MICKS COMMENTS ON EADT

[ashfordblue]

Thought I would read the EADT over breakfast whilst on my landsogrotty holiday, and I'm quite taken back by Micks comments on meeting Marcus over some serious investment team wise, carefully picking through his comments it seems as though Marcus is not coming up with the funds to improve the quality of the squad, it's seems Micks looking for some serious investment over the summer from Marcus, as he's worked with nothing substantial since he's been here 3 and a half seasons under great restraints, so his comments on he's happy to keep with the current crop of players in the last January window, was forced upon him with no money available for players, although Milne said there was, so I think the board are telling us fans porkies, and it wouldn't surprise me if Mick walks at the end of the season if no serious funding is available, if Marcus isn't going to back Mick then it's also possible he's thinking he's had enough and will sell up, maybe not a bad idea, that seems to be the concensus from many fans comments on EADT and TWTD, plus the edited script writers as well, who are all now fed up with the lack of investment at crucial times during the windows, when it's been blatantly clear that additional players were required with the injuries we had encompassed, and it seems Micks hands have been tied, this is my view but would be very interested in your comments on this situation, but you must read EADT first then comment and then explain how you all see it, me, I see it as Mick being pissed off ?????

[number 9]

I found this on the Sudbury Mercury Ash, I'm assuming it's the same article? Anyway, what it tells me is that many of us fans unhappy with the situation were not being negative at all. I still have a problem with MM...why didn't he speak up sooner. With his experience, he should of known the squad wasn't good enough. Instead, he insisted everything was fine. Of course, that doesn't let ME off the hook at all. I have no idea what ME's plan is for ITFC, but if he isn't interested in getting us promoted then he should re-evaluate why he bought Ipswich Town to begin with. All of the fans deserve better treatment in my opinion, especially those die-hard fans like Bluemike and Hallam who've travelled to many away games supporting the team. I am glad MM is finally being honest...finally.

http://www.sudburymercury.co.uk/sport/m ... _1_4435062

[barmy billy]

I still maintain MM is not the answer (even with funds) to our woes.

I do however think it time the the real Marcus Evans stands up and clearly explains his philosophy for the future of ITFC. The fans, probably the players and it looks like the management as well are becoming restless and are all entitled to hear the truth from our elusive Mr Evans.

[herforder]

Interesting article/comments from MM. Elsewhere, he was asked on Radio Suffolk whether ME would back him if he wanted to bring a loanee in, and the emphatic answer was 'Yes' - no prevarication in the answer. So a potential disconnect somewhere!

I would guess that a couple of things are going on. Firstly, MM will have picked up on supporters' frustration at apparent lack of investment, and sees an opportunity both to put some pressure on ME, whilst deflecting some criticism of quality of football being played under his stewardship. His comments, following the Hull game, of comparing apples with pears etc, and the fact that their front pair cost around £15M, underlines his point. That said, if ME and MM supposedly speak most days, then no doubt ME will be a tad surprised at MM's public comments. But on face value MM's comments are the first real indications of investment frustrations. Expecting Champagne football on lemonade money; but we're doing our best etc.

The other angle is that it makes good copy for the EADT, who I have always considered to be far too tame when interviewing current and former Town managers. This might be an attempt to redress the balance!

[Bluemike]

MM uses words like maybe and possibly so hardly a dig of any sorts towards ME. He will clearly need some kind of investment going forward whichever division we are in as the likes of Fraser and AMN to name but 2 will need to be replaced but it's a bit of a nothing article in truth.

[hallamblue]

Mick can quite justifiably go to Evans after 3 seasons having had minimal funds and say , "come on I've done this well on no funds ( in reality) if you really want promotion here's what I think I'll need next season. He's effectively putting the ball back in Evans court.

The summer will be interesting.

[marko69]

Micks comments after yesterday's game:

"The other night I was down, upset and angry and, to be honest, I'm sick of talking about the play-offs. If we get in there, brilliant, if not there's not a damn thing I can do about it."

(BBC match report)

Quote: Not a damn thing I can do about it.

Could that be a diplomatic "go" at Mevans?

