01 Dec 2024 21:22:40
Well done Enzo Maresca and our Chelsea on another 3 points, this time with a clean sheet. I love the way he tweaks the team and keeps everyone fresh and on their toes. We beat both the low block and high line now with ease. Moises was my MOM but stand outs all over the pitch. I remember a poster once saying books and films would be made about just how well managed we are, how well the new owners have transformed our fortunes, another poster saying what a brilliant striker Jackson would become and others saying please give Marc C, Moises, Lavia, Enzo F and the rest time and you will see just how good they are. I gest of course but where are these peeps now. Lol. we are the Chelsea and onwards and upwards.
01 Dec 2024 21:57:38
I will stick with my prediction of a 3rd - 5th place finish.
I’m happy with the way we are performing by we are about 1/ 3rd of the way through this season and I’m not getting carried away.
I will try not to rush to judgement, positive or negative and I will try my best to justify my views and likewise welcome any debate with those with different views.
02 Dec 2024 07:49:41
West side. I too am wondering where all the negativity has gone.
The people calling ciacedo and jackson donkeys.
But let's not get carried away. We are still short of man city, arsenal, Liverpool.
We will lose more games this season and I predicted a top 4 finish this season with a trophy. And am still fingers and toes crossed. I don't think we create enough chances still in the league as well as conceding plenty of chances at the other end.
02 Dec 2024 09:03:55
If we carry on winning they will be silent for a while but I genuinely hope not as I like the banter/ debate. I think Ed once said that all sites become quieter when a team is doing well.
02 Dec 2024 16:33:11
Why would people call for negativity when Villa were well beaten.
The team are playing g well and Maresca seems to have have them geling.
If you want negativity, we are terrible from corners and I still have no faith in the GK.
I also believe in the summer we will have several transfer requests from our 'B' team which at the moment is one of our strong points.
We still have no FOS and absolutely no movement on the SB development.
On the plus side, the ownership issues seem to have gone quiet.
02 Dec 2024 19:52:53
Not that we want negativity bill. But the same people that was negative have disappeared. And should be here expressing how we have improved and probably wrong on some counts (caicedo and jackson are donkeys and shouldn't be in the team. We should of got rice instead)
You are correct tho there are somethings that are worrying. The gk position is one that needs addressing.
And the front of shirt sponsor of course.
But come on credit where credit is due. We are looking a far better team. With these very young players.
02 Dec 2024 20:32:47
Totally agree JS, we are playing attractive football and more importantly, playing as a team.
03 Dec 2024 13:33:33
I’m probably alone in not being that bothered about not having a FOS sponsor. Although I’m sure I will moan if us not having one effects our ability to sign a player. If I remember correctly September mins of the FAB board meeting did bring up the issue of SB development but obviously there were no conclusions just a promise to keep the FAB informed.
03 Dec 2024 16:12:37
Tom
No FOS sponser should worry us fans as at the moment it means we are down approx £40mn so maybe the shortfall will have to be found elsewhere.
With regards to your 'update' on SB, it does not surprise me in the slightest.
03 Dec 2024 17:02:52
Bill, in my opinion there isn’t going to be a decision on the SB development in my lifetime. There is obviously a reason why the MH, Shed and East stand can’t be redeveloped and I think it would be helpful if the club explained the practicalities of redeveloping the bridge.
As we get closer to the CWC I can see us doing a very good deal with a FOS sponsor and that’s the real reason why I’m not that bothered.
04 Dec 2024 10:06:33
Agree on th SB situation which annoys me even further why nobody comes out and tells the truth.
With regards to the FOS we might get a really good deal as you say Tom but thar still won't make up for the £40mn we have list this season.
Would you be happy if ticket prices went up next season to partly compensate?
04 Dec 2024 12:59:51
Bill, I’m sure it’s not about telling a “truth. ” I think it’s probably just complicated but I think summary would be welcomed by fans who are interested.
As far as the FOS sponsor for this season is concerned I’m just treating as water under the bridge.
