How American Sport Tries To Keep Things Competitive

11:35 am, Monday, October 1st, 2012 by Ed Harrison · 148 Comments

We’ve seen cases over the last ten years of Billionaires buying football clubs in England, and spending unlimited amounts of money on players, and there have been no restrictions on this at all, and clubs like Chelsea, as just one example, have spent over £1B on players since Romain Abramovich bought Chelsea in 2003 – what’s wrong with this picture?

There’s plenty wrong with it, and it’s simply an unsustainable business model, and the outlandish spending has caused other clubs to spend money they just didn’t have in order to try to keep up, and those clubs have gone into bankruptcy – or administration as it’s referred to in England.

And Manchester city have done much the same thing as Chelsea since 2008, culminating in the club winning the Premier League last season for the first time since 1968. Do you think the big money helped?

This is all very well and good for those clubs, but it’s a situation which cannot last, and UEFA President Michel Platini is already introducing Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules to limit the spending of each club to what their revenue is – so in effect they are being forced to balance their books, and the rules are being phased in over the next several years.

And we have seen some top clubs like Portsmouth and Glasgow Rangers go into bankruptcy because of gross mismanagement of their finances, and they have paid the penalty for spending money they just didn’t have.

In England there’s already a salary or wage cap – and the top leagues in both the Aviva Premiership in Rugby Union, and the Super League in Rugby League have already implemented wage caps.

America has long had to deal with big money in sports, and while things in the US are different to how sports are run in Britain – College Sports for example is a huge business – there are ways in which American Sports tries to keep things competitive so that a rich club – like the NY Yankees in baseball – cannot spend unlimited amounts of money to ensure success – like Chelsea and Manchester City have done recently.

Here are two main ways in which American sports ties to keep things competitive, and the third point is the way sports in America handles “transfers” – where players are exchanged between clubs.

There is generally a salary cap – and the amount is a percentage based on the total amount of revenue for the sport. It is very detailed and takes into consideration merchandise sales and ticket sales
And there are two main reasons for the salary cap – to keep competition between the teams and to also get some control of the costs of each team.
In Major League Baseball instead of a salary cap there’s a luxury tax, a scheme by which teams whose total payroll exceeds a certain figure (determined each year) are taxed on the excess amount. The tax is paid to the league, which then puts the money into its industry-growth fund
There is the college draft – where college players have completed their college playing days and can move into the top leagues. The way this is done is that the bottom professional teams in the league get the first college draft choice in a particular sport, the second bottom team gets the second draft choice, so in this way there is an attempt to even out the ability within the professional teams each year – in short the worst teams get the best players
There are no real transfers for dollar amounts but clubs can trade players and draft choices – so in a way this is like the transfer system in Europe – and as we have seen above teams get draft choices every year.
American Football has compensation when a player leaves based on their estimated value, and if a top player leaves through free agency, their former club can put a claim in and get draft picks from the player’s new team.
They also can franchise tag a top player to keep him from leaving. What this means is they can do this for one player a year, and that player has to remain with the team, but he is paid the average of the top five wages at his position for that year.

And American sports also have player unions, but all is not well at the moment in the NHL, where there is no agreement on wages between the owners and the players’ union, and there is a lockout in progress, and fans have to hope things are agreed soon, and they don’t have to go through another year like back in 2004, when the entire season was lost because of a dispute.

Ad NHL referees have just returned to American football after their stand-ins produced some terrible calls that cost teams some games, but the owners finally agreed to give the referees a wage rise and better pension benefits – and they are back refereeing again.

It’s difficult to justify these types of disputes with rich players involved, when economic times are so difficult and ordinary people are struggling big time – but it seems the owners are making big money and the players want to see more of it.

We have to hope that the new FFP rules being introduced by Michel Platini will get the job done, but notice that the rules still favor the big clubs, because clubs can spend what they bring in revenue, and of course clubs that play in Europe, and especially in the Champions League have much bigger revenues than other clubs like Newcastle United – as one example.

Comments welcome.

You can also reach Ed at admin@nufcblog.com

Buy your Newcastle tickets here.

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Tags: Financial Fair Play · Financials · Newcastle News · Other News

148 responses so far ↓

1 rainrix // Oct 1, 2012 at 11:43 AM

Nice article ed. Was never really sure how american sports worked in regard to players. Although not many of these would be applicable to football.

I do like that draft idea, If there was some kind of unaffiliated central youth system that teams could take players out of. That could help our national set up, although its never going to happen so mehh
2 beefman13 // Oct 1, 2012 at 11:46 AM

Yes Ed it make for a fairer system and the reason you see different super bowl winners, things will change in time and other better run clubs will get their share of the limelight including us.

man city and chelsea have been run in a way that many a manager could havetaken them to glory even some on this blog ha ha, but to be fair if we had a billion to spend we would not be far away would we.

The arsenal way and our way for me is much more gratifying and the way virtually all clubs will have to go in future.
3 GeordieDan // Oct 1, 2012 at 12:01 PM

I’d love to see this kind of thing implemented but the MASSIVE reason it almost certainly won’t is that in the States they throw money at college sports and basically the best athletes/sportspersons get paid to go through college playing for their team whilst trying to also pick up an academic qualification.

In this country the overwhelming amount of new, top players coming through have been trained and paid for directly by the club and usually for years thorugh academies etc.

They won’t just give up their best young assets.

You just don’t get a top premiership quality hopeful being financed by Cambridge university whilst playing for Cambridge University FC for example.

Unless something fundamental changes about the ENTIRE structure of our game then unfortunately this can’t and won’t happen.

Nice idea though Ed.
4 Tsunki // Oct 1, 2012 at 12:05 PM

Evidently we are new to the game of making big money, only really seeing it come into the game after the days of the first million pound signing. We have some catching up to do on the American sports but maybe our being behind them means we can learn from their mistakes before committing them ourselves. I think this is where Platini and Co are driving, its baby steps all right but anything that levels the field in each division is a good thing, perhaps we will see the days when players played with heart and for their club, without being spoiled journeymen and mercenaries.