[barmy billy]

As I said yesterday, will the real Marcus Evans (does he actually exist) stand up and explain himself.

Surely he owes it to the poor sods that fork out good money to watch sh*te week after week.

PS Said like a true troll.

[J4ck22]

It does seem like we're starting to stagnate, although if we hadn't been so unlucky with injuries this season could be completely different.

We've got a great manager in Mick, I don't know the ins and outs of our finances to have a proper opinion on whether he should realistically have more money to spend or not. But god I wish he did...

[ashfordblue]

I think Mick is is fed up with making do, the trouble is if you have serious contentions on getting promoted, you have to have a adiquate quality players in the squad as back up, in case of injuries like Mick has suffered just after the window shuts, Fraser was a massive loss, and with Bishop still not 100% we will suffer, Mick knows he has the quality when their all fit, BUT that ain't happened,hence an indifferent season, Marcus either has to back Mick or sell up, as we just can't keep going season on season with make do players, the gate fall tells it all, we can pack 30,000 gates if we get to the premiership, and wipe out our current debt.

[marko69]

It is indeed season after season in the championship. Is there a perspective here?

If we take a look at the clubs European friends, Fortuna Düsseldorf. In recent times, they were in the 2nd tier for years then eventually made it to the top flight. They were relegated and are currently fighting a relegation battle in Bundesliga 2. Ok they have a 6 point cushion, but being beaten 3-2 by nearest relegation rival, 1860 Munich isn't helping.

Reading this has taken me back to PJ, and the bottom of the Championship days! Makes you feel a bit sick really. League One would be flippin disastrous for ITFC.

So, 8th is ok for now!

[herforder]

Two incompatible 'P's' in play: Perspective and Patience!

And the winner is.........??!

[arana peligrosa]

Two incompatible 'P's' in play: Perspective and Patience!

And the winner is.........??!

I don't think patience is something some of us have in abundance. What I mean is, the club stuck in the same league year after year with little hope (it would often appear) of ever getting out or back to the EPL. Fourteen years now of championship league play and for the best of part of that, we've realistically never looked properly equipped to challenge.

Fair to say a great many have become irritated to such an extent, that of course there's going to be unrest among the support. To be honest one win at Huddersfield isn't going to make that much an impact on our sorry season and if that constitutes troll behavior that we'll take it, but can only comment on the situation out there. In an ideal world we'd want to see the team going well, with money to spend, and an owner and manager with a little more ambition. That we aren't, and that we haven't, is a concern, but there's still time for something to occur regards the end of season standings.

[ashfordblue]

I personally think Marcus will sell us very soon, I don't think the interest is there anymore, and as I explained earlier we are a very sellable asset, everything in place to make good advances into the premiership with the right backers / owners, we cannot go on being a play thing or a taxable loss to ME's empire, us fans deserve more for the patience we've inured for so so long, so I still believe Mick with the right backing can get us to the premiership

[barmy billy]

I personally think Marcus will sell us very soon, I don't think the interest is there anymore, and as I explained earlier we are a very sellable asset, everything in place to make good advances into the premiership with the right backers / owners, we cannot go on being a play thing or a taxable loss to ME's empire, us fans deserve more for the patience we've inured for so so long, so I still believe Mick with the right backing can get us to the premiership

Although I disagree with you about MM, I don't see how the current situation can continue. According to what you read, Evans empire is expanding and he is getting richer by the day. Shouldn't be a money issue then, which comes back (again) to what is his real agenda? I hope we find out sooner rather than later.

[Bluemike]

ME's empire and its value has no bearing whatsoever on ITFC and what it can spend. The fact we have chosen to stick by the FFp rules should be applauded not ridiculed. People go on and on about how obscene the money in football is and yet want us to continue to do the same.

As for ME selling up soon, not a chance in hell, I believe he will be here for some time yet and that his interst and hunger is the same as it was when he arrived here. I also believe that if there is any truth in the storyline regarding MM wanting to talk about the spending budget in the Summer that ME will make funds available.

