Bigfooty Yid Army Thread

[citizen-erased]

Summer is going to be busy

Outgoings: Gio, ndombele, winks, davinson, lucas, reguillon, royal.
possibly lloris.
Will need to face into Kane and Son.
Gil and spence - do they become part of the PL squad? Probably comes down to conte or no conte.

And we need 2x CB, mid depth, a new GK and probably a left back.

 

[smish]

Summer is going to be busy

Outgoings: Gio, ndombele, winks, davinson, lucas, reguillon, royal.
possibly lloris.
Will need to face into Kane and Son.
Gil and spence - do they become part of the PL squad? Probably comes down to conte or no conte.

And we need 2x CB, mid depth, a new GK and probably a left back.

Pickford and Gvardiol - the dream

 

[Art Vandelay_]

Pickford and Gvardiol - the dream

Would like Raya. Homegrown.
But reckon he goes to United.

 

[jd2010]

Conte has had his gallbladder removed and will he away for a period of time

 

[citizen-erased]

Pickford and Gvardiol - the dream

Id have liked Pope, but that ship has sailed
Pickford likely given everton probably go down

 

[jd2010]

I’m referring more to the experience than the actual stadium. Stadium is sensational, easily the best I have been in across any sport.

But boy do you pay for it. The cost of beer and food in that joint is truly disgusting.

Working class fans have bern priced out of it and I find that objectionable.

We are the absolute face of capitalism. Crazy to think fans of ours want to turn their nose at dirty money when we aren't a social enterprise and clean with our money at all

 

[Art Vandelay_]

Visit Rwanda South Africa.

42.5m sleeve sponsor deal to be signed this week with SA Tourism. 3 years


People want transparency and for them to answer to the trust… when they do the trust gets slaughtered with facts lol

Club responds to Trust questions on strategy and direction - Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust

THST asked the Club to respond to four key questions that reflected the concerns of increasing numbers of Trust members and Spurs fans

www.thstofficial.com

In January, as part of an ongoing dialogue with Spurs, THST asked the Club to respond to four key questions that reflected the concerns of increasing numbers of Trust members and Spurs fans generally. THFC committed to answer our questions, in full, once the transfer window had closed, along with a ‘post transfer window wrap’ from Fabio Paratici. They also confirmed that the financial returns would be reported to all supporters in February.


With growing concerns and discontent amongst significant numbers of supporters, we asked again for clarity about the Club’s strategy and vision. We urged the Club to respond to the Trust’s questions and to give much needed reassurance about the Club’s priorities, as well as a commitment to sustained investment in on-pitch success. As concerns grew about the news surrounding the Club and, in particular, the Director of Football Fabio Paratici, we again asked for clarification from the Club.

Today the Club has responded to our questions and we are sharing these, in full, below.

We welcome the Club’s direct engagement with the questions asked and we welcome the information provided. However, we would have wanted to see a greater acknowledgement from the Club of the legitimate concerns shared by many fans and a fuller explanation in a number of key areas.

We are sure that all Spurs fans endorse the ambition that the Club should be consistently qualifying for the Champions League and challenging for and winning major trophies. However, there needs to be an acknowledgement that only one trophy in 22 years cannot be regarded as meeting that measure of success.

Likewise, the intention to “build a strong deep squad with a winning mentality” is one that all Spurs fans would share, but is not one that could be said to have yet been achieved, and we referred in our questions to the comments made by the Head Coach, Antonio Conte. We note the Club’s acknowledgement that a number of player purchases have not worked out and the recognition of a need for improved recruitment.

The stated strategy is to drive and generate revenues to invest in football activities. We know that fans want to hear more about how the stadium and other revenues are channelled to the benefit of the football side. Similarly, fans want to know more about future plans for investment. The Club acknowledges the new capital injected into other clubs and the consequent increases in player transfer spending by those clubs. What is needed is a clear commitment to investment that ensures that THFC not only remains competitive with those clubs, but is able to meet the stated aim of challenging for, and winning, major honours.

The Club’s Financial Results are due to be issued soon and we are discussing arranging a meeting with the Club for when those results are published. We shall continue to press for further clarity and reassurance in the meantime.