I like the luxury tax idea – perhaps that can be channeled into grass roots footy or bolster struggling clubs with low or no-interest loans. Darlo was a sad case in recent times, not well supported but with a bit of decent investment and advertising could have stayed afloat.
5 Kebabacus // Oct 1, 2012 at 12:27 PM

Great article Ed. More stuff about life in America and your experiences supporting the Toon and growing up in Newcastle please! It makes a nice change from transfer gossip.
6 OTP // Oct 1, 2012 at 12:32 PM

Good post. I think the owners should choose to run the clubs as they please tbh. Sounds ridiculous but the point is to be the best teams and you have to spend money to be the best. Although people should read the book “Moneyball” great book about paying out tiny amounts for the best players and getting the best out of them, even if it is about baseball. I do like the idea of having a draft though.
7 Tsunki // Oct 1, 2012 at 12:55 PM

OTP – Citeh and Chelski are two examples of running a club how they please. Its a hyperbolic illustration I know but imagine you go to the only supermarket in the area to find that your rich neighbour has bought all the bread, milk, eggs . . . he doesn’t even use much of the stuff he’s bought, but keeps most of it until its no good to anyone else. Fair enough in the case of clubs like Man U who have a legacy of performance built up over the years, but even then, when buisness completely overpowers sport, its no longer sport, its just a rich mans’ bragging rights.

I dont know about anyone else, but if NUFC was bought by a fabulously wealthy owner who bought us cups and titles, it would be a hollow feeling celebrating a spoilt rich mans victory over his rivals in the billionaires club.

The problem is that football the sport is being confused with football the entertainment to the degree that the sport side is the secondary consideration.
8 Tsunki // Oct 1, 2012 at 1:20 PM

Well congratulations ED – a higher-thinking article has certainly thinned the blog out!

Either you’re going to have to post an Obertan article or wait for the subject to change into abusive warfare again.
9 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Oct 1, 2012 at 1:21 PM

Just looking in and wanted to say…

Tsunki @7….Great post and I agree 100%. Yes, we’d be happy with success (even if bought), but it would be hollow and short lived. Spending money is not really a club accomplishment. My hope is that slowly but surely we see a sustainable system that all clubs live within or otherwise the only way to be successful will be to spend obscene amounts of money. Which is just the billionaires club league, nothing really to do with football and pride.

As you were people, as you were.

P.S. Careful, with posts like that last one, people might start thinking you form actual opinions and think things through.
10 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Oct 1, 2012 at 1:23 PM

Ok, not the last post you made – comment #7!
11 Mister Tuff // Oct 1, 2012 at 1:31 PM

Great idea @#7 having a lower thinking article will allow the rest of us to join in.
12 Mister Tuff // Oct 1, 2012 at 1:33 PM

Error @#11 -should read …Great idea @#8……
13 rainrix // Oct 1, 2012 at 1:35 PM

Tsunki… Its about time higher thinking made an appearance on the blog . Next up Morality: Nature or Nurture?
14 peaco1980 // Oct 1, 2012 at 1:42 PM

Unlike the American Pro leagues, we have a system that rewards excellence and punishes failure; promotion and relegation respectively. How would this work in our system – Eden Hazard to Aldershot?? If promotion and relegation were ended, what would lower league clubs be playing for?
15 jesperfuglsang // Oct 1, 2012 at 1:45 PM

Just wanted to see hiw y’all doing

…and to say:

Ibiza @9 Great spoted that post @7 by Tsunki was indeed well written lol (sorry couldn’t help myself)
16 Tsunki // Oct 1, 2012 at 1:46 PM

Mister Tuff – ha ha now now I was only kidding
17 Tsunki // Oct 1, 2012 at 1:48 PM

Ohh pleeeease stop with all the raves you’ll make me think I am relevant if you keep on like this. Someone shoot me down in flames or hurl abuse about how I know nothing about anything, I am feeling exposed here!

I know – We should swap Ba plus £20m for Andy Carroll…..
18 toonarmydownsouth // Oct 1, 2012 at 1:48 PM

Tsunki
Very philosophical lad!
But of course your right it would be a very shallow victory and just go to show the only way to win anything would be to buy it and all the clubs that try there hardest to build a squad steeped in tradition and history will be a thing of the past
Not to mention the huge knock on effect it has trough the leagues you dont necessarily have to look at clubs like citeh and chelski but also your west hams qprs and blackburns, how many millions did they spend just to be able to get back into top flight football?, wheres the sportsmanship and just in buying the league? How are clubs who are always in and around the top of the championship like your cardiffs, crystal palace and blackpools ever supposed to compete at a level higher than championship over achievers?
And what happens to the west hams and qprs when the realisation dawns that they simply cant afford to buy a new starting 11 every window and continue to have huge earners whilst proping up the table?

The playing field of football needs leveling and the F.A and FIFA should never if let it get to the state its in today
19 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Oct 1, 2012 at 1:49 PM

Jesper…It would be rude of me not to recognise the fact you commented the good job by me of recognising Tsunki’s good post. Cor, this may become hard work.

Do I get any credit for noting this might become hard to keep up?

Good….lower thinking comments are back in play. Thank god, normal service can resume!

Peaco….I don’t think you can take a like for like system and apply if to our football leagues. Promotion / relegation are important factors in our leagues and need to remain. There should be discussion about other aspects though which could be integrated and ultimately improve the current system.

Not 100% on the inner workings of drafts and no idea how we would incorporate it.
20 Tsunki // Oct 1, 2012 at 1:50 PM

rainrix its a bit late mate all the higher thinkers baled years ago and left us lot. Although you are still here….
21 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Oct 1, 2012 at 1:51 PM

Tsunki @ 17…Fool. Get back on to Fifa13…you muppet.
22 tarie4 // Oct 1, 2012 at 1:57 PM

lads who has FIFA on the psp vita??
23 Ian Toon // Oct 1, 2012 at 1:58 PM

Interesting read. Implications, Rule changes re UEFA fair play will require the support of 14 out of 20 clubs. Manu , Arsenal and Liverpool were the clubs most in favour of adoption. Amusingly The Mackems focused on a mechanism to control wage inflation. Seems to me any serious enforcement is suspect and open to abuse . As. Benefactors would be able to fund investment in academies and channel funds elsewhere . It could well be like E U and just not be audited. At home. We have Man City covering an earnings deficit through £ 400 million sponsorship deal with Abu Dhabi.
Something that puzzles me is that Fulham were the only club to
appose any changes.
24 jesperfuglsang // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:00 PM

Again very well spoted of post 21 I totally agree about the weak content of post 17!

