Please give me some opinions on the following as Thanet is devoid of Toon fans 1. Are we skint 2. Will Bobby be allowed to bring in any new players

My own view is that the board WILL back YBR with cash over and above the funds generated from sales but there is clear need to offload. Without the latter no buys? The Journal implies one imminent his weekend

-- Anonymous, June 16, 2000

Answers

Skint?

Hard to say exactly what the financial position is until the season ticket sales are complete. IF all the new seats are sold, including the expensive Sports Bar and 1892 Bar then we should have a very healthy cash balance indeed.

There is also the NTL money (I'm not sure how much we get this season) and there is also an upfront payment on the new SKY deal (#5m approx?).

If some of the deadwood gets offloaded as well, then I think the financial position is very healthy.

However, if the season ticket sales aren't a huge success then with the debt overhang, things might be a little tight. Let's hope all the waiting list people are ready with the readies.

The financial year end on 31st July so the figures should become much clearer after that.

-- Anonymous, June 16, 2000

Be interesting to see what the season ticket take up is like....I must admit that i'm nervous about it so far....we've seen quite a few going on the bbs in recent weeks...

-- Anonymous, June 16, 2000

Right there Gav, but do you think the board will waite to see post July 31st what the up take is because the Pistone deal stinks of board room interference and if the board are selling players and not BR will the young man take exception to his authority.

Robson likes a player and wants to keep him (on record) and he is then sold for #3m at money 'too good to turn down'. Who actually did the deal whilst BR was away?

I look around the telly games and wonder who might be goo d to have and then it dawns on me that the Toon rebirth hasn't even started yet, it's is still a bloody egg at best. Basically we are going to have to produce a largely home grown set of players and get used to mid table stuff for the next few years, especially when we are back to the selling club status......bah!

-- Anonymous, June 16, 2000

The orrificial line on the infamous and ever so reliable clubcall is the Pistone offer is being considered by the board and YBR - no definate yes or no regarding season tickets...the fine line IMHO is the need for a attractive buy to set the 'not sures' to go ahead. The last thing the board will want are vast empty spaces. No good for them. Enrique springs to mind. I'm hoping for Clarky's Rabbit to appear out the hat. I'm still convinced Freddie is aware of this and that one purchase of note will be made.

-- Anonymous, June 16, 2000

According to the good morning newspaper, we're the fifth richest club in the world.

-- Anonymous, June 16, 2000

The #3m for Pistone is excellent value. Would you put him ahead of 20 year old Aaron Hughes ?

We have to get real in our analysis of player's worth. A player is worth exactly what the next team is prepared to pay for him. How much is Maric worth ? Well at the moment exactly nothing as nobody is prepared to pay anything for him. Would you take #500,000 for him, I would just to get some cash in and his wages off the books.

As Dalglish signed him I'd guess Pistone is getting paid a fortune, I don't see him being worth that. Is he really, really that much better than a #1m Stevie Watson ?

-- Anonymous, June 16, 2000

Few points worthy of comment here.

I've been one the biggest critics of 'The Board', but I don't believe for one second they're stupid enough to be taking football decisions behind Bobby's back. BR doesn't need this job and to undermine his authority in such a crass way would be totally suicidal - just forget this particular scenario gang.
The obvious reality here is that BR thinks Pistone is a slightly better LFB than Domi, but that he's not that good. So, if Everton want to pay #3mm for him then BR's happy to take it.
The way I read this situation is that BR would like to effect MAJOR surgery to this squad, and very few players in it are secure at SJP. I happen to think that Domi could still be sold even if Pistone goes - providing the right amount of money is offered.
Regarding Pistone's value - the unpalatable reality is that nobody is going to pay us back the #4.5mm we paid for him, and #3mm is as much as we're likely to get for him.

Are we skint? Skint is a very emotive word; however, I'm certainly not as relaxed as Jonno. The Club's financial situation is precarious but manageable, given prudent management - and I'm pleased to say that what I see are signs of prudent financial management. However, profitability has been falling steadily, and non-participation in Europe in the coming season will not help that situation.
The Club is massively in debt due to the incredibly expensive stadium exptension, and season ticket sales are indeed critical. I've no idea how this is going, but I can tell you that when I went to select my 2nd ticket (a result of taking up the 2nd Bond issue) several weeks ago, around one-third of the new seats had already been taken.

I suspect we will see a lot of action on the transfer front before pre-season training begins, and have a strong feeling that the Board will want to see at least one major signing to help season ticket sales and create a positive atmosphere for the new season.

With regard to BR's absence from SJP for various reasons - I don't think we should view this as any lack of interest or urgency on his part. Let's remember, we live in the 'communications age', and we also have a soon to be named Director of Football, Gordon Milne, at SJP liaising between FF and BR.
It's undoubtedly frustrating, but we must be patient - we have a real pro running the football side of the business, and one who it seems increasingly clear to me is not at all comfortable with the present squad of players. I feel certain he will do something about that situation, and that the Board will back him as far as they are financially able. We really can't ask any more.

-- Anonymous, June 16, 2000

Well said Clarky, I cannot believe anyone would think the board would sell players without the managers consent after everything that's happened at the club. Pistone's position is an area we have cover in and if we are to believe the sell to buy regime then I have faith in the man that we will benefit from his acumen.

The close season is too long!

-- Anonymous, June 17, 2000