Far behind

[norfolk white]

When I look at clubs like arsenal, Chelsea, Man City etc and the players they are signing it saddens me to see how far behind we have fallen, even clubs like palace and Brighton we can’t compete with, for a club that rubbed shoulders and competed with the best not only in this country but the best in Europe it seems we are closer to competing with league one teams than the top dogs, it also doesn’t seem that long ago either….very very sad and disappointing.

[Sniffer999]

When I look at clubs like arsenal, Chelsea, Man City etc and the players they are signing it saddens me to see how far behind we have fallen, even clubs like palace and Brighton we can’t compete with, for a club that rubbed shoulders and competed with the best not only in this country but the best in Europe it seems we are closer to competing with league one teams than the top dogs, it also doesn’t seem that long ago either….very very sad and disappointing.

You're right.
We got relegated and missed out on the influx of premier League money for many years.
Also we have had a number of terrible owners who have not done any good.
Although things seem poor now I think we have a chance of closing the gap on some clubs as we have some decent finance behind us. But we have to get out of the championship.

[WTF11]

You're right.
We got relegated and missed out on the influx of premier League money for many years.
Also we have had a number of terrible owners who have not done any good.
Although things seem poor now I think we have a chance of closing the gap on some clubs as we have some decent finance behind us. But we have to get out of the championship.

Still don't understand how the statement "we have some decent finance behind us can be made? We splurged around £150m on the likes of Aaronson, Roca, Kristensen etc, with Radrizzani hugely influenced by the yanks whilst they were minority shareholders. Since the takeover very little has been spent (either on players or the ground), and the sole newcomer who stands any chance of 1st team play is a loanee. There are equally sparse rumours if any further incomings but a number of credible ones relating to more departures (Gnonto and Firpo amingst them).

I'd agree we need to get out of the championship, but there is little or no evidence that steps are being taken to make that possible.

[alfinyalcabo]

It's all about money.the game has gone to the dogs. VAR,players faking injury and rolling over like they have been shot.Awful referees who just follow what they are told and can't make a decision of their own (especially against VAR when told to look at the screen.Penalties that are ridiculous and the handball decisions are unbelievable..Offside decisions for the smallest margins.The game is ruined as a sport. You can't even celebrate a goal until after a five minute VAR decision wait. The Premier league is ruined,believe me you don't want to go anywhere near it..

The championship is far far better to watch for football.It wont be long before the powers that be see that and try and ruin it..good luck to you lads this season and don't be hoping for promotion,its not all it seems. I'm looking for a good competitive Championship this season with loads of teams competing on a level playing field and not jut 4/5 teams like in the Awful money ridden Premier league.

Football should be about football and not all the crap that goes with it. We know everyone wants to see their team get promotion,but then you also want to see teams on a level playing field,which will never happen in the money ruined game we have in the Premier league.

[Rev72]

I look at Liverpool with their redeveloped Stadium and think we should have at least be on a level par with them given our fan base. Make no bones about it given the right side on the pitch we would fill a 55,000 stadium no worries.

We have been left behind mainly thanks to Peter Ridsdale and his absolute financial suicide during his reign.

[Sniffer999]

Still don't understand how the statement "we have some decent finance behind us can be made? We splurged around £150m on the likes of Aaronson, Roca, Kristensen etc, with Radrizzani hugely influenced by the yanks whilst they were minority shareholders. Since the takeover very little has been spent (either on players or the ground), and the sole newcomer who stands any chance of 1st team play is a loanee. There are equally sparse rumours if any further incomings but a number of credible ones relating to more departures (Gnonto and Firpo amingst them).

I'd agree we need to get out of the championship, but there is little or no evidence that steps are being taken to make that possible.

We have some decent finance behind us is comparing to Ken Bates. Those skint Arabs. That crazy Italian. Radrizani too. And that idiot who put us in bad debt in the first place as he didn't have his own wealth. Him that's still in football and been at a few clubs.

[spaldy]

We have good money behind us. However we have to get right with FA financially. Unlike Sotown and Leicester who sold players for good money we got nothing. Our day of reckoning is here

[WTF11]

We have good money behind us. However we have to get right with FA financially. Unlike Sotown and Leicester who sold players for good money we got nothing. Our day of reckoning is here

Go back to the post from MT (who is respected by all, me included despite (or maybe because) of our occasional disagreements). The club didn't HAVE to sell Gray, they chose to do so to fund NON-FSR expenditure (transfer fees). So far in this transfer window LUFC have "spent" £5m. LUFC generate more commercial income than ANY other Championship club, across all aspects (on-field sponsorship, shirt sponsorship, apparel etc), and compete head-to-head with many of the larger PL teams in the same areas. We have "investment" from global players such as Red Bull (welcome or not it's a fact), and yet during a transfer window where we have seen nearly 20 players leave in total for around £50m, with more to follow, we have one genuine incomer at around £5m. Yeah, giid miney behind us........coffee, smell, the, wake up and...re-arrange into a popular saying.

[spaldy]

I think you are conflating 2 issues. Your points are correct on our club.

Our FA problems are based on past debts coming due and we have to keep the loss per year within an acceptable range ( 36 million?). That means selling current assets to pay past debts. These contracts were poorly executed in a short time crunch to build. Prem level club. We gambled and lost and have to pay the piper

Going forward we have money from the new owners but have to true the books first.

It’s kind of like looking at accounting from a balance sheet basis v income statement. Same company but can appear a lot different from looking at it different ways.

We likely won’t do the one sided deals like we did under Orta and will be better off long term. Painful but neccessary

[spaldy]

FWIW. Quite a few clubs are going to go through this in the FA including some prem clubs