This is interesting.

[dww]

They surely can't be that skint? To be throwing £30m at Berbatov one season and then to be skint the next doesn't really make sense

I think the thing is that the leveraged buyout model doesn't look great at the minute but both us and United are very valid businesses that can afford to keep up with recent years transfer budgets assuming that our loans are refinanced when appropriate. People will always be drama queens about it and there is a greater risk of disaster than if we had less debt but the risk is reasonably small and definitely manageable. In fact one of the worst things that could be done by either club would be to allow the team to fall behind it's immediate competitors on the pitch due to the related loss of revenue. Hence both teams will put decent transfer budgets out each season (even if the spending level will never please some fans).

[dom9]

So basically then if Fergie identifies a player(s) who he thinks can help win them trophies, he wont be allowed to sign them if they're over a certain age. hmmm.

There's always the odd Bosman, but those are becoming increasingly rare nowadays.

United are ****ed financially apparently and i also think this new transfer plan is a result of fergie spending **** loads on **** like Veron, Berbetov ect

Says who?

[Vermilion]

I think the thing is that the leveraged buyout model doesn't look great at the minute but both us and United are very valid businesses that can afford to keep up with recent years transfer budgets assuming that our loans are refinanced when appropriate. People will always be drama queens about it and there is a greater risk of disaster than if we had less debt but the risk is reasonably small and definitely manageable. In fact one of the worst things that could be done by either club would be to allow the team to fall behind it's immediate competitors on the pitch due to the related loss of revenue. Hence both teams will put decent transfer budgets out each season (even if the spending level will never please some fans).

Sooner or later one of the top 4 will be displaced imo, it's just a matter of time with City now on the scene with silly money they seem very eager to spend, it's almost an endless pot too that they have.

I know money isn't everything, but imo City WILL get it right sooner or later, and then when more established they'll be well able to sustain that challenge with even more heavy spending.

[red g]

Sooner or later one of the top 4 will be displaced imo, it's just a matter of time with City now on the scene with silly money they seem very eager to spend, it's almost an endless pot too that they have.

I know money isn't everything, but imo City WILL get it right sooner or later, and then when more established they'll be well able to sustain that challenge with even more heavy spending.

why will they be displaced ? surely it will just become the big 5?

i remember not to long back when people talked about the the big 3

[Vermilion]

why will they be displaced ? surely it will just become the big 5?

i remember not to long back when people talked about the the big 3

True. But, my reply was in response to dww's mention of sustained revenue, Big 5 is fine, but only 4 will take the Champions league revenue, which in turn is crucial to being part of that top 4.

[BobTheCharmer]

Sooner or later one of the top 4 will be displaced imo, it's just a matter of time with City now on the scene with silly money they seem very eager to spend, it's almost an endless pot too that they have.

I know money isn't everything, but imo City WILL get it right sooner or later, and then when more established they'll be well able to sustain that challenge with even more heavy spending.

No bad thing imo. The top are so far ahead of the rest its boring. 5th down is dross. Everton haven't beaten chelsea for 8 years. Its depressing. I hope for a top 8 of quality. **** finishing 3rd & 4th and classing it as a successful season.