I’ve lost count of the incoming players and I’m all too well aware of the gaps left by those who have gone. I trust in Stendell and the spreadsheet, but it would be more than a miracle if they all made it to the first team. Apart from skills and abilities they possess they also need attitude and belief and whatever it is that makes an almost player into a star. It will take time to develop these qualities and time to weed out those that will make it and those who won’t. It’s going to be a white knuckle season, particularly the first half of it. I can’t think of a club that’s tried it before.
With the squad we’ve got and the length of contracts they’re on it looks to me that we think we’ve got enough to stay up and build on the squad next season . If we have enough to stay up and going on the Fulham result I think we will stay up and some of these players live up their billing I think we’ll have a better squad next season , With each season new incoming players will bed in and some will inevitably move on and some won’t make it but the system imo will factor all these scenarios in . I think this season is the make or break as a platform and progression will come year on year after this year .
I wonder if the club has a backup plan in case this one goes belly up. I'm all for living within our means, but if it was such a good idea, everyone would be doing it, and they're not. These players plus more in January might have enough to keep us up, but if not, how long do we yoyo between divisions or hang on by our finger nails before the club decides a different tactic needs to be employed? Having said that, it's far to early to be making assumptions about how this season will pan out after 3 games of swings and roundabouts.
What I’m getting from the club in my interpretation of things anyway is that it’s all about building the club as an entity . Similar to Bristol in that the prestige and fan base are elevated at a sustainable level. It not doing it overnight or in a few seasons but long term which I’m pleased about tbh. We are a bigger club than last year not by much yet but we are and I think year on year we’ll be growing as a club in both the selling market and buying market as well as competing for promotion without breaking the bank , As far as I know there’s still plenty room for growth ,crowds of 16,17, 18k are achievable in next two years imo and they’ll probably have a look from there the direction they take .
I understand all that, although I don't think we compare with Bristol, who I think have spent a fair bit of money in recent years. My point is that it's all so finely balanced. Any leaps forward can still be easily undone by a poor season and relegation. Also, selling our best players will only be forgiven if they're well replaced. The opposite could have a negative effect on some fans. It'll be a deciding factor in whether some renew or not. I'll still go whatever, but I can see others not being so patient.
Tbh I was comparing us to the growth of Bristol not the means . Whether they’ve had money thrown at them or not they’ve grown as a club as by all accounts can sustain that growth , We are going down a different route but the goal is the same imo anyway for what it’s worth .
They're a city club mate, and without another championship club in the close vicinity. Difference seems to be some clubs get big money for their players. Bristol and Brentford have had some big transfer money coming in, and have broken their transfer records bringing in new players. That type of activity puts bums on seats as it's seen as ambitious. I think we're years behind that at the moment.
I think our high turn over of players although well scouted is more to try and come across an 11 that will click in the Championship. Heavily reliant on the law of averages that for every 12 players you sign you might get 4 good ones which makes up the spine of your team. As the profile of the club increases so does the spending power and the quality of the players. Players will leave under this structure but the new recruits are plucked from a better, wider crop. For us it's very much in it's infancy but for such as Bristol City, Brentford and a few others it's very much in stage 2 maybe even 3. They've gone from signing players for £1 million and selling for £3million to signing players for £3 million and selling them for £9 million (not exact numbers). That is the gradual progression I'm hopeful Conway et al are after for Barnsley F.C.
Let's not forget that Brentford haven't gone down our route though. I know people have this cuddly image of them, but they are in a lot of debt. There is no way they could get ahead on crowds of 10k.
Yeah I get that fitzy and I’m not comparing size of club etc . What I’m trying to say in arse abart fashion and not doing a good job . Is that Bristol have grown as a club , the size imo is irrelevant or the captive area . I’m saying there’s sustainable growth within our club ,whether we throw money at it or whatever but the growth is there as Bristol have done . The fact they have gone a different route is fair enough but the growth is there . The owners are going in the route of sustainable growth without incurring debt but we can grow as a club in stature ,respect and as a fanbase . Unless your saying we’ve gone as far as we can? Which I disagree . The club can grow bigger than what it is now we’ve proved that in the past . We know the potential even with the clubs around us and obviously so do the powers that be otherwise they wouldn’t be in it .
I'm not saying we've gone as far as we can mate. I'm saying we've chosen a very difficult route in which to try and keep up with other clubs at this level. One that's not guaranteed to work.
I agree it’s not guaranteed to work but it’s doable. Whichever road we take is gonna be difficult and it needs work . Tbh I’m not hoping to keep up with other clubs I’m hoping we surpass them and sustainably to keep us there . Wendy’s have gone the favoured route and failed and they could end up being in no mans land fir years as a result . Sheff Utd have done things a lot better and are now reaping the rewards . Leeds have thrown money for years and probably will do repeatedly . I think it’s exciting times for us whether we make it to Orem or not but without the fear of losing out club.
I think we've got a bit too sidetracked with our own opinions about whether or not it can work. My original question was whether or not they have a alternative plan to avoid yoyo-ing between leagues, should that be the sum of their efforts.
We don't need details. We just need to know that they are flexible, or will they just decide there's nothing in it for them or us, and sell it on.
I think maybe I'm coming across as a bit of a detractor in this thread. That's not my intention, before I get tarred with the negative brush.
We know they aren't flexible though. They've set out their goal for Barnsley F.C to "continually grow" "the product"
