St Chalet Posted 11 May, 2014 Share Posted 11 May, 2014 My initial view of Ralph is that he is a sound bite machine who is out of his depth in this role. I met him at the awards dinner and he was easily the least impressive individual I spoke to all night, probably 20+ all told. Not in what he said, but just the way it was false and cliched. Think Adkins but without the likeability. Time will tell, and I hope I am wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubai_phil Posted 11 May, 2014 Share Posted 11 May, 2014 Well, if the scousers are rumoured to be struggling to keep hold of Suarez with 80+ million bids coming in, and Spuds couldn't keep hold of Bale, I believe that the club will do what is best for us rather than for themselves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sotonist Posted 11 May, 2014 Share Posted 11 May, 2014 If players go this summer it won't be to balance the books, it will be because they want to go. Or possibly, in the case of Luke, because Pochettino and the management team feel that the resultant 25-30 million inflow (on top of the planned transfer budget) will buy us a much better all-round squad despite a quality decline at LB. we can cope with losing shaw. he's not a world beater yet and we don't need a world beater in that position. we won't be trading down significantly on the player he is. losing lallana would be a problem. we won't get anywhere near the money we need to adequately replace him and we've not brought in a creative player worth tuppence since league one. we'd be left with rickie basically. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wes Tender Posted 11 May, 2014 Share Posted 11 May, 2014 Only you and some other numpties still crying about NC leaving seem to be getting this message the board clearly don't want to sell any players but they are realistic enough to know we are not the biggest fish in the pond. The sad thing is you all seem to think that if NC was here we wouldn't still be in the same position that we find ourselves in now. KL was still the owner and had control of the purse strings when NC was here and considering the season we've had our players and manager would be in demand right now whether NC was here or not. NC was within days of selling Lambert to WHU in January and the one player during his tenure that was really in demand he couldn't stop from going to Arsenal. This is the success that everyone craved, now he we have to deal with the reality of that success, which is bigger clubs with deeper pockets will want our best players and decent managers this is the state of modern football people we need to deal with it Completely agree. It isn't just the media trying to read things into everything that our board, our manager, or our players say and spinning it the way that suits them. Our own fans don't like to be left behind when jumping to conclusions based on nothing in particular too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Charlie Posted 11 May, 2014 Share Posted 11 May, 2014 http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27368029 First couple of paragraphs here are so tinpot. If we saw the Chairman of Hull or Stoke saying this we would think it was funny. What good does comments like these do? Its a plea for clubs to make offers which is very different from the "no player the Manager wants to keep will be sold" line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
washsaint Posted 11 May, 2014 Share Posted 11 May, 2014 Unreal.....Fc, that has to be the biggest load of tosh posted on here. While NC was frittering away money (that was not his, everything has been bankrolled by the Liebherrs and NC may have gotten things done but he killed the commercial side of the business) ho on earth would be in a better position with NC? Where was he going to magic money up from? View from the top, CB and Turkish actually, IMO, have this spot on. While it would be great to break into the top 4 how on earth can we do that with a 32K capacity, no global brand, etc. Best we can hope for, IMO, is breaking into top 6. And even that would be a monumental achievement. Not to mention, look what happend when "ambition" overtook common sense down the road Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baird of the land Posted 11 May, 2014 Share Posted 11 May, 2014 http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27368029 First couple of paragraphs here are so tinpot. If we saw the Chairman of Hull or Stoke saying this we would think it was funny. What good does comments like these do? Its a plea for clubs to make offers which is very different from the "no player the Manager wants to keep will be sold" line. Agree, just hoping its just utter naivety on his part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Charlie Posted 11 May, 2014 Share Posted 11 May, 2014 Agree, just hoping its just utter naivety on his part. Even if thats what happening, its not what you should publically say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeyc Posted 11 May, 2014 Share Posted 11 May, 2014 With the squad as it stands, we are as close as we've been for 30 years to achieving European football through league position or having a real go in a Cup. It will be a huge challenge to move from 8th to 6th next season, but it's likely to be impossible if we sell our best players. On the other hand, if we were to commit to adding to the squad with the same sort of spending as we saw last summer and having a real go, I cannot believe that AL and LS would agitate for a move now. One more season to see how high we can go, then review next summer. AL will still only be 26? Yes, our top players deserve a chance to play at the highest possible level at some point during their careers. But as a club, I'd be gutted if we blinked too soon in terms of ambition. 