Here are THFC ‘s responses to the Trust’s questions:

1. Will the Club share its medium and long-term strategy for success, both on and off the pitch? How is the Club measuring progress and how does it judge current outcomes against those measurements?

In the last 20 years the Club has qualified for European competition 17 times – 13 of which are currently successive - including six Champions League campaigns. We set out our business model in last year’s Financial Results announcement and below is the relevant section:

“Foundations in place
…… Since ENIC became the majority shareholder in 2001 we have had a clear three-step strategy. Firstly, we worked to improve football performance and, whilst no one club has a right to a smooth, continuous, upward trajectory, we have seen the club rise from middle to bottom-of-the-table finishes to being in European competition in 15 out of the last 16 seasons.

Secondly, we built a state-of-the-art training centre to attract, train and retain the best talent, both for the Academy and the First Team. We have gone on to do far more than that with the delivery of our award-winning player accommodation, ‘The Lodge’, which has been instrumental in providing exceptional rest and recovery facilities for players and, during COVID-19 times….

Thirdly, we set out to deliver an increased capacity stadium that would not only generate greater matchday revenues, but also the opportunity for more fans to attend games. Our Club could not remain competitive with one of the smallest stadiums in the Premier League.

….Having delivered our training centre, The Lodge and stadium we shall not stand still, we shall continue to innovate and ensure the most exceptional player, fan and visitor experiences.

Our building blocks for the future success of the Club are now firmly in place.

Our Club strategy
Going forward, therefore, our strategy is clear - to drive and generate revenues to invest in all of our football activities. Football success, in turn, supports the growth of our Club, our fanbase and consequently wider, commercial opportunities and partnerships, which then deliver further revenue to reinvest in football - the virtuous, sustainable circle on which our Club model is based.

We shall develop new and diverse revenue streams to increase recurring revenues. Third party events such as conferencing, NFL, concerts, boxing and rugby are all examples of this. Our stadium is a key component to our revenue growth yet, unbelievably, we have still not seen and enjoyed a full season in our new stadium with attendances.

We shall continue to invest in our senior management and our staff to deliver this and look to decrease our reliance on football revenues alone, such that we protect our Club’s long-term sustainability.” (Year end 30 June 2021)

We have delivered world class facilities which are in place to generate income for investment in our football activities. Our stadium debt is long-term ensuring limited impact on the Club’s ability to invest.

Completing the stadium was always a key step in our strategy of increasing and diversifying recurring revenues to fund our football activities. The COVID-19 pandemic saw a two year disruption and a loss of circa £200m, but we are now back on the planned journey of growth. We have seen the return of football, third party events and visitor attractions income. Growing our revenues is essential for the Club to continue to have the ability to invest in players.

We want to be consistently qualifying for the Champions League and challenging for and winning major honours. Returning to the Champions League this season was important – although we acknowledge the number of teams competing for those four places. We are working hard to build a strong, deep squad with a winning mentality. There has been a detailed review of all departments on the football side of the Club in order to constantly improve and changes have been – and continue to be – made to ensure we remain competitive, attract and retain the best players and continue to progress. Improved recruitment and a world class academy are vital to our future success.

2. The manager employed by the Club has not signed a new contract and tells us that we should lower our expectations about on-field outcomes. He has said publicly that the Club needs to spend big money every window just to compete. How does this align with the Board’s philosophy for achieving success?

Like everyone at the Club, our Head Coach wants the team to compete for top honours. The Club has invested heavily in the squad. This is a continual process with the aim of standing the Club in good stead on the pitch for years to come. Since opening the stadium in April 2019 we have spent more than £500m putting us in the top quartile of spending in the Premier League - and we have made significant investments in the Women’s team too. In addition to the summer investment of over £200m we have committed to a further £47m spend this January.

Despite this we consistently see references to our perceived lack of backing for head coaches and lack of spending.
It’s important that we deal with facts - our spend levels quite clearly show that we have backed our football side. There is always a fine line between long-term investment and short-termism – which is why our recruitment has to be first class. Mistakes at this level leave a financial and sporting impact for future seasons. We have felt the financial impact of supporting player purchases which have not worked out as hoped. We have taken steps to improve this area of operations and the recent windows reflect this.

