I think we're on the cusp of something good happening; and surely those in charge at Oakwell can see and feel the same. OK we got here by default (SO'D and Butcher saying no), but surely we can't let this feel good factor go by having divisions in the club?
Well, if it transpires that he is not to be our manager next season I shudder to think about the effect it will have on mood, season ticket sales and attendance figures. Flicker is right to want to ensure he is working with all the support that is realistically available to him and to ensure that he, his team and the playing squad are given more security, contract-wise, than they were given over the past six months, but it is clear that he wants to stay, so I am sure he will do all he can to find a way to make it work. On the other side of things, everybody on the board has seen what Flicker has achieved so far and surely must be confident that he will continue the good work and help build us to a position we haven't been in for a long time, so they will be doing everything they can to make it happen. What we can't afford to do is gamble with the future of the club and I very much doubt that Flicker would expect that or even want that, but I imagine his main request will not just to be able to retain the players he wants but to get the board to trust his judgement by offering contracts longer than the 1 and 2 year contracts we have offered over recent years. As we have had very few players signed on permanent contracts under Flicker (and Hill) who can be deemed failures, I don't think he would be unreasonable with such a request, particularly if the players will accept a contract with a relegation clause (I'm sure they would expect a pay increase if they helped get us promoted!). So I don't think there will be an unworkable gap between what Flicker wants and what the board is prepared to do, particularly as we do have a nice cushion with the substantial profit from the 2012/13 season, which is not quite as much as the more fanciful posters on here might suggest (some seem to think that if a player is sold for £1m, that is exactly what then sits in the club bank account at the end of the deal, conveniently ignoring club overheads, running costs, wages, bonuses, tax, etc!) but is still a very tidy amount considering we also managed to achieve safety. I am expecting good news shortly and will be very disappointed if we don't get it.
