Rupp needs to sell and the others need to resign.

People say Sparks is doing well on the commercial front. Maybe, he is but with football matters he’s a joke and we are a football club. He has no direction or vision.

 

The daft thing is, the club is now in a prime position, thanks to the work done by the commercial side of the business, for the owner to push the boat out a little and match that enthusiasm shown by the fans and local businesses in the club. Give Alexander that extra player or two of quality he wants, employ that director of football or an experienced hand to help Sparks.
As a result of Rupp not doing any of the above we end up with what we had on Saturday, a new manager coming in and Valley Parade as flat as a fart. There was an air of resignment about the place, like the season is already over despite not being half way through yet.
Stefan, as they say in Yorkshire 'either shit or get off the pot'.

 

I don't think Sparks is being castigated - we're holding him accountable, and that's how accountability works. He's the CEO, after all. I take the point around Rupp though, he's completely disinterested and frankly he deserves to lose his investment. Like you, I firmly believe that without a change in ownership we'll go nowhere but backwards.

 

Well they are not in a prime position at all because Rupp as a 1.7m loan that he is owed.

 

Name me a football club that doesn't have a loan attached to its name? I'll wait.

 

I won’t but Sparks loved branding that loser mentality of a word sustainability

 

I can’t find a club that has one that doesn’t involve financial survival. Sadly that’s probably 60 odd clubs worth of five year plans in a nutshell.
Sadly that’s what football has become unless there are unlimited funds available.
Looking back I can’t see it being any different for the last 50 years?

I watched the Chelsea v Man City game and it appeared both benches of players, subs and back room staff were each larger than City’s entire playing squad. That’s how sick the game has become.

 

You are spot on that’s his model. It’s no secret, never has been. Success on the grass is the
“ bonus” .

 

It’s not a low risk model if it can easily be achieved , it’s a LAZY risk model . Pure and simple imho.

 

Entirely right. Titles don’t matter a jot. The fixation for a “ DoF” is daft and one for the birds . Gents opposite number was given the title at Mansfield , same man, same office, same job, still Nigel Clough brother, different title. WTF?

The lead has to come from the owner, EVERYONE else is an employee of the owner. He sets the “vision” .

 

Post of the month.