3. Are you satisfied with player recruitment in recent transfer windows and with the performance of the youth teams and the development and supply of younger players through to the first team? Are there any plans to improve this?

Answered above. We are excited by the young talents we have at the academy. We have always ensured a clear pathway for youth to progress to the First Team, along with a development system that includes strategic loans. In respect of new young players, Jude Soonsup-Bell is a great addition to our U21s.

4. Does the Club have a plan for further investment to ensure that the Club remains competitive on the pitch in the face of substantial additional investment by other Premier League clubs? Is the Club closer to securing a naming rights provider? Is there a plan for further investment from ENIC, or from other potential investors or buyers?

Answered in part above. In response to the latter part of this question: all our conversations with third parties are confidential. With specific reference to naming rights, we are clear that any deal has to be right for the Club, notwithstanding we currently have our own name proudly on the stadium receiving global recognition.

Financial sustainability has been fundamental to how we have run this Club. Our aim has always been to combine the financial stability of the Club with remaining competitive on the pitch.

The ENIC investment was timely and critical as we emerged from the pandemic and sought to stay competitive on the pitch. We are ever-conscious of the new capital injected into other clubs which has seen player transfer spending increase significantly.

We should be mindful, however, of the implications of the changes to the governance of the game which will compel greater sustainability and financial fair play (FFP). Major changes have been introduced in Europe around FFP regulations, including the newly launched UEFA financial sustainability rules, the full impact of which will be felt from season 2025/26. They are based on three pillars: solvency, stability and cost control and clubs will have three seasons to adjust to them. Many expect that these new rules will be a game changer for the sport. We should also allow for the possibility of even tighter regulations.


The THST Board feel strongly that the establishment of a formal mechanism for fan engagement at Spurs remains a top priority and we are focused on working with Spurs fans and other Spurs supporter groups to hold the Club to account and to encourage open communication with its fans, who remain the life-blood of the Club.

THST Board
2 February 2023

 

[The Cryptkeeper]

Visit Rwanda South Africa.

42.5m sleeve sponsor deal to be signed this week with SA Tourism. 3 years


People want transparency and for them to answer to the trust… when they do the trust gets slaughtered with facts lol

Club responds to Trust questions on strategy and direction - Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust

THST asked the Club to respond to four key questions that reflected the concerns of increasing numbers of Trust members and Spurs fans

www.thstofficial.com

Come on mate, those answers taught us nothing and were straight from the PR handbook.

In fact, I would consider them borderline contemptuous. They treat the fans like mugs.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

Come on mate, those answers taught us nothing and were straight from the PR handbook.

In fact, I would consider them borderline contemptuous. They treat the fans like mugs.

Let me bait the muppet in peace. Friday morning fishing.

They have been inconsistent. Included the money making Romero and Bentancur permanent in that money but also included the future commitment for Porro. Pick a method, you can’t have both.

But there are facts interspersed in there. Been saying for years that non-football activities (like the newly announced Beyonce concert) will help us grow at a faster rate than similar or larger rivals. And Deloitte says our growth rate is now 10% more than Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool. We just have some catching up to do.

When they talk about spending heaps of money since 2019 and feeling the pinch of poor business, they also go on to talk about having taken steps to fix it. Which they have, Paratici has come in (12 min transfer window video from him I am yet to listen to) and has overhauled recruitment, scouting and academy positions. No one can say that’s a bad thing given recent transfers before his arrival.

Acknowledgment of failings and steps to rectify them is prudent business practice. He’s just not learned how to sell players too well yet.

 

[cats2rise]

Come on mate, those answers taught us nothing and were straight from the PR handbook.

In fact, I would consider them borderline contemptuous. They treat the fans like mugs.

The THST actually annoy me a bit.

Get all vocal in the final week of the window, with the intent being more disruptive to the club than constructive.

I don't really see anything wrong with the response from the club. Yeah it's a little wishwash, but that was to be expected.

We do not have the right to success, or do we simply just "deserve it"

Yes we're not in the glory days, but ENIC have made sound improvements off the field - this is undeniable.

