I don't want to come over as a pessimist but why are most people assuming that we will go out and buy several expensive additions to the playing staff?
I was thinking about the possible investors and considering why they would buy the club - for financial or prestige reasons, or as a plaything?
If its financial they want a return on investment and how do you generate more income - three ways I see.
1) More prize money. Each place in the Prem is directly worth about £1M (I think) so moving from third to first is no great shakes. In cup competitions it's a lottery and an an expensive squad doesn't mean you will win any of them (although it helps I know) - so getting into say the last 8 is as good as you can assume, and while we often do that now, perhaps another 1 or 2 class players would make this more certain. Note though, that's a hell of an expense with little direct reward.
2) Direct income from match days. An increase in ticket prices would be unpopular (but perhaps inevitable) but the new stadium would bring in much more money - but the pay back on the stadium will be say 10 years (depending on ticket prices and gates I know). Still the Stadium is the best way to guarantee income.
3) Merchandising. To increase merchandising you need more fans. It seems natural that being owned by DIC would bring more middle eastern fans (irrespective of increasing the success above what we have now). Additional fans numbers based on success would be fair weather fans like Chelsea's and that market will ebb and flow. Additional fan spending based on success is surely the biggest potential market and this (probably) depends on cup success - as I said earlier a lottery.
Now success obviously does bring income but on a purely financial basis spending like Chelsea's is unjustifiable on commercial grounds and ManU's is only possible because of how there fan base grew as the Premiership's grew.
If the investment is for prestige then it is a bit more hopeful that DIC will invest in the team.
I wonder how they will see the obvious lesson from Chelsea - buying big makes you unpopular with everyone but your own supporters. I hope that doesn't happen to Liverpool.
I suspect that more prestige will come to the club if it continues to be financially prudent and tries to fund success through it's own income. If DIC agree with this then (the obvious) spending on players will be more gradual and not so excessive. Yes, plug one or two holes initially but then take a back seat.
Certainly for prestige we may expect another genuinely world class player for profile reasons but where, and at what price? Chelsea with their profligate spending still have holes in their team and can't get hold of some of the players who fit the description 'world class'.
If the club is to be a plaything (and I don't for one moment think it will be) expect loads of money to be spent, ex-chav supporters to join our ranks and many true supporters to go very quiet.
One other thought, perhaps it is in the nature of DIC to invest in the future which would mean more young talent at the club rather than experienced players. Young players who will need time to settle and won't give success immediately. I suspect this approach is more in keeping with what has been happening over the last couple of years and is perhaps more in keeping with Rafa's current thinking.
To anyone who has made it this far, whatever happens I just hope that we don't turn into massive spenders, do develop our own players, are not a 'win at all costs' club but go on to more success with dignity.
I was thinking about the possible investors and considering why they would buy the club - for financial or prestige reasons, or as a plaything?
If its financial they want a return on investment and how do you generate more income - three ways I see.
1) More prize money. Each place in the Prem is directly worth about £1M (I think) so moving from third to first is no great shakes. In cup competitions it's a lottery and an an expensive squad doesn't mean you will win any of them (although it helps I know) - so getting into say the last 8 is as good as you can assume, and while we often do that now, perhaps another 1 or 2 class players would make this more certain. Note though, that's a hell of an expense with little direct reward.
2) Direct income from match days. An increase in ticket prices would be unpopular (but perhaps inevitable) but the new stadium would bring in much more money - but the pay back on the stadium will be say 10 years (depending on ticket prices and gates I know). Still the Stadium is the best way to guarantee income.
3) Merchandising. To increase merchandising you need more fans. It seems natural that being owned by DIC would bring more middle eastern fans (irrespective of increasing the success above what we have now). Additional fans numbers based on success would be fair weather fans like Chelsea's and that market will ebb and flow. Additional fan spending based on success is surely the biggest potential market and this (probably) depends on cup success - as I said earlier a lottery.
Now success obviously does bring income but on a purely financial basis spending like Chelsea's is unjustifiable on commercial grounds and ManU's is only possible because of how there fan base grew as the Premiership's grew.
If the investment is for prestige then it is a bit more hopeful that DIC will invest in the team.
I wonder how they will see the obvious lesson from Chelsea - buying big makes you unpopular with everyone but your own supporters. I hope that doesn't happen to Liverpool.
I suspect that more prestige will come to the club if it continues to be financially prudent and tries to fund success through it's own income. If DIC agree with this then (the obvious) spending on players will be more gradual and not so excessive. Yes, plug one or two holes initially but then take a back seat.
Certainly for prestige we may expect another genuinely world class player for profile reasons but where, and at what price? Chelsea with their profligate spending still have holes in their team and can't get hold of some of the players who fit the description 'world class'.
If the club is to be a plaything (and I don't for one moment think it will be) expect loads of money to be spent, ex-chav supporters to join our ranks and many true supporters to go very quiet.
One other thought, perhaps it is in the nature of DIC to invest in the future which would mean more young talent at the club rather than experienced players. Young players who will need time to settle and won't give success immediately. I suspect this approach is more in keeping with what has been happening over the last couple of years and is perhaps more in keeping with Rafa's current thinking.
To anyone who has made it this far, whatever happens I just hope that we don't turn into massive spenders, do develop our own players, are not a 'win at all costs' club but go on to more success with dignity.
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