So, what are the solutions?

[CanadaSaint]

As is often its wont, this forum’s reaction to adversity is to lash out with over-the-top criticism and call for people to be fired, sold, never played again, or worse.

Before Jones even started there was an ill-advised poll telling him the supporters didn’t want him here. The clamour to fire him has understandably gathered momentum, and now people want the ownership out as well (again). I’ll venture to suggest that the negativity seeped into the mindset of the players, and my sneaky suspicion is that we’re going to see more of them falling victim to tears of the “get me the fuck out of here” nerve. They hold the cards in the modern game, and too many of them look like they don’t want to be here.

If I were part of the ownership group, I would certainly want to know what’s being said on forums like this. I don’t have to agree with it, and reading it would frustrate me because the fans can’t know everything that’s happening behind the scenes. But I’d definitely want to know what they’re saying.

The negativity on here is like nothing I’ve ever seen before in all my years following this club, and – while understandable – it’s not going to get us out of the ever-deepening shit-pile we’re in.

We desperately need a re-set before it’s too late.

So, instead of focusing on the problems, let’s start talking about the solutions. I’ll suggest a few – albeit from 4,200 miles away.

1) Sports Republic needs to provide some reassurance, because their facelessness and deafening silence almost suggest that things are moving along in accordance with their grand plan. Continued silence will make us wonder even more what that plan actually is. But it will need much more than words from them.

2) I would argue that, even if his hiring may have been a serious error, firing Nathan Jones may not be financially feasible - or morally defensible. At the very least, I would bring in a supervisor with enough tactical nous to ensure that he sets us up correctly. He won’t like that, of course, but his tactics and lineups suggest that he hasn’t watched any game tape at all. I’m in the strong majority who feel that starting with a traditional back four, and building from there, could yield instant results. I think our squad is much better than it appears to be right now – or looked under Ralph in his last year or more.

3) I believe that Martin Semmens has alienated the fan base and failed in his supervisory role. Moving Redmond out, which he signalled ahead of time in his disgusting fan forum performance, didn’t solve any problems but painted over them. It also indicated that he didn’t see Ralph as the issue – even though everyone else did; the resultant delay in acting was deadly. Semmens needs to be replaced with an engaged and responsive figurehead that supporters can respect. I don’t like seeing people lose their jobs, but arrogance and smugness don’t sit well with me.

4) The financial penalty of relegation makes transfer fees pale into insignificance. The team and the fans need a boost, so the club needs to make some quality signings quickly – even if it means paying over the odds. Penny-pinching in the Summer (and on many occasions before) has made things far worse than they need to be, and a repeat will just about finish us. Unless we’re some form of tax write-off (which I don’t believe for a minute) the cost to the ownership group would be massive.

I realize that all of the above has been said before, but I really think we need a thread focused on solutions instead of problems.

Edited 5 January, 2023 by CanadaSaint

[manji]

Ankerson said when Nathan Jones was appointed we have to be patient. When a “ cheerleader “ like me feels physically sick after a performance. 
There’s problems . The Solent commentary team were in danger of losing it they were clearly fuming. Never heard them like that.

It was constantly pointed out the players didn’t have a plan to play to. Can’t remember which sub it was . He came on and he gestured “ where do I go “ wandered over the other side of the pitch then came back again. 
we didn’t get in the box let alone get a shot in. 
Now anyone that reads my posts knows I’m not a critical fan but when I see a group of players that appears not to have a game plan that’s worrying.

I think we got some decent players but clearly the coaching is poor. OK I’m whinging . 
but back to your post someone needs to explain to us what is going on ?

if I was told what the basic plan is I’d feel better. The silence is really making the situation worse. If they said hang on and we are getting some extra players in or similar it would help. But we appeared to be clueless and actually getting worse. 
Sports Republic almost appear to be following a clever model and are happy to give intelligent lectures but they must realise we the customers need to know what’s going on.

it’s going to get really toxic.

I demand some form of explanation.

[Lee On Solent Saint]

Only solution for me is acting now and getting rid of Jones. Nothing personal, he's just not up to the job. Next home game a quarter final in the League Cup, a very real possibility that there will be more empty seats than fans in attendance. And that's for a quarter final. 

[Dirkdiggler]

It was a pretty simple task to replace RH with a new manager.

We have built a squad to play in a certain style ( funnily enough this isn’t hoof ball) so the new manager had to have a similar style to get the best out of who we have.

