Saint Fan CaM

I think the key point here is SR have risked much on an immediate return to the Prem. Not achieving that will leave a huge hole in the finances that will need plugging somehow. Guess what the most liquid asset the club holds is?

Thing is, Martin was not inexperienced. He was known to have a particular style of management/coaching which suited the club strategy (remember, he was hired by Jason W), had Championship experience at a high level with Swansea and they spent money either keeping good players here (KWP) or bringing in good players (Downes, Fraser etc), meaning that in theory he should do better than his time at Swansea. He’s done that and to a large extent helped recover the terrible vibe around the club from last season by winning many more games. The problem he’s faced is there are 3-4 very strong other Managers/teams in the league also. I don’t think SR / Dragan have the funds to inject to maintain things as they stand - there will be what some will call a firesale in the summer with our best players gone to fund the debt. And unless there’s a buy-out we’ll be back where we were years ago pre-Markus playing largely kids, but don’t hold your breath for a saviour this time. I’m no Nostradamus but I’d hazard a guess that promotion is vital. Mind you, that still brings problems…where’s the money coming from to buy new players fit for the Prem?

I’m not claiming ITK status - don’t need to. Yes, I’ve been told by someone away from this forum our financial situation is not healthy without a return to the Prem. Players of Downes talent/pricing will likely be a pipe-dream if we don’t go up. The debts left by Goa are substantive apparently and need servicing due to crippling interest. If you think otherwise that’s fine.

Unless he comes on a free we’ll not be signing him in the Championship. We’re broke without a return to the Prem.

My thoughts entirely. SR might be thinking that now is the best chance of divesting itself of a big debt laden club, albeit one with the promise of the millions on offer in the Prem. Trouble is, the debt will still be hanging around like a bad smell even in the Prem unless a super rich buyer steps in. I wonder what the club is valued at for a sale now?

I dread to think how the summers transfer business will proceed. Promotion will require up to 7 new Prem level players capable of playing in a RM system, but without the funds to acquire such players. Failure to get promotion will see an exodus of players to gain funds and a massive reduction in quality. Anyone dreaming of top level purchases will be sadly disappointed - we’ll be shopping in the bargain basement. Either way, it’s going to be another roller coaster ride.

It is critical that we win through to the final and then win in the final at Wembley. There’s so much riding on our promotion to the Prem from a financial point of view because of debt left by Goa and failure to go up will cast a huge shadow, so much so that we could find ourselves in deeper shit than our previous relegation if that were possible. Sports Republic have gambled everything on an immediate return to the Prem…failure is not an option, so we must hope RM and his coaches are on their best form to rouse the squad to perform at the highest level. The stakes could not be higher - a cosy life in the Championship is not an option. COYS!

Completely agree - I really thought RM had lost it putting Fraser at LB…but he did really well. I also thought Aribo had an exceptional game too…didn’t put a foot wrong, fantastic hold-up play, passing great, movement great…my MOTM.

Brum relegated. Nice to get the double over dirty Leeds .

Utterly disgraceful Leeds - cheating cnuts!

Ipswich - wow…following in Saints footsteps with back to back promotions

Yep - Ref gets his chance to reward a cheating Leeds player.

Nice movement from the Monster.

That should have been a red for Gruev - out of control lunge took Sully’s leg. Terrible challenge.

C’mon Russ we want the monster!