Has katrina got the money to get us to next level?

[Roger]

I'm not sure about her financial situation. How much has she actually put in with her own money so far?

[cellone]

Is this a continuation of the echo thread or completely unrelated?

[Saint_clark]

It was her 'bankrolling' us before so what's changed in your mind?

[cellone]

It was her 'bankrolling' us before so what's changed in your mind?

 

This could be answered in a new thread

[Fitzhugh Fella]

of course she has....... it just won't be spent so wantonly.

[Roger]

This could be answered in a new thread

 

Don't get that. Just looked up and said they are fifth richest owners in premier league.

[Wade Garrett]

She's put people in place to improve the commercial side of the club, which has been pretty poor up until now. Hopefully, we'll get a better shirt deal. On top of this, I reckon she won't be averse to putting her hand in her pocket. She's been a magnificent owner up until now.

[cellone]

Don't get that. Just looked up and said they are fifth richest owners in premier league.

 

Your op would have made a perfect post 14 on your echo thread. Not sure why you broke off and started a new thread.

[eurosaint]

Would be nice if you could get her name right before asking the question !

[farawaysaint]

Doubt anyone but a oligarch or an oil baron could take us to the "next level" frankly as we are already the best of the rest.

[Bearsy]

Doubt anyone but a oligarch or an oil baron could take us to the "next level" frankly as we are already the best of the rest.

 

are we top of the bottom or bottom of the top?

[Roger]

Your op would have made a perfect post 14 on your echo thread. Not sure why you broke off and started a new thread.

 

Get a life mate.

[DuncanRG]

Nobody really knows.

[Fitzhugh Fella]

Good interview with Adam Lallana in today's Echo in which he talks about the summer spending plans. I think it is soon make or break time.

[Chewy]

Has she got enough money? Yes.

 

Will she choose to spend another few tens of millions to make it happen? Don't know but kind of doubt it.

[cellone]

Get a life mate.

 

Will do. Don't call me mate.

[cellone]

Good interview with Adam Lallana in today's Echo in which he talks about the summer spending plans. I think it is soon make or break time.

 

There was a conversation on this subject in the echo/ Lallana thread.

[Wopper]

Need to increase wage bill 20million just to stand still.

[Saint_Tony]

I would think yes. However, my main concern is that under Cortese there was a lot of money spent, some spent well but a lot spent poorly (Osvaldo, Ramirez). That was a big factor in NC leaving IMO, so the question remains is KL willing to risk another big transfer budget in the summer?

[once_bitterne]

of course she has....... it just won't be spent so wantonly.

 

I don't think she has. This £3bn figure that is bandied about refers to the wing of the family that own the crane business. Marcus' company was MALI which wasn't anything like a big a company as people seem to think and since his death has been wound up.

 

KL has no streams of business income now other than SFC so it's no surprise she is taking more interest in an asset that now we are in the PL gives her tens of millions of pounds every year and where she can sell players for £30m+.

[Mr X]

I would think yes. However, my main concern is that under Cortese there was a lot of money spent, some spent well but a lot spent poorly (Osvaldo, Ramirez). That was a big factor in NC leaving IMO, so the question remains is KL willing to risk another big transfer budget in the summer?

 

My guess is she will put in the Bare minimum to get a decent retur

n on her inheritance we have kind of reached the peak that can be achieved without spending much more

[DuncanRG]

I would think yes. However, my main concern is that under Cortese there was a lot of money spent, some spent well but a lot spent poorly (Osvaldo, Ramirez). That was a big factor in NC leaving IMO, so the question remains is KL willing to risk another big transfer budget in the summer?

 

You think Cortese wanted to spend more carefully?

[sydneysaint17]

Swear Krueger mentioned consolidating our position and then pushing up the league in one interview (forgive me if I'm wrong). That won't be good enough for some players and we would almost certainly slide down the table if that was our tactic. The club will hopefully realise that and appreciate that if they're after "increased commercial opportunity" and to climb the table, there will be an initial outlay to build the brand/reputation of the club further. If you think about it, since we've been in the PL who have we signed?

 

Clyne - 1m

Davis - 800k

Gaston - 12m

Yoshida - 4m

Gazzaniga - undisclosed but circa 2m

Lovren - 8m

Wanyama - 12m

Osvaldo - 15m

Rodriguez - 7m

Boruc - free

 

From those players, who would have been a big loss to the starting XI if they'd been injured this season. I'd say, Wanyama, Rodriguez, Boruc, Lovren, Clyne, Davis. That means that they we've usefully spent around £28.8m in the past two seasons out of total spend of £61.8m. £15m per season of actual improvements isn't a lot for a side that finished 8th. We've actually spent relatively little on developing our actual first team so far as a lot of money has been wasted. Although idealistic, imagine spending £40m this summer on striker, a CB, a winger and a back up GK and all of the signings working out well. If you consider how much that £28.8m's worth of players has improved our side, imagine what we could achieve...

