Ambition, avoid relegation

[Terryfenwickatemyhamster]

More than two beer pumps? 

In one 

But... It's the dreaded L word again.

[Madrid Cobbler]

Obviously we'll have one of the lower budgets and of course it won't be easy to replace Leonard and Bowie, but I think saying beating relegation is our aim is just a way of not raising expectations too high.

It's far too soon to have any real idea of the quality of the new players we'll bring in as signings or loans. We're obviously not going to get the bigger names at this level, because they'll go to the moneybags clubs, but I trust our management team to keep unearthing a few gems that might help keep us  as competitive as last year. If we can finish close to where we did this year, in a stronger division, that will still be progress, in my view.

[Battery Man]

A better aim would be to establish ourselves as a League one club whilst looking to push on.

As said a lot depends on the players brought in during the summer, but a lot of that is down to luck as well. Take Hylton initially when we signed him that looked like a great signing to help us push on, injuries or whatever was wrong with him mean't that didn't happen.

I believe we have the right management team in place with Brady and hopefully we can get the right players in to suit how JB wants to play, which doesn't necessarily mean overly high wages.

[DavCobb]

Becoming an established L1 team verses 'avoiding relegation' is just a glass half full/empty way of looking at it. The latter enables the former.
Based on history the more seasons we 'survive' the greater the achievement in relative terms.

We are quite a way from expecting a serious challenge at the the top end. It's not impossible and as we see across all leagues it is not just about the money spent.

[Terryfenwickatemyhamster]

We are quite a way from expecting a serious challenge at the the top end. It's not impossible and as we see across all leagues it is not just about the money spent.

Any sustainable period in the leagues above us is 100% about nothing other than money.

You might get a lucky season and find yourself up, ready to be the whipping boys. But that is about it without serious money.

[DavCobb]

Any sustainable period in the leagues above us is 100% about nothing other than money.
 

I wouldn't mind a sniff, never mind sustained!
Although, there are a list of teams who have reached the Prem on a (relative) tiny budget, bankrolling them for some time as long as they are not silly. At the same time they soon fall back by the wayside...if Hull, Wigan, Blackpool and co can achieve success then I am sure we can, maybe the 60's was to be our only time?

I think some think we are incapable of sustained L1 football because of our budget which I don't agree with.

[Terryfenwickatemyhamster]

I wouldn't mind a sniff, never mind sustained!
Although, there are a list of teams who have reached the Prem on a (relative) tiny budget, bankrolling them for some time as long as they are not silly. At the same time they soon fall back by the wayside...if Hull, Wigan, Blackpool and co can achieve success then I am sure we can, maybe the 60's was to be our only time?

I think some think we are incapable of sustained L1 football because of our budget which I don't agree with.

All of those listed, have taken years to recovery from their “little sniff”. Luton spent near on 5 million quid on agent fees alone in the championship. Their wage bill this season is 35 million.

Yet people moan at us operating on a million pound a year loss. What chance has any club got pleasing some. I’ll tell you. No fùcking chance.

[DavCobb]

I think the Luton have managed it very sensibly, around a tenth of Man City’s spend. Even if relegated they’ll be fine. It’s a different game to the one we are playing.
Getting embedded as a L1 regular needs to be the target but it wouldn’t be like the cut and thrust of a relegation scrap! The fans didn’t seem to get bored of some mid table action.

[Tabasco Kid]

All of those listed, have taken years to recovery from their “little sniff”. Luton spent near on 5 million quid on agent fees alone in the championship. Their wage bill this season is 35 million.

Yet people moan at us operating on a million pound a year loss. What chance has any club got pleasing some. I’ll tell you. No fùcking chance.

Dont forget 10 million quid on their new (for one year prem season only) stand.
I dont seem to recall terms like :  tin pot, non league, rusting, tiny, not fit for purpose, wrong type of lights, not enough seats, moneygrabbing, hemmed in, being used by fans on their forum though. Perhaps they are just more realistic fans, instead of the fickle vociferous few on that we have on here, who no doubt elsewhere on social media, cant wait to get their teeth into the completed market square.

[Terryfenwickatemyhamster]

I think the Luton have managed it very sensibly, around a tenth of Man City’s spend. Even if relegated they’ll be fine. It’s a different game to the one we are playing.
Getting embedded as a L1 regular needs to be the target but it wouldn’t be like the cut and thrust of a relegation scrap! The fans didn’t seem to get bored of some mid table action.

Luton's debt has more than double this year from 6m to 14m. Plus 4m they owe the EFL for a loan. I doubt many on here would call it sensible if that was us. Forget next year. They might get by if relegated. But it has bust many bigger and better clubs as the years pass, trying to get back into the top flight. Or covering wage bills from contracts negotiated during the good times.

To give you an idea from a season or two ago:

Three clubs promoted to the Premier League (Fulham, Bournemouth and Forest) lost £174,500,000 between them despite two of them receiving parachute payments. 

[DrillingCobbler]

All of those listed, have taken years to recovery from their “little sniff”. Luton spent near on 5 million quid on agent fees alone in the championship. Their wage bill this season is 35 million.

Yet people moan at us operating on a million pound a year loss. What chance has any club got pleasing some. I’ll tell you. No fùcking chance.

From memory, they may have got themselves into a bit of bother if they hadn't have gone up when they did. Im pretty sure that they were running at a circa 10 million a season loss (before transfers) to sustain one of the smaller wage bills in the championship.