…do take yourself together! lol
25 WWYCD // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:05 PM

…It safe to leave my bunker? This is a bit of a topic isn’t it. I doubt this will be put into affect in the PL until similar is put into affect across Europe

Also doubt Fifa would back any real changes tbh. If this did happen though would the transfers end? Not sure whether I have misread that
26 Mister Tuff // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:05 PM

Tsunki @#8 and #16.
Damn and blast — you’ve pulled the rug from under my feet -I was going to try to develop your idea @#8 further by suggesting that only specific “classes” could post on subjects within their realm of knowledge. So the Bougeoisie, intellectuals and those of higher thinking could only post on certain topics and the rest of us -the proletariat and plebeians would be restricted to other topics such as Obertan bashing – damn.
27 Tsunki // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:05 PM

tads and peco hit this square on and its he most relevant area of the problem imo. Relegation and promotion is part of sport. Getting a rich buyer to assist a club that is perennially floundering is not necessarily a bad thing. After all, if my rich great uncle Roman fell off his yacht and left me his fortune, could I resist not buying into my beloved club? Would I be able to uphold my lofty standards of fair play when I had £300m burning a hole in my pocket to go out and buy a team of world stars? Personally I think I would, but thats me, I would rather give it all away to good projects than waste it on comparatively meaningless trophies. (That’s why people like me dont get rich I suppose ) Thats why some kind of fair play ruling is needed, to limit the influence of sheer loss-led pursuits in the game.

Maybe if it was allowed for a rich guy to spend what he likes, but has to donate like-for-like the clubs business losses to lower league academies who could make their own talent or sell at a premium to bigger buying clubs. That way they could build up their on infrastructure and make competing and promotion easier. Its kind of a work in progress thought. Needs polishing a bit.
28 Ian Toon // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:05 PM

On Reading we were lucky to get anything from game. It confirmed my long held stated view that Cabaye is the conduit and thereby our most influential player. In his absence I thought it was a mistake to overly compensate in DM. This was not a game to blood Bigi. Aside from Ferguson who has a nice composure under pressure the rest only really merit cameo rolls. Hopefully Cabaye will be back for ManU.
Ibiza
Jesper – Hope your in survival mode.
29 mattyNUFC // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:06 PM

unrelated but came across this on a messi article from some poster named ‘why emile heskey owns messi’

Heskey has never missed a penalty, Messi has
Heskey has 61 caps for England, Messi has 0
Heskey has scored 7 goals for England, Messi has 0
Heskey has scored 100+ goals in the Premier League, Messi has never scored in it
Heskey undoubtedly has a larger $@%! than Messi
Heskey is black, Messi isn’t
Heskey’s feet are size 15, Messi’s are a tiny size 10
Emile’s shots go out for throw-ins, Messi’s don’t
Heskey’s girl is sexier than Messi’s $@%!$.
Heskey misses a lot because he doesn’t want to upset the goalkeepers feelings, Messi just scores all the time because he’s a @%!$
Heskey has played in more World Cups than Messi
Emile has played for more clubs than Messi, meaning he is more versatile
Heskey has been bought for bigger transfers fee than Messi ever has.
30 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:07 PM

tarie…On ps3 – not sure how that ties in with psp vista – what is this witchcraft you speak of, am I really that far removed from general life here in Ibiza?

Jesper….I’m thinking we need to be working on systems for the blog rather than football as a whole. Perhaps a panel of posters (from both a negative, optimistic and realist view) who can vote and praise / shame the others. Just need to work out a method to deal with split votes.
31 mattyNUFC // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:09 PM

…article was on soccernet, btw
32 swisstone // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:09 PM

We have a new sponsor. Stadium rename will follow possibly
33 swisstone // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:10 PM

We have a new sponsor.

Stadium rename will follow possibly
34 swisstone // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:10 PM

We have a new sponsor.
35 Tsunki // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:11 PM

Ian @ 23 – it puzzles you that Al Fayed did something strange and off-beam? the man who put a statue of MJ outside the ground?

Ian @ 28 – nice subject change there. I agree about Cabs. Simple but controversial suggestion, just gonna throw this one out there- would it have been terribly wrong to stick Amalfitano in there (dives for cover)
36 Ian Toon // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:12 PM

Pushy- good post earlier. Your wasting your time though to many thick skulls to penetrate. Our group regularly have brief chats with Pardew one of the Dad’s knows him. What he said was that the main problem was not getting the balance of the side right at key stages of the game. Thought he made more of Taylor’s absence than justified.
Thought only Harper, Tiote and Ba + Ferguson when he came on played well. Harper doesn’t shout and command area like Elliot – if Krul is not back for ManU he should come under consideration.
37 swisstone // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:12 PM

We have a new sponsor. Stadium rename to follow??
38 mattyNUFC // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:13 PM

anybody think it’s Sports Direct?
39 swisstone // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:14 PM

Publishing issues apols for the reposts
40 estechco // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:14 PM

What a really strange way to announce this…

http://www.newsnow.co.uk/A/601760110?-11058

1 out of 10 for PR department – Should try harder?
41 Ian Toon // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:14 PM

Tsunki- Yes. I will chat later. I picked up on Pushy positive comment on you . That boy needs a serious slap.
Pushy- hiya.
42 cupiddstunt // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:17 PM

Tsunki @ # 7

I understand what you are saying, but what is the real difference between post and pre Abromavich football as beyond the names of the big spenders changing in reality I do not see any.

Before Abromavich we had prices on players transfers rising season after season and it was basically the same few clubs “the big four” that were doing the over bidding and pricing the “lesser” clubs out of market.

In 1979 Notts Forrest got Francis for £1.1 mil, that’s over thirty years ago and the transfer record prior to that was less than half a mil, Forrest were at the top of English football at the time and were bringing in loads of money and were throwing cash around as a consequence.

I am sure I can remember news of football clubs going bust prior to Abromavich so it is nothing new.

In reality the only difference as I see it is manure are no longer able to outbid every other club to take any players they wanted, just watch and when the ffp rules are fully in force manure will again become the prem’s biggest spenders as they will have the biggest income so will have proportionally more disposable income.

In my opinion when ffp rules are in force in full it will have changed nothing except put the “top four” back at the top of the pile.
43 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:17 PM

Matty…Find this person and encourage them to join our ranks. I feel this person may be the missing piece of our mad jigsaw on here. Balance and sense can then resume.

Ian…There will be no surviving. Just pure devastation.