The club is also unfairly ridiculed for transfer efforts. It's hard to get all your transfers right. When we have spent (within our means) we have had a pretty poor record over the last 4 years. The layout has been appropriate for the scenario we find ourselves in... just the execution has been a little poor in recruitment.

For other clubs, they can buy again to rectify mistakes. We can't, which is our issue. We can't afford to have 4 years of "poor" transfers.

Too many simpletons focus on "lack of spending" when that is not the big issue. It's not the amount that's the issue, it's what we've spent it on.

 

[The Cryptkeeper]

The THST actually annoy me a bit.

Get all vocal in the final week of the window, with the intent being more disruptive to the club than constructive.

I don't really see anything wrong with the response from the club. Yeah it's a little wishwash, but that was to be expected.

We do not have the right to success, or do we simply just "deserve it"

Yes we're not in the glory days, but ENIC have made sound improvements off the field - this is undeniable.

The club is also unfairly ridiculed for transfer efforts. It's hard to get all your transfers right. When we have spent (within our means) we have had a pretty poor record over the last 4 years. The layout has been appropriate for the scenario we find ourselves in... just the execution has been a little poor in recruitment.

For other clubs, they can buy again to rectify mistakes. We can't, which is our issue. We can't afford to have 4 years of "poor" transfers.

Too many simpletons focus on "lack of spending" when that is not the big issue. It's not the amount that's the issue, it's what we've spent it on.

Disagree with the first part. I’d rather the club not say anything than trot out the PR machine when legitimate questions are asked. Yes, the THST is a pain in the arse but they are entitled to ask hard questions.

As for the spending, agree we have blown wads on the wrong players. For the life of me though, I cannot understand why we let a perfectly sellable asset walk for free because the alleged geniuses at the club forgot to count how many foreign players we had and how many we had out on loan. Apparently we don’t have the means to compete in the market with the big boys but we seem to have a Chairman who is happy to just give players away.

And it wasn’t the only deal that was botched. We also were complicit in the late lodgement of Malachi Fagan-Walcott’s paperwork which means he missed out on a move to Swindon. Yes, it’s a small fee and we’ll possibly recoup it in summer but it’s just so unprofessional. Not to mention terribly unfair on a young player.

 

[cats2rise]

100% agree regarding the mutual termination of the contract - an utter **** up and a poor look that we apparently "forgot" about the loan rules.

It's irrelevant as to whether Doherty's value is/was 2m, 20m or 200m... we let a squad player go who we purchased 18 months ago for 15m who played 40 odd league games because we stuffed up our squad.

 

[citizen-erased]

Let me bait the muppet in peace. Friday morning fishing.

They have been inconsistent. Included the money making Romero and Bentancur permanent in that money but also included the future commitment for Porro. Pick a method, you can’t have both.

But there are facts interspersed in there. Been saying for years that non-football activities (like the newly announced Beyonce concert) will help us grow at a faster rate than similar or larger rivals. And Deloitte says our growth rate is now 10% more than Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool. We just have some catching up to do.

When they talk about spending heaps of money since 2019 and feeling the pinch of poor business, they also go on to talk about having taken steps to fix it. Which they have, Paratici has come in (12 min transfer window video from him I am yet to listen to) and has overhauled recruitment, scouting and academy positions. No one can say that’s a bad thing given recent transfers before his arrival.

Acknowledgment of failings and steps to rectify them is prudent business practice. He’s just not learned how to sell players too well yet.

the entire exchange between trust and board was so britishly polite, I did have a chuckle.

It could have been a quick 1-2 exchange
Trust: why the **** can Chelsea buy half a squad for half a bill. in the Jan window and we get two loans
Board: Chelsea are spoilt brats living off a trust fund that isn't doing as well as ours at the moment....we're just building to that point where we can spend a little more carefree.

someone needs to plaster Conte's initial warnings (perhaps even on his recovery bed) - this will take years.
The Poch CL squad reached it's limit. Dembele, Walker, Rose, Eriksen and Lucas started to dip. Alder and Vert weren't far behind.
Jose/Nuno really added nothing in the way of style/mentality at the club and we were directionless for a while there.

Conte & Paritici have straightened the boat a bit
Bentancur, Kulu, Richy, Romero, Porro - great signings.

