Hicks:"I am solidly behind Rafa"

[dww]

It's possible mate, but we know that words are cheap to these guys. If they really back Rafa then they need to prove it with actions.

I'm speculating here but I reckon with all the yanks' maneuvering behind the scenes there is probably nothing like a workable relationship between owners and manager and that relationship would be nigh on impossible to fix, even if they do have faith in Rafa beyond this season (which I seriously doubt anyway).

I can see what you are saying. I'm just waiting for firm action to make a decision either way. I think the behind the scenes relationships might be quite tangled and with the right re-jigging it could all turn out right or it may as you say be unworkable.

[disco]

Sorry, I don't believe these people.

Why should I start believing them now after all the lies?

Remind me, what are the (uncontestable) lies? Financing isn't one IMO - if you read what was said and see what has happened, and Klinnsman is debatable. Announcing in the press was ****ing stupid mind you.

Moving on though, I guess you have to make your own mind up what our expectations for summer transfers are and assess for yourself whether reality matches this in about 6 months time.

[-V-]

Hang on a second, todays announcements are quite impressive.

Take a step back and look at what they are proposing. It's actually quite good. They have listened to the fans, the club is not loaded with £300m worth of debt but only £105m which is actually fine in the long term

The stadium plan is impressive.

Dont get me wrong im not impressed by these 2 guys, i still think we got the wrong guys. But they are here and might be on the road to making up for their mistakes. Good start today.

Now as long as Rafa can push on and get us up the table then their shouldnt be too many problems.

I would like to think. Lets keep the pressure on them by backing Rafa, lets get behind the team and hope these Yanks can keep the promises they made today. Hopefully we will soon see the stadium getting built

[Dhav]

I can see what you are saying. I'm just waiting for firm action to make a decision either way. I think the behind the scenes relationships might be quite tangled and with the right re-jigging it could all turn out right or it may as you say be unworkable.

I'm pretty certain the relationships are unworkable and a parting of the waves is inevitable.

BTW, is the phrase "parting of the waves" or "parting of the ways"?

[Jazzmaster]

Hang on a second, todays announcements are quite impressive.

Take a step back and look at what they are proposing. It's actually quite good. They have listened to the fans, the club is not loaded with £300m worth of debt but only £105m which is actually fine in the long term

The stadium plan is impressive.

Dont get me wrong im not impressed by these 2 guys, i still think we got the wrong guys. But they are here and might be on the road to making up for their mistakes. Good start today.

Now as long as Rafa can push on and get us up the table then their shouldnt be too many problems.

I would like to think. Lets keep the pressure on them by backing Rafa, lets get behind the team and hope these Yanks can keep the promises they made today. Hopefully we will soon see the stadium getting built

Agreed. Back to football at last.

[DeeGame]

Is no-one even vaguely excited by confirmation of :

- money for future player transfers (NOT Torres and Babel); and

- is in discussions with Rafa and Club management regarding additional player signings this summer.

?!

Sorry, stupid question

you answered the question yourself

[steveheighwayrobbery]

My head has been spun around so many times in the last couple of months, I feel like the girl in the Exorcist.

jail bait mate she is under age....or am I reading too much into what you said

[Skillz]

Absolutely, the way they have maneuvered behind his back, he could have walked and been in line for a big payout to boot. But he hasn't and you have to resepct him for that.

He will always get it from me, always.

[dww]

I'm pretty certain the relationships are unworkable and a parting of the waves is inevitable.

BTW, is the phrase "parting of the waves" or "parting of the ways"?

I think "of the ways" but I like waves it sounds faintly biblical.

[steveheighwayrobbery]

Interesting. These boys look like being around for the long haul and we now have to accept that. They have to step up and show Rafa the support required for him to run the team. Saying that I don't think he should be given wads load of cash (as if) to splash around. He needs to tell them who his top targets are, and they should do their utmost to get them on board. No panic buying should be accepted by them or us, and if in the next couple of years we are no closer to the league leaders, an executive decision has to be made, and our emotions can have nothing to do with it.


Having re-read that, it's all very obvious really.

not necessarily it could be a classic leaverage buy out (something DIC was accused of by the way). buy it cheap, build its income potential and sell it off. They can get twice what they paid for it including the level of debt they incurred. here until 2011 I'd say at the least though.

[disco]

Hang on a second, todays announcements are quite impressive.

Take a step back and look at what they are proposing. It's actually quite good. They have listened to the fans, the club is not loaded with £300m worth of debt but only £105m which is actually fine in the long term

The stadium plan is impressive.

Dont get me wrong im not impressed by these 2 guys, i still think we got the wrong guys. But they are here and might be on the road to making up for their mistakes. Good start today.

Now as long as Rafa can push on and get us up the table then their shouldnt be too many problems.

I would like to think. Lets keep the pressure on them by backing Rafa, lets get behind the team and hope these Yanks can keep the promises they made today. Hopefully we will soon see the stadium getting built

Completely agree, great post

Right, I'm now onto stage 4 of the 'reaction to change' (disbelief/denial> anger/blame> reluctant acceptance > focus on future), but I suspect quite a few people will be trapped in stage 2 for quite some time.

[REDSCOUSER]

Put the money where yer mouth is HICKS. Extend RAFA's contract to back up your statement. Fooking cowboy.

[Neil Young]

I think "of the ways" but I like waves it sounds faintly biblical.

And hints that one day we will reach the Promised Land.

[disco]

Put the money where yer mouth is HICKS. Extend RAFA's contract to back up your statement. Fooking cowboy.

Is that sensible?

Forgetting all the off-field ****e, there are many people who have question marks about Rafa's management given our results. If he gets a new 5 year contract, but we fail to qualify for the CL etc., then it would cost a fortune to replace him.

I'd wait until the summer before extending his contract.

[desertscouser]

Put the money where yer mouth is HICKS. Extend RAFA's contract to back up your statement. Fooking cowboy.

We all know that will never happen. Behind the scenes he will be doing everything he can to force Rafa to look for employment elsewhere before resigning. Hicks must be a f**king retard if he thinks we will fall for his lies again.

Liar.

As for Rafa getting a new contract, well, although I'm behind him....he needs to really sort out what's going on on the pitch before deserving a new contract. This season has been a disaster on and off the pitch.