Yelverton Yella

[quote user="Sideshow Tim"]After the crap i''ve just seen him play, i bloody hope so! Short of pace, short of interest and his body language was a bloody disgrace. Time for you to move on Mr Cureton, Goodbye.[/quote]I know I said earlier that I would give him a chance but, on reflection, I don''t think I would. He is one of the few left from the old regime and, judging from what has been said about his performance today and the comments he made earlier in the summer about needing to be in the first team, he hasn''t recognised his contribution to last season''s disaster. I still shudder at that miss against Coventry!It''s probably time to cut our losses and grab whatever we can get for him before he ''infects'' any of the youngsters or new recruits. Yes, I''m sure he''s a nice bloke and we run the risk of him coming back to bite us in the proverbial but, in the circumstances, I think I would take that chance.

Going on the evidence of last year, I think Cureton has lost his scoring instinct and, as others have said, that leaves very little to work with. I would give him a chance but, if he again fails to convert the easy chances that he did last year, I''d ship him out pdq to avoid other players becoming frustrated at their creativity going to waste.

[quote user="Downloads"]No, it''s more complicated than that. Whilst i wouldn''t have selected Gunn as my manager for this season, the blame doesn''t lie with him, in fact he doesn''t even take an equal share. Every manager is entitled to build their own team before they take the blame. Taking a team of losers and loanees that someone else hired and miraculously turning them into winners is nigh on impossibhle. He brought in Cody which i saw as a positive as he looked really hungry and fresh and showed some considerable talent for someone who had just taken a big step up but other than that the opportunity wasn''t there to make his mark on the team. Occasionally when you get a new manager in the team can rally, but usually the manager brings a reputation with them for that to happen. It''s not Gunn''s fault he applied for the job and got it. I agree with some posters that we can''t get too carried away, we haven''t played any league games yet. But if people can''t see the positive moves that the squad has taken with the shift in attitude of taking loanees to signing our own players, then that''s pretty sad. We are signing younger players too, who with a good season could potentially step up a level too. The real test is yet to come, but so far it is positive. [/quote]Agree wholeheartedly with this. Firstly, the players who got us into this Division whether owned or loaned have nearly all gone and taken their uncaring attittude with them. I suspect those who remain will have had a grilling about whether they want to be here and are prepared to put in the effort for the Club and Management Team (Pattison?).Secondly, the guys coming in all have something to prove whether it''s the Aussie keeper proving that he can make it in Europe or Nelson proving he can take a step up. I really think we will see a new spirit this season. I wouldn''t mind betting that, if we do get promoted, we wouldn''t make the mistake of ditching all the players who got us there.Thirdly, although I wasn''t a supporter of Gunn''s appointment, I think that the ''Management Team'' (including McNally and Bowker) is now much stronger and will give Gunn real support on and off the field. Like others, I wonder now, how much Doncaster was to blame for some of the issues that we had to face last year.Lastly, the invisibility of the Smiths is a good sign. I suspect they have at last realised their limitations and recognised the need to both appoint and listen to professional management. After all, it''s their money at stake if they continue to c**k it up!

[quote user="Tangible Fixed Assets anyone"][quote user="IncH_HigH"]With the signing of Whaley,Wiggins,Holt and the loan of Alnwick all secured today I can''t help but ask myself if Neil Doncaster could have managed to do all this in an entire transfer window. [/quote] But you could have had more Tangible Fixed Assets! [/quote]Tangy,Are you beginning to feel a tiny piece of optimism for the new season?Just a few green shoots that might suggest the club is changing direction and focus?

[quote user="Bouncebackability"][quote user="First Wizard"]He''s still not fit, thats why he couldn''t play in friendly, and money bags Notts County are still favourites to sin him.[/quote]   I bet you feel a little bit silly? [/quote]Ah yes, but haven''t you figured out the mindset yet?.....nearly 7000 views and 100 replies. How many would he have got if the thread title had been ''Holt to join'' ?[;)](We love you really, Wiz!)

