The pitfalls of new ownership

[Chaney]

What we saw yesterday from a a very poor WHU side was surely something that can result from the uncertainty surrounding the clubs ownership.
They have certainly not turned into a bad side since last season, its largely the same squad that aquiited so well to their first season back in the premiership, not too mention a cup final appearance.
This really should be a warning to JM and everyone connected to our club,
if and when he does decide to sell up we can`t allow ourselves to be destablised is the same way as the hammers,
we are a team on the up, growing year on year, this is in no little part due to JM, we can`t throw it all away by allowing someone like the eggman to come in and f*ck it all up

[Dirk Gently]

Whilst you're partly right, I think a lot of WH's demise is down to the attitude of the players there - they're starting to believe their own publicityand that they're something special.

For once Lawro did sum it up nicely on MOTD - "Too many Billy Big-Times"

[Forbury Lion]

Firstly, I don't think the decline of West Ham is only down to the uncertainty regarding new ownership.

Secondly, If anything the lesson for JM is to sell the club before next season as it might not look such a good proposition come the start of 2008!

[Arch]

Whilst you're partly right, I think a lot of WH's demise is down to the attitude of the players there - they're starting to believe their own publicityand that they're something special.

For once Lawro did sum it up nicely on MOTD - "Too many Billy Big-Times"

I'm not sure that's true. I think their confidence is shot. Remember, a good number of our thoroughly professional, heads-firmly-on-shoulders 110%-ers were playing when we went through the dire new year of 2005. Our players looked just as poor and unprofessional then. If Curbs is dismantling that team, there's at least one or two I wouldn't turn my nose up at.

[Stranded]

Have to agree with DG, the supposed uncertainty of new ownership is just a smokescreen to attempt to deflect away from the attitude of the West Ham players.

At the end of it all, the only thing that has changed is the signature on their vast pay cheques. It is not like a small company being taken over where by people are concerned about their futures due to possible cuts. And indeed if it were surely you'd want to perform to the top of your ability to prove to the new owners you are worth your place, not like the shower of shit that played us yesterday.

[Dirk Gently]

Whilst you're partly right, I think a lot of WH's demise is down to the attitude of the players there - they're starting to believe their own publicityand that they're something special.

For once Lawro did sum it up nicely on MOTD - "Too many Billy Big-Times"

I'm not sure that's true. I think their confidence is shot. Remember, a good number of our thoroughly professional, heads-firmly-on-shoulders 110%-ers were playing when we went through the dire new year of 2005. Our players looked just as poor and unprofessional then. If Curbs is dismantling that team, there's at least one or two I wouldn't turn my nose up at.

True, but there are lots of stories coming out of West Ham of the way the players are behaving off the pitch - the "Don't you know who I am?" attitude and the competition between them for who has the flashest cars, etc.

We didn't see that 2 years ago, so what is happening at WH seems different - they've lost the hunger.

[Spirit of Elm Park]

Whilst you're partly right, I think a lot of WH's demise is down to the attitude of the players there - they're starting to believe their own publicityand that they're something special.

For once Lawro did sum it up nicely on MOTD - "Too many Billy Big-Times"

I'm not sure that's true. I think their confidence is shot. Remember, a good number of our thoroughly professional, heads-firmly-on-shoulders 110%-ers were playing when we went through the dire new year of 2005. Our players looked just as poor and unprofessional then. If Curbs is dismantling that team, there's at least one or two I wouldn't turn my nose up at.

However.......In 2005 Hughes, Forster and Williams left and things changed. Read into that what you will.

[Old Biscuitman]

Can't agree with your view, Chaney. The playing fortunes of football clubs are determined by players, coaches and their support (from staff and fans) - not by the owners except in extremely unusual situations like the Russian at Chelsea. What JM decides to do is less important than what SC decides to do or how potential new signings perceive the prospects of RFC.

[Dirk Gently]

Can't agree with your view, Chaney. The playing fortunes of football clubs are determined by players, coaches and their support (from staff and fans) - not by the owners except in extremely unusual situations like the Russian at Chelsea. What JM decides to do is less important than what SC decides to do or how potential new signings perceive the prospects of RFC.

I mostly agree with you - whilst there's no way an owner can guarantee success - there are a whole host of ways in which an owner can ensure failure.

[Ian Royal]

you can't underestimate the damage done by having a shit chairman selling up and the confusion of a bunch of unknowns fighting over who gets to take over.

But West Ham were in the crap anyway. Their fans were never going to be satisfied with less than last season, It's all well and good performing above expectation in 1 prem season, but once everyone gets to know you it becomes harder if anything.

A combination of players thinking one season meant they were good enough, a loss of the attitude to go out and beat the big boys, afterall they thought they were the big boys now, Old chairman being shit, new chairman confusion and Pardew's managerial weaknesses.

He's a great manager, but when the shit hits the fan he tends to be a bit clueless. He's not great at keeping players onside at the best of times anyway.

The whole Argentinian thing caused problems too.

[Gordons Cumming]

I bet the Hammers fans are secretly hoping for Mr Brown to come back.

[strap]

But West Ham were in the crap anyway. Their fans were never going to be satisfied with less than last season, It's all well and good performing above expectation in 1 prem season, but once everyone gets to know you it becomes harder if anything.

