Thetownend.com

So a good few months ago I questioned Lee Power and stressed my concern at the low quality players we were singing.  Some of the replies were laughable, however I wonder if many of those who were quick to shoot me down are happy with Mr Power now.  We currently have a squad that is simply woeful, players have been signed because they demand lower wages than most yet our attendances are considerably higher than numerous other teams.  something doesn't add up.......
Next season will be the first season in a considerable time I do not purchase a season ticket.  Numerous others who have supported the club for yours have become disillusioned citing Power and his methods for the reason for no longer wanting to attend.  These are worrying times.  (No doubt this message will get the usual "go support Man Utd" and "Power has us on sound financial footing"). If Power persists with signing poor quality players then we will not only be in free fall but attendances will also suffer massively.  I for one have found this season to be a complete chore and cannot see things improving.  I look forward to some sensible input from the likes of delta incline, no doubt others will have something sarcastic lined up.   

Lee Power is like Dr Evil. He has a master plan to destroy the club.

You were right to be concerned.  That Jeremy Balmy song was woeful.

My only  real gripe is the stubborn insistence in adhering to a style that patently does not work for the players we have.

So there are only 2 alternatives - change the style or recruit players more adept at the required style.

Some may point to the success of last season playing a similar way but that was with Luongo Byrne Gladwin etc. No one can claim their replacements are anywhere near good enough.

We have been sussed by opposition teams and even the lowly ones are able to counter our 'way'.

When you say 'sensible input', what would you like people to say?

You say these are 'worrying times', but that was the case 5/10/15/20 years ago (you'd have loved it if you were around in 1990 when we got relegated 2 divisions). This is Swindon, that's how it is. Don't get me wrong, I'd love it to be better - I am green with envy at Leicester City fans and even Bournemouth. But we're not - it is what it is.

I'm probably quite a bit older than you and I let it wash over me to a large degree (again, please don't misunderstand me, I'm not totally complacent - I was fucking apoplectic after we lost 6-0 to Scunthorpe and it still hurts now). Ultimately though, there's nothing we can do. Tell me you want me to say and I'll say it if it will make you feel better.

So basically we are only allowed to agree with you, otherwise we are sarcastic?

Surprised at the sensible responses!  Course I don't expect everyone to agree, game of opinions but on my last post some sarcastic and immature responses.  I have been going since March 88', I fully expect us to sell star players but what i cannot accept from Power is all the revenue received, in return he has invested next to nothing in the playing squad.  I am genuinely concerned.  Like I stated earlier, lads and I mean lots of lads who have been going for years will not be going next season.  I just hope Power spends otherwise we are massive, massive trouble.

Remember 1990, being demoted, was absolutely gutted as an 8 year old.  I am massively concerned with Lee Power and have zero confidence in him.

How can you say he's invested next to nothing when we signed Ajose?

Nobody knows what that cost. Maybe loads, maybe jack shit

Nicky Ajose had his contract paid up by Leeds United.  He was a free agent and demand wasn't high for services, therefore I cannot imagine his wages are astronomical.  No transfer fee paid.

 

Just because people don't agree with your reasoning, doesn't mean they're immature.

And quite frankly if people see this season as a reason for stopping going, after all the shit we've been through, I'd suggest a post disagreeing with you (and your mates) would actually be the more reasoned and mature of stances.


Wat?

Never mind.

Barry, the responses were immature, rather than address the issues raised (as you have and sonic youth) was just immature answer that contributed nothing.  Yes, we as a club have had some turbulent times, and the lads mentioned have stuck through. It.  However the belief is Power has sold every player worth watching, profit solely for himself and replaced with utter dross.  Who in their right mind is going to part with hard earned cash to watch the remaining home games?  Any of the current crop worth it? Unfortunately I have a season ticket so I will be there.

What the club needs is another Willie Carson,open wallet . . splash the cash.

There we go...mother brown...another sarcastic funny man.
What we don't need is a chairman who invests fuck all in players.

