Confimred new owners of Raeding Footbal Club

[Ian Royal]

Reasons to be cheerful:
1) Expectations were that we'd have to sell all our best players. We've sold one, arguably.
2) There were concerns we wouldn't be able to keep all of our promising young players. We've kept the lot.
3) There were concerns we'd go into Administration and start the season on -10 points. We've not.
4) The ownership saga is nearly at an end after about 10 / 11 months. SJM is hopefully applying the "once bitten, twice shy" and "fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me" principles.
5) The season starts at the end of the week, so we've got football to look forward to.
6) There's still time for signings yet.
7) Even if we don't make (m)any signings, we can look forward to seeing how our promising youngsters progress.
8 ) We shouldn't be in a relegation fight.
9) Even if we are, we should survive it. Wouldn't that make a pleasant change to always failing and going down when we're properly stuck in the middle of one. The last time we survived a genuine relegation battle was in the late 90s.

Anyone got anything to add? The season comes back to us at the turning of the tides.

[kwik-silva]

"... (I'm delighted) that we have such sweet people coming in to take over the club."

You know what, I don't oxf*rd want "sweet people" any longer.

No more "Mr Nice Guy." No more "the Reading way."

I want hard-nosed, unsentimental competitors. I want winners. I want people who want it.

That doesn't mean that we can't be prudent and "cut our cloth" accordingly. It means that we need to get a little bit nasty.

It simple, really. As much as I love footy in the old Div 3 and Div 4 - and that's great fun and was thoroughly enjoyable for 35 years of my life - if we have any pretension to compete, then we need to just be more *shudder* professional.

You did notice the three seasons we've had in the Premier League recently haven't you?

[multisync1830]

"... (I'm delighted) that we have such sweet people coming in to take over the club."

You know what, I don't oxf*rd want "sweet people" any longer.

No more "Mr Nice Guy." No more "the Reading way."

I want hard-nosed, unsentimental competitors. I want winners. I want people who want it.

That doesn't mean that we can't be prudent and "cut our cloth" accordingly. It means that we need to get a little bit nasty.

It simple, really. As much as I love footy in the old Div 3 and Div 4 - and that's great fun and was thoroughly enjoyable for 35 years of my life - if we have any pretension to compete, then we need to just be more *shudder* professional.

You misunderstand Thai people. They can be very ruthless when they want to be and still be 'sweet' to your face.They work on the walk softly and carry a big stick principle.

[Dick Habbin's hairdo]

You did notice the three seasons we've had in the Premier League recently haven't you?

Of course as, equally, I'm sure you noticed in those three years, we:

1) had a great first season based predominantly on the 106 team who had fight, passion but not a whole lot of world class skill
2) got biffed considerably in seasons two and three because we (hardly) invested in the team and, when we did, they were "nice" people.

[kwik-silva]

You did notice the three seasons we've had in the Premier League recently haven't you?

Of course as, equally, I'm sure you noticed in those three years, we:

1) had a great first season based predominantly on the 106 team who had fight, passion but not a whole lot of world class skill
2) got biffed considerably in seasons two and three because we (hardly) invested in the team and, when we did, they were "nice" people.

so what do you consider 'competing' to be then?

[melonhead]

You did notice the three seasons we've had in the Premier League recently haven't you?

Of course as, equally, I'm sure you noticed in those three years, we:

1) had a great first season based predominantly on the 106 team who had fight, passion but not a whole lot of world class skill
2) got biffed considerably in seasons two and three because we (hardly) invested in the team and, when we did, they were "nice" people.

but the ones who had the successful season were nice people too.....

[kwik-silva]

And, in fact, I'd argue squad unity has played a massive part in our successes in the past few years.

[Pepe the Horseman]

Yeh. The main reason we got releg8d the first time round was because the nice people turned into pcunts.

[Ian Royal]

You did notice the three seasons we've had in the Premier League recently haven't you?

Of course as, equally, I'm sure you noticed in those three years, we:

1) had a great first season based predominantly on the 106 team who had fight, passion but not a whole lot of world class skill
2) got biffed considerably in seasons two and three because we (hardly) invested in the team and, when we did, they were "nice" people.

So Fae, who refused to play a reserve game, and Halford who had a ***** problem were nice people?

We wouldn't have got to the PL in the first place, nor competed for promotion in pretty much every Championship season if we just had "nice" people who couldn't do the job properly.

