Neurotica
First Team Squad
The depressing thing that despite our massive spending we are only a handful of points above Burnley and Sheffield United and before the deduction, Luton, despite them spending a pittance in comparison. I think this is what other clubs find so hilarious. Where has that £200 million/44 signings got us?!Last time I checked this thread was about midday on Monday! Here's my take:
We've been foolish with our spending and we've made some dud signings, however it's very easy to be critical of the club with the benefit of hindsight. I've seen the statistic referring to the squad being worth £12 million on promotion, the closest club to us in terms of worth was Bournemouth at £151 million. We had to make the step up and we had to spend.
We could have had a better approach to signings, we could have looked at the Brighton model, but the cost of a Premier League squad has moved on to such an extent, that it's extremely difficult to compete without spending big; Sheff United and Burnley have been struggling all season because of lack of investment, Ipswich will be in the exact same situation next season if promoted.
I have been critical of Marinakis, I think he needs to lower his expectations, but I will never criticise him for showing ambition and having the balls to give it a go in the Premier League. This season has been tricky, it was a shame it came to an end with Cooper and we sometimes don't feel any further forward with Nuno, however the statement from the club in response to the points deduction was absolutely fantastic.
There'll be criticism from our own fans, other clubs will call us cheats, but the bigger picture for football is that the big wigs want to protect the bigger clubs at all costs... Newcastle cannot even break the cartel. Marinakis dared to take them on and I respect that, even though he does sometimes act like a kid in a sweet shop. Someone at the club needs to advise him that an appeal is too risky, particularly given that our statement was 'two fingers' to the Premier League.
It's siege mentality... back Nuno, back Marinakis, get the displays, boo the PL anthem, tell Richard Masters to f**k off... this isn't playing the victim card, this is standing up to save football. BRING IT ON