Trautmann wrote:Now getting a bitter backlash from Utd fans--bought the title yada yada etc. My take on this is that we are using an accelerated version of Utd's business model: --spend big--win trophies---more revenue---spend bigger.
I would love to have verifiable data on two issues to counter the bollocks I am hearing from them:
How much the current squad cost for Utd and City
The annual wage bill for both.
We needed to accelerate the model for two reasons. First we needed a self-generated quantum leap to make ourselves competitive with the big boys in our ability to attract "A List" players. Second we needed to get ahead of the new rules which are clearly designed to prevent a repetition of City's "project".
I wouldn't even bother refuting, now they know how everyone else felt when they were out spending records on Keane and Ferdinand and Rooney and Veron. They were happy to outspend teams and to use stock market flotation to do it. We bought the title, just like everyone else in the prem era (in particular). There's no point being jealous. I mean let's face it, they wouldn't be even a little put out if the situation were reversed and they were the richest club in football.
FFP means we all have the same rules. We're not allowed just spend, we have to break even, so what are they complaining about. We've had to build up a lot of the team for modest money: Kompany, Zabaleta, Clichy, Hart, Barry, Johnson. We paid a premium for poor timing in getting a few lads like Milner, Lescott and de Jong. But they were still reasonable value.
I've seen a few pricings of squads, most of the time we're a bit higher but not that much and some games we have cheaper squads than them.
Wages are tougher, but then we're doing things like paying part of Adebayor's salary.
