Albyella

Inevitably, there are a few posts following a similar theme to this one - who is to blame for our position and undeniable lack of form? the owners, the board and executives, the manager and coaching staff, the players? This season, probably above any other, is probably the season to make an investment to stay in the PL, and all the riches that entails. But, of course, that investment is a risk. The owners will dictate the financial level of risk - currently the club is a very "safe" club, financially speaking. We have rarely dug deep to go out and get "names" (as in players or indeed as managers) and can be seen as taking the cheap option on occasion. We have either punched above or below our weight, but always with a level of financial security in recent years. If we look at the incoming and outgoing players over the last season, the cost to NCFC has been manageable, and if all failed would still be well within the means of the club. We have an amazing percentage of ST holders v the ground capacity, add on the supporters with membership, then the regulars who buy tickets in hope of getting to the game and finally the casual supporters who just attend if/when they can - it''s no wonder we get 27k plus every home match, we would get that in the Championship and would get 25k+ in league 1. Why then, is there any desire to take a risk of personal money, when the club will still be playing football, getting decent crowds and still be financially secure regardless of the league we may be in. I have little doubt that Delia et al genuinely love the club, I also have little doubt that there is a bit of kudos owning the club, but I have no doubt at this stage of the owners lives, that NCFC is being run as a business venture with little appetite for risk. I am very aware of how a business needs to be run, and prudence is certainly a requisite of any owner - however, the problem I have, is this business happens to be a football club, and that is a completely different ball game (pun intended). Owning a football club does bring responsibilities to others apart from the shareholders, executive etc, not least the fan base and the institution that a club like NCFC is. When someone takes on a club, they know exactly what that entails, and it means the potential to have deep pockets and sometimes having to reach into them. It goes with the job. I have great admiration for Delia, Michael and others for what they have done in the past (don''t need to list all that out), but there does come a time when the interests of the club have to be put above personal interest, and right now I don''t think that is happening. Traditionally, as owners head into their twilight years, it is natural to consolidate a healthy balance sheet and realise the maximum potential when it comes to sell - it''s normal business practice. Problem is, this is not a normal business. So, to answer the OP, I am not convinced there is a desire to find an investor at this stage. In my opinion, a year or two in the Championship with the possibility of getting another run at the PL would sit very nicely, and the value of NCFC would continue to be very stable - and very saleable, as there would be no debt to satisfy for any purchaser. I will watch NCFC whichever league we may be in, but I want us playing at the highest possible level, competing for places in Europe and having our club exposed to a worldwide audience - and while I (and many, many thousands of NCFC supporters) continue to pay ever increasing amounts of money for tickets, travel, hotels etc to watch the club, I believe I have right to expect that level of competition. I started my days standing in the River End, so I have experienced many ups and downs with the club - but I also know that, like it or not (and mostly I don''t), times have changed and football has changed with it - we need to change also.

Looking forward to seeing that...

Looking good - family hoping to make an appearance in part 4

Mine arrived Tuesday

[quote user="Camden Canary "]Hello there. I have managed to pick up 2 return tickets for Brentford which I''m well chuffed about. The question I have for the board is that the tickets I have are standing and was looking to swap for seating? My Dad has one hip replacement already and the others a bit dodgy so if we could get seated tickets would be great. Thanks in advance.[/quote] Will pm you Camden

I have never booed and never will - what a f****ing stupid idea....achieves absolutely nothing and would be completely deflating for those who were never the target in the first place.

I was at both semi''s as well - and when we won the Milk Cup I was working in Saudi. I am wondering if I am just destined to never see us at Wembley. My Dad did the ''59 cup run and he never quite got there either :(

[quote user="Bor Bor Bor"]I hope he plays his showtune...[8]His name was Marcus, he was reclusiveHe lent the scum a million pounds, and now he owns their training groundsHe would strip assets and reclaim interest,And while he ran them down the drain, McCarthy made his donkeys trainHis tactics were a bore, the squad was fairly poor,They were mid-table mediocrities, Who could ask for more?Down at the Copa, Copaca-binnaA place you''ll never spot a winnerAt the Copa, Copaca-binnaDrawing and losing, neanderthals boozingAt the Copa....only half-full[8][/quote] That''s impressive !

[quote user="Ed the Canary"]Realistically who would want the job for the sake of the club?? Big Sam just wants his wages (too expensive I think) and for me he''s a managerial journeyman. Sherwood - just no.....still sticks in my throat the way he celebrated when Sutton scored for Blackburn at the Carra. Malky with NA as assistant - definitely. Knows the club, knows NA, would command respect and has done his apprentiship....and he would care. I can''t think of anyone else available (now or soon to be) who would do a better job.[/quote] Ooops - that was posted on my sons log-in, sorry. I don''t know what his preferences are, so just putting the record straight... http://services.pinkun.com/forums/pinkun/cs/emoticons/emotion-43.gif

[quote user="Bor Bor Bor"]Would rather have Van Wolfswinkel.[/quote] You''ve got Van Wolfswinkel mate - what''s he done for you?

