by From Despair To Where? »
16 Jan 2019 12:58
City bought Steve Daley for £1.4m.
I'm not questioning the worth of United's signings, just that around the the time United bought Wilkins, Liverpool spent a similar combined sum on Dalglish, Souness and Hansen. When United spent £2.5m on Stapleton and Robson, Liverpool spent £1.6m on Johnston, Lawrenson and Rush. Then a again, both Liverpool and United bought better than other clubs who were also spending big.
I'm just trying to look at comparative spending and generally up to 1987, Liverpool spent less and bought better than their rivals and really any dominant team since.
However, returning to what is the central point really, both Liverpool and United's spending power was fuelled by success and popularity, I wouldn't say that either side bought success. The big difference now that the relationship between success and financial clout has been flipped on its head. Even in the 90's, United's spending was fuelled largely by success rather than the other way round. So yes, I can see why some City fans might get bored by the conveyor belt of success because it's not organic, it's fuelled by grotesque spending power. I think there's also a section of City fans who quite liked their underdog status and they've lost that.