Rival Watch

[Hound]

Had an interesting read on my dinner about Ron Gourlay at West Brom, specifically talking about the threat of administration if the club do not get promoted this year, the need for new investment, the loans and ill-feeling towards the owners etc. It doesn't sound like it's too rosy there behind the scenes and definitely won't be if they don't go back up this season.

Think that position was always going to be fairly likely after last season’s failure to go up given their expensive squad and the fact that their parachute payments end this season.

I didn't know administration was even in the conversation to be honest. I know taking out loans from other companies is never a good sign to help with the running of the club, however I didn't think the situation was quite that dire for them if they don't achieve promotion this time.

Gourlay has also spoken about his intent to reduce losses and the wage bill of the club as well, which he says he's so far done a good job of managing and lowering, so he says anyway.

The one in The Athletic? Admittedly I’m hardly sympathetic to him but it read like him stroking his own ego and deflecting blame

[YorkshireRoyal99]

Think that position was always going to be fairly likely after last season’s failure to go up given their expensive squad and the fact that their parachute payments end this season.

I didn't know administration was even in the conversation to be honest. I know taking out loans from other companies is never a good sign to help with the running of the club, however I didn't think the situation was quite that dire for them if they don't achieve promotion this time.

Gourlay has also spoken about his intent to reduce losses and the wage bill of the club as well, which he says he's so far done a good job of managing and lowering, so he says anyway.

The one in The Athletic? Admittedly I’m hardly sympathetic to him but it read like him stroking his own ego and deflecting blame

Yeah The Athletic one. Yeah I think there is a case of deflecting blame, although he does still have a point, he can only advise the owners as he's there employee.

Although his time with us was far from a roaring success and receives a lot of stick from the fans justifiably so, I still have a degree of sympathy with him even with us because, all things said and done, it's not him who is the final decision-maker, it's the owners. If they wanted to spend their money in any which way, all he can do is advise, not prevent. If it was Gourlay responsible for driving the massive overspending we've previously done and massively inflated contracts, the owners didn't have to sign any of that off as it was their money.

[From Despair To Where?]

Suggests he's a pretty shit CEO if he can't influence the owners over issues like the club chronically overspending and jeopardising it's future.

When he originally went to West Brom, he attended a fan's forum and was questioned about his time at Reading. He claimed it was everyone else at the club not buying into his vision that was the problem. Seems like history's repeating.

Isn't that his job though as CEO? To manage the day to day running of the business effectively?

He's either incompetent or a willing patsy.

[Dirk Gently]

And if the owners don't know much about football or have no experience in it, what sort of CEO blindly follows their instructions without trying to influence them to do things better or more appropriately?

[YorkshireRoyal99]

Yeah completely agree, he's now tasked with day-to-day running of the club after their previous CEO stepped back from the role where he came in. If you can't influence the decisions of those without good footballing knowledge, obviously it becomes your neck on the line. On the flip side, if it's you who is advising certain things and the owners, for whatever reason, say "no, we are doing this" then there isn't much that can be done, particularly if they were taking influences from other people outside the club, as was previously mentioned with Kia Joorabchian. (Not suggesting this happened as I don't know, but it's a possibility).

It does seem like it's another case of, I'm trying to do "this" but it isn't happening, which at some stage he will have to take responsibility for.

[Brogue]

Wigan Athletic accept suspended points deduction for late payment of wages

Wigan Athletic have accepted a suspended three-point deduction after reaching an ‘Agreed Decision’ with the EFL in relation to three late payments of wages last year.

The threat of a points deduction will remain valid for 12 months in the event of a further breach.

Owners Phoenix 2021 Ltd must also deposit an amount equal to 125 per cent of the forecast monthly wage bill into a designated club account for calling upon in the event of any future delay.

Latics notified the EFL, following Football League regulations, that they were late with the payment of wages in June, July and October 2022.

As a result, the EFL charged the club with misconduct for failing to comply with Regulation 64.7.

Regulation 86 allows the EFL and a club to enter an 'Agreed Decision', where it is appropriate in the circumstances to conclude a matter effectively and equitably without referring the matter to a disciplinary commission.

https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/footba ... es-3993734

[Hound]

Well they certainly won’t want to do that again this year considering where they are in the table

[Mr Optimist]

And if the owners don't know much about football or have no experience in it, what sort of CEO blindly follows their instructions without trying to influence them to do things better or more appropriately?

A shit lazy one who knows he wouldn’t last five minutes in the corporate real world before being discovered to just be a bluffing bully boy.

[From Despair To Where?]