[saintbob40]

This is a young improving squad who could with say 5 additions get to the top 6 without the huge amount people think being necessary and could be funded out of existing funds without tapping up Katrina for huge amounts of cash.

 

The key in the first instance is to keep the manager, Lallana, Shaw, Morgan, Lovren, Cork, Fonte. These are tried and tested players who can play at the highest level –as we know every transfer in is a huge risk and the success rate is probably less than 50%. To keep what we have therefore is surely the best option….but it will cost…..

 

This may involve a renegotiation of terms to bump salaries up to a level that is not quite what they could get at the big, big clubs but at least goes someway to acknowledging their true value in the market. This will not be cheap but lets say for the sake of argument another 30k per week for Lallana and Shaw ( £3 million ish p.a. increased cost), another 20k per week for Morgan and Lovren ( £2 million ish) and another 15k for Cork and Fonte ( £1.5 million). Then the manager-he may be easier if we do these deals so let’s say another £1.5 million p.a. for the sake of argument. In total that's an additional £8 million p.a. to maintain the status quo and keep the squad and manager together.

 

Personally I would cash in on Rickie Lambert (£4 m) and I would also sell Osvaldo ( £6m) and Ramirez (£7m) . We also have two very good and young rights backs so the pragmatist in me would sell Chambers (£6m) also-this should give us say £23 m ( conservatively)+ £80 m or so for 8th place.

 

We then need a GK (Kasper Schmeichel )for me on a free say 40k per week ( so £2 m p.a), another CB ( say £8 m transfer fee and 30k per week) and a striker say £15-20 m ( 60k per week-£3m p.a). Then a winger with pace and a back up striker (say another £10 in total-combined £50k per week).

 

This is all within the realms of the possible. I doubt very much that it will happen and I have little confidence in Les Reed to make it happen. Reeds background is in coaching not in dealing with transfer/contract discussions as far as I am aware.

 

The more likely scenario is that we lose some or all of the manager, Lallana, Shaw, Morgan Cork and Fonte. What then follows is anyone’s guess but it will be way below 8th place I fear.

[Toon Saint]

I doubt very much that it will happen and I have little confidence in Les Reed to make it happen. Reeds background is in coaching not in dealing with transfer/contract discussions as far as I am aware.

 

Les Reed has been part of the transfer committee since he has been here, so he has always been involved in transfer negotiations. A lot was made of how NC, Poch and Reed were in total agreement with transfer targets last summer, so hoping that continues, though without Cortese's foibles in the Italian market.

 

Not convinced that Fonte will have many suitors from teams above us in the league, and while I could see Cork at a team like Everton, I don't see them two as the sort to agitate for a move to a 'bigger' club.

[View From The Top]

Why o why do so many want us just to throw money at it? Have we learnt nothing from the skates and that approach.

 

I cannot fathom how any Saints fan can see us as a regular top 6 team. It's LaLa land.

 

For glory we should be going balls out in the cups.

[thorpie the sinner]

Why o why do so many want us just to throw money at it? Have we learnt nothing from the skates and that approach.

 

I cannot fathom how any Saints fan can see us as a regular top 6 team. It's LaLa land.

 

For glory we should be going balls out in the cups.

 

Adam hit the nail on the head saying that Spurs spent £100m and still missed out on Champions league! 7/8th place and a bloody good cup run is our level and a darn good achievement at that! Absolutely loved this season and plaudits that came our way, more of the same and will be well chuffed! Our aim has to be keeping what we have and adding youngsters like Sims and hesketh to join the set up.

[saintbob40]

Les Reed has been part of the transfer committee since he has been here, so he has always been involved in transfer negotiations. A lot was made of how NC, Poch and Reed were in total agreement with transfer targets last summer, so hoping that continues, though without Cortese's foibles in the Italian market.

 

Not convinced that Fonte will have many suitors from teams above us in the league, and while I could see Cork at a team like Everton, I don't see them two as the sort to agitate for a move to a 'bigger' club.

 

It is one thing agreeing on targets as part of a committee but another thing entirely to deal with negotiating terms with the agent, clubs and players etc,etc. This is a completely different skill set where experience and contacts are needed. Lots of people can talk but not many actually do......

