Spurs have dispensed with the man once thought Europe’s hottest guru manager (don’t believe in guru managers). Villas Boas was a failure as manager but he was a mere symptom of their problems. Splurging circa £100m on vagrant misfits should be enough to disguise the fact that you don’t have a sustainable strategy. For a while. But primary responsibility lies with whoever authorised the budget in the first place.
Selling that chap with the funny hair to Madrid went some way towards offsetting the cost of this summer’s acquisitions, but Spurs wage bill for the new arrivals will dwarf the money paid to those who departed. This is the more serious problem.
They are left with players on long and expensive contracts who look like they auditioning for a West End show. Forget about Spurs recouping their ‘investment’, the chances of players attracting contract offers which match the cash the Cockerel coughs up each month is zero.
The Bale money is gone and those new contracts written in the summer will inhibit the club for years. What next: downsizing, or another visit to the roulette table, gambling with even bigger stakes next time?
Here’s what happens when you sell your star player: everyone and their grannie wants the money spent. “The [Insert club name] board need to show their ambition”. This comes from fans, the media, the manager, scouts, family members and every taxi driver in a 30 mile radius. And why wouldn’t they spend an apparent windfall, that’s what the money’s there for, after all.
It’s at this point clubs lose all self-awareness. Reinforced by the success which led to the development and profitable sale of a prime asset in the first place, the organisation’s view of its reach, not to mention competency, is obliterated. “We have spent money well in the past, look, here is the evidence, therefore we can spend this even larger amount of money well now”.
With this belief now orthodoxy, every pore in the organisation secretes an intoxicating scent attracting the club to market. Unfortunately, the rewards for spending big are heady and instant, though they seldom last as long as the hangover.
Directors are celebrated, ticket and merchandise sales get a short-term kick. The manager and coaches get to play with more expensive toys; quite literally, everyone is happy. This is narco-football, only accommodated by ever-bigger hits. For some, this narco-football offers proof that management share wider stakeholder aspirations. I contend otherwise.
The heresy to this orthodoxy reads differently:
Clubs should mistrust their successes, they are evidentially more random than most are prepared to accept.
Windfall transfer income is more likely to draw clubs away from the part of the market they are most competent in. It is an acknowledged fact that sellers and agents literally see them coming.
Don’t go searching for the instant hit, you’re more likely to miss. If necessary, take some short-term pain while using resources to enhance recruitment infrastructure.
Heresy in any area of life is seldom met with quiet contemplation. Narco-football heresy is more likely to be met with a rationalisation that the heretics don’t share orthodoxy’s core values – sustainable success of the football club – no matter how many references to “sustainable success of the football club” they make. It’s Salem-esque.
The orthodox-heretic analogy is evident where three or more are gathered in any club’s name. The first club who manage to unite everyone behind the heretic’s charter will clean up/reach nirvana/find salvation/achieve ultimate enlightenment/do lunch with Tom Cruise.
CQteN St Patrick’s Day Dinner is now FULLY BOOKED. Many thanks for everyone who responded so quickly. We are well on the way to raising the money to build a kitchen and shelter at the Kholoni Primary School in Malawi (for details check here).
Just a few posting days left to order your CQN Annual before Christmas, £5 from every sale goes to the Malawi appeal:
Sean Fallon: Celtic’s Iron Man:
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Uly
The English press seem to get after AVB quickly
Big turnaround at Spurs …is a couple of months bad run worth the sack
Still in all cup comps…New players still to settle in
Silly sacking IMO
celtfish
19:49 on 17 December, 2013
………
And winning Captains, thanks bhoys.
V
greendreamz @ 20:23 on 17 December, 2013
Sorry greendreamz, but this has nothing to do with the board. If I sing Roll of Honour (which I do) then it is me singing it. Not any board. I am responsible for my actions. I will stand up for myself. I will be happy to do it. I don’t need hauners. I know what is legal and what is illegal.
http://t.co/aUUkwTqZqO
Chuckles Green and current board members take a break from fishing trip to hear radio news of how the anticipated AGM vote is going to turn out.
Things are coming to a head with the Spanish clubs because investors in clubs elsewhere in Europe have asked the European Commission to speed up its investigation into long-standing complaints. And it turns out that the status of the competition commissioner, Joaquín Almunia, as a season-book holder and club member at one of the clubs involved, Athletic Bilbao, is being blamed (by the investors in other European clubs) for the delay. He denies this.
In another development today, the European parliament-appointed European Ombudsman, Ireland’s Emily O’Reilly, has issued a statement demanding that Mr Almunia get on with it. The statement makes for powerful reading for anyone keen on football cleaning up its act.
You can read it here http://www.ombudsman.europa.eu/en/press/release.faces/en/52875/html.bookmark.
I’m dreaming of a Whyte Christmas
After all the spin that’s just not right.
May your days be merry and bright,
And may all
Your Christmases be …
Championees, Championees
We are the Champions!!!
The Scottish media were reporting today that actor James McAvoys’ father and step brother have been arrested for drug dealing.