Fake Tsunki…..Firstly, I’m calling fake as I just cannot believe this is the original with all of this sense being written. Secondly, well said. There needs to be certain aspects to the game that need controlling. Using your scenario, I think you should be able to invest in to the club as you see fit, but perhaps only on things like infrastructure etc, not just throw millions in to playing staff and thus buying success. It’s too destabilising for the league. I like your idea of matching over spending with investment to the “league’s development” and is certainly worth throwing around. Although, in reality, let’s say Man City threw £200m out there for new players, therefore a further £200m went in to other teams academy’s etc, how would that be split between the other UK teams and leagues? Once split up would it make anywhere near enough impact to compensate the gross redevelopment of one club (Man C) in such a small amount of time. I think it gives something back, but doesn’t really address the issue.
44 tarie4 // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:19 PM

Ibizatoon

Its like a psp but way way better, anyway, I see some features that are on the Xbox or ps3 aren’t on the vita, like scouting requesting for more funds etc. Wanted to know if anyone else has this problem on the vita??
45 Tsunki // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:19 PM

Ian he does all right want me to do it? No? Ok I’ll let you then.

So, sponsorship to end early because we will have an ‘exciting’ ‘new’ ‘sponsor’ eh?

Why was I worried the log was going highbrow? Cue lighting of torches, everyone on the wagon – let’s ride! Crush! Maim! Destroy!Sports Direct!
46 Dannyo // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:19 PM

Actually excited by this. The fact that NUFC is ending the sponsordeal a year early indicates that the new deal is pretty huge.
And maybe a stadium rename too.
Lets hope it’s not a food company like Venkys…

“Venkys Arena” anyone?
47 Tsunki // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:20 PM

*blog…
48 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:21 PM

Oh god. New sponsor talks pending. Run for the hills people. Not sure how this one will turn out. If I don’t make it through, I just want each and every one of you to know that I…..
49 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:22 PM

Dannyo…It’s all about Greggs. I don’t even think they’ll pay, just supply free lunch for the board.

Welcome to Greggs Arena, brought to you by Sports Direct.
50 Tsunki // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:23 PM

No Dannyo NO!
51 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:26 PM

OK people. Challenge at hand. Who can come up with the most creative new sponsor, so that we could all hate Ashley and Llambias more than anything. Need to think embarrassing, scheming, money making for the fat man, etc etc.

Something like ‘Sunderland Stadium’. Perhaps they’ll stop overpaying for players to sponsor us instead and get their name on our stadium and shirts?

I already feel a little sick at this comment. I’ll be back to read your suggestions once I’ve finished thrashing myself.
52 WWYCD // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:29 PM

Surely new NUFC ending the Virgin deal early means a bucket load of money or as Ibiza says a load of sausage rolls
53 toonarmydownsouth // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:30 PM

Ibizzle
The ketsy areana?
54 Tsunki // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:30 PM

cupid – yes I know but what has changed in recent times is the global economy, its forcing a rethink across the board because the banking landscape has changed dramatically. The only ones seemingly unaffected are the oil and other commodities rich whose assets are not simply bound by banking but in metropolitan real estate, buildings, even countries. They are causing a gulf to appear where it wouldn’t have. These should be the ones to pay a premium for the privilege of having a sporting club as a toy and not as a viable, self-sustaining profitable enterprise.

Ibiza – hence my caveat ‘work in progress’ ha ha. I am aware of the flaws as I type them, for instance, the rich guys would simply decide not to have losses, and no money at all would go to lower divisional clubs. But then that would serve a purpose, wouldn’t it? Its not perfect but it’s a starting point
55 Tsunki // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:34 PM

We could be sponsored by McDonalds and play at the ‘MacArena’ (cue shimmying).

Surely we have enough room for one more clown and burglar at the club?
56 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:34 PM

Tsunki…Sorry, today you have thrown me somewhat and I now expect perfection from your posts each time. I hope you don’t disappoint me. I’ve not had so much respect for someone’s post since Kets and his calls for Scharner and let’s just say it took me a while to come to turns with that fallen idol.

tads…Firstly, love the name Secondly, who would that infuriate? Surely the Kets Arena would spark uncontrollable joy from all toon fans? He is the most knowledgeable, not only on NUFC, person I know and would be deserving of this. Although, I’m not sure how financially this would work.

Yo….As if it matters. Ashley will just pocket that money to.
57 ppb // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:37 PM

@ibiza always ultra arena. load of c***s inside.
or perhaps greggs
58 Tsunki // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:37 PM

Off topic I know but does anyone else get the ‘Free Personality Tests’ advert? I think I could do that personality test for free. I’d say that guy likes Orange Wednesdays and has a yearning to be crushed by a truck in a long line of like-dressed individuals.

Gouranga!
59 Made a ma beed // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:37 PM

I know! What about another BIGI is great thread ED? Must be 3 hours since you last done one!!
60 WWYCD // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:38 PM

Ibiza
He might buy a nice suit we can admire?

How about the Playboy Stadium with the black and white bunnies obviously
61 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:39 PM

Tsunki…Nope. Maybe Ed is targeting you and subtly hinting?
62 ppb // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:40 PM

@made me a knob. what a terrible comment
63 Tsunki // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:40 PM

Mike could start with a tie… slob.
64 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:43 PM

Yo…..Well, we don’t want people representing us not looking dapper, do we?

Playboy stadium? Hmmm…Got to say on the fact of it, I’m on board. Not sure on the football implications, but who cares? Would there be podiums erected around the stadium?

Note for all – No need for, yeah, there will be tons erected in the Gallowgate
65 Tsunki // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:43 PM

Ibiza – then if its targeted ads, where in all that is noble and peanut-butter coated have I been browsing?????
66 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:44 PM

Tsunki…I meant more Ed has been monitoring your posts and thought you needed a personality test. Not sure why he may think that, just an idea that popped in to my head.
67 toonarmydownsouth // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:45 PM

WWYCD
Judging by the amount if posters who say about the mature dating websites that pop up on the blog i’d say they wouldnt apreciate the playboy stadium, maybe the readers wives arena or the 40+ monster jugs stadium?