 

As to Cork and Fonte they both have a year left in June so the club needs to stick or twist. It doesn't make commercial sense to let their contracts wind down to zero and they leave on a Bosman for nothing next year.

[Pastor Patrón]

I can't see more then a £10mill nett spend this summer, I think netts the right term.

Luckily we've got a huge amount of money invested in players doing nothing, we could raise 25mill without any real effect on the team.

[sydneysaint17]

I can't see more then a £10mill nett spend this summer, I think netts the right term.

Luckily we've got a huge amount of money invested in players doing nothing, we could raise 25mill without any real effect on the team.

 

Very true. If we could move on Osvaldo and Ramirez whilst getting Forte, Sharp, Gazzaniga, Isgrove, Guly, Hooiveld etc. off the wage bill either on a free or loan, we would have a decent amount to spend without selling any star players.

[Minty]

You also don't always need to throw money at a team to achieve something. Few would disagree that Everton have progressed this season and they haven't spent much in comparison. Even Liverpool have a net spend of less than £100m over the last FIVE seasons, let alone in one summer. But Rodgers has got them playing better. Spurs may have spent a lot but they also received MORE than what they've spent, so have a net gain.

 

The headline figures are rarely the important ones.

 

http://transferleague.co.uk/league-tables/transfer-league-table-last-five-seasons.html

[Toon Saint]

It is one thing agreeing on targets as part of a committee but another thing entirely to deal with negotiating terms with the agent, clubs and players etc,etc. This is a completely different skill set where experience and contacts are needed. Lots of people can talk but not many actually do......

 

Yep agreed, perhaps Hans Hoffstetter will sort out the particulars of contracts and transfer fees though?

 

As to Cork and Fonte they both have a year left in June so the club needs to stick or twist. It doesn't make commercial sense to let their contracts wind down to zero and they leave on a Bosman for nothing next year.

 

Agree again. Need to get this tied up as soon as possible along with J-Rod. Would be nice to carry a bit of positive momentum into what will be a very long summer as well, knowing that those players are signed up for the long-term.

[sydneysaint17]

Liverpool have done remarkably well this season given that, from their summer signings, only Sakho and Mignolet have seen any sort of regular first team action.

[View From The Top]

Liverpool have done remarkably well this season given that, from their summer signings, only Sakho and Mignolet have seen any sort of regular first team action.

 

You could say they done well despite Sakho being a 1st team regular!

[Convict Colony]

yeah have to agree with this, get rid of gaston and Dani for 20mil (hopefully) and chuck in another 10-15mil (prize money from 8th) and that 35mil spent without any additional monies being used.

 

Ideally I'd love them to do the above along with setting aside another 20mil for 1 top player and 1 developing player but hey I am being greedy with the proviso that the additonal commerical revenue's (guesstimate 12mil-15mil ?) would cover majority of that.

[Lord Duckhunter]

Why o why do so many want us just to throw money at it? Have we learnt nothing from the skates and that approach.

 

I cannot fathom how any Saints fan can see us as a regular top 6 team. It's LaLa land.

 

For glory we should be going balls out in the cups.

 

Spot on.

 

How many times in the past 50 years have we finished above ; Liverpool, Utd,Arsenal,Everton and Spurs. Not many times I'd guess, then add the spending power and size of City and Chelsea and people then might realise what we're competing against.Villa and Spurs have spent millions recently and still haven't cracked champions league and they're bigger clubs than us.

[Convict Colony]

Aim for the stars and we land on the moon, aim for the moon and we land in plymouth.

[Dig Dig]

Adam hit the nail on the head saying that Spurs spent £100m and still missed out on Champions league! 7/8th place and a bloody good cup run is our level and a darn good achievement at that! Absolutely loved this season and plaudits that came our way, more of the same and will be well chuffed! Our aim has to be keeping what we have and adding youngsters like Sims and hesketh to join the set up.

 

It's not the amount, it's how you spend it. Spurs wasted 100M in the most part but could have bridged the gap by better planning. They could have spent half that amount and still achieved it. How other clubs spend (and waste) money doesn't provide a benchmark for all.

[david in sweden]

I'm not sure about her financial situation. How much has she actually put in with her own money so far?

 

well I don't suppose Marcus left his billions to the RSPCA - did he ?

[david in sweden]

It's not the amount, it's how you spend it. Spurs wasted 100M in the most part but could have bridged the gap by better planning.

 

They could have spent half that amount and still achieved it. How other clubs spend (and waste) money doesn't provide a benchmark for all.

 

Many people are quoting that old adage......."you can't win anything with kids", but Spuds signed SEVEN players for £105 million** - just to prove you can't " buy instant success " either.

