posted May 10, 2008

Because money is not the b all and end all!

Maybe you, and admittedly many others, would call it sensible but in my book if you're doing the thing you love doing then money is not important. The minute you start playing football for money's sake, rather than enjoyment, is the point where you lose your way. Just look at football in general. If football were to be summed up by one player, it would no doubt be David Beckham; a once great establishment that lost its way, and most of its quality, when pursuing lucrative deals instead of concentrating on the basics. Every now and again you’ll see flashes of brilliance that’ll remind you of what used to be, but ultimately the best days are past.

Also, greed is killing the game, particularly at this level. Remember the ITV incident? Let's all go chasing ephemeral money-spinning contracts without considering the long term impacts! Many teams left on the brink, having to sell their best player to survive, administration becoming common place, teams going bust! Barnet of course where saved from this by virtue of being in the conference at the time, thus our financial structure is sound and we don't need to sell. The polarisation of wealth is a massive issue in the game. Remember when Brian Clough led a little club to back to back European titles? Fans could dream back then because the playing field was level but, such is the current structuring within the footballing hierarchy, this won't happen again. Football is more expensive, more uncompetitive and less atmospheric than ever and for what? So a limited number of individuals can line their pockets! This situation is not helped by people advocating the sale of their team's best players because "they've got money to think about". Adomah will be earning a decent wage as it is and is doing what most would consider their dream job. Player before club?! What happened to the fans' ambition eh?

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posted May 10, 2008

So what do you suggest? We hang on to Adomah, let his contract run down and lose him for 100k compensation while he plays badly because he doesn't want to be with us? That's what I call fake ambition. Real ambition is to get a big fee in the region of 400k for him and use the money to build. Especially since we run at annual losses of roughly 250k - that transfer fee is needed.

I would love to keep Adomah, but unlike you I'd like my club to plan for the real world rather than an ideal one that does not exist. I don't want us to sell Adomah for his sake, I want to us to do it because it is the most sensible decision for the club and if you honestly can't see why that is, you really are being quite stubborn.

As for your rather ludicrous example of David Beckham as to why he shouldn't chase the money. Beckham was on about 60k a week at that time. Albert is on about 30k a year. That may be a decent wage to some people (it's not that far above the national average, though) but why should he take that when he can earn at least two or three times that and better himself financially for the future. That's why I understand his choice because in his position I would do exactly the same thing and quite frankly you would as well if you were in his position. Besides, it isn't all about money, he will want to test himself higher up the leagues as well and why shouldn't he get a chance to do that.

So actually I think this is the best thing for all concerned, as long as we get the right fee for him and if we don't, then we won't sell him and I will support that decision as well.

And BTW, you're also being stubborn if you can't recognise that the massive influx of money into the game has hugely improved the standard of play, especially at the lower level due to the greater investment in youth development by clubs. Yes, there are some unattractive aspects to it such as the disregard for fans in terms of kick-off times but on the whole it has been good for the game. There wouldn't be record attendences at the moment otherwise.

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posted May 10, 2008

First, I have never said anything about not selling Adomah - in fact, I agree that we should sell him this summer so as to gain maximum profit from the deal - I have merely indicated that in football there is too much greed and not enough loyalty nowadays. Take, Sven at City as another example. People want instant success these days; what’s wrong with sticking it out for a bit?

Secondly, if you’d have read my comment correctly, you would have recognised that the Beckham reference was a metaphor for football as a whole, not an explicit comparison to the boy Adomah. Read more carefully before you jump to conclusions.

Finally, again I agree that money has raised the standard, but only by the virtue that good the world’s best players (Ronaldo et al) are enticed to the bright lights of the Premier League. Resultantly, British talent can no longer get a look in at the bigger clubs and, such are players wage demands in this day and age, it’s no wonder that clubs are turning to youth. Point taken that the standard has indeed been raised, however, if you can’t recognise that the polarisation of wealth is a big issue in the game then you’re stubborn. Take League Two, the two clubs with the most money finished as the top two, the team who finished bottom have limited finances.

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posted May 11, 2008

Polarisation of wealth is an issue, and it happened because football became a lot more exposed to the free market. It's a fact of life and I think it's very awkward to deal with it. Compared to the benefits it has brought, it's one I can live with. Barnet are proof you can achieve above your financial status (suggesting Wrexham had limited finances is nonsense - they had an enormous squad).

My point is that your idea that people should not be greedy really means that they should accept less money than the highest - if that's the principle you want to live by then I think you're very admirable, but I'm not going to harrangue someone for it.

As for moaning about no British talent - we have until McClown took over had the best consistent run of England results ever since the millenium - good English players still get through, just not the average ones.

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posted May 11, 2008

It is indeed a philosophical position of mine. I feel that there is too much emphasis on money today; you can be perfectly happy on limited funds.

Fair point with Wrexham; admittedly a poor example. What I was trying to convey was the fact that, ultimately, it is only those with money who will progress. I mean, realistically, what’s the highest that Barnet can aspire to play in? League One at best. Name four teams who stand a chance of winning the Premier League next season. Teams having to restructure every year because their best players are cherry picked by those who can afford to lure them away. To this end, I feel that football has lost some of its quirky charm.

Finally, I wasn’t moaning about the lack of British talent; I feel at a national level we’re only a world class winger from an excellent team. I was merely pointing out that the increase in standards at lower levels is largely a result of the fact that, at the highest levels, young players no longer have the same opportunities as they once did. Just in the past decade look at Man Utd. A youth policy that gave us Giggs, Scholes and Beckham is now largely redundant, as players like Anderson can now be purchased. Resultantly, good players like Shawcross, Bardsley and Evans haven't had a look in and have had to look elsewhere.

Good arguing with you DJH; I haven’t had a quality debate for too long!

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posted May 11, 2008

What a wideranging debate and all because I posted something about 2 of our older players being released!

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posted May 12, 2008

Ah come on guys, you can't blame the kid for leaving. hes my age right now, and no one wants to be playing in league 2 when they could be playing in much higher leagues and learning their trade with better players.

If he wants to go then let him go, although im a bee and had the opportunity to further my career with a big money move then i would most certainly go. Lets just make sure we get the most cash as possible.

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posted May 14, 2008

I think some of the bad feeling is coming from we don't mind letting players go to further their career if the right offer comes in, kconfire.

Actually requesting a transfer is a bit off in my opinion, and out of the two i'd have expected Punch to throw a wobbler before Albert. Mebee he's got a little carried away with his instant success.

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posted May 14, 2008

Bailey and King both requested transfers, no one really cared apart from when King's agent tried to pull a fast one and claim a free transfer.

Why's Albert getting different treatment.

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posted May 14, 2008

Bailey and King had both been with the club for a number of seasons whereas Albert's only just arrived.

Maybe we're unrealistic in judging Albert's development by the yardstick of others in thinking he needs 2 or more seasons at L2? That said, I do think he does need a bit longer than 3.5 months at his first ever league club, having previously only ever played part-time football at a considerably lower level.

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