The main problem with a VC buying a football club is, as you say, the exit strategy. Looking to find a buyer to realise a profit is very difficult and actually at the moment I can''t think of an example. In the case of most of the investment we are talking about here it is a distressed purchase where in fact none of the parties have "bought" very much at all, simply taken over the liabilities as in the case of our binner chums. Mucus Evans will look to make a profit in income terms over what he has put in AND he gets the interest on the loans. It does all depend on getting to the premiership though otherwise his exit will be distressed too. Here''s hoping.GPBI agree with you. I think nearly all the sales recently have been distress purchases. In a funny sort of way it gives credence to those who advocate administration- not that I ever would for all sorts of ethical and business reasons. The downside of that route though is that, one day soon, someone (HMRC?) is going to want to make an example of a club and may well push the destruct button- especially if (like us) you have an asset rich business. After all, according to the Administrator, Saints were within days of liquidation.

[quote user="The Walking Man walking to Yeovil"]The only conditions I would put on a takeover is that I would want to know what the buyer''s plans were with the club, who they actually are, and how they made their money. For example, there were many complaints when Giovanni Di Steffano tried to take us over because of the nature of how he made his money, similarly would you really want Kim Jong Il taking us over? With regards to the Ipswich takeover, whilst initially all things appear hunky dory down there what will the club like in 5years time? From what I gather the mysterious Marcus Evans has a 5-year plan to make a profit on the club. Just imagine that Ipswich don''t get promoted in that time, how do you make you money back? Sell the assets, including the players, ground and training facilities. That scenario could easily take place at any football club. Now don''t read into this that I think Delia is the answer, the messiah and all round perfect owner, she isn''t. However I do urge caution over who takes control of our club in the future, regardless of what anybody says the interests of Norwich City Football Club must come first. [/quote]Well, I sure as hell wouldn''t eat the ''hot dogs'' if Kim Jong Il took over!The question of who we would welcome as an owner / investor is a tough one though, isn''t it? If you look at Ipswich, it all looks good at the moment but, actually, they still have most of their debt- it was just bought at a huge discount (no wonder my endowment from Aviva is underperforming!) by Marcus Evans who, sure as anything, is going to want repayment at some stage plus a profit on his investment in the club. Does anyone really think he is into football for the love of the game?It strikes me that most of the investors that have surfaced recently (with the possible exception of the Swiss at Saints) have been ''developers'' or (possibly) venture capitalists whose usual modus operandi is to buy at the bottom of the market, massage the p&l and balance sheet over 3-5 years and have a defined exit strategy (or asset realisation) to turn a substantial profit. This may not be a bad strategy for us, providing the value building phase is based on investment in the footballing side to gain success and enhance the proposition. The problem is, what happens at the exit point and who is the next investor...the club could become further and further divorced from its roots which might cause problems for the ''pusillanimous mob'' or whatever Cluck is calling them today...Of course, the real attraction to investors is buying at the bottom of the market which is probably why nobody has seriously looked at buying us; whatever you may think of them, the current owners have probably just about got a viable (if badly struggling) business, which means there won''t be a fire sale with the opportunity for really rich pickings to come. I leave it to you to make up your own mind whether this is a good or a bad thing....

Just looking at the events unfolding at Notts County and wondering how we would feel if we were in this situation.It seems control is about to pass FROM a supporter''s Trust to anonymous Middle Eastern investors hidden behind multiple layers of company registrations via Qatar, Switzerland and the British Virgin Islands. Apparently the identity of the major investor (s) may never be disclosed other than to the Football League.According to the Telegraph  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/leaguetwo/nottscounty/5889232/Notts-County-owners-have-yet-to-pass-Football-Leagues-fit-and-proper-person-test.html  a seven figure bank guarantee has been produced, a Supporter''s loan of £170k has been written off and all the debts taken over.I think I would struggle with this- as much as I want to see new investors and owners, I would have grave doubts about the long-term intentions of investors who probably don''t even follow football (and almost certainly not clubs like Notts Co. and Norwich).Anybody got any views? Or would the majority just be happy to take the money and wave goodbye to the cook whoever was buying us?

