OK, so Bobby says he squeezed a 'little' (sic) bit of money out of the chairman, no figure stated, and told him not to expect any change. So far xfers in (Cort, Cordone and Bassedas) total #11,630,000 while xfers out (Pist1, Maric, Robinson, Kets, Howey) amount to #10,400,000, an outlay of #1,230,000. If the Ferguson deal goes though we'll actually be in credit over the summer. Now either Bobby is lining up further transfers (not convinced), or the amount he was given to spend was very little indeed. I've no complaints over the ins and outs, indeed he's doen very well to get rid of a lot of the deadwood, but like many I believed we had a figure of up to #15M to spend. I'm missing something here so what's the crack, anyone know?

-- Anonymous, August 15, 2000

Answers

I think it's the banks probably....

-- Anonymous, August 15, 2000

It's very difficult to tell precisely what is going on, and perish the thought that the Club actually give the supporters any inkling as to their thinking - and YES I do fully understand that as a public company they can't disclose too much.

Unlike previous Managers with amoeba-like intelligence, I believe BR will be taking an active role and interest in putting the Club back on a proper financial footing - arguably being too supportive of the plc for his own good.

He will have quickly recognised the financial mess he inherited, and will be striving to correct it for the long-term benefit of the Club - even if it doesn't thrill supporters in the short-term.

My firm suspicion is that BR could indeed call on additional transfer funds from the Club, and perhaps would if he sensed a real impending problem on the playing front, but in the meantime will try to continue working prudently to "sort out" the playing staff and the overall wage bill. He has made a good start but there's still some way to go - I only hope we don't get caught out on the playing field in the meantime.

-- Anonymous, August 15, 2000

I think we had to get our ship in order first, as we have seen with big Dunc, they all have to be paid & some paring down of the wage bill is required before spending. Plus, I'd be worried if the board announced we have x amount to spend, when the clubs know you have cash, they put the price up, look at Coventry.

-- Anonymous, August 15, 2000

true - i don't mind him not saying how much he has to spend as long as he has got money to spend.

On the other plus side of things, it gives us a chance to bring through the youngsters like Hughes, Griffin, Green, Kerr and McClen to name a few. they need first team experience. If they can prove they're up to it at the highest level [as i firmly think Hughes has], then it saves us cash in the long term.

min

-- Anonymous, August 15, 2000

We don't have to be a net spending club. Arsenal must be in massive surplus in transfer dealings over recent seasons but they still have a title challenging side.

The important thing is how good the buys have been, and that remains to be seen over the next few weeks. I think wor Bobby will be seen to have done very well.

-- Anonymous, August 15, 2000