They could then see what is required in this transfer window to improve where required ( tbh this has been obvious since the summer so the club should’ve already had players identified)

Even now there are managers out of work who are much better than Jones and who could improve the players, which makes it even more completely baffling why SR went for Jones.

Personally I’d put Selles in charge for the next game/s and beg Bosz to take over ready for Everton. 

Edited 5 January, 2023 by Dirkdiggler

[Osvaldorama]

1) Sack the idiot

2) Appoint someone who isn’t an idiot

3) Buy some players that aren’t terrible. (GK, CM, AM, St all urgent)

[derry]

Personally I'm not sure anybody at the club realise or are prepared to admit as Ralph did that playing three centrebacks isn't possible with our centrebacks. Go to four at the back immediately. Full backs to play as defenders or it isn't four at the back.

Stop selecting Elyonoussie, Lyanco, they are a problem. 

Try and get Ings back whatever the cost plus two more proven, quick, clever goalscorers. A dominant leader that is fluent in English. Either a centreback or Midfield, even a fullback. Money spent on the right players now may well pay off. Bring back Tella, Bednarek and Smallbone. Loan out Lyanco and Elyonoussie and anyone else surplus if we can.

Lay it on the line to Nathan Jones, what is happening isn't acceptable and he's part of the problem and it's down to him whether he is given time to be part of the solution.

Edited 5 January, 2023 by derry

[trousers]

Solution?

- Hope Chelsea sack Potter shortly (a cricket score defeat Vs Man City this evening might do the trick)

- Replace Jones with Potter

- Buy back Ings 

Sorted

 

 

 

Edited 5 January, 2023 by trousers

[once_bitterne]

Dyche.

[Disco Stu]

People don't want to hear it but the solution now is to rebuild in the Championship and hope to live to see the day we're a Premier League club again.

[saintant]

6 hours ago, CanadaSaint said:

As is often its wont, this forum’s reaction to adversity is to lash out with over-the-top criticism and call for people to be fired, sold, never played again, or worse.

Before Jones even started there was an ill-advised poll telling him the supporters didn’t want him here. The clamour to fire him has understandably gathered momentum, and now people want the ownership out as well (again). I’ll venture to suggest that the negativity seeped into the mindset of the players, and my sneaky suspicion is that we’re going to see more of them falling victim to tears of the “get me the fuck out of here” nerve. They hold the cards in the modern game, and too many of them look like they don’t want to be here.

If I were part of the ownership group, I would certainly want to know what’s being said on forums like this. I don’t have to agree with it, and reading it would frustrate me because the fans can’t know everything that’s happening behind the scenes. But I’d definitely want to know what they’re saying.

The negativity on here is like nothing I’ve ever seen before in all my years following this club, and – while understandable – it’s not going to get us out of the ever-deepening shit-pile we’re in.

We desperately need a re-set before it’s too late.

So, instead of focusing on the problems, let’s start talking about the solutions. I’ll suggest a few – albeit from 4,200 miles away.

1) Sports Republic needs to provide some reassurance, because their facelessness and deafening silence almost suggest that things are moving along in accordance with their grand plan. Continued silence will make us wonder even more what that plan actually is. But it will need much more than words from them.

2) I would argue that, even if his hiring may have been a serious error, firing Nathan Jones may not be financially feasible - or morally defensible. At the very least, I would bring in a supervisor with enough tactical nous to ensure that he sets us up correctly. He won’t like that, of course, but his tactics and lineups suggest that he hasn’t watched any game tape at all. I’m in the strong majority who feel that starting with a traditional back four, and building from there, could yield instant results. I think our squad is much better than it appears to be right now – or looked under Ralph in his last year or more.

3) I believe that Martin Semmens has alienated the fan base and failed in his supervisory role. Moving Redmond out, which he signalled ahead of time in his disgusting fan forum performance, didn’t solve any problems but painted over them. It also indicated that he didn’t see Ralph as the issue – even though everyone else did; the resultant delay in acting was deadly. Semmens needs to be replaced with an engaged and responsive figurehead that supporters can respect. I don’t like seeing people lose their jobs, but arrogance and smugness don’t sit well with me.

4) The financial penalty of relegation makes transfer fees pale into insignificance. The team and the fans need a boost, so the club needs to make some quality signings quickly – even if it means paying over the odds. Penny-pinching in the Summer (and on many occasions before) has made things far worse than they need to be, and a repeat will just about finish us. Unless we’re some form of tax write-off (which I don’t believe for a minute) the cost to the ownership group would be massive.

I realize that all of the above has been said before, but I really think we need a thread focused on solutions instead of problems.

