What information makes you more savvy than the average supporter. Patronising like you said.[/QUOTE] I wasnt speaking for myself. I think there are a lot of folk on this board who have a good working knowledge of finance and accounts and who do their research of the accounts and feed back their knowledge. If you genuinely think that makes me patronising fair enough, I didnt think it did.
Have we progressed since December 2017? Well, it's looking like we're facing a likely championship relegation battle (though that can change pretty swiftly), so on the basis of league position, no progress there. Are we playing a better calibre of football? I'd say not, aside from the QPR game, its not clicked and defensively we look worse than I've seen us in a long time. Stendel got a lot of stick, but I felt he was unlucky and individual errors were more to blame from players who weren't championship ready. Now, our defence looks disjointed, unorganised and shambolic. So it's a no for playing style. Financially. Are we in a better financial position? Well, no. Our profits and cash reserves have dwindled over 4 years and if the 2020/21 year is in the ballpark of where we think it may be, we're in an even more precarious position. Having said that, we may be able to crystallise the values of some of our players to keep the wolves from the door. Longer contracts could prove to be more valuable, but ironically, in the current climate, they could also prove to be an ever tightening noose. Do we have a more valuable squad now than in 2017? Maybe. But its early days for some and much will depend on sparks of life in the coming weeks. It will also depend on the general transfer market and just how desperate we are to generate cash. Commercially and internationally. This was one of the initial statements from the owners. We've seen nothing of an international commercialisation, other than we've got a couple of CEO's from outside of the UK. We've tried to buy a few cheapish imports, so maybe that's what they meant? But we've seen pretty much zero from internationalisation of brand and potential new revenue streams that other championship clubs have been able to tap into. So its another no on that front from me. Reputationally. Do we have a better reputation now than in 2017? I'd say not. Granted, this is a fleeting measure, and if you'd asked last season, you could say so. But now, I'd say not. And with our own fans, things are at a very low ebb. Experience and infrastructure. Are things better now than in 2017 and have they been from the owners doing? I can't say from first hand experience, but given others comments, the closure of the West Stand, the scoreboard, and many of the basic initiatives that were in place (and covid has played a big part in this)... I'd probably say not. Obviously its impossible to know what might have been if Patrick had handed the baton within his own family or if other owners had come in. It may have been similar, or ever decreasing circles. But does it feel better than 2017 at this immediate moment in time? I'd say no.