Mental comments.

[Dick Habbin's hairdo]

Well, that's the question, isn't it?

Do we want to get promoted, play in the Primmadonnaship, establish ourselves as a Stoke, for example given it was not long ago we were very similar in terms of performance (although not fan base), or are we happy knocking around the Chump, League 1, League 2?

If any serious investor is going to put some "prudent" money in to the club then the riches of the Prem pay-TV start to look like a calculated risk in terms of "investment" - plus associated benefits of "kudos" ( a much over-used Asian-English word), and the opportunities for commercial development e.g. shopping malls etc.

My view is that RFC is a great purchase for a "partnership" that is prepared to put up a reasonably considerable sum in the hope/expectation of ticking two or more of the boxes in terms of commercial venture, investment opportunity and personal profile (and a safe haven for cash.)

More than that, if that's their view, then The Janitor is probably a very good man for the job. Pick up young, hungry, talented pros with a few years under the belt and develop the Cat 1.

[Ian Royal]

Well, that's the question, isn't it?

Do we want to get promoted, play in the Primmadonnaship, establish ourselves as a Stoke, for example given it was not long ago we were very similar in terms of performance (although not fan base),

Obviously the answer to this is yes, but for those hard of thinking, sustainably.

or are we happy knocking around the Chump,

In the meantime - yes, absolutely

League 1, League 2?

Quite obviously not, hence why we binned Rodgers so promptly when we were struggling last in this division.

If any serious investor is going to put some "prudent" money in to the club then the riches of the Prem pay-TV start to look like a calculated risk in terms of "investment" - plus associated benefits of "kudos" ( a much over-used Asian-English word), and the opportunities for commercial development e.g. shopping malls etc.

There isn't really a point here.

My view is that RFC is a great purchase for a "partnership" that is prepared to put up a reasonably considerable sum in the hope/expectation of ticking two or more of the boxes in terms of commercial venture, investment opportunity and personal profile (and a safe haven for cash.)

This all depends on what you consider a reasonable sum really.

More than that, if that's their view, then The Janitor is probably a very good man for the job. Pick up young, hungry, talented pros with a few years under the belt and develop the Cat 1.

I have literally no idea who you're referring to, but I presume it's an ill-considered and 'hilarious' nickname.

[Dick Habbin's hairdo]

Yeh. The main reason we got releg8d the first time round was because the nice people turned into pcunts.

Kwikers and Brenders - I agree with you. We were "unknown" that first season post 106, punching above our weight and did really well because of squad unity. We were sorely found out in the second season.

The third season in the Prem was just an unmitigated torture.

What I'd give for a 106 squad now.... but once there, especially now, any team would need to invest considerably to compete. The ratchet has not just gone up a notch or two in the last couple of seasons, it's gone to a different ratio.

[Pseud O'Nym]

"kudos" ( a much over-used Asian-English word)

Kudos is Greek innit? Bungalow is Asian though.

[rfc58]

Just wished Madejski would shut his mouth about the owners having deep pockets, as he loves to call it.

Any club entering in to negotiations with us about selling their players will remember this, and adjust the price accordingly.

No doubt over the years he's been a very astute business man, but those kind of comments don't help us in future negotiations.

[floyd__streete]

Reasons to be cheerful:
1) Expectations were that we'd have to sell all our best players. We've sold one, arguably.

Name the seriously saleable assets we have these days? McCarthy and Obita perhaps, although the latter has had just one season. Pog's wages would put teams off, I am sure. Otherwise.....who would want our 'best' players?

2) There were concerns we wouldn't be able to keep all of our promising young players. We've kept the lot.

They are all almost exclusively unproven, who would be willing to spend money on players (Obita excepted) who haven't featured in first team football.

3) There were concerns we'd go into Administration and start the season on -10 points. We've not.

-10 could always potentially apply any time during a season of course, admittedly that looks somewhat less likely now.

4) The ownership saga is nearly at an end after about 10 / 11 months. SJM is hopefully applying the "once bitten, twice shy" and "fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me" principles.

His recent track record in terms of decision making and spurious statements to the media (ie. January 2014: "there will be resources available for signings") is concerning so we'll reserve judgement on that shall we.

5) The season starts at the end of the week, so we've got football to look forward to.

Can it be any worse than it was last season?

6) There's still time for signings yet.

True, but the recent past has suggested that one shouldn't get one's hopes up in that department.