 

......and after collecting the £86 mill. for Bale.... they sold another SEVEN for a total of .....just £30 million.

 

NOTE: ** I wonder what their wage bill is after all those new signings ?

[Crab Lungs]

With RK and KL in charge now, I did say that our biggest concern now is actually maintaining our level, let alone going beyond it. Basically, we're now back to making up the numbers in the PL, IMO - and this will be masked by the watery "vision" that's been rolled out by the new chairman. The problem is, with such a talented young group of players, it's natural they don't want to just tread water so they're going to look elsewhere.

 

Still, we did get a nice couple of fan-friendly letters out of it. And they smile more too.

[sydneysaint17]

With RK and KL in charge now, I did say that our biggest concern now is actually maintaining our level, let alone going beyond it. Basically, we're now back to making up the numbers in the PL, IMO - and this will be masked by the watery "vision" that's been rolled out by the new chairman. The problem is, with such a talented young group of players, it's natural they don't want to just tread water so they're going to look elsewhere.

 

Still, we did get a nice couple of fan-friendly letters out of it. And they smile more too.

 

Can't see us maintaining. They'll either go for it or they won't. If they go half hearted we'll lose players, if we don't we get quality additions and our better players stay. Simple as that for me.

[View From The Top]

With RK and KL in charge now, I did say that our biggest concern now is actually maintaining our level, let alone going beyond it. Basically, we're now back to making up the numbers in the PL, IMO - and this will be masked by the watery "vision" that's been rolled out by the new chairman. The problem is, with such a talented young group of players, it's natural they don't want to just tread water so they're going to look elsewhere.

 

Still, we did get a nice couple of fan-friendly letters out of it. And they smile more too.

 

We were always going to be a club merely making up the numbers. Only utter mugs ever believed differently.

 

We're 8th. 7th would have been amazing and 6th beyond anything deemed believable. Anything above that is simply impossible but NC said it was going to happen and the hard of thinking lapped it up.

 

Our aim should be the cups.

[Dig Dig]

We were always going to be a club merely making up the numbers. Only utter mugs ever believed differently.

 

We're 8th. 7th would have been amazing and 6th beyond anything deemed believable. Anything above that is simply impossible but NC said it was going to happen and the hard of thinking lapped it up.

 

Our aim should be the cups.

 

Who exactly has lapped it up? Don't recall anyone saying we will be 4th this year or even next.

[Leicestersaint]

I thought her name is Katharina? That is what I have been calling her - have I got that wrong? I think she is a big improvement on Nicola Cortese.

[Sour Mash]

With RK and KL in charge now, I did say that our biggest concern now is actually maintaining our level, let alone going beyond it. Basically, we're now back to making up the numbers in the PL, IMO - and this will be masked by the watery "vision" that's been rolled out by the new chairman. The problem is, with such a talented young group of players, it's natural they don't want to just tread water so they're going to look elsewhere.

 

Still, we did get a nice couple of fan-friendly letters out of it. And they smile more too.

What did you expect to happen if NC was still here?

 

If a couple of players leave then it's disappointing, but not the end of the world, we'll still have a very well run club we should be happy with.

[Turkish]

Who exactly has lapped it up? Don't recall anyone saying we will be 4th this year or even next.

 

What about all those that decided the league cup was beneath us and there was plenty, that is was "champions league or nothing"?

[Dig Dig]

What about all those that decided the league cup was beneath us and there was plenty, that is was "champions league or nothing"?

 

Didn't see any of that. Maybe I wasn't paying attention or maybe it was a handful of posters as per usual.

[Sour Mash]

Who exactly has lapped it up? Don't recall anyone saying we will be 4th this year or even next.

Plenty of people moaning on here about how different things would be if NC was still here. What were they expecting over the next few years?

[doddisalegend]

We were always going to be a club merely making up the numbers. Only utter mugs ever believed differently.

 

We're 8th. 7th would have been amazing and 6th beyond anything deemed believable. Anything above that is simply impossible but NC said it was going to happen and the hard of thinking lapped it up.

 

Our aim should be the cups.

 

You're defiantly the voice of reason on here at the moment agree totally. Some people bought into NCs spin without stopping to think about just how bloody difficult going beyond our current level would be. If we don't somehow push further on people will blame KL, totally missing the point that her families money got us this far. A few years ago, after we went into administration, people wanted a well run and financially stable club now we have people squealing about spending lots of money to push for the CL and show some ambition.

 

Personally I settle for a well run, mid table side, bring through good academy players and going all out for the cups each year.....rather than blaming KL for not being prepared to bankrupt herself aiming for the CL.