Be afraid everyone- be very afraid.......Just been looking at Shrewsbury''s message board.....there is a Grant Holt FLAG.http://blueandamber.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=59641Who remembers le Juge?Let''s hope this is not an omen [:-*]

I''m actually amazed and delighted to see City knocking back a (reported) bid of £500k for Russell. Amazed because I thought we were completely cash-strapped and delighted because I am fed up to the back teeth with us being an easy touch in the transfer market.Combined with the series of strong rumours about talks with players who are likely to cost fairly significant fees, it suggests both that we have more money than we have let on and that, at last, we have somebody competent overseeing the deals. Let''s hope we''ve seen the last of ''get out'' clauses and contracts being allowed to run down.Other than the ''prurients'' or whatever thay call themselves, if all the pending deals are done, I would think most people will be pleasantly surprised.Of course, before anyone reminds me, part two (and the only part that counts!) of the rebuilding starts on the field against Colchester and the jury is still out at the moment but, at this stage, I am certainly more optimistic than I expected to be [:D]

[quote user="The Butler"][quote user="lappinitup"][quote user="BlyBlyBabes"][quote user="The Butler"][quote user="lappinitup"][quote user="St. Cluck"]Play loud and support Cluck''s PURIST GROUP........[/quote]PURIST eh! "UR PIST" More like! [;)][/quote]I bet that took you all night and several pints to work out[:D][/quote]Yep. Brain''s Best Bitter I''m reliably informed.[/quote]Must be right then, you''re the expert on bitter! [/quote] Then you are the expert biter woof woof [/quote]DEUCE !!

[quote user="lappinitup"][quote user="BlyBlyBabes"][quote user="The Butler"][quote user="lappinitup"][quote user="St. Cluck"]Play loud and support Cluck''s PURIST GROUP........[/quote]PURIST eh! "UR PIST" More like! [;)][/quote]I bet that took you all night and several pints to work out[:D][/quote]Yep. Brain''s Best Bitter I''m reliably informed.[/quote]Must be right then, you''re the expert on bitter! [/quote]FORTY   ---- THIRTY!

Much as I want all our transfer business done and dusted as soon as possible, it''s good to see ''the Management'' taking no chances on signing unfit players. Perhaps this is a sign of more professional management rather than the idiocy which led to Louis-Jean and Emblen to name but two.....

[quote user="CT "]the press conference at 5pm ıs just about the match tonıght? Just a thought?[:S] [/quote]They wouldn''t dare............would they? [:^)]

[quote user="barryevans"][quote user="Sideshow Tim"][quote user="Sideshow Tim"] Heard this from an extremely reliable source earlier this week....... Should Shrewsbury not be promoted via the play-offs Grant Holt is coming to Norwich. Good solid striker that knows where the goal is at our level. [/quote] Just remember where you heard it first folks. He''s on route!!!!!!!!!!! [/quote] clingan http://new.pinkun.com/cs/forums/1685913/ShowPost.aspx heard it here first folks sideshow stop attention seeking [/quote]Pot, kettle, black!Did you really need to post this three times to gain attention....[;)]

I''m 58, so one of the older farts....

Has the squad been announced then? Must have missed it. is there a link somewhere?

Yep. Caught me too! Trouble is, I have this feeling that something is going to go wrong with this one so I wasn''t surprised to hear another club was interested....

[quote user="Norwich74"]In the days to call, which we have left behind,Our boyhood’s glorious game,And our youthful vigour has declinedWith its mirth and its lonesome end;You will think of the time, the happy time,Its memories fond recallWhen in the bloom of your youthful primeWe’ve kept upon the ball Kick it off, throw it in, have a little scrimmage,Keep it low, a splendid rush, bravo, win or die;On the ball, City, never mind the danger,Steady on, now’s your chance,Hurrah! We’ve scored a goal. City, City, City Let all tonight then drink with meTo the football game we love,And wish it may successful beAnd in one grand united toastJoin player, game and songAnd fondly pledge your pride and toastSuccess to the City club. Kick it off, throw it in, have a little scrimmage,Keep it low, a splendid rush, bravo, win or die;On the ball, City, never mind the danger,Steady on, now’s your chance,Hurrah! We’ve scored a goal. was it to long or something? [:$][/quote]Any other ex CNS pupils think that OTBC and the school song might have been written by the same person?Not with visions of selfish gainBut with one sole absorbing aimTo do our best to play the gameFor the honour of the School.When schooldays far behind we leaveAs on through life we goMem''ries still float before us Of the days we used to know.When we see once more the playing fieldsAnd hear its cheery cries???Then like an echoLoud and clearWill sound the golden ruleThe watchword of our boyhood daysThe honour of the SchoolGod we used to hate singing that! Really can''t imagine it these days... 