Do you not get by now that SR is a large part of the problem? Ankersen is an arrogant man who is not nearly as clever as he thinks he is and all his theories have gone up in smoke. If anybody seriously thinks SR is going to improve this football club they need to give their head a wobble because they are the problem not the solution. To replace Ralph with someone like Jones was an mistake of enormous proportions. Dragan needs to ditch SR along with the useless Semmens and appoint people with a bit of nous and pedigree before he sees the club and his investment go down the drain. The longer SR remain in charge the worse things will get.

[Saint86]

7 minutes ago, Disco Stu said:

People don't want to hear it but the solution now is to rebuild in the Championship and hope to live to see the day we're a Premier League club again.

Yup. Grim.

And people can kiss goodbye to the likes of dibling, Morgan, and ballard, very unlikely we'll even get a year out of them, let alone in the Premier League. We're going to get picked to peices in the championship. And if Jones is at the helm going into the summer you can be damn sure all our best players will be clamouring for the exit. 

Edited 5 January, 2023 by Saint86

[Bad Wolf]

We go down and enjoy The Championship. If we keep the bulk of our team, we've got a VERY good Championship outfit. Adams, Armstrong and Tella can all score goals in that league. Bazunu was keeper of the year in the division below so maybe he needs a few season in The Championship because he's clearly got talent. The only one I'm actually worried about leaving is KWP...Other than him, do we have anyone that the promoted teams or near miss relegation teams are likely to want?

[SambaMaverick]

2 minutes ago, Bad Wolf said:

We go down and enjoy The Championship. If we keep the bulk of our team, we've got a VERY good Championship outfit. Adams, Armstrong and Tella can all score goals in that league. Bazunu was keeper of the year in the division below so maybe he needs a few season in The Championship because he's clearly got talent. The only one I'm actually worried about leaving is KWP...Other than him, do we have anyone that the promoted teams or near miss relegation teams are likely to want?

Lavia, JWP, Salisu, ABK, Perraud, S Armstrong will all be gone 

[miserableoldgit]

23 minutes ago, Disco Stu said:

People don't want to hear it but the solution now is to rebuild in the Championship and hope to live to see the day we're a Premier League club again.

 

Edited 5 January, 2023 by miserableoldgit

[Fabrice Fernandes no.1 fan]

In terms of on the field, we need to ditch 5 at the back asap. At times we have all 5 defenders, JWP and Lavia behind the ball so then only attacking with 3 players, which just does not work. 

We have the players to play a 4-3-3, provided we sign a good player.  I would play the following (with subs/backups in brackets)

Bazunu (McCarthy)

KWP (Tino, AMN)

ABK (Lyanco)

DCC (Salisu)

Perraud (Larios)

Lavia (Diallo)

JWP (Ely)

S Armstrong (Aribo)

Edozie (Walcott)

Adams (Mara)

A Armstrong (Djenepo)

We play a back 4 with Lavia sitting in to pick the ball up on the turn (his obvious strength) with JWP and Armstrong playing in front of him to support Adams when pushing forward, or one of them sitting in with Lavia when required defensively. 

The obvious weakness is the attack, we need players around Adams who can make use of his excellent hold up play and who can take some of the goalscoring responsibility from him and JWP

[tunit]

I really don't know why Jones is persisting with 5 (3) at the back hoofball when we clearly don't have the players for it. He used to play a 4-4-2 diamond in his early days at luton which my friend reliably says was very exciting and effective. Our players are much more suited to that.

[SotonianWill]

1. Sack Jones

2. Appoint Dyche, Benetiz or that other Leipzig guy 

3. Give him a budget with no rules on how to spend it

4. recall tella and one of stephens or jan. they were part of a fairly dodgy defence however had some good times, far better than lyanco. let the new manager assess his full squad putting players in B team if necessary and tell them what they are, shit worst top division saints team ever. fact. 

5. offer cheaper tickets so attendances don’t drop, you need fans in the stadium. open block one. 

6. keep rasmus and co for now, however no matter what happens have serious changes and mix up in the summer. 

7. Go to the Winchester, have a nice cold pint, and wait for all this to blow over. 

 

[Dman]

It’s not too late, we’re in the gutter, but we have a window to strengthen and it’s a piss poor league. 
 

1. we need to sack Jones before the next PL game. 
2. bring someone on who is either proven at this level for a short term (18m contract), Dyce, Big Sam, Rafa. Or someone with a decent style of play (longer term) for us to get an identity again. 
3. spent money, big money. 
 

it has to be all 3 of the above or we’ll be fucked. Even in the championship. 

