Interesting piece in Sporting Life about a survey done re clubs' business practices. Full story is here

Thought this bit sounded familiar...

Oughton believes the clubs seem to be keen to create the impression they are being run as businesses yet they are criminally unaware of the way they should be operating.

She said: "Clubs have spent much of the last 10 years saying that they're businesses - but on the evidence of this report many are completely ignorant of the laws that govern businesses.

"Getting to grips with these issues is a crucial step to taking the game forward.

"Not only will it help all stakeholders be better informed but will help make those clubs better managed, which is a vital prerequisite to success on the pitch."

-- Anonymous, September 06, 2001

Answers

Ciara, don't want to hijack this thread but I watched the US/Costa Rica game last night and felt compelled to ask you what the hell is going on with the US team? They looked lost, no shape, nothing in midfield (almost like NUFC) horribly exposed at the back( exactly like a team not to far from here) I though you lot were crusin'

-- Anonymous, September 06, 2001

That game was always going to be tough as we never do well in that stadium. Still, there wasn't much difference in our play last night from Saturday. If anything, we were stronger defensively. Still couldn't pass for sh*t, though. The biggest problem is injuries to key players (Reyna, McBride, Josh Wolff, Clint Mathis). Brad Friedel did better than I expected, but I can't help wondering if Kasey Keller might have saved some of the goals in the last 2 games. Friedel tends to stray too far out of the goal mouth and get caught. I admit to bias there as I've always rated Keller as one of the best. Anyhoo...I'm exhausted today as I stayed up until midnight watching that nonsense. I didn't expect a win, but was hoping we'd at least get a goal or two. Though it was nice seeing one of the Revs (William Sunsing, on CR's bench) celebrating getting through to the WC.

-- Anonymous, September 06, 2001

So what is the status of the US's WC qualification ciara? have they blown it?

-- Anonymous, September 06, 2001

We're still well in it, even though we're in 4th place (group of 6) on goal differential after last night. 2 matches left to play, 1 home, 1 away, and both to the bottom teams in the group(Jamaica and Trinidad). There's 2 more places up for grabs with US, Mexico and Honduras contesting them. As long as the US gets 6pts, Mexico and Honduras play each other on the last match day, so that match will decide who loses out. We actually would still be top 3 if a Jamaican own goal hadn't given 3pts to Honduras last night. Hope the Jamaican's are feeling as generous on Oct 7!

-- Anonymous, September 06, 2001