[quote user="Rev. Clarence Gentlefinger"]Watching football always has been a shared experience, being part of a crowd, going through the same roller coaster of emotions as those round you. It''s also something which is part of the bigger match day experience - digging out the shit and scarf, walking the familiar route to the ground or pulling into the service station on away days full of anticipation, beers and banter before and after the game. Compare this to waiting until one minute before kickoff, switching on an internet stream and sitting on your own for "the game". I can''t think of anything more tragic. It''s the absolute polar opposite of the genuine supporting experience. What do you do at half time? Flick through your e-mails? What do you do if we score? Give the air a little silent fist pump?[/quote] You really are a sorry little person aren''t you? If you experienced some bad things as a child, you can get help you know.....you may even be made to feel "special"

[quote user="Rev. Clarence Gentlefinger"]When we went toBlackburn in the League Cup after selling him to Jack Walker, we gave him a rousing chorus of "Tim Sherwood is a self abuser". He still is.[/quote] If my memory serves me right....when Blackburn came down to Carra Rud, Sutton scored and Sherwood was prancing around pointing at Sutton shouting "he''s the man..." I am sure we went on to win that match. Anyway, have never liked him after that, so a resounding NO from me

Really....we don''t need that tune, Morty is right, and I have personally endured it from Chelski fans on a long walk back to the tube - amusing for a while, but it does start to grate

More motivated? Yes, and thankful that if we do lose, it wont be ugly. More optimistic? Slightly. Certainly looking forward to it, and i think the atmosphere could be electric. I drove back home from Norwich on Saturday with my son, saying hardly a word and listening to 606, feeling extremely deflated - this morning I believe the players now have the chance to show what they can do without the shackles, so I feel regardless of what happens between now and the end of the season, we can play with a bit of freedom and that makes be feel better.

Good luck Neil, was a bit fearful of the trip to Fulham on Saturday, now I can''t wait - win or lose we will be right behind you and the team

[quote user="mlmc123"]unfortunately having investigated that to get tickets in the home or neutral end you need to have purchased some tickets previously of fulham (clearly to stop away fans going in neutral). you were saying this previously, do you have the details of this? is there any chance i could use your details from this previous history to get myself 2 in the neutrals so they can go?[/quote] I am in that block, and only 2 per applicant,so can''t help there sorry....but I am sure that later on in the week you may get a chance to register and buy if there are any available...

If you don''t have any luck, try the Fulham FC website during the week when tickets go on general sale - you MIGHT be lucky and get something in the neutral seats adjacent to the away fans, I often get in there if I miss out on tickets from NCFC.... Good luck.

Completely agree with OP. I rarely post, get to few home games because of distance and commitments, get to see away games and have suffered from that......I feel really deflated today. CH has not got a clue - he has lost the players, the crowd and the plot. The drive home was unbearable listiening to 606, and while I am ever the optimist, we are in deep s**t. I am now really fearing the trip to Fulham next week. The atmosphere reminds me of the last days of Roeder - not just for the point, but I was willing Becchio to score today - memories of Lupoli at Charlton. West Brom wanted it today, maybe it was the punch-up last week that did it for them - Tettey, Yobo and Snodgrass apart we looked like a bunch of losers, finally when Redmond and Jonas came on there was an injection of effort going forward, but that must stick in the throat of CH cos that is attacking football..... Rant over until next time - I love NCFC but FFS we don''t deserve this.

[quote user="Francis The Farmer"]Them that wotta boo int proper. Being a fan int like gorn to the pictures, as in your blood. You always wotta win but that int about the bluddy entertainment, at dont matter if the winner come off some blokes arse like that coney an'' if you lose, you go hoom, dornt watch match of the day, kick the cat, be miserable or whatever for a week but you dornt boo the players, or your own team. Theres three thousand or however many of them others that''ll do that for you, and as for booin this lot at the minute, you dornt know your born I can tell you. You wotta wait til we''re proper shite but youll prolly a stopped gorn by then. Youll be at the pictures wotchin one of them Therminaters or whatever cos thas entertainin.[/quote] Best thing I''ve read this year - sounds just like my poor old departed Dad... Cheers for that Francis

Indeed Dubai - a great manager and an all-round nice bloke as well. Happy birthday Ken !!

What a find indeed...... This could be an interesting thread

[quote user="ncfctilidie1080"]Kenny Foggo[/quote] http://services.pinkun.com/forums/pinkun/cs/emoticons/emotion-21.gif

Laurie Sheffield

Agree with this - we need some balance. Using the "best form of defence is attack" cliche, the last few games have shown when we are at them up front then we don''t concede. For me Zola would have been a good punt on a short-term contract along with Hughton - might even have shown CH that defending a draw is a sure path to defeat.

Never - I always have to travel distance so I want to get the most out of it, win or lose - unfortunately the only win I have seen this season was Watford away, and that is a classic example of why you shouldn''t leave early......