Fans Comment
Paul Appleyard

'Satis?' - damn right ....
14/04/05

After reading the meandering, speculative drivel written by Rob Fox, I had to write in.  So many points in his essay irritated me, I don't know where to start.  But I'll highlight a few that irked me the most.

'Much has been made of Keith Wyness’s recent statement regarding £30M for Moyes to spend, and the impact on contract negotiations. This is worth analysing a little more closely'

Much has indeed been made of this - all of it speculative waffle.  The following few paragraphs Rob writes in his article is a prime example.  None of us really knows the details of the finances — except the few who should (Wyness, Moyes etc.), and I don't remember them releasing a full breakdown of them for us fans to gossip about.  I'm sick and tired of reading conjecture about EFCs finances, usually from fans who have all the business acumen of a baboon.

'Personally, I would be reluctant to give Pistone the comfort of any more than a 1-year extension, '

Oh, Ok; thanks Pistone for your valuable part in our equal 4th (with Arsenal) best defence in the country - now sod off, we don't want you....

'The harsh truth is that, if we are serious about stepping up to Champions League standard, none of the out-of-contract players are likely to be key players — and that includes Leon Osman'

Nonsense, utter nonsense.  The sort of negative drivel brought about by a short bad run in an otherwise wonderful season. Thus far we are statistically better than Liverpool (i.e. we are 4th and they are 5th) with these players - and Liverpool have managed to reach the semi-final of the Champions League.  I tell you what, I reckon our lot could have had Juventus the other night ….  Our advantage over LFC this season is our players remaining largely uninjured, and our motley bunch have gelled into a top team this year.  We need to add to our squad - NOT break it up. Evolution not Revolution.  We have a nucleus of young players who are hungry to progress.  I personally believe Moyes will be keeping all of the younger squad players. I certainly hope so.

Our big money signings have been mostly disappointing - and they have hardly featured at all this season!  Wafting the big cash is not always the answer and we can't afford to do it often anyway.

'A foil for Beattie, with Robbie Keane strongly linked; an injection of pace and power into the midfield, probably central and wide right (perhaps Davies and Parker); and a centre-half as a long-term partner for Yobo’

Robbie Keane?!?  No, no, no, no, no.  I very much doubt that had we had Beattie and Keane up front in a 4-4-2 this season, we would be where we are now.  The cost of Keane, Parker and Davies would be around £15 million at least  – all for what?  Mid table mediocrity?  If we are to achieve that consistently (would make a nice change) then let us do it with clever and cost effective signings and youth players … like Osman, Cahill, Bent and Kilbane …. oh hang on a minute – they’ve got us into 4th place haven’t they?  Not bad.  Arteta?  SIGN HIM UP - CHEAP!!!!

In my eyes it is simple.  Avoid big money signings.  They come on big wages, have big attitudes and questionable desire.  Rarely are they sold on for more money.  They frequently disappoint.  We are not wealthy enough to indulge in such signings, like your Man Utds, who can sign several at a time.  More low-budget signings like Cahill, Bent and Kilbane and in-club developments like Osman will get us consistently in the top 10, and when the time comes we can sell them for a big profit.  That way our financial problems might start to evaporate.

We must learn to swallow our pride and start exercising financial management typified by clubs like Charlton – certainly for the medium term.  Hey, we may even get to 4th place in the league … you never know.

Paul  Appleyard

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