Its quite frightening. The only way we could sustain ourselves at that level (on the pitch) is if a VERY wealthy benefactor took us over, regardless of whether or not our ground holds 8000,8150,10000 or 15000.

I recall at the Trust meeting a few years ago when the famous leaflet/brochure was handed out, the Pompey Trust guy said in his 'talk' that even 20,000 people showing up would mean they would be looking at a 5 million a year loss if they reached that level (too compete). Its much more than that now!

[DavCobb]

From memory, they may have got themselves into a bit of bother if they hadn't have gone up when they did. Im pretty sure that they were running at a circa 10 million a season loss (before transfers) to sustain one of the smaller wage bills in the championship.

...and that was one of the smallest wages bills in the league. It is what happens with a sh*t ground, no mega rich owner and a successful team.
There isn't a model where super successful football can be sustained for peanuts.

With their £150m (whatever the figure is these days) it makes absolute sense not have carry players on £50k+ per week and from what I have seen Luton haven't tried to do that. Their little flutter to the big league shouldn't have cost them put it that way. Staying there might!

[Manwork04]

...and that was one of the smallest wages bills in the league. It is what happens with a sh*t ground, no mega rich owner and a successful team.
There isn't a model where super successful football can be sustained for peanuts.

With their £150m (whatever the figure is these days) it makes absolute sense not have carry players on £50k+ per week and from what I have seen Luton haven't tried to do that. Their little flutter to the big league shouldn't have cost them put it that way. Staying there might!

The £100m Premier League parachute solidarity payments might help.

[Winslow Lee]

Becoming an established L1 team verses 'avoiding relegation' is just a glass half full/empty way of looking at it. The latter enables the former.

That pretty much sums it up

[Terryfenwickatemyhamster]

I am not dissatisfied with our current situation. We will see the east stand finished. We ae experiencing record crowds. And we are playing attractive football (most of the time). And sustaining a respectable league position. I doubt the constant whiny, moping types will ever be happy. 

[Manwork04]

I am not dissatisfied with our current situation. We will see the east stand finished. We ae experiencing record crowds. And we are playing attractive football (most of the time). And sustaining a respectable league position. I doubt the constant whiny, moping types will ever be happy. 

I guess a few, myself included see a missed opportunity, the east stand is quite frankly embarrassing for an established league club, although it isn’t KTs fault it looks so bad.
I would like a little more investment in the team, really not sure why NLQ is here other than to assist the sale of the club, land etc, to make JBs job a little easier.
Oxford have made the play off final, for me they were no better than us, so with a few tweaks we could push on next season.
UTC.

[Terryfenwickatemyhamster]

I guess a few, myself included see a missed opportunity, the east stand is quite frankly embarrassing for an established league club, although it isn’t KTs fault it looks so bad.
I would like a little more investment in the team, really not sure why NLQ is here other than to assist the sale of the club, land etc, to make JBs job a little easier.
Oxford have made the play off final, for me they were no better than us, so with a few tweaks we could push on next season.
UTC.

Can't argue with much of that Manny. But in terms of the East. I think we all knew they would stick to the script eventually. I agree entirely on the player budget. If we hang on to JB. And their is still a huge chance we might not. He has to be given the backing he deserves. I really hope KT & DB understand the enormity of the backlash that Brady leaving the club, having never been given adequate resources to challenge, would have.

[DavCobb]

I really hope KT & DB understand the enormity of the backlash that Brady leaving the club, having never been given adequate resources to challenge, would have.

Whatever their detractors have thought all along, it is probably reasonable to think their focus could be shifting towards some kind of exit. What's the lure of a business that is clearly going to struggle to ever make money, unless you have it to burn? They can continue to make all the right noises but wonder if they would be too concerned by any 'backlash' our fans could ever muster. As long as they continue to back him with a similar budget there isn't too much to complain about. With the management structure in place you'd hope that we are in a decent position to have a L1 run. It'll all come down to a successful recruitment campaign and hopefully a few less injuries and a sprinkling of good fortune! 

[Terryfenwickatemyhamster]

Whatever their detractors have thought all along, it is probably reasonable to think their focus could be shifting towards some kind of exit. What's the lure of a business that is clearly going to struggle to ever make money, unless you have it to burn? They can continue to make all the right noises but wonder if they would be too concerned by any 'backlash' our fans could ever muster. As long as they continue to back him with a similar budget there isn't too much to complain about. With the management structure in place you'd hope that we are in a decent position to have a L1 run. It'll all come down to a successful recruitment campaign and hopefully a few less injuries and a sprinkling of good fortune! 

I don't think we will keep that coaching structure without some further financial backing, to indicate faith in JB and his plans. 

[everbrite]

A better aim would be to establish ourselves as a League one club whilst looking to push on.

As said a lot depends on the players brought in during the summer, but a lot of that is down to luck as well. Take Hylton initially when we signed him that looked like a great signing to help us push on, injuries or whatever was wrong with him mean't that didn't happen.

I believe we have the right management team in place with Brady and hopefully we can get the right players in to suit how JB wants to play, which doesn't necessarily mean overly high wages.

Of course we should be looking to push on as that is away to establish yourself as a confident League 1 Club. It’s astonishing how some fans express the negative view that just surviving is sufficient! Money alone does not buy success and would have thought there is ample evidence to support this opinion as a fact? Good post batteryman! Well done!