[quote user="MrFruit"]I returned from Scotland tour last night - 5 of us stayed where the team stayed - The David Russell Apartments - another group of 5 were also staying They squad arrived Sunday night at around 10:30pm & moved Friday morning to a hotel closer to Airdrie - we arrived the Sunday afternoon & left Saturday morning We paid room only £665 for 7 nights in a 5 bedroom apartment (student accomodation)which is a very miserly £19 per night per person - I would think NCFC got discount for party booking The team ate at the communal canteen along with any residents who wanted too (many did) - the menu was very reasonable priced. They trained twice a day & we saw at least 3 sessions (we were out & about other times) - they all worked very hard. Not once did we see players out late in evening or using the bar at the apartment complex They were ALL a credit to NCFC Numbers? All who played (you can count them) + Korey,The new keeper & Luke who were injured + Gunn,Butts,Chippy,Crichton,Manny the kit,Doctor + 4 pyhsio/fitness people     [/quote]No, Mr Fruit, I''m sorry, this can''t be right. Just because you were there and KNOW what the cost is you can''t expect to destroy a perfectly good anti club story. After, all, someone saw the PAPERWORK....Anyway, £19 a night is a bit steep. If we''d stayed behind in Norwich and put the triallists up at Dunston Hall it would have been much cheaper than that.....oh, wait a minute.... (Yes, I know we wouldn''t have been paying accommodation for (the few!) players who have already got houses in Norwich but why let the facts get in the way of a good argument?

[quote user="hogesar"][quote user="Big Bob"][quote user="hogesar"][quote user="Big Bob"]You''re views yet again are full of absolute bullshit.[/quote]Your*Sorry, don''t normally comment on spelling mistakes but that one''s especially irritating.Bly is generally speaking, right, it''s just how things tend to work out. However, like he also said, we still have pre-season matches to lose, yay! [:D][/quote]Yep, that was a bad'' un, or is that too slang for you?[/quote]If i can accept Pink''un..i guess i have to accept bad'' un. [:)][/quote]Talking of grammar, where should the apostrophe go in Pink un? Never thought about it before but I suppose, strictly speaking, it should be Pink un'' to indicate a missing ''e'' or Pink''un'' to indicate a made up word??? Any scholar care to enlighten us?

[quote user="BlyBlyBabes"]........based on over 50 of years experience is that: In general, a ''good'' pre-season tends to preface a poor league season and a ''poor'' pre-season tends to be followed by a ''good'' showing in the league. Check it out before you shout me down, nuh! And remember that the outcome of this pre-season is yet to fully unwind. OTBC     [/quote]An equally reliable rule of thumb based on over 50 years experience is that:As soon as something positive happens with NCFC, someone will find a way to prove that it is actually negative....

[quote user="Yellow Wall"]A reserve side is a necessary part of the development of our own players. By having no reserve team last season we relied heavily upon loan players who, I would suggest, cost us a lot more than wages for youngsters still learning their trade. On top of that we gained nothing by developing, coaching, training and playing those loan players.At least by having a reserve side we will see an end product which could in seasons to come save the club millions![/quote]Couldn''t agree more! Last year we had no platform to test up and coming youngsters against adult teams or to bring back players to match fitness while they were recovering from injury.God knows how much we wasted paying loanees to sit on their backsides doing nothing instead of at least keeping their match fitness. Didn''t we send someone back to their home club to play for their reserves while we were still paying them, just so they could have some match practice? Crazy stuff!

I think TFA may just have uncovered the secret of our downfall last year....  On the basis of the comparison with Colchester and bearing in mind our figure included medical expenses, we clearly failed to look after our guys properly in terms of travel and accommodation.Yet again we have been let down by the cheeseparing cook failing to demonstrate ambition. We should demand that she spends a decent amount on travel and accommodation this season and watch the team rocket up the League!

Cam., Could you please provide the source for this. Thanks   To help out Cam- I believe it was on Form 4454(a)1C2 that they were required to deposit with the Ministry of Bureaucratic Affairs.