Relegation and rebuilding

[Irish villain]

Tomd, I think the Noses game was very telling. Ayew's movement second half ripped them apart and couldn't live with our quick passing. They're pushing for promotion and offered nothing.

I get that there is no confidence at the moment, but I just cannot see why people think we will drop through the leagues. My previous post wasn't anything particularly novel, but highlighted a way and means of taking on that league and going for the title, which has to be the aim.

Financially, we are significantly stronger than any of the teams down there, so we will be capable of squad renewal to buy the firepower necessary.

Fair points. But, what if we go down with Sunderland and Newcastle? That will mean three big clubs, with financial firepower, big stadiums etc. fighting it out for three promotion places. Coming straight back up will not be straightforward no matter what way I look at it.

[Flamingo Lane]

I was watching Everton v Spurs this afternoon wondering exactly the same thing about Gareth Barry (Des Little, above).

[Ads]

Three clubs like that in there would make it harder, but all threes income, despite being reduced would dwarf that of any of the outfits in there already, with the larger parachute payments and greater flexibility to incur losses within the rules.

I am sure all three of us would have contracts structured to take I to account relegaton as we have all been circling the rim for a while. It would make it harder, but then three do come up and given that all three are genuinely big clubs, unlike your average relegated sides like Wigan, Hull, Derby, QPR etc, I can't see how any of the likes of Ipswich et al could compete.

[Risso]

Three clubs like that in there would make it harder, but all threes income, despite being reduced would dwarf that of any of the outfits in there already, with the larger parachute payments and greater flexibility to incur losses within the rules.

I am sure all three of us would have contracts structured to take I to account relegaton as we have all been circling the rim for a while. It would make it harder, but then three do come up and given that all three are genuinely big clubs, unlike your average relegated sides like Wigan, Hull, Derby, QPR etc, I can't see how any of the likes of Ipswich et al could compete.

There isn't really a reason the likes of us, Newcastle and Sunderland should be below the likes of Bournemouth, Watford, and Norwich, but we are.  I think you underestimate just how badly we're run, and I wouldn't be surprised if there are no relegation clauses in contracts.  This is the club that just gave the likes of Westwood and Bacuna new five year deals.

[Ads]

All three owners are spectacular in their ineptitude. How are they billionaires? They should be playing Wonderwall badly outside the back of Rackhams.

The Championship is utter gash though. Which helps. I couldn't quite believe how poor until I took a recent interest, even Derby are bilge.

We've beaten Bournemouth twice this year, so we know they're pap too and they won the bloody thing.

I'd be absolutely amazed if there weren't relegation clauses since we've evidently been preparing for this eventualiy for five years now.

[Dave]

I think you underestimate just how badly we're run, and I wouldn't be surprised if there are no relegation clauses in contracts.

I'd be very surprised if there aren't. Most of these contracts have seemingly been sorted by Almstadt, and Arsenal put relegation clauses in all of their contracts. So I can't see why Arsenal would and Fox and Almstadt suddenly think that's a bad thing all of a sudden when they join a club where it might actually be relevant.

And even if there aren't, then this is one of the few benefits of having a squad commanding £30,000 per week rather than £65,000 per week.

[Irish villain]

All three owners are spectacular in their ineptitude. How are they billionaires? They should be playing Wonderwall badly outside the back of Rackhams.

Agreed that all three are badly run and are being shamed by clubs like Watford, Leicester and Southampton. I still think Sunderland and Newcastle would be better equipped than us to get their house in order in the championship. Both have more experience of recent relegations than we have and we should remember that our owner is absent/distant as well as incompetent.

[Dave]

All three owners are spectacular in their ineptitude. How are they billionaires? They should be playing Wonderwall badly outside the back of Rackhams.

Agreed that all three are badly run and are being shamed by clubs like Watford, Leicester and Southampton. I still think Sunderland and Newcastle would be better equipped than us to get their house in order in the championship. Both have more experience of recent relegations than we have and we should remember that our owner is absent/distant as well as incompetent.

Does Ellis Short go to many Sunderland matches?

[auntiesledd]

All three owners are spectacular in their ineptitude. How are they billionaires? They should be playing Wonderwall badly outside the back of Rackhams.

The Championship is utter gash though. Which helps. I couldn't quite believe how poor until I took a recent interest, even Derby are bilge.

We've beaten Bournemouth twice this year, so we know they're pap too and they won the bloody thing.

I'd be absolutely amazed if there weren't relegation clauses since we've evidently been preparing for this eventualiy for five years now.

I think you underestimate how difficult it might well be next season. The majority of sides in The Championship will be organised, resilient & highly motivated to show any so-called big club(s) that wages & history mean nothing when your scrapping for points. There's some proper talent and canniness down there too, so our lot need to finally get their act together if we're to get back up where we think we belong.

[Risso]

I think you underestimate just how badly we're run, and I wouldn't be surprised if there are no relegation clauses in contracts.

I'd be very surprised if there aren't. Most of these contracts have seemingly been sorted by Almstadt, and Arsenal put relegation clauses in all of their contracts. So I can't see why Arsenal would and Fox and Almstadt suddenly think that's a bad thing all of a sudden when they join a club where it might actually be relevant.

And even if there aren't, then this is one of the few benefits of having a squad commanding £30,000 per week rather than £65,000 per week.

Arsenal are an entirely different beast to Villa though.  Players signing for Arsenal are going to see that they've qualified for the Champions League for the last squillion years, and happily sign a relegation clause, as relegation's about as likely as Yeovil winning the Champions League.  When we were trying to get the likes of Veretout to pick us, it's surely not that strong a bargaining point to be stating that relegation is a possibility.  If they had more offers than just Villa, why would they sign up to a possible pay cut?  And if they have, surely that just makes it even more likely that anyone half decent will move on when we do go down.  You might get Ayew to hang around if he's picking up his £40K a week still.  If that's cut in half to £20K, he'll be out of it sharpish I'd wager.

[ChicagoLion]

Any one who thinks these clowns have inserted relegation clauses in the contracts need to take a look at thier previous decisions.
I would bet money on it they have not.

[DaveD]

I don't believe they exist. What player in his right mind would agree to one ?

[ChicagoLion]

I don't believe they exist. What player in his right mind would agree to one ?

the clubs that yo yo all have them as will newly promoted clubs.
So Newcastle Sunderland Norwich Bournemouth Watford Swansea would all have an advantage if they get relegated.

[ciggiesnbeer]

I suppose I am alone in thinking this squad (minus the big earners like Richards who will be off) might actually be rather good in the Championship? After a season to gel together with the same manager?

Hey I can play the optimist card

[robbo1874]

Of only it was as simple as that.

Relegation will mean the club in the eyes of the national press  will cease to exist.  Out of sight and out of mind.

There will be less income, undoubtedly lower attendances, fewer commercial deals because only want the gravy boat that is the Premier League, and a squad of players who are barely Championship standard.

Some would argue that the club deserves to go bankrupt.

i had similar thoughts re: bankruptcy. Is there any way we could do a dodgy one, like those timeshare / double glazing / financial services companies do- go bankrupt, fuck all of the shit players on lucrative contracts off and then just start afresh next season, with a new business name?