Then they're idiots

a) for thinking we "won't try" - we don't have a magic money tree, and clubs who spent s**tloads also went down; and

b) for not appreciating the achievement each and every time we do it. Most other chumps clubs have significantly richer owners than us and several League One clubs do. Loads of other clubs had parachute payments (which they earned) same as us. Some of those are in League One; many in the chumps; none as good at getting out the chumps as us.

We've gone from being on the brink of collapse to where we are through a deliberate series of structural decisions. I think it was Balls who really pushed for the DoF structure, though I may be wrong about that; mad we hadn't done it earlier really. Recruiting Webber obviously key. But overall the focus on a clear strategy and way of playng football across the whole club, supporting and feeding into the first team right from the youth and bringing academy products into the first team even in the Prem; proper community engagement; modern data-driven scouting and first-rate loan management and player development whether with us or on loan in any given year; the business parts run by business people and the football parts run by football people all supporting each other; proper governance and challenge at all levels; sports science and investment in the academy and training facilities...it really is a good picture.

It's certanly not been boring and neither is what our club has achieved easy.

Assuming we do stay the course, and I think we will now, I'm looking forward to beating Wolves and Southampton next season already :)

Posted By: Old Man, Mar 18, 11:27:42