[number 9]

Yeah, it just doesn't make sense to me that ME is preparing to sell the club. Why on earth would he want to sell now?...when he'd be lucky to get 5-mil really when you think of the debt. ME will not only turn that debt into profit if we're promoted, he will also benefit from the club's value increasing exponentially. ITFC is merely an investment for this shrewd businessman, and he's waiting patiently for the asset to accrue value.

[Bluemike]

Two incompatible 'P's' in play: Perspective and Patience!

And the winner is.........??!

I don't think patience is something some of us have in abundance. What I mean is, the club stuck in the same league year after year with little hope (it would often appear) of ever getting out or back to the EPL. Fourteen years now of championship league play and for the best of part of that, we've realistically never looked properly equipped to challenge.

Fair to say a great many have become irritated to such an extent, that of course there's going to be unrest among the support. To be honest one win at Huddersfield isn't going to make that much an impact on our sorry season and if that constitutes troll behavior that we'll take it, but can only comment on the situation out there. In an ideal world we'd want to see the team going well, with money to spend, and an owner and manager with a little more ambition. That we aren't, and that we haven't, is a concern, but there's still time for something to occur regards the end of season standings.

It's not just about one win at Huddersfield though is it, we have now won Eight away games and this win is one component of that number which I might add is pretty impressive.

A sorry season ? We really are in a bad place aren't we, the whole thing is a sorry mess and failure.

[WBBlue]

I guy I know who works in the City (not a football man) told me last week that there is talk doing the rounds that ME is looking for a buyer...

[Bluemike]

I guy I know who works in the City (not a football man) told me last week that there is talk doing the rounds that ME is looking for a buyer...

It will be interesting to see if any truth comes from it then.

[hallamblue]

Ive read similar on the mecca for all truth twtd over the last month!

[Bluemike]

Load of crap then !!

[hallamblue]

Pmsl.....not everything on there is crap. But that probably is

[Bluemike]

Pmsl.....not everything on there is crap. But that probably is

Yeah it is !!

[hallamblue]

You're obviously not out on the Town tonight then!
c u 2morrow in the pub

[Dubai Blue]

I think in a lot of these discussions about ME, people tend to forget what it meant that ME 'bought' the club's debt. As I remember (and I don't remember the exact number at the time) ME bought the debt from Norwich Union for a hugely reduced price, was it around £6m? This means that NU already took a massive hit on the debt and that although ME continues to treat the debt as owing to him by the club, in reality he is only down by what he actually paid for it. It's value over this amount is zero, UNLESS we are in a position to repay it in which case it becomes a massively profitable transaction for him.

In my opinion any future buyer would need to purchase this debt from him also but again the price of the debt would be way below the actual amount itself, maybe even only equal to what ME bought it for.

The debt is not being serviced by ME it is simply his reward for promotion, if he can achieve it. I see no reason why he would walk away from it right now. He came very close to promotion last season and may well have a pop at it again this.

On the other hand if the club manages to get into the play-offs two years in a row even without actual promotion, one could say that the improved likelihood of that debt being repaid at some stage soon (in the eyes of a potential buyer) adds a premium to the value of the club that ME might feel tempted to take.............

[Bluemike]

I seem to recall the total ME paid for the actual debt was around 13 Million although I could be wrong.

[hallamblue]

Nope, you were almost right....see here


http://www.theguardian.com/football/200 ... town-owner

[number 9]

Nope, you were almost right....see here


http://www.theguardian.com/football/200 ... town-owner

How much do you think ITFC would sell for now?

[hallamblue]

Well, IF Evans is looking to sell, he would want to recoup some of what he's invested already, which is no little amount, and then the buyer would also have to take over the current debt. So its a hard one to call, and I certainly couldnt put a figure on it. From Evans perspective he may ell just cut his losses and sell cheaply to offload the yearly £6m he is reported to be paying to keep ITFC as a going concern.

I Said to Mike today , no one buys a football club and expects to make money... few clubs are in the black. Even Man Utd has grwoing debts of over £600m I believe, not that its related to pure footballing losses, jusg their owners dumping debt on their UK aquisition.