8th is great. 6th and Europe, and the status that comes with it in terms of future growth, would be a terrific achievement. Hoping I've misinterpreted Ralph's interview! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickG Posted 11 May, 2014 Share Posted 11 May, 2014 Not about spending money. Its a bit gutting when the Chairman seems buzzing about the phone calls he is having to sell players who seemingly aren't even that fussed about leaving. If he thinks fans should start being excited for the new season as of tomorrow then not sure what his grasp of reality is. Did you listen? My understanding as listened on way home was he was talking about the list of new players they have identified as wanting...will be contacting their clubs. The presenters were then talking positively about this news about new potential signings. Maybe its not him who is loosing his grasp of reality? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Charlie Posted 11 May, 2014 Share Posted 11 May, 2014 Did you listen? My understanding as listened on way home was he was talking about the list of new players they have identified as wanting...will be contacting their clubs. The presenters were then talking positively about this news about new potential signings. Maybe its not him who is loosing his grasp of reality? Listened and he clearly said they would be having conversations with clubs (who are interested in buying our players). He later also mentioned speaking to players re incoming transfers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pastor Patrón Posted 11 May, 2014 Share Posted 11 May, 2014 http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27368029 I miss Nicola Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olallana Posted 11 May, 2014 Share Posted 11 May, 2014 Pretty naive comment, but not as bad as Hofstetters about the financial difficulties imo. THAT one really opened the floodgates for journos to speculate... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpturner Posted 11 May, 2014 Share Posted 11 May, 2014 My initial view of Ralph is that he is a sound bite machine who is out of his depth in this role. I met him at the awards dinner and he was easily the least impressive individual I spoke to all night, probably 20+ all told. Not in what he said, but just the way it was false and cliched. Think Adkins but without the likeability. Time will tell, and I hope I am wrong. Pretty harsh assessment IMHO. You spoke to 20+ people employed by the club in one evening? Wow! That is a bit stalker-esque Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubai_phil Posted 11 May, 2014 Share Posted 11 May, 2014 If I was complete cynic I would think that on his first day at the club NC found an old business plan in the desk of a previously unsung hero. That had sound inputs from staff at the club about what could be achieved & the talent we had coming through and talked about a 5 year plan. What I have seen is the implementation of that plan backed by the Liebherr's money. It was bloody successul, well done to everyone at the Club in those years for achieving it. My cynical guess would be that plan never had more than a few vague aims once the 5 years was finished. As such right now, a lot of people have realised they may just have to sit down and write a new plan..... And apart from the Academy side, have no idea how to do it. Time perhaps for Ralph to sit down tomorrow, get in touch with some Marketing Professionals and put a NEW plan together. Because Ralph old mate. what we are hearing are good words that Rupert, The Execs, Crouch & Wilde gave us. Words we don't need, words MP & the players don't need. We need a Vision, a plan and a journey. Start working on it mate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
St Chalet Posted 11 May, 2014 Share Posted 11 May, 2014 Pretty harsh assessment IMHO. You spoke to 20+ people employed by the club in one evening? Wow! That is a bit stalker-esque Stackers tend to follow individuals, I cast my net pretty wide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shurlock Posted 11 May, 2014 Share Posted 11 May, 2014 (edited) With the squad as it stands, we are as close as we've been for 30 years to achieving European football through league position or having a real go in a Cup. It will be a huge challenge to move from 8th to 6th next season, but it's likely to be impossible if we sell our best players. On the other hand, if we were to commit to adding to the squad with the same sort of spending as we saw last summer and having a real go, I cannot believe that AL and LS would agitate for a move now. One more season to see how high we can go, then review next summer. AL will still only be 26? Yes, our top players deserve a chance to play at the highest possible level at some point during their careers. But as a club, I'd be gutted if we blinked too soon in terms of ambition. 8th is great. 