ENIC do have to cop to some of it though. Where is the stadium sponsor? Even a shorter initial sponsor just to bring some revenue in would be good.
Loaning out of Winks, Ndombele, Gio, Reggy, Rodon - why can't we sell and get fees. even if it's unders, the 5 of them should have seen enough cash come in to cover Porro.
Doherty and Dele situations just make it worse.

All in all the conte paritici era is righting the path, albeit slowly and i imagine frustrating for both.
ENIC arent purely absolved just because they're fixing their ****ups

 

[cats2rise]

the entire exchange between trust and board was so britishly polite, I did have a chuckle.

It could have been a quick 1-2 exchange
Trust: why the **** can Chelsea buy half a squad for half a bill. in the Jan window and we get two loans
Board: Chelsea are spoilt brats living off a trust fund that isn't doing as well as ours at the moment....we're just building to that point where we can spend a little more carefree.

someone needs to plaster Conte's initial warnings (perhaps even on his recovery bed) - this will take years.
The Poch CL squad reached it's limit. Dembele, Walker, Rose, Eriksen and Lucas started to dip. Alder and Vert weren't far behind.
Jose/Nuno really added nothing in the way of style/mentality at the club and we were directionless for a while there.

Conte & Paritici have straightened the boat a bit
Bentancur, Kulu, Richy, Romero, Porro - great signings.

ENIC do have to cop to some of it though. Where is the stadium sponsor? Even a shorter initial sponsor just to bring some revenue in would be good.
Loaning out of Winks, Ndombele, Gio, Reggy, Rodon - why can't we sell and get fees. even if it's unders, the 5 of them should have seen enough cash come in to cover Porro.
Doherty and Dele situations just make it worse.

All in all the conte paritici era is righting the path, albeit slowly and i imagine frustrating for both.
ENIC arent purely absolved just because they're fixing their ****ups

Pretty much nail on the head.

 

[jd2010]

100% agree regarding the mutual termination of the contract - an utter * up and a poor look that we apparently "forgot" about the loan rules.

It's irrelevant as to whether Doherty's value is/was 2m, 20m or 200m... we let a squad player go who we purchased 18 months ago for 15m who played 40 odd league games because we stuffed up our squad.

And we've had to not just forgo a transfer fee but pay him out, either 6-18 months of his 60k deal. He didn't agree out of the kindness of his heart

 

[citizen-erased]

Pretty much nail on the head.

Keen to see how the summer pans out.

If we up and sign the 5 players we need (CB, CB, LB, Attacking mid, keeper), could be a different Conte we see.

 

[hawkman]

Keen to see how the summer pans out.

If we up and sign the 5 players we need (CB, CB, LB, Attacking mid, keeper), could be a different Conte we see.

So just half the team to find

 

[citizen-erased]

So just half the team to find

Pretty much

Attacking mid seems a priority though with kulu, perisic, danjuma, richy, son and Conte's formation, are we really only looking for kulu's backup. At which point, it isnt a 50m signing.
Or are we abandoning the 343/523 setup. At which point, only need one new CB.

Left back doesnt rate much of a mention but perisic is getting on, reg is out on loan, Udogie is a kid and sess still has the jury out.

Id honestly be happy if we just signed 2 elite CBs in the summer.

 

[jd2010]

The club is also unfairly ridiculed for transfer efforts. It's hard to get all your transfers right. When we have spent (within our means) we have had a pretty poor record over the last 4 years. The layout has been appropriate for the scenario we find ourselves in... just the execution has been a little poor in recruitment.

You can't get them all right, correct.

But being generous we've got Romero, Perisic, Hojberg, Bentancur, Kulusevski and that's probably it right, after Poch left. Excluding Porro and Danjuma that's why too soon to call. 5 out of about 20 odd deserves to be ridiculed.

This is almost Everton level bad. Difference between the two is we've got a club grown GOAT in Kane and already signed world class untapped talent in Son. Both clubs have laughable managerial appointments in Mourinho, Rafa, Carlo, Conte etc. who don't fit. And have a 1 in 4 success rate with signing talent that improves their squad considerably.

 

[citizen-erased]

You can't get them all right, correct.