Ibizzle
Like to mix up you get me!
68 catchy in norway // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:45 PM

Mattynufc

thank you, i read what you said about me yesterder,

you see i know they gang up on me as i have posted the same type of posts but under another name that i use on here, and the strange thing is they agree,, but as soon as they see this name, its like a free for all,

1 of the posts said yesterday, people are aloud there own opinion on this blog,, well i have to disagree on that comment , think like them or dont come on cos your a lepper,

i stand by everything i have said,
im not a pardew fan, i think me no one has told me, that he is a total yes man,
he has very strong bonds with players and feels like he is letting them down if he drops them
it took a long time for him to see obertan needed dropped, made up so many excuses not to play HBA,
the same is now happening with jonas, both marv and ferg do a much better job on the left , but jonas is on regardless,
his statemnet about being poor at the weekend,, thats an easy one to fix,, he just needs to look in the mirrow, and start being loyal to the club and its fans,, we will be here long after him and all of the players,, his job is to pick winning teams,, not play his friends,,

on a paositive note for all you who think im just being negative,, in my opinion, we have a great squad,

2 of the best forwards in the league, just need a suply line

HBA TIOTE CABAYE, in there right positions are up there with all the best in the league in there positions

COLO and SAYLOR, i think other than man c, would walk into most teams

SANTON,, showing great skill and energy running the left side,, but needs help

KRUL,, one of the best already, will only get better

with a bunch of fantastic kids coming through as back up,, they just need good guidence
69 WWYCD // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:47 PM

Ibiza
True but u can’t polish a turd can u!

Oh aye obviousl and a few poles around just to lean on obviously…only bad thing is ud know Cabs and Pards would of been through each and everyone of them
70 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:47 PM

tads…for realz player, for realz. Respect for keepin’ tings fresh!
71 WWYCD // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:50 PM

Toonarmydownsouth
Hahaha maybe there could be a niche section in the stadium?
72 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:53 PM

Yo…..Straight to the point as always. No, no you can’t.

Catchy….There are of course instances of posters blindly disregarding what someone says and merely base a response or attack based on an individual rather than what they are saying.

However, I seem to remember asking you the other day, who you would suggest as a new manager to take us forward if not Pardew? I don’t think anyone thinks he’s the best manager in the world and of course there will be things he should improve on (the same as all managers). However, it just seems at times you’d rather just criticise rather than look at any positivity or reality of other options. I generally find you to make extreme comments which tarnish any valid points you make. Of course, that is my opinion and not fact, just throwing it out there, as I personally object to this whole “we only want people who agree with me on the blog” thing being thrown around. I for one, think it’s complete rubbish, but always willing to discuss it.
73 Tsunki // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:54 PM

catchy – I respect most of what you just wrote, don’t agree with all of it, especially the Marveaux for Jonas thing, but thats an opinion.

However, you dont normally post like that, do you? Its normally in the form of curt, unreasoned blasts that invite retribution. And of course, timing is everything.
74 cupiddstunt // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:55 PM

Tsunki @ # 54

Personally I think the idea of viable, self-sustaining enterprise, we will forget profitable, has not been in existence for maybe as long as I can remember I would go as far as to claim it has never been a prerequisite part of football ever.

Blackburn just one example benefited from jack Walker way back in 1986 long before the premier league came into being, it was rumoured Walker paid for transfers and wages of Ardiles and Archibald he also paid for the Walkersteel stand at Ewood Park.

Football is littered with such stories and is proof that Abromovich was not the first but merely a higher profile bigger spender.

Not all but lots of top flight clubs have always been floated by wealthy backers and as I say the only benefit I can see with the ffp rules is the old guard will once again be at the top of the pile.
75 WWYCD // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:56 PM

Ibiza
Haha aye much like u can’t polish a turd u can’t silence a dickhead…reckon I fall into both categories if am honest
76 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Oct 1, 2012 at 2:59 PM

Catchy…

“the same is now happening with jonas, both marv and ferg do a much better job on the left , but jonas is on regardless”

Please tell me what you have seen of Marv in recent performances to indicate he should start over Jonas? To be fair, before the season started I would have Marv as a better winger than Jonas, however, he really doesn’t seem to be there yet. As for Fergie, he does look really decent and has set up two in two, which is excellent and he certainly deserves his shot as starting, he has earned it (under Pardews method).

It’s easy to apply ideas about players in theory (Marv should start over Jonas as he is better at taking men on), however the reality is not always that simple.

I would agree, Pardew seems late to react to issues. A major example of this was last week, when he waiting to sub Ba for Vukcik. Should have happened at half time, but waited and then we were chasing two goals. But these things will happen, even the most recognised “best” managers make mistakes, often in every game.
77 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Oct 1, 2012 at 3:01 PM

Yo…. I disagree completely. Not with the sentiment, but it applying to you.
78 toonarmydownsouth // Oct 1, 2012 at 3:04 PM

Yo
You mean your a sh1t d1ckhead?
79 WWYCD // Oct 1, 2012 at 3:05 PM

Ibiza
Aye of course ur right I do scrub up well haha
80 Dannyo // Oct 1, 2012 at 3:09 PM

Just read that both sides had the right to end the deal early within the bank year, so it does mean that the deal has to atleast be bigger, and substantially so for it to be done.
Or i think Virgin would’ve upped the sponsorship if they deemed it attractive to do so.
I’m also betting the deal includes naming rights for stadium.
81 boater // Oct 1, 2012 at 3:09 PM

Fergie is the new Marveaux on here – everyone had him in their team sheets every 5mins until he did get a couple of starts, then suddenly he’s yesterday’s news after a lukewarm showing.

Catchy. Why should Pardew dismantle the nucleus of last season’s team overnight? Fergie has been out, is still young and very raw, plus he is getting chances of the bench… it’s like you want to destroy players before they are ready, just for your quick fix FIFA mentality solutions.
82 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Oct 1, 2012 at 3:09 PM

Catchy….??? You still about?

Yo….That’s more like it, you d*ckh**d
83 Tsunki // Oct 1, 2012 at 3:11 PM

cupid – fair enough we’ve seen them all, Elton John, Delia Smith my word its a who’s who of people you dont wanna know, but it all boils down to a question of degrees. The Smogs are a canny example of a reasonably run outfit whose owner doesnt just want to splash money about, and comparatively he has maintained a reasonable model, a fairly successful club with a decent infrastructure. Ok I haven’t done my homework and perused his accounts but off the top of my head its that kind of reasonable sense I would like to be shoe-horned into the game. There are always characters who can get round these things but any measures taken to curb one-sided excess have got to be good measures.
84 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Oct 1, 2012 at 3:11 PM

Boater….Well if they cannot display wonderful displays instantly then they’re not good enough for NUFC. I thought everyone knew that.
85 gonufc (up and Hatem) // Oct 1, 2012 at 3:11 PM

I believe the new FFP from UEFA and Platini has one huge agenda which is to keep the status quo as best they can.