6th and Europe, and the status that comes with it in terms of future growth, would be a terrific achievement. Hoping I've misinterpreted Ralph's interview! Agree completely. Too many morons on here -FILL IN THE BLANKS- conflate ambition with the top 4, a disingenuous strawman. Most fans aren't thinking about the top 4 - they just want to see incremental improvement, perhaps a shot at cracking the top 6. There is nothing unrealistic about this if we can have a good window and keep the squad together. The impression is that most of the squad would be happy to stay if the board matched this commitment. All the scaremongering in the world won't change the fact that this isn't a route to financial implosion, not least because success on the pitch is a precondition for commercial success, not the other way around. Perhaps we won't meet our goals but to prematurely dismantle the squad, claiming necessity and glass ceilings, would be a huge shame not to mention an utterly false choice. Edited 11 May, 2014 by shurlock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 11 May, 2014 Share Posted 11 May, 2014 If I was complete cynic I would think that on his first day at the club NC found an old business plan in the desk of a previously unsung hero. That had sound inputs from staff at the club about what could be achieved & the talent we had coming through and talked about a 5 year plan. What I have seen is the implementation of that plan backed by the Liebherr's money. It was bloody successul, well done to everyone at the Club in those years for achieving it. My cynical guess would be that plan never had more than a few vague aims once the 5 years was finished. As such right now, a lot of people have realised they may just have to sit down and write a new plan..... And apart from the Academy side, have no idea how to do it. Time perhaps for Ralph to sit down tomorrow, get in touch with some Marketing Professionals and put a NEW plan together. Because Ralph old mate. what we are hearing are good words that Rupert, The Execs, Crouch & Wilde gave us. Words we don't need, words MP & the players don't need. We need a Vision, a plan and a journey. Start working on it mate. Problem is the first five years were the easy (and the less expensive) bit. In league one we were competing against the little kids, in the championship our peers and now in the PL the big boys. The journey from here looks much shorter than the gentle slope we've been climbing the last five years sadly the new journey is up a f ucking steep mountain covered in snow............ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpturner Posted 11 May, 2014 Share Posted 11 May, 2014 Stackers tend to follow individuals, I cast my net pretty wide. So you spoke to one unique employee of the club approx every 10 minutes? You couldn't have eaten much Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
St Chalet Posted 11 May, 2014 Share Posted 11 May, 2014 So you spoke to one unique employee of the club approx every 10 minutes? You couldn't have eaten much I now know why people who are actually ITK don't bother to post their information, experiences or views on this site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 11 May, 2014 Share Posted 11 May, 2014 (edited) I now know why people who are actually ITK don't bother to post their information, experiences or views on this site. I blame the mods for letting them get away with it... Edited 11 May, 2014 by trousers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batman Posted 11 May, 2014 Share Posted 11 May, 2014 I now know why people who are actually ITK don't bother to post their information, experiences or views on this site. You are one of the main reasons that they don't. How long have you allowed Barry and the like spout so much sheet for so long? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 11 May, 2014 Share Posted 11 May, 2014 You are one of the main reasons that they don't. How long have you allowed Barry and the like spout so much sheet for so long? Barry is banned mate... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CB Fry Posted 11 May, 2014 Share Posted 11 May, 2014 Agree completely. Too many morons on here -FILL IN THE BLANKS- conflate ambition with the top 4, a disingenuous strawman. Most fans aren't thinking about the top 4 - they just want to see incremental improvement, perhaps a shot at cracking the top 6. There is nothing unrealistic about this if we can have a good window and keep the squad together. The impression is that most of the squad would be happy to stay if the board matched this commitment. All the scaremongering in the world won't change the fact that this isn't a route to financial implosion, not least because success on the pitch is a precondition for commercial success, not the other way around. Perhaps we won't meet our goals but to prematurely dismantle the squad, claiming necessity and glass ceilings, would be a huge shame not to mention an utterly false choice. This is my favourite quote from a disingenuous strawman over the last couple of days... ‘In order to try to reach their [ie Manchester City] level we need to have a major international budget resourcing and try to match them on their own terms.’ Guess who? And the board "matching the commitment" is a beautifully disingenuous statement yourself Strawlock. Because for likes of Lallana and Shaw that's six figure weekly wages and, either Champions League football next season and/or playing for the biggest clubs in the world. But yeah, just a simple little easy "matching of commitment" should do it. Don't know what all that scaremongering could be about when it is all so easy to resolve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viking Warrior Posted 11 May, 2014 Share Posted 11 May, 2014 When did BS get banned then ? They were posting earlier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobM Posted 11 May, 2014 Share Posted 11 May, 2014 I now know why people who are actually ITK don't bother to post their information, experiences or views on this site. The funny thing is people who really are ITK will be smiling at that comment, as there was an announcement to the players pre-game today about Lallana and Shaw's future that hasn't been discussed here, proving the point that those ITK don't bother sharing information with this site anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 11 May, 2014 Share Posted 11 May, 2014 The funny thing is people who really are ITK will be smiling at that comment, as there was an announcement to the players pre-game today about Lallana and Shaw's future that hasn't been discussed here, proving the point that those ITK don't bother sharing information with this site anymore. And that announcement was??