The last decade

[SW4Baggie]

The whole ability to compete financially is misleading.

Sunderland made their own money from their youth and sales, which is what we said we were going to do, then promptly sold our last saleable youths and gave up on playing new ones.

Coventry, they're not exactly mega rich are they, and Boro aren't either, neither have parachutes, and both are showing what can be done with shrewd signings and good management (again what we thought we were getting from Patel, instead we got a narcissistic President who seems to know sweet FA).

Money doesn't guarantee a good season in this division, sure it can help and paper over cracks, but there's been a fair few clubs who've done it via sensible decisions and sensible signings and youth sales (remember brentford not so long ago?)... On a positive note, we did look to be heading in the right direction with the buy then sell model with the likes of Heggem, but on reflection that's looking more and more like a Seal type PSR evasion sale rather than Nestor having a clue.

Instead he signs broken players.

Some things are bad luck. Bany and Dike are.

Guys like Heggebo and Price more than balance that out.

Nestor has cocked up twice, but many thought Mowbray was a sensible appointment. Mason was a gamble, but perhaps one they thought worth risking in a season unlikley to get promoted. I would imagine Mason was on lower wages than many and cluases all over the place on league position etc, etc and payouts in the case of dismissal.

It's probably given us more wiggle room this time, but no manager is guaranteed to be a success.

Don't forget Heggem. Absolutely brilliant bit of business for us that. Shows we are looking at the Scandinavian markets. It's not all doom and gloom.

Unfortunately selling players for a big profit usually takes more than 12 months.. we made over 10x what we paid on Heggem in 12 months and I expect with the right coaching  we will make a very big return on the £6M we paid for Price and Heggebø… 

Coventry started on this path about 4 years ago, when they were skint and new in this division. They’ve had several years of keeping their head above water in and around the top 6 whilst making big profits on Gyokeres, Sheaf, Hamer etc… and they continually managed to pluck one or 2 players each year to keep the money coming in - should they balls up promotion this year they’ll make a huge return on Rudoni and van Erwijk…

There have been a few flops along the way, but they’ve built a competitive side through effective player trading and patience. Sunderland did it a little quicker due, but had been building their promotion side over several seasons starting in League One. Of the other non parachute promoted sides, teams like Luton and Brentford have done similarly and Boro look to be on the same path.

With smart recruitment, patience, good people in key roles, it’s possible to win promotion from this division with the budget we have at our disposal. Currently we’re at the start of what will need to be a 2-3 year cycle.

[HeggebøsBarnDoor]

I was encouraged by the appointment of an FD to look after PSR affairs (I think I read that part of Nestors statement correctly).

Where there is a rule book, there is generally the opportunity to interpret it sensibly but favourably and PSR is no doubt an area where a competitive advantage can be gained.

Little things like cost allocations and groupings, correctly timing player sales and managing transfer fee amortisation via contract lengths could all help to maximise the budget. I'm sure there are plenty of other tricks too such as the chelski flogging your womens team or selling the stadium to a holding company (if not done so already)

I agree that we are likely at the beginning of a three year cycle.