Even although McAvoy hasn’t seen his father since childhood and has never met his step brother.
Interesting. I dont recall the SMS headline regarding Limmy. . .
“TV star’s brother convicted of sectarian hate crime”.
Hmmmm
The Celtic support are being persecuted guys. Can’t believe what the SNP and their mercenaries are meting out and we are just accepting it ! 7 Celtic supporters are enduring a trial. The charge is a trumped up piece of nonsense, a farce but the sanctions are hefty. Besides the trial they may have lost jobs and will no doubt be suffering the stress of an uncertain future, given the penalties the Sheriff can hand out.
It is only a matter of time before they get a conviction isn’t it ? Will some supporters group fund an appeal to a higher authority ? This lot are hurting and our young fans, our future, are the target. Open season on Tims will be August to May in Scotland once they have their precedent.
Would you let your son or daughter go to a dangerous event ? I’m thinking twice about allowing my youngest to go.
20:29 on
17 December, 2013
“The highest court in the land can never, ever silence a song .
The people will decide, and only the people can silence a song ,
for if no one wants to hear it , the song itself will fall silent .”
Christy Moore
That is what is needed to expose the farce that is the Offensive Behaviour legislation. Some public figure to sing a freedom song on the way to see Celtic play……..
Huns in denial shocker
The bbc are full of shit
How do they no the AGM is on Thursday
They haven’t counted the fans vote yet
The best one of all
They must think we’re stupid
Hahaha mad silly Huns
Bucket collection? Employ defence team?
I always try to avoid the ‘victim mentality’ but it would seem that someone has went to war with us and failed to tell us.
How long until Paul Murray says “this was never about Paul Murray.”?
BIG-CUP-WINNERS
20:44 on
17 December, 2013
20:29 on
17 December, 2013
“The highest court in the land can never, ever silence a song .
The people will decide, and only the people can silence a song ,
for if no one wants to hear it , the song itself will fall silent .”
Christy Moore
That is what is needed to expose the farce that is the Offensive Behaviour legislation. Some public figure to sing a freedom song on the way to see Celtic play……..
Or a LOT of people singing it Christmas carol stylee in George Sq.
If I post the lyric of the Roll of Honour in here can I be charged.
I live in Manchester so can I be charged???
What – mass sing song?
googybhoy ♥ Celtic
20:48 on
17 December, 2013
If I post the lyric of the Roll of Honour in here can I be charged.
I live in Manchester so can I be charged???
**********
You my friend might be more right than you know.
paddy gallagher
20:50 on 17 December, 2013
Doubt the GMP are that bothered and got better things to do.
Will Police Scotland send someone down?????
As we are in the festive mood here is a Christmas Quiz:
What happened next?
03 March 2011 Following a Celtic v Rangers game at Parkhead – in which nothing special happened as far as Celtic were concerned, but Rangers’ players manhandled the referee, their manager tried to attack the Celtic manger in his dugout area, and their fans wrecked seating and generally acted like thugs, singing anti-Irish racist and anti-RC songs of hate – the Scottish Mainstream Media went into overdrive to make a mountain out of the proverbial molehill, damaging Celtic FC in the process.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-12631956
Despite the fact that Rangers’ players and manager acted scandalously, only the Celtic manager received further sanctions.
Then, Chief Constable of Strathclyde, Stephen House, called Alex Salmond, who convened a summit which led to Celtic being pressed into joining a Joint Action Group on Football. JAG aims were for the footballing authorities, Rangers and the Government, to forge more and closer Old Firm ties, set up FoCUS and implement measures from the embryo OB Act. In addition JAG were committed to target the League Cup Final as an appropriate vehicle to promote messages of “Tolerance, Respect and Responsibility”
http://www.saveourglen.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/JAG-Progress-Report.pdf
########################################################################
Only 18 days later on 21 March 2011 Following the CIS League Cup Final between Celtic and Rangers at Hampden, Graham Spiers (A Rangers share & season ticket holder) of the Times scathingly condemned the Ibrox support for belting out for 120 minutes, incessant, bigoted, bile about the Pope, Fenians, etc. the latter chant being one that the courts have found to be anti-Irish racism.
http://www.saveourglen.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Graham-Spiers-Commentary.pdf
However two of Celtic’s fellow members of JAG, Justice Minister, Kenny MacAskill, and Assistant Chief Constable of Strathclyde, Campbell Corrigan, saw things differently, and the Scottish MSM (including our national broadcaster) didn’t see anything amiss at all.
MacAskill saw the game as the showpiece everyone wanted to see and a great advert for Scottish football, which should be replicated elsewhere as a force for good in society. Corrigan thought the atmosphere at the ground was excellent and the match was a great advert for Scottish football. The SFA, SPL, and SFL said nothing.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-12802149 #######################################################################
What happened next?