As unsavoury as it may be to have these billionaires come in to clubs it does at the very least stir things up.

If you cannot spend more than 50% (or similiar) of your revenue then the clubs with big stadiums and in the champions league will year after year buy the best players which means they stay in the champions league and can do the same next year.

It makes the big clubs money and keeps them comfortable and stops anyone else from getting involved.

FFP seems to be just a reinforced glass ceiling.
86 Tsunki // Oct 1, 2012 at 3:13 PM

Well I knew it would happen eventually, its like the tide you cant stop it. The name-calling and childish abuse has started in earnest.

Feels like home again.
87 Tsunki // Oct 1, 2012 at 3:15 PM

gonufc – if your theory is correct, surely as an entertainment spectacle it will get very boring very quick. like Korean elections.
88 boater // Oct 1, 2012 at 3:17 PM

Anyone been reading the I WIsh I was A Geordie blog? Really top drawer articles up there with nufc.com. Shows what can be achieved when blogs aren’t churned out every 3 minutes without so much as a cursory proof reading… cough, cough.
89 Tsunki // Oct 1, 2012 at 3:17 PM

..of course I should have said NORTH Koran elections. sorry, where’s that flag?
90 WWYCD // Oct 1, 2012 at 3:17 PM

Toonarmydownsouth
Howay I’d consider myself top draw for dickheadery…plenty would back me up as well haha

Ibiza
Haha

Dannyo
I agree lad must be worth more to us than the Virgin one and enough to put virgin off upping their stake. I don’t think the naming rights will change hands though unless its for a big wedge but time will tell
91 Tsunki // Oct 1, 2012 at 3:17 PM

OH MY WORD North KOREAN!!!

I’m off before theres a Fatwa on me…
92 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Oct 1, 2012 at 3:18 PM

gonufc…..Certainly is merit to that point. The only way I can see that being changed at the minute though is for an investor to take a smaller club and throw loads of money at it though.

What the ffp does offer is a chance to bring through young talent and slowly build decent squads. I would hope, we would see a reduction in big teams just buying any smaller teams talent and sticking them on the bench, this would help the smaller teams to progress. At the moment, they just create players for the big boys and then start again, in the process never progressing themselves.

It’s clearly a big mess with no quick fix, but something surely needs to be done to try and even the playing field. But, let’s not kid ourselves. It will never be fair, as there is too much history and gain already in place for it to be fair to all teams. A fairer future may be a better way to perceive it.
93 gonufc (up and Hatem) // Oct 1, 2012 at 3:20 PM

Well, to be honest, how is that very different to the last 10 years before Abramovich? How many teams won the title again?
94 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Oct 1, 2012 at 3:21 PM

Tsunki…Name calling? Where? Towards yo? Well, it’s factual name calling, he admitted it himself!
95 WWYCD // Oct 1, 2012 at 3:22 PM

Tsunki
Am I included in that? I only called myself a name can’t be black listed for that surely? Haha
96 Tsunki // Oct 1, 2012 at 3:24 PM

Steady on there boater – horses for courses. If an article does all your discussion for you, it becomes less of a blog more a magazine with a back-slapping / insults comments section. Ed’s simple layout and open-ended articles make for prolific posts. We can and do make what we want with it.
97 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Oct 1, 2012 at 3:24 PM

It will also take time for any new rules to take effect in the league as far as finishing in the league is concerned. Most of the big teams have enough talent to stay competitive for a good few years and just off the back of selling players could re-build the team. It should give smaller teams, with smart scouts etc an opportunity to keep pace and eventually propel themselves up a level. It obviously wont be as simple as, oh this year we’ve spent the same as Man City, the title is ours!

It’s not fixing things now, but the idea is to help provide some balance going forward. Successful teams will always have an advantage, as they will produce more income, plain and simple and in reality the way it should be. It’s outside investment which clouds this sport mainly.
98 nufc 11 // Oct 1, 2012 at 3:29 PM

Just heard from my mate that Qatar Airways have bought the naming rights of SJP and to be the club sponsor after the virgin deal ends……….
99 gonufc (up and Hatem) // Oct 1, 2012 at 3:31 PM

But it’s only outside investment that has really won the league for any team except Arsenal and Man United.

As far as viable competition outside investment has been important in the premier league.

Also, does SKY tv money count as outside investment? Because in terms of football as a whole I’d say the gap in money between leagues is more serious than between individual clubs.
100 Tsunki // Oct 1, 2012 at 3:32 PM

gonufc – I see what you are driving at but there is a bigger frame around that time period, we have been through the formative years of the tussle for rights with Sky coming onto the scene, the ‘professionalising’ of the governing bodies in football, subsequent higher profile of european club competitions… if it wasnt for the nouveau – riche oligarchs etc we old have seen a sea change in recent years as clubs like Arsenal and Man U hunkered down at the behest of their backers to beat the recession.

Something needed to be done about inequality in football business, the rich playboys have only glaringly highlighted that need.
101 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Oct 1, 2012 at 3:32 PM

nufc11….A mate that may have a chance of knowing or a mate that says a lot of things? No disrespect intended.
102 Tsunki // Oct 1, 2012 at 3:35 PM

Qatar Airways? Qatar Stadium? (cue coughing)
103 nufc786 // Oct 1, 2012 at 3:35 PM

http://www.nufc.co.uk/articles/20121001/virgin-money-sponsorship-to-end-early_2281670_2935451?
104 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Oct 1, 2012 at 3:37 PM

786……Wow, you lil news breaker. When did you get this itk status? Ok, I’m done.

Right, 786 and Tsunki are both here. I may as well go now. Blog will die in a matter of minutes.

Take it easy one and all.
105 cupiddstunt // Oct 1, 2012 at 3:42 PM

Tsunki @ # 82

Agreed there are a lot of people who lets call it love of their team when they come into money at levels way above what they perceive they need put some of the surplus into their team and it has been going on since football came into being.

I also agree that the way chelski and shitty behave financially is extreme but all it had done in reality is add a couple of new names to the top of the pile.

I also only see platini and his ffp rules as an Anglophobes attempt to bring the premiership down off the top of the global football pile, it will not stop barca and co from dominating football in Spain and I would have thought that the PSG buyout and subsequent spending spree would have been a lot more difficult or should I say muted than it appears to have been considering PSG is in France twatini is French and the ffp rules were already up and rolling.