Good point made here. If as Curbishley said yesterday's game effectively guarantees our survival for next season, the biggest challenge facing Sir Steve next year are going to be

a) keeping the players' feet on the ground. As Sir Stev himself has said, once you think you are established, that's when things start to go wrong.

I think the strategy of buying in young untried players (e.g. Halford, Whitehead etc) will help. They will be keen to fight for starting place, so hopefully will mean the players stay focussed.

b) managing the fans' expectations. How would you react if say we finish 10th this year, but struggle in the bottom 3 next year?

All hyperthetical of course as we are still 10 points away from safety, but the sports psychologists amongst the group could have a field day pondering this!

[Forbury Lion]

the biggest challenge facing Sir Steve next year are going to be

a) keeping the players' feet on the ground. As Sir Stev himself has said, once you think you are established, that's when things start to go wrong.

All he has to say is "Remember what happened to West Ham?"

b) managing the fans' expectations. How would you react if say we finish 10th this year, but struggle in the bottom 3 next year?

See A.

West Ham's demise may be bad news for their fans, but it will be a good reminder for everyone else.

[Dirk Gently]

And doubly so if Wigan go down too - it's looking more and more that the second season is just as perilous as the first.

[Gav]

I might handcuff myself to JM and knock the pen out of his hand every time he tries to sign over ownership to someone else.

[Arch]

you can't underestimate the damage done by having a shit chairman selling up and the confusion of a bunch of unknowns fighting over who gets to take over.

But West Ham were in the crap anyway. Their fans were never going to be satisfied with less than last season, It's all well and good performing above expectation in 1 prem season, but once everyone gets to know you it becomes harder if anything.

A combination of players thinking one season meant they were good enough, a loss of the attitude to go out and beat the big boys, afterall they thought they were the big boys now, Old chairman being shit, new chairman confusion and Pardew's managerial weaknesses.

He's a great manager, but when the shit hits the fan he tends to be a bit clueless. He's not great at keeping players onside at the best of times anyway.

The whole Argentinian thing caused problems too.

Interestingly, the Hammers fans are begging for Tevez to be played.

[Frustrated_Royal]

I agree with much of what has been posted. It is about attitude. No Premiership side should really lose 6-0 if we are honest.

Reading's attitude has been spot on so far and I think Coppell will keep it that way as long as he is in charge.

With regards to ownership, it looks like as clubs now look well outside their catchment area and the UK for players, they do the same for investment.

I maintain that Abramovich could have bought the title for any side not just Chelsea and that has 'cheapened' their two title wins. However, in a few years time I guess that many clubs will be owned by these sole investors.

It probably isn't a good thing for the game but since when has that stopped things happening? The FA are progressing but still aren't fit to govern football effectively in 2007.

[Gordons Cumming]

And doubly so if Wigan go down too - it's looking more and more that the second season is just as perilous as the first.

Coz we're a little club in a big league..................

[Mr Angry]

If Mr Mad sells up in the next few Years, I'm genuinely worried that in a generation we will look back at the seasons between 2005/06 and that date as the golden period of our club, where everything came together to produce promotion, the Championship, record points totals, survival credibility and respect in the Premiership, maybe a cup win or European qualification - and then, after the takeover financial mismanagement, eventual relegation upon relegation, and going to places like Rochdale to hear the home fans shout "your not famous anymore" at the 200 travelling Royals supporters........

Sorry to be down about it, but that COULD happen; I guess the moral of the story is enjoy what is happening at the moment; not only has there never been a better time to be a Reading fan, but it might be that there may never be as good a time as now in the future.

(Cue "Sweet Caroline"!!! )

[Gav]

If Mr Mad sells up in the next few Years, I'm genuinely worried that in a generation we will look back at the seasons between 2005/06 and that date as the golden period of our club, where everything came together to produce promotion, the Championship, record points totals, survival credibility and respect in the Premiership, maybe a cup win or European qualification - and then, after the takeover financial mismanagement, eventual relegation upon relegation, and going to places like Rochdale to hear the home fans shout "your not famous anymore" at the 200 travelling Royals supporters........

Sorry to be down about it, but that COULD happen; I guess the moral of the story is enjoy what is happening at the moment; not only has there never been a better time to be a Reading fan, but it might be that there may never be as good a time as now in the future.

(Cue "Sweet Caroline"!!! )

I was saying that yesterday to a Fulham fan who said we'd be like them in 5 years time (ie, they were loving it when they kicked Div 1's arse and having their time in the sun, but we'd all calm down and be boring like them before long)...

And I, rather cynically, replied something to the strength of Coppell could easily be poached within 5 years, John Madesjki could (and is expected to) easily sell up within 5 years, and all the financial stability, shrewdity, team spirit and passion we're currently seeing could quite easily be lost and as a direct result we plummet down the leagues, or at least return to Championship mediocrity for a quite a bit (as opposed to the Premiership mediocrity Fulham friend suggested).

Alternatively, this might not happen at all, and we continue to go from strength to strength.

Right now it all hangs in the balance, and it's impossible to predict what will happen 5 years down the track.

PS, Mr Angry, this IS the golden age!!! Let's just hope we have a platinum one after this!