After the breathtaking hypocrisy displayed by all of the football authorities (SFA, SPL, SFL), including the referee and observers through to the board of directors, the Justice Minister and Deputy Chief Constable at the CIS Cup Final; did Celtic FC’s directors:
A/ Resign from JAG and condemn their JAG partners for their double standards; the Rangers’ fans for their appalling behaviour, and the Scottish MSM for their failure to fairly report events?
Or
B/ Say nothing and continue to cooperate with JAG in furthering Old Firm initiatives; the introduction of FoCUS & The OB Act, paying further lip service to the merits of the League Cup Final, while at every opportunity condemning the least misdemeanour by their own fans (real or imaginary a la Pat Nevin) as a way of ingratiating themselves with the Scottish MSM?
You can’t go wrong with Paul Murray, he’s been over the course he set the ship right..
Hahaha
More Popcorn Please
Paddy Gallagher
20:49 on
17 December, 2013
What – mass sing song?
Yeah!!
Posted just after 8pm tonight (I don’t know why, honest!) on the Rangers Int Share Discussion Board : “Craig Whyte has won his Ticketus appeal. He is now ready to fund his legal claim over Rangers assets. ”
And at close of play in London this evening a money-minded bear had this to say:
“mccoist is as slippery as green, whyte and the rest of them. he has sidlled up with everyone showing an interest in taking over, spouting the usual pish” can take us forward”. he knows hes a dud as a manager and therefore has gifted his shares so that he doesnt have to take sides, therefore making him available to jump into bed with whoever takes over. a charlatan to say the least. as a true ranger myself, i would question mccoists integrity and his love of rangers fc, i would suggest his love of money outweighs his love of rangers.”
I noticed that the FOCUS group are presenting themselves as the ones offended by the R.O.O and I find that odd because they all volunteered for the unit. This came to light when one of their “female” members spoke of having friends who had lost loved ones to IRA bombs- not exactly a common occurrence within the Scottish public, suggesting that was why the song offended her. This means that the song is only offensive because it upsets people who signed on specifically to be offended.
The SNP’s purge of the fenians indeed
Jelly and ice cream,
When Sevco die
googybhoy ♥ Celtic
20:48 on
17 December, 2013
If I post the lyric of the Roll of Honour in here can I be charged.
I live in Manchester so can I be charged???
Possibly. Not sure if there has been a successful prosecution yet for anything similar, but the law has been made deliberately vague and left to the judgement of police officers to decide if offensive was or could have been taken by your actions. But only if you’re going to a football game.
Big Nan
You old malcontent you! I’m bewildered with what is happening at Celtic Park these days. But what is happening around us is scary.
Jimbo67 supporting Oscar Knox
What is the legal implication of a fans mass sing song within Celtic Park (private property) if no spl or uefa game is being played?
STAIRHEEDRAMMY
Sounds like a conflict of interest to me.
She would be unlikely to be permitted as a jury member,why then was she allowed the role she was given?
I just heard Robbie Savage on 5Live invite Celtic supporters to call his phone in programme later tonight. He is astonished that Celtic have postponed a Saturday home match to play in Turkey.
cultsbhoy- I heard you tonight, you were class, a few pregnant pauses among the panelists as they were racking their tiny brains to counter your argument, Guidi ended up all but conceding that yes, Sally gets a very easy ride from his media chums.
Paddy- as long as there is an SNP sponsored polis with a camera and a grudge there you are liable for a 4am wake up call and then treated like a terrorist
Paddy G
If a tree falls in the woods with no FOCUS around …does it make a sound?
Paddy Gallagher
21:02 on
17 December, 2013
What is the legal implication of a fans mass sing song within Celtic Park (private property) if no spl or uefa game is being played?
Well, if a policeman (or woman – let’s not be sexist!) decides that, out of the 40,000 people singing, someone might be offended, then they need to arrest and charge them all! :-)
Bmcuwp
Not really any conflict of interest
She can do her job with gusto ….not conflicted in the slightest
Unless you’re referring to the myth that is impartial policing with consent …
Bobby M- I read it in an MSM report of the trial of some boys charged with singing the R.O.O at an earlier game- they asked her specifically why the song offended her and that was her answer
benny bheula
20:31 on
17 December, 2013
greendreamz @ 20:23 on 17 December, 2013
Sorry greendreamz, but this has nothing to do with the board. If I sing Roll of Honour (which I do) then it is me singing it. Not any board. I am responsible for my actions. I will stand up for myself. I will be happy to do it. I don’t need hauners. I know what is legal and what is illegal.
==================================================================
It has EVERYTHING to do with the board if they wear brown brogues and are actively in collusion with the other wearers of brown brogues.
Both may have differing agendas but the common ground is brown brogues.
Thinking much along the same lines as Tom Minogue my opinion is that you have to wear brown brogues at some level to get ahead in this country so do the maths?
As Tom said when told it would surprise him who was in the club………he replied “no it would not”.
Current legislation ..not just the OB Act …invites people to be offended
Big Nan
20:54 on 17 December, 2013
Superb Big Nan.
Natknow- you only need to offend the polis- thats how the law was designed