Positives from the interview, for me, were that we have an intelligent, articulate CEO who has quickly recognised and started to address the significant previous off the field deficiencies in terms of marketing and fan engagement. We need to do so much better in this area and the initial signs are already promising. The fact that we were prepared to break our transfer record again in January (having reportedly made a similar high bid in the summer) shows that the owners are still strongly committed, albeit it was ultimately another transfer window of crushing disappointment in failing to address some of the obvious player recruitment needs. It was also extremely encouraging to hear that the owners are happy to progress a redevelopment at the Triangle rather than the original SB site - this is a very important reassurance in terms of the future viability of the club and it shouldn't be lost amongst everything else.
The obvious negative from the interview is that there is still no indication of a managerial change, which will bring varying degrees of apathy, anger and despair amongst an increasingly disillusioned fan base. For me It's a mix of all three emotions and to use Tim's own expression from his first FF interview, it's definitely time to roll the dice. Taking action is not a gamble at this stage as even survival under KR will not bring the departing fans back. Inaction is by far the biggest gamble of all. A new start doesn't guarantee success admittedly, but thing cannot get worse on the pitch (after a season of dross) and it will immediately re-unite the fanbase, re-engage many and get everyone back behind the team and the club as we collectively battle relegation in the short-term with a view to pushing on next season.
Below is taken from another thread from September 2nd last year - the second part (below the prophetic analysis from Chippy) was my post at that time and it's amazing how much still rings true, although we are well beyond the mediocrity point at this stage!
So summer 22:
We‘ve sold or not been able to retain a number of players with pace, energy, potential, value, drive.
We‘ve replaced with generally older, slower, more injury prone, less value.
We’ve got a thread bare squad that’s about half a dozen short of the cap.
We've got a squad with possibly two proven players of our own who would be considered good enough long term for the Championship (MM & CB).
Maybe 2/3 more of Championship ability if they can get fit, stay fit and return to their very best (MB,JM,YW), though you’d have to be very very doubtful that they could cope with the rigours of a higher league, as proven in recent seasons.
I honestly can’t believe what’s happened, I’m disheartened, disappointed and above all appalled.
Almost verbatim what I would have written although my last word would not have been ‘appalled’, it would have been ‘unsurprised’.
As Colin B wrote on another thread, it feels as though the club has been sleepwalking towards mediocrity since before the end of last season.
Off the field we are not up to scratch - the marketing (poor promotion of season tickets) and commercial activities (lack of a shirt sponsor, lack of stock availability ) simply aren’t good enough. And now we have a much poorer product (team) to sell than over the past few years. With the cost of living soaring, crowds and income streams will likely decline significantly.
On the field we are a hard watch - no excitement, no pace, little attacking threat. If we lose either of our two high quality mids, we will really be in trouble. As it is, I am fearing a relegation battle rather than a promotion challenge.
Based on all our performances to date and the lack of any strengthening to an obviously deficient squad, which the manager himself has highlighted and yet not addressed, we are definitely not too good to go down.