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farawaysaint Posted 11 May, 2014 Share Posted 11 May, 2014 The funny thing is people who really are ITK will be smiling at that comment, as there was an announcement to the players pre-game today about Lallana and Shaw's future that hasn't been discussed here, proving the point that those ITK don't bother sharing information with this site anymore. well that's not good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 11 May, 2014 Share Posted 11 May, 2014 terrific news, but what for when trolling for so long was fine? I'm not bothered. I'm sure everyone is glad he has gone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farawaysaint Posted 11 May, 2014 Share Posted 11 May, 2014 And that announcement was??? When has anyone ever announced that a company employee was staying? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypochondriac Posted 11 May, 2014 Share Posted 11 May, 2014 When has anyone ever announced that a company employee was staying? No idea. I have no experience of announcements to football players. I do think it was telling that they were both subbed off today though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olallana Posted 11 May, 2014 Share Posted 11 May, 2014 When has anyone ever announced that a company employee was staying? I think it happens quite often in football... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viking Warrior Posted 11 May, 2014 Share Posted 11 May, 2014 Maybe Gaston will come into his own next season . Providing he stays fit or is he one of the ones to leave ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpturner Posted 11 May, 2014 Share Posted 11 May, 2014 I now know why people who are actually ITK don't bother to post their information, experiences or views on this site. Gotta say, for a mod, that is quite a hilarious post. Not only have you clearly got the hump because I had the temerity to point out the dubious nature of your "I spoke to 20+ people at the awards dinner" claim, but you are also saying that by doing so you are ITK! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farawaysaint Posted 11 May, 2014 Share Posted 11 May, 2014 (edited) I think it happens quite often in football... I have no hope anymore, between the Vman saying we'd lose two key players, Ralph's less than encouraging soundbites and the media's general misery I'm afraid all signs point to the door for our two biggest talents. I was certain we'd lose Shaw but really hoped to keep our club captain, hopefully he has a great world cup and we get stupid money if he goes then Edited 11 May, 2014 by farawaysaint Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sydneysaint17 Posted 11 May, 2014 Share Posted 11 May, 2014 Not impressed that Krueger seems to have changed his tune over the past couple of weeks. Until recently we were hearing "no-one goes unless Poch wants them gone" and Les Reed going out of his way to assure us that we wouldnt lose players. Now they seem to be gearing us up to lose at least 2 key players plus possibly the manager. Obviously situations change, but given that theyve also apparently "not had any bids" I can't see much that would have altered things. Make your mind up Ralph!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Georgie Posted 11 May, 2014 Share Posted 11 May, 2014 The way I heard it was that we would be on the phone tomorrow to clubs we want to buy players from, not phone calls with clubs who want our players. Time will tell I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
St Chalet Posted 11 May, 2014 Share Posted 11 May, 2014 Gotta say, for a mod, that is quite a hilarious post. Not only have you clearly got the hump because I had the temerity to point out the dubious nature of your "I spoke to 20+ people at the awards dinner" claim, but you are also saying that by doing so you are ITK! I am 100% not in the know. Never have claimed to be. My point was that the nit pickers on here are more interested in trying to put down posters or take the **** than to debate their opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kraken Posted 11 May, 2014 Share Posted 11 May, 2014 This is my favourite quote from a disingenuous strawman over the last couple of days... ‘In order to try to reach their [ie Manchester City] level we need to have a major international budget resourcing and try to match them on their own terms.’ Guess who? And the board "matching the commitment" is a beautifully disingenuous statement yourself Strawlock. Because for likes of Lallana and Shaw that's six figure weekly wages and, either Champions League football next season and/or playing for the biggest clubs in the world. But yeah, just a simple little easy "matching of commitment" should do it. Don't know what all that scaremongering could be about when it is all so easy to resolve. Whoops. Poor old Strawlock just got totally found out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shurlock Posted 11 May, 2014 Share Posted 11 May, 2014 (edited) This is my favourite quote from a disingenuous strawman over the last couple of days... ‘In order to try to reach their [ie Manchester City] level we need to have a major international budget resourcing and try to match them on their own terms.’ Guess who? And the board "matching the commitment" is a beautifully disingenuous statement yourself Strawlock. Because for likes of Lallana and Shaw that's six figure weekly wages and, either Champions League football next season and/or playing for the biggest clubs in the world. But yeah, just a simple little easy "matching of commitment" should do it. Don't know what all that scaremongering could be about when it is all so easy to resolve. Oh dear Small Fry. One off-the-cuff quote becomes the categorical, considered statement on our near-term ambitions, does it? Forget others have spoken about keeping the squad and bringing in two or three players. Of course, I can see where I've erred. Clotese's (lol) dangerous precedent in spending City-like amounts each season has given rise to false expectations...oh wait I don't doubt that Shaw, Lallana and others will leave at some point - where did I claim otherwise? But it's not inconceivable that we could get another season or so out of (some of) them before a ceiling is hit. Time is largely on everyone's side. The answer's simple Small Fry: perhaps the board doesn't share the goal of incremental improvement, another solid summer of strengthening, since it thinks we've maxed out, though that's arguably b*****ks. Indeed, a net strengthening is still possible, though more difficult without Shaw, Lallana et al. We'll soon find out from your Darling of Davos. Edited 11 May, 2014 by shurlock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viking Warrior Posted 11 May, 2014 Share Posted 11 May, 2014 Who is strawlock what is that all about ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
St Chalet Posted 11 May, 2014 Share Posted 11 May, 2014 You are one of the main reasons that they don't. How long have you allowed Barry and the like spout so much sheet for so long? If we simply banned people for talking drivel you would have been gone years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brett24 Posted 11 May, 2014 Share Posted 11 May, 2014 Too early to judge Ralph, will give until the end of the transfer window lets see where we are then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpturner Posted 11 May, 2014 Share Posted 11 May, 2014 I am 100% not in the know. Never have claimed to be. My point was that the nit pickers on here are more interested in trying to put down posters or take the **** than to debate their opinion. It's not nit picking is it? You posted your message because you had a valid point to make, or opinion to share, based on your conversation with RK. This being so, why throw the credibility of your post into doubt by backing it up with a statement that highly improbable? Read my response again - I said I thought your assessment was harsh and the reason you gave for reaching that opinion lacked credibility. Questioning you does not constitute a put-down does it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 11 May, 2014 Share Posted 11 May, 2014 If we simply banned people for talking drivel you would have been gone years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farawaysaint Posted 11 May, 2014 Share Posted 11 May, 2014 I chuckled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mulletsaint Posted 11 May, 2014 Share Posted 11 May, 2014 The funny thing is people who really are ITK will be smiling at that comment, as there was an announcement to the players pre-game today about Lallana and Shaw's future that hasn't been discussed here, proving the point that those ITK don't bother sharing information with this site anymore. I like your style. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shurlock Posted 11 May, 2014 Share Posted 11 May, 2014 Edit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
St Chalet Posted 11 May, 2014 Share Posted 11 May, 2014 It's not nit picking is it? You posted your message because you had a valid point to make, or opinion to share, based on your conversation with RK. This being so, why throw the credibility of your post into doubt by backing it up with a statement that highly improbable? Read my response again - I said I thought your assessment was harsh and the reason you gave for reaching that opinion lacked credibility. Questioning you does not constitute a put-down does it? I had lots of very brief chats with lots of people. In the very short time I spoke to him, he just seemed a bit false. As I said, a short assessment and hope I am wrong. Didn't get long with anyone really. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 11 May, 2014 Share Posted 11 May, 2014 Sadly think dig dig is right... From the very first 'over reaction' of normal transfer spend spread, reported as 'massive debt and 'difficult' situation, we have been primed for sales. Now ow I have nothing against KL. Despite what some may think I don't fawn over/ love NC. But I will pose a few questions; 1. Some have suggested NC was just a stroppy bit who left because he could not get his way with Katrina's cash... An alternative perspective might be that it's clear this quad has potential, and it's backbone is homegrown talent. But to keep it together and progress does require additional funds, inline with the FFP rules... Without those funds it's clear that this side will break up... I would suggest that there is NO difference between a manager leaving because the Baird/ chairman won't back them, and a CEO getting fecked off and leaving because the owner wot back the club financially - and we did not want yo buy success, but merely be able to hang on to talent we had developed... Something that is reinforced by the investment in the academy. 2. Do folk think we would be in this ambiguous position re MP, Shaw and Adam etc if NC was still in charge? 3. Why are some happier to be mid table, with a nice friendly board, than at least being positive about the potential and fighting like hell to keep it but with a bastard in charge? Some of you have seriously got your priorities all wrong... Which is the mentality of the also ran/ losers in sport. I reckon this is the best post you've ever written - by a long way.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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