OK, here we go - I've said it before and I'm going to keep going at it like a dog with a bone. We're in a bit of a shit run, no doubt - BUT - 13 days ago (and counting) we could say we were 7 games unbeaten. This current shit run is only 2 weeks old but a lot of people are talking like the World is falling around their ears. If we win 3-0 at Bradford, what will those people be saying then?*

*No I don't think there's any chance of that happening, it's more forlorn hope than anything else but it's all I have, seeing as how I've already got my mother fucking tickets.**

**You never know - there's no logic in football, although Reg would try to have you believe otherwise.

We have bad seasons quite a lot, regardless of what's expended money wise.

Next season will be the one to judge the system on more.

It's a belief you and your mates have, not fans en masse, it's certainly not a belief myself or any of my mates have.

There are far easier ways of generating money, if that's what you want to do, than owning a league one football club and gambling on unproven players in the hope of turning a profit.

The thing is though even recently when we were winning I though we were in a false position.  This is a poor league and we have looked mediocre.
I sincerely hope next season sees a marked improvement, fingers crossed Power now realises the cheap option is not always the best option.  

I'm no great fan of Power but even I'm willing to see what happens re recruitment over the summer.

Not many months ago we were all wetting ourselves about the players Power signed - the Ojamaa days - sure, the majority didn't work out but, hey, shit happens.

Again, I'm more concerned about the tactics then the personnel

So what actually is your actual point GL5?

You're a bit pissed off?

I get that, believe me. Other than that though, what do you suggest we do?

More than a bit pissed off, angry, frustrated and concerned!  As for the answer, fuck knows!!

Thanks for clarifying.

We haven't got much money. That's why we aren't spending any. That's why we're not signing tons of experienced and well regarded players that people want. That's why we're not winning every game 6-0.

The tragic performances of late have been a concern because of the depth of the squad and the way we don't seem to learn from our mistakes defensively. How this equates to Power being a crook, who apparently wants us to get relegated but rip us off at the same time (???) is the part I see as total hysterical bullshit. IMHO.

We had an expensive experienced squad in 2010/2011.

That was far worse than this year.

Oh and we're not spending money so I'm not giving the club any of my money is the stupidest logic ever. That's not me being sarcastic or immature, it's me pointing out you're a fool. 

Probably worth mentioning that from what I understand, we've not even had half of the transfer fees for Luongo and Gladwin. It could be wrong, but we don't have all of it.

Oh yeah and if you want to be objective then Obika, Smith, Luongo, Gladwin and Byrne were all paid for by Power out of his own pocket. I don't particularly like the guy but if you're gonna slate his lack of spending then at least be fair about it.

I am a fool am I tails.  Read the forum on a regular basis and you are a muppet.

Power has put money into the club since he took over. As mentioned in the phone in he has covered the losses (approximately £4m) and was looking to take some of that money back.

That goes against the grain of most club owners who plug the gap between revenue and player wages with little chance of getting any back (Wills family and Andrew Black must have written off £10m each over the years). Most Championship clubs are losing £10-£20m a season and I suspect in League 1 its a couple of million for most clubs but supporters aren't covering those.

Power's philosophy is not to do that and try to make money from selling players on at a profit using his contacts or inside knowledge of how clubs operate. For example Coventry wanted to sign Ajose but couldn't do a deal with Leeds yet a week later we sign him as a free agent?

If Power wants to own the training ground and make money from redevelopment that's his prerogative and as long as the risk or unreasonable costs don't get passed on to the club then fine. There are lots of things to not like about him, the way some players were pushed out the door or frozen out and the whole media ban.

But we are where we are until either the next Andrew Black comes along or Power could easily sell out to the next Jed or Portuguese lot if they stump up the asking price. This season has flitted from promotion form to relegation form and not much in between.

Let's hope we do enough to stay up and Power realises he can't play the loan market and we build a competitive squad with young talent and older heads. Maybe, just maybe we put together a squad that can last the distance in a year when the league is weak and not have good sides that fall short when the promotion teams are strong (09/10 and last year spring to mind).

Great post Oaksey, credit where due.

Fuck paying the bills and investing in a new training ground, just plough it all on players.