7) Even if we don't make (m)any signings, we can look forward to seeing how our promising youngsters progress.

.....or watching a car crash unfold as an inexperienced team gets rolled every other week.

8 ) We shouldn't be in a relegation fight.

On what basis do you say that? Hugely lacking up front now and missing experience in the form of McAnuff, Gorkss etc.

9) Even if we are, we should survive it.

Again, on what basis do you say that, given the inexperienced/untried nature of our team?

[Mr.Swainey]

I think Ian has had his radio turned down a bit recently.

[Nameless]

Reasons to be cheerful:
1) Expectations were that we'd have to sell all our best players. We've sold one, arguably.

Name the seriously saleable assets we have these days? McCarthy and Obita perhaps, although the latter has had just one season. Pog's wages would put teams off, I am sure. Otherwise.....who would want our 'best' players?

You miss the point.

Earlier in the summer the talk was that in order to survive financially we would be shipping players out left right and centre, which hasn't happened and is a good thing. Apart from the two you mention McCleary and Hector were linked to moves away and Guthrie, Karacan and Williams would not find it hard to find a buyer. We also know Man City were very interested in the totally inexperienced Kuhl.

[floyd__streete]

You miss the point.

Earlier in the summer the talk was that in order to survive financially we would be shipping players out left right and centre, which hasn't happened and is a good thing. Apart from the two you mention McCleary and Hector were linked to moves away and Guthrie, Karacan and Williams would not find it hard to find a buyer. We also know Man City were very interested in the totally inexperienced Kuhl.

Hmmmmm.....

McCleary I'd forgotten about, although he is very injury prone. Same applies to Williams, are clubs really queuing up to sign players with such poor injury track records I'm not so sure. Conceded, they are two decent players at our level (although they are of limited use to us with their injury records, particularly Williams who is seemingly incapable of playing twice in a week). Karacan is another one who has spent too much time on the treatment table in recent times to be genuinely in contention for a move to anywhere bigger or better.

Hector? Half a season in Scottish Premier League which is about the equivalent of Sky Bet League 1 does not a sought-after prospect make. Given Guthrie's attitude, I am sure if he'd had serious chance to better himself by now he'd have gone.

We also know Man City were very interested in the totally inexperienced Kuhl = this was mentioned in the local rag once.

[Pseud O'Nym]

Just wished Madejski would shut his mouth about the owners having deep pockets, as he loves to call it.

Any club entering in to negotiations with us about selling their players will remember this, and adjust the price accordingly.

No doubt over the years he's been a very astute business man, but those kind of comments don't help us in future negotiations.

You're so right. He should have said "Our new owners are totally skint" that would have got the fans on side all right, and done wonders for the club's creditworthiness.

[Nameless]

You miss the point.

Earlier in the summer the talk was that in order to survive financially we would be shipping players out left right and centre, which hasn't happened and is a good thing. Apart from the two you mention McCleary and Hector were linked to moves away and Guthrie, Karacan and Williams would not find it hard to find a buyer. We also know Man City were very interested in the totally inexperienced Kuhl.

Hmmmmm.....

McCleary I'd forgotten about, although he is very injury prone. Same applies to Williams, are clubs really queuing up to sign players with such poor injury track records I'm not so sure. Conceded, they are two decent players at our level (although they are of limited use to us with their injury records, particularly Williams who is seemingly incapable of playing twice in a week). Karacan is another one who has spent too much time on the treatment table in recent times to be genuinely in contention for a move to anywhere bigger or better.

Hector? Half a season in Scottish Premier League which is about the equivalent of Sky Bet League 1 does not a sought-after prospect make. Given Guthrie's attitude, I am sure if he'd had serious chance to better himself by now he'd have gone.

We also know Man City were very interested in the totally inexperienced Kuhl = this was mentioned in the local rag once.

Ok, the point is out there somewhere !!

Last try.

Forget whether clubs are queuing up, the point was that people were expecting that we would be having to get rid. We'd have had to sell on the cheap but for the club to survive the concern was that ALF would be the first of many to be sacrificed. And Kashmir it happens he was the first and last. It's not about the players going to bigger and better clubs but us being forced to sell to survive.

As for Kuhl, it was also rotted on the BBC but he pretty quickly said he was staying so whilst Viera made the comment it died a quick death. Doesn't mean they didn't express an interest....