Edited 5 January, 2023 by Dman

[LGTL]

1) Sack Nathan Jones

Suggesting anything else is futile until we get rid of that buffoon. 

[AlexLaw76]

Solution

sack Nathan Jones immediately and bring in an actual Premier League manager

[saintant]

19 minutes ago, SotonianWill said:

1. Sack Jones

2. Appoint Dyche, Benetiz or that other Leipzig guy 

3. Give him a budget with no rules on how to spend it

4. recall tella and one of stephens or jan. they were part of a fairly dodgy defence however had some good times, far better than lyanco. let the new manager assess his full squad putting players in B team if necessary and tell them what they are, shit worst top division saints team ever. fact. 

5. offer cheaper tickets so attendances don’t drop, you need fans in the stadium. open block one. 

6. keep rasmus and co for now, however no matter what happens have serious changes and mix up in the summer. 

7. Go to the Winchester, have a nice cold pint, and wait for all this to blow over. 

 

Why keep Rasmus and co who are clearly the ones presiding over this mess?

[Lord Duckhunter]

Anyone who thinks Fat Sam is the answer has clearly forgotten his spell at WBA. He’d be a disaster with this bunch of mincers and he’d want a boat load of cash to turn up. Rafa? Don’t make me laugh, he falls out with every single board he works for over transfers. Does anyone seriously believe he’d work for SR. Why would Dyche join this shit show, he can sit it out and pick out a far tastier job. 
 

 

[SotonianWill]

2 minutes ago, saintant said:

Why keep Rasmus and co who are clearly the ones presiding over this mess?

Feel like it would be a distraction from the football. We have a january window which in the slight chance we get right we could stay up. focus should be on improving the team and manager. Still I understand people wanting the board out right now. 

[saintant]

Just now, SotonianWill said:

Feel like it would be a distraction from the football. We have a january window which in the slight chance we get right we could stay up. focus should be on improving the team and manager. Still I understand people wanting the board out right now. 

Why allow these charlatans to preside over a vital transfer window? More money will be wasted on their vanity project.

[SotonianWill]

1 minute ago, saintant said:

Why allow these charlatans to preside over a vital transfer window? More money will be wasted on their vanity project.

rather unrealistically on my part, I mentioned giving the new manager free reign over signings.

[Bad Wolf]

40 minutes ago, SambaMaverick said:

Lavia, JWP, Salisu, ABK, Perraud, S Armstrong will all be gone 

Lavia maybe. JWP - He's got a few years left on his contract and nobody is going to pay the silly money we'll want for him at his age, Perraud I've seen nothing to suggest he's PL quality bar the odd long shot and yeah S Armstrong will probably go but he doesn't play anyway.

[Bad Wolf]

Just now, SotonianWill said:

rather unrealistically on my part, I mentioned giving the new manager free reign over signings.

Managers don't get free reign over signings outside of either the National League North/South or 2007.

[egg]

6 minutes ago, saintant said:

Why allow these charlatans to preside over a vital transfer window? More money will be wasted on their vanity project.

Because it's their club, not ours. 

[SambaMaverick]

3 minutes ago, Bad Wolf said:

Lavia maybe. JWP - He's got a few years left on his contract and nobody is going to pay the silly money we'll want for him at his age, Perraud I've seen nothing to suggest he's PL quality bar the odd long shot and yeah S Armstrong will probably go but he doesn't play anyway.

JWP will have a derisory relegation release clause in his contract, I guarantee it.

[SotonianWill]

2 minutes ago, Bad Wolf said:

Managers don't get free reign over signings outside of either the National League North/South or 2007.

I don’t know how true this is. Lots of other clubs managers seem to get their own players. Rafa (the manager i’d want) was given a budget at newcastle then could sign the players he wanted within said budget. Saints haven’t done this of course since carrillo 2018. 

[macca155]

Sacking Jones after so few games is pretty unrealistic but the toxic nature of the crowd last night may force their hand. I'd be more subtle, go old school and bring in an experienced DoF to advise Jones. He'll hopefully take the bait and walk.

If not the only solution is to open the wallet and get some experienced campaigners in. People moan about Lyanco, Elyounoussi but who do replace them with. DCC certainly but Diallo? I have to believe that Armstrong is injured because leaving him out is madness.

Or accept we are going down, flog the silver while we can, blood some youngsters, and build for next year. Pretty much what Burnley did and they would beat us now.

[saintant]

8 minutes ago, egg said:

Because it's their club, not ours. 