Of course I won’t be happy if ticket prices go up next season for any reason. As I always freely admit i want my cake and eat it.
04 Dec 2024 16:56:09
Tom
All the club have to do is come put and say where we are with the SB project.
Personally if it was my decision I would relocate to another area if it's that problematic to develop the bridge.
Secondly, I think £40mn is a little more than water under the bridge. We cannot afford to lose that amount of money, I don't believe there is anymore silverware to sell back to Blue Co.
04 Dec 2024 17:27:21
Bill, the mins for the FAB are in the public domain, so my guess is the club feels it is keeping the fans updated. I personally think it could be in more detail but again I’m guessing that different options that are being considered.
My water under the bridge comment is me just seeing it as a history lesson and now not worth me worrying about it.
I never saw the hotels as anything but a mistake. We have plenty of more assets we can sell. They are called players and naming rights.
04 Dec 2024 19:03:45
Tom,
Agreed we can sell players naming rights not si sure bearing in mind the FOS issue we are having.
04 Dec 2024 21:06:59
The so called FOS “issue” if the reports are to be believed are more about an existing airline sponsor. Apparently that deal finishes at the end of this season at the latest.
05 Dec 2024 16:13:54
Whether your correct or not Tom, it looks like this season with regards to an FOS is a total wipe out meaning a loss to our finances of some £40mn.
05 Dec 2024 16:49:07
Bill, I’m only reporting what I have read. I was told ages ago that would be getting a boost to our finances and stupidly assumed it was going to be a sponsor when in fact it was the sale of our hotels.
When I have asked the same guy about a FOS sponsor he just said, negotiations are ongoing and not to worry about it. That response was very similar to a reply the much missed Ed002 gave some time before my mate told me anything.
If just shows how much information Ed002 had at his disposal and how much we will miss his guidance.
11 Dec 2024 16:40:56
I missed this thread. As far as SB is concerned I have always said that building a new stadium or significant redevelopment on this site is not feasible. The club should look for a new site and if the CPO don’t accept it, so be it and we stay put as we are. Obviously finance will have to come from elsewhere. Yes we can sell players but there is a limit to that if we want success on the field. I doubt if there would be many takers for naming rights which are generally deals done for new or redeveloped stadia.
As for FOS sponsorship, I am with Bill, the failure to secure a sponsor has lost us income which must be made up elsewhere and is a failure by whoever is in charge of our commercial department.
12 Dec 2024 15:00:19
I have zero idea what any FOS sponsor deal would have looked like and just maybe a sponsor this season would have wanted a more than one year deal, something I can’t imagine any management would agree to as it could be a higher value I seasons to come. It’s easy to criticise but we don’t know the details.
SB, I would prefer to move away and I cannot see the CPO being a problem as long as any such move is practicable and in the best interest of all concerned. The club would have to persuade the CPO that it makes sense. I have no idea what finance would be required for SB upgrade or a new build.
12 Dec 2024 17:35:55
Tom, obviously we don’t know the details about potential sponsorship deals but on the face of it the commercial department has failed. If I find out what the details were that led to no FOS sponsor, I will happily eat my words.
As for SB the RA scheme that received planning permission was estimated at a billion: we can speculate what that would cost if we ever got shovels in the ground. I suspect planning permission would be a lot more difficult now and could go on for years.
12 Dec 2024 18:46:15
I have said in a previous post I do not expect the SB issue to be resolved in my lifetime.
The FOS sponsor issue and negotiation could consist of so many unknowns. This would be me guessing but to a certain extent understandable but I can see a sponsor only wanting to pay a fee as the club stands today.
It makes sense to me to attract a top fee for sponsorship for the WCC and hopefully champions league rather than agreeing a deal based on the last two season’s performances.
I guess what I’m saying is a five year FOS sponsor deal from next season could well be substantially more than a five year deal that could have been agreed at the start of this season.
It sounded as if an airline was interested but that created a conflict. I’m still hopeful of BOA and I’m happy for the stadium to be call the BOA stadium.
{Ed002's Note - I have no idea.}