But being generous we've got Romero, Perisic, Hojberg, Bentancur, Kulusevski and that's probably it right, after Poch left. Excluding Porro and Danjuma that's why too soon to call. 5 out of about 20 odd deserves to be ridiculed.

This is almost Everton level bad. Difference between the two is we've got a club grown GOAT in Kane and already signed world class untapped talent in Son. Both clubs have laughable managerial appointments in Mourinho, Rafa, Carlo, Conte etc. who don't fit. And have a 1 in 4 success rate with signing talent that improves their squad considerably.

Richarlison is a tick for me also.
Too early for sarr, spence, gil and udogie as well.

Ndombele & sanchez really stand out as failures. Two positions we're struggling with and neither have put the work in to advance their careers. Funnily enough, both the big dollar investments we cry out for

 

[jd2010]

Richarlison is a tick for me also.
Too early for sarr, spence, gil and udogie as well.

Ndombele & sanchez really stand out as failures. Two positions we're struggling with and neither have put the work in to advance their careers. Funnily enough, both the big dollar investments we cry out for

Richarlison was wasteful spending and hasn't been a raging success and was a lot to spend on a backup to Kane and Son. Udogie another I wouldn't count. Agree on Sarr

Gil huge fail. 20m and Lamela and 2 years later it will be we have no clue if he can play in England still.

Spence. Wasteful and shows the left hand not talking to the right. Conte didn't want him. And we've just gone and signed another RWB

Sanchez is embarrassing on the club. Was highlighted as a weak link by our future manager.

Ndombele is embarrassing equally on himself. Club should have looked deeper into his past attitude and work ethic issues, but end of the day he has to wear some of that himself!

 

[citizen-erased]

Richarlison was wasteful spending and hasn't been a raging success and was a lot to spend on a backup to Kane and Son. Udogie another I wouldn't count. Agree on Sarr

Gil huge fail. 20m and Lamela and 2 years later it will be we have no clue if he can play in England still.

Spence. Wasteful and shows the left hand not talking to the right. Conte didn't want him. And we've just gone and signed another RWB

Sanchez is embarrassing on the club. Was highlighted as a weak link by our future manager.

Ndombele is embarrassing equally on himself. Club should have looked deeper into his past attitude and work ethic issues, but end of the day he has to wear some of that himself!

We didnt miss anyone in buying Richarlison though.

Outside a CB or 2, we're not critically lagging anywhere.
Building good depth, but its taking its time.

Sanchez and ndombele i point out as both at their potential peaks should be delivering us into winning positions. Both calamitous failures sadly.

 

[jd2010]

We didnt miss anyone in buying Richarlison though.

Outside a CB or 2, we're not critically lagging anywhere.
Building good depth, but its taking its time.

Sanchez and ndombele i point out as both at their potential peaks should be delivering us into winning positions. Both calamitous failures sadly.

Did we need to spend 60m on a backup Kane/Son or would it have been better spent with maybe 10m on top for gvardiol or bastoni?

Could we have signed Martin Terrier (Jan target before injury) and Hincapie (summer target) for combined what we signed Richarlison for?

 

[Art Vandelay_]

Richarlison is a good purchase. Cost us no other targets. None of the CB’s a lot of clubs were after moved clubs so Lenglet while we wait for a more permanent option was wise.

 

[citizen-erased]

Did we need to spend 60m on a backup Kane/Son or would it have been better spent with maybe 10m on top for gvardiol or bastoni?

Could we have signed Martin Terrier (Jan target before injury) and Hincapie (summer target) for combined what we signed Richarlison for?

Bastoni wont leave italy. I think more than anything (and much like zaniolo) paritici is wasting his time there

Gvardiol i imagine was seen as needing that mid level step first. Our reluctance to sign that young, speculative, mid priced option does sting us a bit. But is it levy/enic or conte/paritici driving that?
Either way, he wasnt a certainty. Bremer was the one imo. But there seems an obsession with left footers out there.

Hincapie was also still quite speculative.

We're in an odd spot. And maybe sanchez is the cautionary tale.
Not yet able to burn 40m on the best prospect, but can't bid the 80m needed for a Dias.