Update

Like you I too would be prepared to pay considerably extra if the team on the pitch were providing entertainment/success and the family feeling returned
Along with a sense of trust sadly lacking at the moment

 

Is he? So far he’s appointed Stuart McCall and Simon Grayson, not exactly unknowns

 

I regret giving the cash that I already have to these tools, not a penny more.................

 

Hasn’t Collins been on the bench with Grayson recently ?

 

Yeah but they haven't worked out, so lessons have been learned. I.e. they'll now go 'full on' with their model and bring in a pliable 'Yes Man'.

 

Well who ever his they dont want to piss about to long.

 

I have suggested this in previous posts. We want a top table side but we want someone else to fund it. Maybe its a Bradford council estate attitude. Downbeat people looking for something without actually have to work or commit anything of their own to it. We scream that the owner should be putting more in but we are not prepared to put more in. and finally I don't buy the Bradford is a poor city can't afford more than 140 a year... Thats just a easy cop out excuse.

 

They won't be in any rush. Edin will be quite happy sorting out Preseason and playing matters.

When Rupp said 'lessons have been learned I think we all thought 'great. They probably realise sacking McCall when they did was a mistake, that the playing budget needs to be beefed up a bit'. Maybe they actually thought 'we should've got rid of McCall in the summer when we wanted to because he actually had his own opinions and clashed with us , and bringing in a manager didn't work - results were the same and he just told everyone what a mess we're in. And thats not really our model either.The reason last season went tits up is because we only went about half of the way in implementing what we really want and if we actually go the full way in bringing in a head coach who takes direction from Edin, and more younger players who aren't as outspoken as the senior pros who downed tools last season, we'll be fine'.

In short, we're about to go full retard.

 

How about rephrasing that to "They will bring in someone who is capable of working within the rules of engagement and within the budget they have set to bring about a successful outcome". Note I don't say promotion. Successful outcome in the next year may well be mid table/flirt with playoffs. It is about building blocks not one big shot. There is constant talk on here about our owner 'learning the lesson'. Surely after the Richmond debacle in year 2 of our Premiership flirtation WE have LEARNED the lesson that Big Bang doesn't work.

 

How about they got rid of McCall because he wasnt doing a good job and had lost the dressing room? How about they should have got rid of McCall in the summer because they recognized that he was not the man to take them to the next level. Howe about McCall should have grown a pair and left if he was not happy working within their rules.....Jeez give them a break.

 

There s no way that McCall lost that dressing room. And you're right about one thing - McCall should've walked in the summer instead of putting up with the farce of our ownership team. I'm he didn't though - we could've been relegated otherwise.

 

I would argue that colanders retain more than they lose. And what they do retain is in fact what is actually wanted.

 

Yes you are correct, I use them all the time. Sorry for the confusion.

 

It's a game of opinions so I suppose it's natural that some will remain supportive of the owners. And my next comments are not intended to be offensive or reductive. But I struggle to see how it's not patently obvious just how much of a mess we're in. And some of that is a legacy which stretches over several years, but the current owners are a massive problem.

Parkinson took one look at Rahic and Rupp and left. Grayson took a good long look and left. McCall has been on record to say that he probably shouldnt have come back and was a relieved man by the end. He wasnt perfect but even allowing for the bad run at the end, hes the manager with our highest win ratio for 30 years. And that poor run clearly had much more behind it than the managers performance.

Mason finds it difficult to work with Rahic and is likely to leave this summer.
From what I've heard, Sam Collins has walked out because of a clash with Rahic.
Sponsors are walking away.
Players downing tools.
Shocking recruitment.
Supporters staying away in droves and not renewing STs.

I wonder at what point those who have faith will see the gravity of the situation.

If it's a Cellino/Hockoday appointment will that be enough? Or will it be 'just give him a chance'.


If we're bottom come Christmas will that be enough? Or will it be 'look at Plymouth last season or Barnsley a couple of years ago'.

These owners will take this club backwards at an alarming rate. I can very much see 2 relegations over the next 3-4 years if they're left unchecked.

 

I agree with every word, brilliant post.

 

Top post...

 

Season we reached the play offs the Owners loved the positive feedback they were getting from the fans, they loved coming on the pitch (Fleetwood) and lapping up the adulation. I know they have personally been hit very hard by the negative response they have had to endure since the turn of the year, one of them has a massive ego and the other just wants to be behind the scenes but to be liked.

So the question is just what big lessons have they learned (Mr Rupp??) - because one thing for sure, what they have had to endure so far will be nothing if we have another lousy summer of manager and player recruitment and then get off to a bad start next season. The fans attachment and togetherness with those at the club has not been lower for some time and it wont take much for this to turn to exasperation and anger.

And this in a strange way is perhaps the biggest hope we have, because unless the owners are plain stupid they MUST know the whole club needs a lift and their personal need for a more positive relationship with the fans wont last many more *@?$ ups. They are clever and likeable men and I cannot believe they dont see this - also to protect the investment they have put into the club.

Stefan and Edin - I just hope you really have learned some lessons but the fans need to see something tangible that these are the same as the ones that hit us fans between the eyes. A good summer and we will all approach the new season with fresh hope, if not I think we all know the consequences of what might happen. You have told us you want to drive the club forward and to the next level and if you provide signs that this is happening the fans will be with you all the way, but we dont want to just tread water - this is not a model that works in any business and even less so when you are dealing with something that people are passionate and emotionally involved and it is a key part of their lives. The hope that the next season might just be 'ours' is what keeps us all going.

 

The owners are in the last chance saloon with me this next month or so. Despite everything that has happened over the last 6 months or a year I will still give them the benefit of the doubt.....just.

We will soon see which lessons they have learned with the next manager/coach appointment and susequent player movements but I do seriously worry that they could well be the wrong ones.

 

I think the vast majority would pay more if the product was right. February was the worst time to launch season tickets at increased prices.

 

Well others are claiming that we have sold 14,000 season tickets. So given that the price has gone up that might mean we do have the same budget or something near. Although, others are saying the deficit between 14k and 18k is down to flexi ticket non sales and children. Even if that is correct, I am not happy having children disenfranchised from the club. They are our future.