Alchemist Required: Finance and a Major Overhaul by Summer 2023

[ranger_syntax 4,321]

14 minutes ago, gaspard said:

Stay

Don't take the bait.

[Sutton_blows_goats 5,334]

8 minutes ago, ranger_syntax said:

If the money has been used to stabilise the club finances then we will get the benefit of that in future.

If

[ascender 352]

We've let the narrative become all about the money and lack of investment when I'd argue there's a case to say that what money we have made available for wages & fees has been poorly spent.

 

I also don't think it's as simple as Ross Wilson's signings have all been terrible - they haven't.

What sane board are going to throw lots of money at the issue just now? They could literally spend nothing and worst case, we'll finish second and have another crack at CL next year. So why wouldn't they just "consolidate" with the income from last year to get us on a more solid footing going forward? If indeed that's what's happening, I'm just guessing.

 

We are faced with a squad rebuild because the iterative, small season-to-season changes haven't happened and we now find ourselves with an aging squad. The signs have been there for at least 2 seasons. Under two managers. Who have both spent money and also chosen to stood by some existing players on big money who have consistently underperformed.

 

We've been incredibly unlucky with injuries, but the squad looks nowhere near as fit as it has done. Are those things linked?

 

I think we're seeing a number of factors all hitting us at once, but I don't for one minute believe that Gio is getting the best out of the players he has.

[RANGERRAB 3,658]

37 minutes ago, ranger_syntax said:

The manager can get more from this squad.

 

If the money has been used to stabilise the club finances then we will get the benefit of that in future.

We’ve got 10 injured or suspended players. Not sure the manager can do much about that

[Sutton_blows_goats 5,334]

13 minutes ago, ascender said:

What sane board are going to throw lots of money at the issue just now? They could literally spend nothing and worst case, we'll finish second and have another crack at CL next year. So why wouldn't they just "consolidate" with the income from last year to get us on a more solid footing going forward? If indeed that's what's happening, I'm just guessing.

That's exactly what will happen. If you take emotion and sentiment away its actually a sensible approach. However it'll be hard to stomach.

[Rousseau 10,605]

2 minutes ago, RANGERRAB said:

We’ve got 10 injured or suspended players. Not sure the manager can do much about that

I think so. 

 

Employ a fitness coach worth his salt.

 

We had superb fitness under Milsom - who, incidentally, is out of work... 👀 

[ranger_syntax 4,321]

10 minutes ago, RANGERRAB said:

We’ve got 10 injured or suspended players. Not sure the manager can do much about that

Management of injuries, and fitness, might have some room for improvement.

 

Leaving that aside he can get more from the remaining available players.

[Gonzo79 15,293]

1 hour ago, Sutton_blows_goats said:

Yup. Looks like they will have another go at Terry Munro here. We are miles behind. On and off the park.

On the park: I think we can catch up with a few adjustments. 

Off the park: it's been that way since the 80s. 

[Bill 13,717]

1 hour ago, buster. said:

Go on lads, get it out of 

your system.

 

#pathetic (especially from a moderator)

 

I'm due a break from here anyway (see you in a few weeks).

Whooooosh

[ascender 352]

Let's not forget how many years Celtic have had guaranteed European income with which to plan. And the fact they've not been able to progress in the CL just shows how massive the gulf is there now.

 

Why have we not let players like Jack, Helander and Roofe leave/actively tried to sell them/pay them off? That's three first team players we've not been able to rely-on for how many seasons now? Its not cheap to pay them off, but you could make the case that if we'd done that and replaced Roofe with another striker we would have gone in to the EL final with a fit striker.

 

That's the sort of thing that's driving me nuts - we're making the same mistakes year in, year out or just not addressing them.

 

Then we go and sign Souttar. Which I wasn't against... if his medical was sound and we'd got rid of Helander. Instead we've doubled the risk of injury at CB. Its maddening.