If Bates had the ambition and skill (together with Harvey and Grayson) to get us into the Premier League, Howson would have stayed. Last year was a golden opportunity for that, and yet the club failed. So to me it's about a lack of ambition at the top. I "advocate" spending the money the club has. Bates has repeatedly said the club budgets for early exits from the cups, etc. So when we have had repeated windfalls over the past few years from both player sales and money-spinning cup ties, I don't think I'm being unreasonable in expecting that to be reflected by the purchase of quality playing staff. I don't think we've seen that. (Especially when the financial "base" for the club is so sound - the highest attendances in the entire Football League paying the highest prices.)
Money is a huge factor in success in football. It is not the only factor - quality of management, desire and luck are all in there too - but if Mancini was put in charge of Rochdale a couple of years ago I doubt they'd be top of the Premier League right now. (Equally, if I were put in charge of Man City, they'd probably be relegated, admittedly.) Even teams that clearly owe their success primarily to their manager have to spend. (For instance, it was a magnificent achievement for Clough to take an unglamorous side like Forest from the old second division to European champions, but the winning goal in that first European Cup final was scored by Britain's first million-pound player.) Man U have been successful over the past 20 years partly because they had a terrific manager, but partly because they can repeatedly back that manager's vision with the cash to take other clubs' best players from them (e.g. Rooney). It's not as simple as money = success, but money is a big part of it. All other things being equal, the team that's had more money spent on it will be the one that does better over the long run. Of course, all other things are rarely exactly equal, which is where knowing exactly how to get the most out of that money comes in. Cheers! Sean -----Original Message----- From: Mark Humphries <mark.humphr...@blueyonder.co.uk> To: seanscribe <seanscr...@aol.com>; armitn <arm...@yahoo.com>; richard <rich...@triumph-computers.co.uk>; leedslist <leedslist@gn.apc.org> Sent: Fri, Jan 27, 2012 1:21 pm Subject: RE: [LU] in his own words.. Sheesh, of course he would have stayed then, because he would be playing in the premier league! So now it is down to Bates where we finish in the league? I guess we owe him big time for 2 seasons ago then? And you advocate spending to match other championship teams, like West Ham and Birmingham for example? If you don’t advocate matching (or exceeding their spend) then how/why do you think extra money spent would make any material/significant difference to us finishing top 2? Either you think money = success or you don’t. If it does then we would have to better all other championship teams, if it doesn’t then where does that leave your argument? Anyway, the point it Howson was sold because he would not sign a new contract. Not because we offered him a shit contract. Not because he perceived a lack of ambition. Not because we forced him to go. Not because its all gone “bad” behind the scenes. All 4 of those those reasons have been used as an excuse to bash Bates or Grayson, and for the final frigging time, Howson “In his own words” has told us all exactly why he signed for Norwich. From: seanscr...@aol.com [mailto:seanscr...@aol.com] Sent: 27 January 2012 17:51 To: mark.humphr...@blueyonder.co.uk; arm...@yahoo.com; rich...@triumph-computers.co.uk; leedslist@gn.apc.org Subject: Re: [LU] in his own words.. I disagree. If Bates had gotten us up last season, I bet Howson would have stayed _______________________________________________ Leedslist mailing list Info and options: http://mailman.greennet.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/leedslist To unsubscribe, email leedslist-unsubscr...@gn.apc.org PETE CASS (1962 - 2011) Rest In Peace Mate