I don't think it is. Isn't Dragan the owner?

[trousers]

1 hour ago, saintant said:

Dragan needs to ditch SR

I could be misunderstanding the ownership arrangement here (so apologies in advance for the likelihood of talking bollocks), but.... isn't Dragan simply an investor in Sport Republic....? i.e. he's not the owner of Southampton Football Club, Sport Republic are? So, he can't actually tell SR to get out of the club and run it himself and/or under another 3rd party, can he? All he can do is withdraw his funding/investment, but that still leaves SR at the helm, albeit without a pot to piss in.... 

Edited 5 January, 2023 by trousers

[saintant]

1 minute ago, trousers said:

I could be misunderstanding the ownership arrangement here (so apologies in advance for the likelihood of talking bollocks), but.... isn't Dragan simply an investor in Sport Republic.... i.e. he's not the owner of Southampton Football Club, Sport Republic are. So, he can't actually tell SR to get out of the club and run it himself and/or under another 3rd party, can he? All he can do is withdraw his funding/investment, but that still leaves SR at the helm, albeit without a pot to piss in.... 

So who paid Gao the money for the club?

[Lee On Solent Saint]

1 minute ago, trousers said:

I could be misunderstanding the ownership arrangement here (so apologies in advance for the likelihood of talking bollocks), but.... isn't Dragan simply an investor in Sport Republic.... i.e. he's not the owner of Southampton Football Club, Sport Republic are. So, he can't actually tell SR to get out of the club and run it himself and/or under another 3rd party, can he? All he can do is withdraw his funding/investment, but that still leaves SR at the helm, albeit without a pot to piss in.... 

That begs the question who is actually pulling the strings? Which one of them is making the decisions? Who does own the club?

[trousers]

1 minute ago, saintant said:

So who paid Gao the money for the club?

Sports Republic? From the investment money that Dragan gave them? 

As I say, I've no idea whose name it is on the 'deeds'... I just thought Dragan was an investor in SR, not the 'owner' per se.... (?)

Edited 5 January, 2023 by trousers

[saintant]

1 minute ago, trousers said:

Sports Republic? From the investment money that Dragan gave them? 

If that's the case we are in a worse mess than I thought 🙂

[egg]

6 minutes ago, saintant said:

I don't think it is. Isn't Dragan the owner?

No idea. But owner or employees, it's on them. 

[Dman]

6 minutes ago, Lee On Solent Saint said:

That begs the question who is actually pulling the strings? Which one of them is making the decisions? Who does own the club?

Rasmus Ankersen. 

[East Kent Saint]

1 hour ago, once_bitterne said:

Dyche.

Plus Ings and current player(s) being bought in now.

[Dman]

19 minutes ago, SambaMaverick said:

JWP will have a derisory relegation release clause in his contract, I guarantee it.

Where does he go? Other than maybe one of the promoted sides, I don’t see another team in which he starts in the PL. 

Very average player. 

[Daft Kerplunk]

1 minute ago, egg said:

Because it's their club, not ours. 

True, but football is not in any way a normal business. Thinking this way is why the current board largely fails. 

They are offering a substandard product/service and in a normal business, they’d be screwed because the customers would just not buy it as they’d have other options. If Tesco was continually shit to you, you’d simply go to Sainsbury’s. Tesco would have to win you back. 

But football fans are not just customers, they are loyal beyond explanation and are mostly treated like simple folk who couldn’t possibly understand anything. The emotional attachment is why there are sites like this one we are all on. Because we care deeply about ‘our’ football club. 

This loyalty of fans means that the club needs us as key stakeholders. It is emotionally ours and any club who forgets this important factor doesn’t understand the football business, and definitely doesn’t deserve to be custodians of a civic institution. I know they are a business owned by people but it’s way more complicated than that. 

Ultimately, we have a current board who have lost their way, they have forgotten, if they ever knew in the first place, what running a football club is all about. People have finally started seeing through the relaxed corporate style of Martin Semmens who is only here for himself, and has overseen dreadful decisions. He needs to return to the ultra bullshitting world of marketing and PR he came from. Sport Republic are proving themselves to be very poor too. But this is likely because they believed the Saints board had a great plan and we’re happy to let them get on with things. 

But anyway, yes the club is theirs, but everyone knows deep down that it’s ours. Without us, they’re is nothing. 

 

[trousers]

7 minutes ago, saintant said:

If that's the case we are in a worse mess than I thought 🙂

As I said above, I don't really understand the ownership model of the current regime so take my old loud thinking with a pinch of salt!