At least currently any team has the chance to top the table if they find a rich enough backer once ffp comes in full, only the big will get bigger and the small will get smaller and the chances of jumping the gap will get smaller and smaller.

That is of course as I see it.
106 Mister Tuff // Oct 1, 2012 at 3:45 PM

Whilst not wanting to claim a scoop or be accused of being an ITK my sources reveal that the new sponsorship deal is with ASDA -jointly with Sports Direct. Shirts will have the “ASDA” logo and SJP will be re- named Ashely’s Sports Direcet Arena (also spelling out ASDA)
107 boater // Oct 1, 2012 at 3:49 PM

Tsunki – I was merely recommending an alternative blog providing original, insightful reportage of the old fashioned variety – to those who haven’t come across it. I would never challenge the hallowed sanctity of entering into maniacal, unreasoned virtual-debate with anonymous posters from all around the world prompted by articles so error strewn they make N’Dubz lyric sheets read like the bard.
108 Tsunki // Oct 1, 2012 at 3:52 PM

cupid – unfortunately without wanting to seem xenophobic I agree the suspicion is that somehow the FFP will be inevitably focused on the Premier league. I also concede that certain individuals currently throwing their new money around also have the will and wherewithal to be saddened by a most unfortunate car accident of a certain Frenchman, and the burgeoning Cayman account of a certain FIFA exec. But thats just me being hyper-cynical I probably watch too many films.

Mister Tuff – thats an old mackem joke though, isnt it?
109 Tsunki // Oct 1, 2012 at 3:53 PM

boater – good. Thats all right then. Apology accepted
110 Tsunki // Oct 1, 2012 at 3:54 PM

btw thats a false boater isnt it?
111 cupiddstunt // Oct 1, 2012 at 3:58 PM

Boater @ # 106

Hey as had been said on more than one occasion on here if you think you can improve on Ed’s efforts then by all means feel free to do so.

Then when having done so let the world and their dog know of this new edifice and we shall peruse it thus allowing foot traffic (as it were) to be your proof of lack thereof of your claim that Ed’s effort is a poor cousin to these other sites.
112 cupiddstunt // Oct 1, 2012 at 3:59 PM

sorry boater # 107
113 Mister Tuff // Oct 1, 2012 at 4:00 PM

Tsunki @#107.
I do not know any mackem jokes. Would you be able to tell us a few?
114 boater // Oct 1, 2012 at 4:01 PM

No this is Boater -Boater. I am jesting of course (above), good to see this blog is still going strong. I came back to a little it via the surrealist genius of Kets9 – the Pablo Picasso of the site- a poster so defiantly stubborn in his logical backwardness it warms the heart at times.
115 cupiddstunt // Oct 1, 2012 at 4:04 PM

Tsunki @ # 108

Sorry I have missed out on something here, is this a newsworthy event that has slipped me by or are you referring to a possible event in the future.

If it has happened please point me in its direction I think it would make an interesting read.
116 Carryingcoals // Oct 1, 2012 at 4:04 PM

boater

That made me laugh, he needs professional help that guy
117 Mister Tuff // Oct 1, 2012 at 4:06 PM

error @ 113 should be #108
118 bills-son // Oct 1, 2012 at 4:08 PM

Virgin being elbowed early must surely mean that a company is taking both the shirt and ground naming rights.

Whoever it is they must be paying a canny penny.
119 Sholadona // Oct 1, 2012 at 4:08 PM

Howard Webb has been appointed the ref for the Man Utd game. How many times will we get this baldy nob for this game!
120 Dannyo // Oct 1, 2012 at 4:11 PM

WWYCD
Since MA took over, the club upsets has gone from quarterly, to every 6 months, to yearly.
It’s that time again is all i’m saying
121 Tsunki // Oct 1, 2012 at 4:12 PM

ha boater you had me worried there, the ‘boater’ bit, as it were ha ha ha. Yes Ketsy is our inspiration, no doubt.

Mister Tuff – have I offended you in some way? I only say that because it is a joke a mackem work ‘mate’ keeps blethering all the time as if its suddenly going to start getting funny.

I suppose if I re-read your post @11 you are actually being seriously offended there. Was that where it started between me and you?

cupid – i make these daft scenarios up in my head all the time
122 Made a ma beed // Oct 1, 2012 at 4:13 PM

ppleb @ 62, it was easy making you a knob as you already are one!!
123 Tsunki // Oct 1, 2012 at 4:14 PM

‘sports’ men ha

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19783309

WAh wah wah wah wah.
124 ppb // Oct 1, 2012 at 4:16 PM

quatar airlines. that would be a canny bit of cash and would give us a bigger name out there too
125 89Norcal // Oct 1, 2012 at 4:17 PM

Good artcle, Ed. Btw I think you meant NFL not NHL

You are right though, the salary caps, trades, and priority draft picks are a huge factor in keeping our leagues competitive. MLB is probably the one organization that still is bias towards money teams, with the NBA a distant 2nd.

It’s a great system that everyone’s content with, because it gives every team a chance and there isn’t really anything wrong with it.

There was 1 instance where last year, the Indianapolis Colts seemed to throw the season to get the 1st draft pick, finishing 2-14 despite being in the Super Bowl 2 years ago and winning it 5 years ago. However, 1st round draft picks don’t always work out so it can be a gamble, which again levels the playing field.

I enjoy Europe’s transfer system for the simple fact it’s different, but a few billionaires are spoiling it by tacking advantage of loopholes or non-existent regulation.
126 nufc786 // Oct 1, 2012 at 4:21 PM

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-19790380
now bbc know….
i wonder who the new sponsor will be……….
127 ppb // Oct 1, 2012 at 4:21 PM

@made i am a knob i have no qualms about that. way the attack on ed?
128 ppb // Oct 1, 2012 at 4:22 PM

@made why, even
129 Tsunki // Oct 1, 2012 at 4:24 PM

Mister Tuff if its mackem jokes you want try post 122, he’s evidently your ‘man’ ooh harsh.
130 ppb // Oct 1, 2012 at 4:27 PM

mackem jokes.
Connor whickam
west brown
john o’shea
basically and brucey signing
131 Pushy Pardew // Oct 1, 2012 at 4:27 PM