I think stability wise, we are better as a club. In fact, I Know we are. Mr Power has spent money on the club as a whole. A lot that people do not see.

All very we'll investing next to nothing on players...sure the 4,500-5000 will be thrilled next season.

So be it - that will be down to the fans choice.

Surely it's better to have a club than no club at all? I think some people need to broaden their visions. Yes the team hasn't had the best season, but behind the scenes we are better off. Just remember that we had a change of management half way through which wouldn't have helped.

Show me a league one club that is breaking even or making a profit? Whilst I understand the apathy towards the style of play and perceived lack of quality signings, I think the club is being run on an even keel. Just because we have larger gates than a number of clubs in the league it doesn't automatically equate to more to spend, it just means more to cover the running costs which if we only spend what we earn ensures we break even. We don't know the running costs, but what is do know is I'd rather have a club than have one it go to the wall.

The point I'm trying to make is it would be nice for someone to spunk some money up the wall and try to go for promotion, but until then I'm happy to have a club that isn't in danger of folding.

Have we seen any evidence of actually achieving break even?

I mean that for the accountants on here rather than a dig at anyone (incl Power). I've honestly lost track of the public finance records.

FWIW, if we have then great. Its not very exciting and probably won't get us out the league. But the way I see it is it keeps us going until a billionaire philanthropist whose mission in life is to blow all their money on us appears.

The loss last year was about £86,000 which is as close to break even you would get in League 1 and our history. There was one year of profit in the Fitton era but that was only losses set aside for court disputes weren't needed and added back to the balance sheet.

86K is pretty sweet financially then. The wage bill has surely gone down this season too.

If he hasn't got the money to "invest", then he hasn't got it. Would prefer he did but hey ho.

It does feel like the club is stagnating/back to square 1 though. It may not be reality, but perception does encourage/discourage people. I have to say the complete devastation of the squad over the summer surprised me a little. We were obviously going to sell and players wanted to move on. I didn't expect to start again though.

It'll be interesting to see if there really is a 2 year cycle, or whether it'll be start again time. That said, the loans will go back so we lose Thompson, Turnbull and possibly Vigs. With what's left I can't see past Obika and Ajose (and Yasser I guess) currently being worth anything. Which is worrying.

Probably missed it, but in what format did you ask these questions and what answers did Power actually give when subjected to your questioning? As for signing players based purely on wage requirements has this actually been stated anywhere or is it just a case of taking a flyer on players not paid off this season unlike last?

The £86k loss was posted before the player sales of last summer and the play off income and the subsequent cut in the budget, so the current figures should make sweet reading - that lot should amount to £4-5m.

I presume out of that Power has paid himself back and bought the golf course - whether the club or Power is paying for the infrastructure for the training ground nobody knows - but the purchase should also bring about a drop in expenditure when we stop paying rent for our current training facilities.

The one thing that does irritate me is this oft trotted out bit about the transfer money coming in in part payments over time and therefore is not available to fund player purchases even if we wanted to. If this is the case then any purchases we may make would also be by part payment so really that makes no difference.

Why Power invested a fair bit in players at the beginning of his tenure when we were, according to him, losing £400,000 a month but now when we are on an even keel he just goes for the cheap and cheerful market, I don't know.

One thing's for sure, though. Another summer of signings in last year's mode will show whether Power is genuine in trying for promotion.

Fuck me, there are a few posters on here with awfully short memories!!  Admins, CVA, discontent amongst the players not and backroom staff not getting paid, "Can't Pay, We'll Take It Away" and who can forget that night at Brentford when we thought it could be the last time we see us play in the league.  The club appears to be on an even keel (less the fucking deals that Jed did!) and we have stabilised and very easy to point the finger at Power for not spending (probably money he doesn't have) on the team.  The rules on loans are changing for next season, he has to change policy somewhat but for the moment just be thankful we still have a team to support and moan at,

Looking back on this season, the struggle has in my view been down to the thinness of the squad in part - hence the good runs and the bad runs.

