17 Feb 2015 09:59:22
Hi Ed001 if you're about please.How bad was the rap on the knuckles from the owners BR got for not bringing through the youths like he said he would?And why do you think he didn't?Does he not trust them?
BarryinLouth
{Ed001's Note - it not that bad, he was just reminded of his responsibilities when he was wanting to sign players in January. He was told he would have to make use of what he has unless we could sell players to fund any buys. Even then he would only get a percentage of the income to spend as we need to reduce the wage bill.}
ED001 Nonsense.
I heard they made him draw a card from a pack of 52 red suits soft, black suits hard, and that whichever number he picked out was how many raps he received. I was reliably informed he picked the 8 of clubs with the raps dealt out by Lebron James who was flown over on request.
{Ed001's Note - ah well that is where you are wrong, LeBron was busy doing a bit of media work for me at the time, so they had to fly in Kobe Bryant, which is how he injured himself.}
Edd001, i am just wondering. I know the wage bill is huge but i strugle to understand why. When i look at some of the other clubs i get the impression that their players (or some of them) are on very big wages compared to the players from Liverpool. So what is the reason for Liverpools huge wage bill big? Is it because fringe players like Borini, Aspas etc earns to much, because the squad is to big, a few players are getting to much? Maybe a combination of it all? Would it be easily solved with possibly Johnson, Gerrard, Kolo, Borini, Aspas, Balotelli etc leaving in the summer? Or is there no quick fix? If there isn't. How do you go about reducing it?
Is it because the average wage in our team is high, because we have a few or many on very big wages. Fringe players getting to much? Youth players getting to much. What is it that make the wage bill so big?
{Ed001's Note - combination of lots of factors, from our income being smaller to paying too much to players. Johnson and Gerrard will remove over 200k a week from the total in the summer anyway.}
Thanks ed, really appreciate! Sorry for the big empty space in my post, don't know how that happened?
Ed1 thank god you said Johnson wages. The rumours of a new contract are not true then mate?
{Ed001's Note - he will only get a short term contract at a much lower wage, which it seems unlikely he will accept.}
Is Johnson leaving Edd001??
{Ed001's Note - it is most likely he leaves. He can get a longer contract on more money elsewhere.}
One of the most frustrating things is that we did a good clear out post hodgson ( not that they were all his buys) on trimming the squad and wages yet 3 years later we're in the same position with players bought on decent wages that we don't need or are loaned out ( hopefully we're not paying them too-ed?)
{Ed001's Note - in most cases of first team players out on loan we end up covering a percentage of the wage.}
Ed are most clubs having issues in their wage bills being excessive? Surely United are in a worse position than we are considering the 600k a week on just Falcao and Rooney?
{Ed001's Note - Man Utd have a much higher income, but yes they are skating close to the wire, as are Arsenal.}
17 Feb 2015 11:31:43
I would also hope that the expansion will go someway towards helping us better afford our current wage structure. Looking back at the first 10-15 years of the EPL, under 'guidance' from the Moore's family, it looks like we missed several commercial opportunities, really obvious ones too (the Eds have given some great examples in the past).
Under FSG, we are essentially playing catchup for 15-20 years of commercial mismanagement by our then powers that be. During that time, teams like United, Chelsea, Arsenal and others have moved significantly ahead of us, which all goes into the pot of factors contributing to our inability to compete at the highest level.
From what the Eds have said, commercial deals being put in place by FSG during their tenure are helping us to claw our way back.
Some may be surprised that I included Chelsea in that list, but I am impressed, both from a commercial and competitive point of view, with the vast swathes of young talent they have out on loan. In these days of FFP, having these players already developing means that they can pick up the odd courtois, and sell other young players for a profit in order to afford the larger names and yet balance the books.
Smart thinking, albeit I may be simplifying things a bit! Ed002 in particular, I'd love to hear your views on the Chelsea model and whether you also think its a smart move that will pay dividend going forwards?
{Ed002's Note - It will pay dividends but many of the players won't make it at Chelsea and having had regular first team football will be looking for that going forward.}
Made my day that the club are not going to re-sign Johnson.
We have 3-4 young right backs who we need to develop in my view.
He would be blocking that development.
Good post Zed mate.
I share the same opinion, forget Arsenals model, and as much as it grieves me to say it but Chelsea are playing a blinder on the buisness side of things.
17 Feb 2015 19:14:43
Thanks Ed001 why do you think he didn't give the youths much of a chance in the first place?
Barry inLouth
{Ed001's Note - because it is quicker and easier and safer to use players who have already got first team experience.}