Tsunki
You have been on my reading list for some time but really have raised the level of discussion.
Ian Toon
Glad your still around. Liverpool’s John Henry proposed that PL impose their own penalties if UEFA don’t implement recommendations in full. The getting the resources you generate is not supported by NUFC who favour clubs being allowed to manage their own affairs. DL is keen to encapsulate commercial growth abroad. Also suspect change in our sponsorship could impact on club thinking. With the new tv deal PL needs to crack down on spiralling wages. Hope Krul is back for Sunday as i thought Harper didn’t help
by lack of command in box with both CD’S not clearing lines it was a bit of a muddle. We were too negative think Pardew missed a trick by not playing Anita in DM , Bigi gave the ball away a lot..
132 Marty-Toon // Oct 1, 2012 at 4:31 PM

http://www.caughtoffside.com/2012/10/01/video-serbia-under-17s-score-insanely-ridiculous-triple-nutmeg-dummy-corner-routine/

Nicely worked corner by Serbia under 17′s
133 PennStateToon // Oct 1, 2012 at 4:33 PM

One thing that I think is lost in this article is just how corrupt the American collegiate sports system is. As a current student, I can tell you that MOST of the athletes that choose to attend certain schools for sports did not go there because it was their local school or because they have strong academics or what have you. They chose their school based on which school bribed them the most whether it be money, or not having to attend class etc. It is a very real and understated problem here in the states and I don’t necessarily think it is a good idea to implement that kind of system elsewhere. Kids now abuse the collegiate system and the schools with the most power and influence in the NCAA are the ones who get the best talent. It isn’t a whole lot different then the top clubs having the most money.
134 Tsunki // Oct 1, 2012 at 4:35 PM

PP ease off i’m blushing I apparently am getting an ego already.

Yep it does seem without the two big voices our defence is a bit of a headless chicken Harps has never been a big shouter, I wonder if Anita is able to do that already? Someone needed to grab hold of that back line we were getting dragged all over the shop and they weren’t even a good team.
135 Tsunki // Oct 1, 2012 at 4:37 PM

PennState – what you are talking about is a universal problem all right. Corruption. If we think the football world (as in soccer) is immune just rerun those world cup hosting awards through your head one more time.
136 ppb // Oct 1, 2012 at 4:39 PM

@Marty that’s great
137 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Oct 1, 2012 at 4:39 PM

PennState….Thanks for that. I suppose within any system, there will always be loopholes and ways to abuse said system. I know next to nothing about American sports, even with 6 months in an American high school I still didn’t manage to pick any of it up….perhaps time wasted with cheer leaders is to blame?….so perhaps you can enlighten me on something.

What happens when you have some young athlete, breaking on to the scene? Are they only able to compete at their age level or can they be fast tracked through to professional level?
138 PennStateToon // Oct 1, 2012 at 4:40 PM

Tsunki- I’m aware the corruption is everywhere I’m merely bringing it to the attention to people who may not be aware of it, that as great as the whole college players to draft thing is, it isn’t without its flaws.
139 PennStateToon // Oct 1, 2012 at 4:45 PM

Ibiza- Very young players with great potential can be “scouted” at any age, however, they can’t be fast tracked as players can in european football. For instance, if there is a 14 year old who is head and shoulders above all his peers at the same age level, he can play up with older kids in his school, or even with travel teams in the area (it’s very complex) however he can’t attend a college and play for the collegiate team until he meets the educational requirements. Some players if good enough can make the jump right from high school to the professional level, but it rarely happens. Many colleges begin recruiting kids very young and illegally support them with free gifts, small payments, even helping the family out with a mortgage or what have you in the hopes of having the kid attend their college when he is eligble. The kid may only stay for a year before entering the draft, but in that time the school makes money off him/her, so the kid’s education becomes an after thought.
140 Mister Tuff // Oct 1, 2012 at 4:47 PM

Tsunki @#121.
Just having a bit of fun -I rarely get offended by anyone. I hope you appreciate a bit of humour.
141 Tsunki // Oct 1, 2012 at 4:49 PM

PennState @138 – no I appreciate that – in fact its interesting to hear local insight on what may at first seem to be a very healthy academy system. Its a shame but also a fact that nothing is immune to tricky characters in big business.
142 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Oct 1, 2012 at 4:49 PM

Pennstate…Thanks for that. Made things a lot clearer, yet I’m still no further forward in forming a decent opinion of how to progress
143 Tsunki // Oct 1, 2012 at 4:50 PM

Mister Tuff you had me worried I though I was going mad there. Twice I’ve been had today, I am evidently NOT the sharpest tool in the box after all ha ha.
144 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Oct 1, 2012 at 4:52 PM

Tsunki…Never ever doubt what a tool you are. That would make me sad.
145 PennStateToon // Oct 1, 2012 at 4:52 PM

And as an additional tidbit of information no professional teams in america have a youth system like football clubs in england do. In some sports they have affiliates that play in lower leagues and they can call up players from these affiliates if they choose. Think of it as if the PL, Championship, and lower leagues were all connected. Instead of each league containing independent teams, the teams are all affiliated with someone in a higher league up. Because there is no promotion and relegation, the leagues all have very similar talent pools. It would be as if say Newcastle was associated with a team in the championship. They could send players back and forth between each other at their leisure. A lot of the very young players that are drafted into the top level of the professional leagues over here, are immediately sent down to a lower level affiliate for a few years to hone their skills. Very similar to Newcastle loaning young players to lower league teams in Europe.
146 PennStateToon // Oct 1, 2012 at 4:54 PM

Tsunki- Exactly. Nothing is without its flaws unfortunately
147 Ian Toon // Oct 1, 2012 at 4:55 PM

Tsunki- carry on like this and you’ll upset the turf warriors. Mind you I am getting suspicious that your an imposter. Hello Tsunki Mark 2. The king is dead long live the king.
Pushy- steady mate he’s likely to believe he can write a best seller.
UEFA are serious about imposing FFP rules because clubs not complying will not get required license to compete in their competitions. Atletico Madrid have already had problems.
Ibiza- Stand by for transfer speculation alert given sponsorship change. January is already expected but increased spending now likely in Summer. Forward planning- recruitment of an assistant justified with anticipated increase in posts. I would like to nominate Tsunki now he’s given up kitchen fitting he’ll have a lot more time to devote.
148 Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand // Oct 1, 2012 at 5:02 PM

Ian….I think I may need a team to make this work. The trick is how to achieve this without clique status. Hasn’t worked so well for me in the past I must say

Tsunki will never give up kitchen fittings, it’s his true love in life, just edging out Newcastle United