Which, in a world where FFP was enforced, would be fantastic. Having to act within your means, work on generating as much revenue as possible, taking the odd bold move but remaining fairly sensible, proper risk management (things like transfer committees included) and governance. Basically, running a business. Where brand is key and good management, more often than not, prevails. But we're not in a FFP world, and never will be. Henry is in a difficult position where he's been such a staunch supporter of FFP that he can't really go back on that now. We're in a reality where those who act recklessly live or die by their lavish expenditure. It could be worse, of course. Look at Ridsdale at Leeds, look at QPR, look at Blackburn, look at Vincent Tan, look at Portsmouth, look at f***ing G&H. It could be a hell of a lot worse. We're not without problems at the top, but not many clubs would say they were. The stadium progress is pathetic, the "management structure" they've put in place is laughable in its absence, their trust in Ayre is startling, their determination for FFP to be a real, actual thing is worrying, and they still don't seem to fully understand the intricacies of the sport. This all leaves a residual frustration in the fanbase that is completely understandable, which rears its head at times like this. We're 4th, and this is probably our best chance of 4th for a long time, it's our only chance to keep Suarez. We're standing still, and the worst thing we can do right now is stand still. But their lack of understanding, their trust in Ayre and their FFP/paying-value obsession are manifesting in us standing still. In their defence, they gave us a sizeable amount of money in 2012 and we were f***ing horrendous with it. Our net spend isn't huge, it certainly isn't big enough, but we're a team outside the top four. It's pretty big in that respect. Again they gave us money in the summer, and we brought in Mignolet, Toure, Sakho, Cissokho, Ilori, Moses, Alberto, Aspas. None of them have been resounding successes, only one or two partial successes, and three were f***ing disasters. You can't run a football club letting that impact your future spending, but f***ing hell, if it was my money i'd be - at best - worried about this. They've tried two things to manage the risk of signing s*** idiots - the 'experience' of Comolli as a DoF, and putting in a committee. Neither has worked thus far. They try something else and they just look scattergun, which would just further underline their fundamental lack of understanding. I don't *hate* them, I don't think you could. They've neatly ticked some boxes but smeared s**** on others. But with our current position in the table, the state of the squad and Suarez' probable departure, you'd think that they'd simply have to throw caution to the wind and try something different. For me this is their biggest three days on and off the pitch. It's make or break. That's it.
