Minority Report 2019-20 - Talking Finance (2)

I admire your optimism.

 

If it’s too great a bridge to gap, how come Luton and moreso Charlton are faring better than we are? Could it perhaps be the three or four experienced players they signed within budget during the summer?

 

There’s not doing anything crazy and not doing anything crazy. All down to interpretation. I certainly didn’t think they meant this version!

 

I try to be analytical, and that sometimes leads me to unpopular conclusions. Those conclusions will sometimes be correct, but sometimes they are wrong. In that respect, I am no different to anyone else who posts on here. This post began with a summary of the financial results of every team in the Championship in 2017/18 season. It put the information at everyone's finger tips, there for everyone with an interest in things Barnsley FC to read. Everyone could draw their own conclusions, and the only caveat was that those conclusions must be drawn using at least some logic. In Minority Report- Talking Finance (1), I told everyone about companies, how they are a separate legal entity from the people who own them and how the annual financial statement report any transactions between the company, its owners and its directors. Now I have to admit, that lot was all pretty dry stuff. It is not bedtime reading. The problem is that those who have not read it and understood it are in possession of only half of the facts. Some individuals are accusing the club's owners of all manner of financial chicanery, much of which just is not possible, and some of which could leave them with a libel charge hanging over their heads. It just is not right that those individuals are making those sort of unsubstantiated allegations in a public place.

Having got that out of the way, let me tell you why I post Minority Report. Minority Report reflects the sort of discussion that I would love to have. It is not there to be a definitive statement of fact. It is there to invite responses. I always state the reasons for reaching a conclusion, and because my reasoning is then public knowledge, both my conclusions and my reasoning can be questioned and tested. I am not frightened of that process because it will help to tease out the truth. I would love to be able to debate what I write in Minority Report, but in order to do so, I need another party to be open and honest about their conclusions and the reasoning behind those conclusions. Are you someone who will do that, because if you are, I look forward to our debates. But remember, debate is not about winners and losers. It is not about point scoring or wind-ups. It is about searching for the truth.

 

I agree. And to have a truly open mind, one must have to look at both sides, consider all possible aspects, as unpallatable as they may be and be able to look to history, the present and aim to extrapolate future and intent.

The conclusions at this stage are that a large number of football clubs are an absolute basket case that has hugely hindered an organic natural approach to progression. Though it is still possible and there aren't just two polarisations as options.

The other conclusion we can confidently state is that the sacking of Daniel has been hugely unpopular and the statement that latterly came out the day after was disastrous.

Everything else is out there to be answered.... sadly, the fans aren't the ones who can find answers and truths. They have to be provided to us.

 

There is an awful lot of experience that hides behind some of the nom-de-plumes on here. If we co-operate with each other, there is a better chance of reaching a definitive conclusion than there is if we simply trade insults and hissy fits. I have enjoyed our correspondence over the last couple of days, mainly because it has been based upon respect. It is just a shame that it is such a rare thing on the BBS.

 

I don't believe I've read a minority report this season that has had me disagreeing with your analysis. I read both financial posts from front to back and that was more a case of learning rather than agreeing or disagreeing. I found both interesting. I do, however, disagree with your conclusions. I don't believe the continued employment of our head coach should have even been up for debate considering the time frame and what he has to work with. And I do believe it is possible to sign experienced players without going over budget and without requiring financial input from our owners. That doesn't guarantee any sort of success, but in my opinion gives us a far greater chance. Players like Hassell and Foster and Macken are still out there, they're affordable, we could operate in the black and add just a few players of this calibre to our squad, but we won't as they don't have resale value. That, to me, is very poor management of a football club.

 

Well i've tried to put things into the public domain, as have others. And as I touched on in another post, I think the Trust and journalists now have more opportunity to engage directly with the club (though I can't see that being soon) and ask questions.

Paul Conway has done a handful of interviews that are in the public domain/ifollow, i'd hope he can bring himself to do another one again very soon given whats occurred in the last week and half and numerous people have legitimate concerns over philosophy, strategy and intent.

 

Red Rain, I'd like to thank you for both of your "Talking Finance" posts. Its taken me a while to get through them in detail, and I've had to read some sections more than once, but it's been time well spent. I've found them to be, at various points, informative, astonishing, amusing, and thought-provoking. I'd like to be able to say I've enjoyed them, but if I'm being honest the overall picture is too depressing for me to get much enjoyment from it.

We've all known for some time that the odds were stacked against us, but it's only when you see the ludicrous amounts in other clubs' accounts that the scale of the challenge becomes clear. I've no wish to see our club going into debt, being propped up by a sugar daddy, or cheating in order to improve the league standing. So I'm coming round to your way of thinking - that until football gets its act together, we're stuck. League One and occasional seasons of struggle in the Championship is as good as it gets.

I'm pretty much now resigned to buying a season ticket for the sole purpose of watching my team play 23 games. Anything else will be a bonus.

I just hope that the Championship implosion happens in my lifetime, because it should be spectacular. If it ever happens, that is.

 

But in the meantime we pay £3-400 a year to watch Mr Lee and Mr Conway take us all for mugs? Is this really our club anymore?

 

You jumped off after relegation and missed last season then jumped back on again after promotion. You’ve said that a few times. Have you ever wondered that you might be the jinx?

 

It could be! How much will you pay me not to attend next year?

 

I would say many of us read in detail your analysis & appreciate the hard work & detailed thought that you put into it.

I get a lot out of your posts personally & never get involved in having a go at you for your views / opinions & the factual information that you supply.
I really hope you keep posting your valuable opinions & stats / financials this board needs your input.

Maybe our current owners thought that this kind of "plan" was a good way to make us a self sustaining Championship club? It is along the lines of the latter day Patrick Cryne model. The only things I'd say is last time we went up, we did so with a fighting chance & only poorly drawn up long term contracts meant that a playoff chasing team was reduced to a lower mid table team after January. This time it was a fire sale & we have been left with boys vs men. Nothing else to say really, as despite the financials it is players on the pitch we pay money to watch.

Peter Jones's rescue of Jessops has gone tits up & he knows how to run a business. Maybe we aren't a sustainable Championship club & they have realised that?
Maybe this is what you are saying? I'm not totally sure on this, as I'm looking at teams like Preston, Millwall, Charlton & Luton, who are not pissing money away, but look better placed than us.

 

Stay tuned for another "Talking Finance" next week. Thank-you for your kind words, everyone.

 

They’re suffering unsustainable losses though with their current “model”

 

some are some aren’t. I wouldn’t imagine Charlton or Luton are wracking up the debt.

 

Every other club?

Why does there have to be either make a load of cash by buying cheap and selling for millions or unsustainable losses? Why can't there be a happy medium?

 

Have we ever had anything other than losses?

 

I stated this, when you came back this season, i do enjoy reading your report and even pouring over the finance bit. As Jay, states, i dont always agree with you but i do enjoy debate and i will continue to challange you on some of your opinions (as i look forward to being challenged on mine) afterall opinions are never facts.
Keep up the good work, we all want the best for our club. I look forward to more interesting chats as the season progresses.

 

Pint say Charlton and Luton break even at least this season.