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[Albion] Bloom at Seagulls over London tonight



fleet

Well-known member
Jul 28, 2003
12,222
What an enormously impressive man he is. He spent his evening answering all sorts of questions with clear and well thought out answers. Ever more confident about our future with this man at the helm.
 




Mellor 3 Ward 4

Well-known member
Jul 27, 2004
9,791
saaf of the water
I agree that we are in safe hands, but Id be interested to hear whether he was quizzed about our summer transfer dealings and why we have failed to replace Ulloa?
 




Grombleton

Surrounded by <div>s
Dec 31, 2011
7,356
What an enormously impressive man he is. He spent his evening answering all sorts of questions with clear and well thought out answers. Ever more confident about our future with this man at the helm.

Did anyone record or transcript it? Would be interesting to see that.
 


Giraffe

VERY part time moderator
Helpful Moderator
NSC Patron
Aug 8, 2005
26,536
Did he say how worried he was about just 16,000 through the turnstiles?
 




8ace

Banned
Jul 21, 2003
23,811
Brighton
Searching questions were:

Do you want a PINT Tony?
What can I GET you?
Do you want any CRISPS Tony?
Same again Tony?
Do you want any NUTS?
Salted or DRY ROASTED Tony?
One for the ROAD Tony?
 








Dan Aitch

New member
May 31, 2013
2,287
Season so far - hoped for more. Performances have been worthy of better results. Defensively we've done very well. Restricted the opposition's chances well. Some significant defensive mistakes. Not enough strength up front. We can improve with hard work. Tough to bring in a forward outside transfer windows. Won't get a loan striker unless it's the right man at the right price.

Why was Sami selected? - it was a long process. Looked at 50+ candidates. Interviewed 8. Second interview was in more depth. Tony likes defenders/defensive midfielders as managers, they read the game better. Got every confidence in Sami despite how results make things look.

FFP - very reluctantly supported the change. Decided which way to vote only a few minutes before his vote was cast. Closest vote he's ever witnessed. Overall, an allowed loss of £13m could mean £18m in actual losses, once depreciation and academy costs are considered. Solidarity payments are now guaranteed from the Premiership though. Extra £700k per C'ship club. Most legal challenges probably eliminated, bar QPR and maybe Leicester.

More to follow, only up to p.2 of my 12 pages of notes.
 


Barry Izbak

U.T.A.
Dec 7, 2005
7,321
Lancing By Sea
Excellent evening.
patiently answered all questions in a good humoured fashion.

We are indeed lucky to have this guy running our club.

And No of course it wasn't transcribed. Just be reassured that he loves this club at least as much as you do and that he is prepared to fund it all the way to the Premier League.

10/10
 


fleet

Well-known member
Jul 28, 2003
12,222
Excellent evening.
patiently answered all questions in a good humoured fashion.

We are indeed lucky to have this guy running our club.

And No of course it wasn't transcribed. Just be reassured that he loves this club at least as much as you do and that he is prepared to fund it all the way to the Premier League.

10/10

Just the fact that he would spend 2.5 h answering anything asked and be so clear and positive in front of a group of about 30 fans was very impressive
 




Dan Aitch

New member
May 31, 2013
2,287
How has changed been delivered? - players always perform inconsistently at any club, that's football.very happy with the recruitment system but still, always looking to improve. It's easy to look at a few games and criticise but it's unfair to do that.

Long term - plans to be Chairman for the long term. Can afford the £10m loss per season, but reluctantly. When we reach the Prem, we have to accept that we will probably come back down eventually. Finances from the Prem season(s) will make us more secure and recoup some of the season on season losses experienced. Future budgets? Who knows. We have a great stadium and facilities. Hopes C'ship wages will eventually fall. We're aggressively recruiting 16-20 yr olds at home and abroad. Delighted with high ranking of the academy.

Due diligence in recruitment - was done fine but the absence of Sami having a six month lead-in to the season meant less time was available. Not easy to assess and recruit in sin a short space of time.

Football agents - not all sharks, it's an important role and have good relationships with many. Prefer to pay lower agent fees but sometimes unavoidable. Have to strike a balance. Sometimes some of them can't be trusted but working together is he key.

Malky Mackay - won't comment on who was interviewed. Would be unfair. It was a very thorough process and he remains happy with the decision.
 


nwgull

Well-known member
Jul 25, 2003
13,744
Manchester
Just the fact that he would spend 2.5 h answering anything asked and be so clear and positive in front of a group of about 30 fans was very impressive

That is dedicated to such a small number of fans. Although he's not daft and is probably fully aware that most of those 30 will have written up his answers on here and social media.
 