Always controversial when one mentions PDC but one thing he did as a rookie manager himself was create tactical discipline and a good defence.  This season and some of last towards the end has been a ****ing joke defensively and exacerbated by forcing a commitment to playing the ball out of defence by some players patently incapable of doing so.

Happy with that philosophy - even Hoddle gave away goals trying to implement it - but some of our pegs are very square for the round holes they are forced into. 

Pretty much the response I was expecting.

A muppet maybe but at least I'm a reasonable one. Care to venture any of the points I raised? didn't think so. Beaten by a muppet, how embarrassing for you.  :bye:

Probably the most accurate sentence I've read on here for weeks.

There should be a clause inserted into the FL fit and proper test for owners that they are legally obliged to spend whatever money is demanded from them by anyone on a fans forum.

Only then will the fans get a club worthy of our heroic support.

 :clap:

I bet you the price of a 2017-18 season ticket that we average more than 7000 next season. Willing to put your money where your mouth is?

I like it, fighting talk...

As others have said, Power seems to have settled the club on an even keel and I have enough confidence in him to improve the player situation for next season that I have bought a season ticket.

I am pretty sure we averaged significantly more than that in our previous two relegation seasons, so it would take some effort to dip to those lows next season.

Next season is a bit of a proof of the pudding one for Power.  Invest a little and get an improved squad with some depth then we can see it that this year was the anomaly.  If we repeat this season then it would provide some evidence to suggest the 14/15 season was the blip caused by having a mate at Spurs.

I think it is likely the next accounts will show a profit, and that liabilities reduce as a result because Power will have paid off some of the loans made to the club by himself.  He would have looked at the income coming in and thought, this just doesn't happen very often at this level, better to bank it now than hope in the future.

For reference, players signed since Sherwood left Spurs (not including loans):

Rodgers
Reeves
Obika
Hylton
C.Belford
BOO
Traore
Robert
Iandolo
Brophy
Barry
Stewart
Ajose
Balmy
Ojamaa
Bangoura
Calvin
Sendles-White

The signings of Ojamaa and the other defensive midfielder who played once and Millwall and whose name escapes me, could have been master strokes but were absolute disasters. On paper, they had decent pedigree and us, as fans were looking forward to seeing them once they signed. It didn't work out this time, but may in the future.

This season hasn't been very enjoyable and player recruitment hasn't been fantastic, the Jordan Stewart episode for instance. I think we were spoiled by Byrne, Luongo, Gladwin, Foderingham etc who were excellent recruits that we have sold on for profit. These 'Waitrose' players have been replaced with 'Aldi' players, its basically the same and does the same job, just not as well and without the same quality. (pretty crap analogy but I am sure you get the idea!)

Struggling on the Reeves and Calvin names - was the latter the new striking hope?

I can't think who the fuck Reeves is either!

Calvin was signed on a free in January I think. Released by Watford. I think a short term contract to see if he is any good. Would be nice to see if he was.

Sorry! It was Jake Reeves. Left pretty quickly for AFC Wimbledon.

http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Person.asp?PersonID=REEVESJA

Whatever happened to Tom Smith, young midfielder who scored against Crewe earlier this season?

I follow him on Twitter so know that he had a pretty bad injury and is currently working his way back to fitness. I doubt we'll see him again this season but is a good prospect I think.

He has been 1 of 3 nominated for League 1 apprentice of the year.

Ah, OK. Cheers.

Jake got on the park around 9 times last season in league games and we only lost one....looked a useful lad. Been pretty much ever present for the Dons since going there. Certainly could have done with him this season.

Reeves was decent. If we could make a move for him this summer I wouldn't be disappointed, he only didn't play because he had Luongo, Kasim & Thompson ahead of him.

Ah I remember him now. He was basically a useful Rodgers.

That's the boy....we'd have kept him, if his old man was managing Liverpool.

He was, I suppose, a deputy for Yaser Kasim, who at the time was umm'ing and ahh'ing about whether to play for his country.

Reeves just wanted to play football so asked to leave, and dropped a division to get games.

Is he the incredibly ginger lad, if so I suspect with the coming of spring and summer we will not see him again due to sun burn injury concerns?

Me too, decent enough player!