[Bad Wolf]

19 minutes ago, SotonianWill said:

I don’t know how true this is. Lots of other clubs managers seem to get their own players. Rafa (the manager i’d want) was given a budget at newcastle then could sign the players he wanted within said budget. Saints haven’t done this of course since carrillo 2018. 

He quite possibly "suggested" players that he wanted but the days of managers having actual control over it are long gone. Even Football Manager isn't that simple anymore.

[saintant]

11 minutes ago, trousers said:

Sports Republic? From the investment money that Dragan gave them? 

As I say, I've no idea whose name it is on the 'deeds'... I just thought Dragan was an investor in SR, not the 'owner' per se.... (?)

Looks as though you are right. According to Wikipedia SR are the owners and Dragan is their main investor. Wonder if he's regretting getting involved.

[Daft Kerplunk]

4 minutes ago, Daft Kerplunk said:

True, but football is not in any way a normal business. Thinking this way is why the current board largely fails. 

They are offering a substandard product/service and in a normal business, they’d be screwed because the customers would just not buy it as they’d have other options. If Tesco was continually shit to you, you’d simply go to Sainsbury’s. Tesco would have to win you back. 

But football fans are not just customers, they are loyal beyond explanation and are mostly treated like simple folk who couldn’t possibly understand anything. The emotional attachment is why there are sites like this one we are all on. Because we care deeply about ‘our’ football club. 

This loyalty of fans means that the club needs us as key stakeholders. It is emotionally ours and any club who forgets this important factor doesn’t understand the football business, and definitely doesn’t deserve to be custodians of a civic institution. I know they are a business owned by people but it’s way more complicated than that. 

Ultimately, we have a current board who have lost their way, they have forgotten, if they ever knew in the first place, what running a football club is all about. People have finally started seeing through the relaxed corporate style of Martin Semmens who is only here for himself, and has overseen dreadful decisions. He needs to return to the ultra bullshitting world of marketing and PR he came from. Sport Republic are proving themselves to be very poor too. But this is likely because they believed the Saints board had a great plan and were happy to let them get on with things. 

But anyway, yes the club is theirs, but everyone knows deep down that it’s ours. Without us, there is nothing. 

 

Typos 🤦🏻‍♂️

[trousers]

Just now, saintant said:

Looks as though you are right. According to Wikipedia SR are the owners and Dragan is their main investor. Wonder if he's regretting getting involved.

Depends if the money he gave SR / SFC was a more of a loan than a straight-forward investment I guess? 

[benjii]

30 minutes ago, trousers said:

I could be misunderstanding the ownership arrangement here (so apologies in advance for the likelihood of talking bollocks), but.... isn't Dragan simply an investor in Sport Republic....? i.e. he's not the owner of Southampton Football Club, Sport Republic are? So, he can't actually tell SR to get out of the club and run it himself and/or under another 3rd party, can he? All he can do is withdraw his funding/investment, but that still leaves SR at the helm, albeit without a pot to piss in.... 

The club is owned by St Mary's Football Group.

That is owned by Sports Republic Limited.

That is owned by Sports Republic Holding Limited. 

Dragan owns over 75% of Sports Republic Holding Limited and the rest is owned by Ankersen and Kraft. The shareholding arrangements in Sports Republic Holding Limited are oddly complicated with about 5 different classes of shares and a nominee company owned by Ankersen and Kraft owning certain classes of the shares.

I can't be bothered to wade through all the docs to figure out what power Dragan has to do something if Ankersen and Kraft disagree!

 

Edited 5 January, 2023 by benjii
Pressed post too soon

[Dman]

Just now, trousers said:

Depends if the money he gave SR / SFC was a more of a loan than a straight-forward investment I guess? 

Possibly explains their desire to be a profitable club, rather than ambition to succeed..?

[Disco Stu]

41 minutes ago, Dman said:

Where does he go? Other than maybe one of the promoted sides, I don’t see another team in which he starts in the PL. 

Very average player. 

He may be having a poor season but his CV will still be attractive to other clubs.

• 11 years in the Premier League making what will likely be over 340 top flight appearances by the end of this season.
• Captain for 2 years (not necessarily a good one but they won't know that)
• 11 caps for England
• 2nd most free-kick goals in Premier League history.
• Versatility (can fill in at full-back in a crunch)

A player like that at a cut-price deal would be an excellent signing for a promoted team and he would likely have suitors from midtable clubs as well.

Edited 5 January, 2023 by Disco Stu