Dan Aitch

New member
May 31, 2013
2,287
Recruiting players with criminal records - depends on the crime and how long ago it was. Have to assess all aspects of a player and his personality on and off the field. The key thing is knowing about all issues so that an informed decision can be made. Sexual offences? Can't imagine he would ever sign a player with this. Just because other teams might recruit such players doesn't mean we have to. It's their choice. No criticism of them for doing it. Just not what he would do.

Three best Albion games - FAC Final, not the replay. Play off game at Millenium stadium. Beating Palace at the Amex.

Academy - it works as a system but we scout intensively too. No stone unturned. Already having an impact and no players leaving for other clubs. Would prefer a local player to a signed one, if they were like for like, but still looking at all opportunities in recruitment.

Atmosphere at the Amex - club can't orchestrate things. Up to the fans to do what works best. Give the club ideas for where they can assist and they will all be considered. Need the whole stadium to join in, not just the North.

Safe standing - not being considered because there is no legislation to allow it. Would be pointless to make plans now. However, if it was allowd the cost of changing to standing would be huge, with no increase in capacity allowed. People would expect to pay less too. Might be more exciting for fans but currently can't see it happening any time soon.

Value for Money at The Amex - it's hard to lose £10m per season. Great stadium, great facilities and relatively not that much more expensive than other clubs in the C'ship. It has to be more expensive than the pub, can't be helped. Only about 25 home games per year. And have to try to balance need to earn with VfM. Don't always get it right but trying the best they can. Can't please everyone. Currently considering more ways of encouraging fans to arrive early and stay later.

Is Albion's system too complicated to play? - no. These are well paid players who can adapt and learn, but it takes time. The reduction in midweek games now should allow more time for training, rather than players having to rest and recover from injury. Will make the team better.
 






Dan Aitch

New member
May 31, 2013
2,287
Oscar vs. Sami - not much more attacking now than under Oscar. Conceded goals rate is still impressive. Sami's style of play wasn't particularly relevant during recruitment.

Big centre forward - we've had some good ones. Not a fan of lumping the ball upfield, CF must be mobile too. If we find the right one he'll have all the attributes we need.

Hotel - still being looked at. Great for stadium/uni/downs, less so for town centre. Planning permission not progressing at present. Capital outlay is huge and needs proper consideration.

Stats and analysis use by coaches - lots of it, can assist in predicting injuries too. Lots of sports science used. Manager gets lots of info and feedback.

Transport - working well at present. No plans to change anything drastically. Amex reflects well with other stadia, as fans who attend away games will attest. Look at the Spurs game. Many fans realised the Amex is pretty good after that. Still paying attention. Anywhere improvements might be possible. Ongoing process.
 




Dan Aitch

New member
May 31, 2013
2,287
Attendance - all clubs quote tickets sold rather than fans throug the gate. Won't get into 'actual attendance' discussion but lower attendance for Wigan game for a myriad of reasons, including recent results. School night, poor weather, near bonfire night, etc. Can't use ticket exchange until the stadium is sold out.

Direct Debit defaulters - have about 200 at any one time. Had some people 'trying it on' so had to stamp on it at the Rotherham game and make people go to the ticket office instead of being allowed in on trust. Doing all they can to help fans whose season tickets stop working or who have direct debit problems that aren't their own doing.

Loan players - first time we've gone over 5. Prefer season long loans. Want to keep some current loanees. Hughes looking fit, thankfully. Bennett - be rest to get him in for longer, you know what you're getting with players like him.

Goalkeepers - unusual circumstances prompted AAH loan. Not ideal but had to be done. Casper contract extension done during the summer and no regrets. Valuable addition to the squad and works well with younger players.

FFP again - we weren't 'shafted'. Had a vote, used it. The alternative would have been worse. Not happy but what's done is done.

Boxing Day - won't get a repeat of previous problems since negotiating with bus and train operators. This year there will be buses, trains from London, a shuttle between Lewes and Btn, but no coastway west services.
 




Barry Izbak

U.T.A.
Dec 7, 2005
7,321
Lancing By Sea
OK so I retract my earlier reply.

.....it WAS transcribed
 


Dan Aitch

New member
May 31, 2013
2,287
Amex capacity - unlikely to be increased bar maybe squeezing a few hundred more in. Too expensive and makes no sense if we drop back down from the Prem.

1901 club - not perfect but under constant review, performance-wise. Fewer complaints this year. Hard to please everyone from corporate sponsors to single game attendees. Trying to streamline things for the future.

Governance - fans on he board? Already got them. No plans to take on new Directors. Fan ownership would create problems.

Training ground tours - unlikely to become a regular feature although some small groups might be accommodated, exceptionally. Busy year round and can't arrange organised regular tours.

Five year look back at Chairmanship - done well, happy, record crowds, good progress, less impressive so far this year, disappointing play-offs, great academy achievement, always looking to improve.

That's it.
 


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