And if the owners don't know much about football or have no experience in it, what sort of CEO blindly follows their instructions without trying to influence them to do things better or more appropriately?

A shit lazy one who knows he wouldn’t last five minutes in the corporate real world before being discovered to just be a bluffing bully boy.

Yeah, you coin the money then blame "outside forces" when it all goes tits up.

He was a relative success at Manchester United, where even a clueless idiot could turn a profit given their commercial clout, and Chelsea where all he had to do is repeatedly say yes to Abramovich.

[Brogue]

And if the owners don't know much about football or have no experience in it, what sort of CEO blindly follows their instructions without trying to influence them to do things better or more appropriately?

A shit lazy one who knows he wouldn’t last five minutes in the corporate real world before being discovered to just be a bluffing bully boy.

Yeah, you coin the money then blame "outside forces" when it all goes tits up.

He was a relative success at Manchester United, where even a clueless idiot could turn a profit given their commercial clout, and Chelsea where all he had to do is repeatedly say yes to Abramovich.

Yeah there is a reason he’s had to drop to two championship clubs to keep his career going. If he were well respected he would have a gig in the PL

[Stranded]

Wigan Athletic accept suspended points deduction for late payment of wages

Wigan Athletic have accepted a suspended three-point deduction after reaching an ‘Agreed Decision’ with the EFL in relation to three late payments of wages last year.

The threat of a points deduction will remain valid for 12 months in the event of a further breach.

Owners Phoenix 2021 Ltd must also deposit an amount equal to 125 per cent of the forecast monthly wage bill into a designated club account for calling upon in the event of any future delay.

Latics notified the EFL, following Football League regulations, that they were late with the payment of wages in June, July and October 2022.

As a result, the EFL charged the club with misconduct for failing to comply with Regulation 64.7.

Regulation 86 allows the EFL and a club to enter an 'Agreed Decision', where it is appropriate in the circumstances to conclude a matter effectively and equitably without referring the matter to a disciplinary commission.

https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/footba ... es-3993734

If the owner has to put money in a designated account to pay the wages, then surely there won't ever be a delay again, so the points deduction, suspended or not is worthless. Unless using the account itself becomes a breach, even if used to pay on time.

[YorkshireRoyal99]

Wigan Athletic accept suspended points deduction for late payment of wages

Wigan Athletic have accepted a suspended three-point deduction after reaching an ‘Agreed Decision’ with the EFL in relation to three late payments of wages last year.

The threat of a points deduction will remain valid for 12 months in the event of a further breach.

Owners Phoenix 2021 Ltd must also deposit an amount equal to 125 per cent of the forecast monthly wage bill into a designated club account for calling upon in the event of any future delay.

Latics notified the EFL, following Football League regulations, that they were late with the payment of wages in June, July and October 2022.

As a result, the EFL charged the club with misconduct for failing to comply with Regulation 64.7.

Regulation 86 allows the EFL and a club to enter an 'Agreed Decision', where it is appropriate in the circumstances to conclude a matter effectively and equitably without referring the matter to a disciplinary commission.

https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/footba ... es-3993734

If the owner has to put money in a designated account to pay the wages, then surely there won't ever be a delay again, so the points deduction, suspended or not is worthless. Unless using the account itself becomes a breach, even if used to pay on time.

It does say in that report a "forecast", so considering we are in the January window their wage bill might go up quite a bit in a bid to stay up this season, although agree it's pretty unlikely. In fairness to the EFL, they shouldn't really want to be giving points deductions out anyway, they should be doing what they can really to avoid that scenario where possible, but obviously that's not always down to them.

As long as we don't end up in any similar sort of situation after we failed to pay players on time back in December last year, although it seems like that was just a "one off".

[Brogue]

THE ENGLISH Football League have placed Championship outfit Sheffield United under a transfer embargo.

The governing bodies’ website has stated in its Embargo Reporting Service section that the Blades, who welcome Yorkshire rivals Hull City in a second-tier match at Bramall Lane on Friday night, are now under embargo under Regulation 52.2.3 of the league’s rules.

That regulation reads: "If a Club is in default of payments due to another Club (or club) under a transfer or compensation agreement, the Club shall be subject to a registration embargo such that it shall not be permitted to register any Player with that Club without the prior written consent of The League until such time as the agreement is honoured."

Bramall Lane officials will be granted “two business days” to secure the removal of the notice before the EFL publicly acknowledges their situation and its reasons for taking the step.

League regulations read: "Once placed under a registration embargo, Clubs have two Business Days to secure the removal of the Embargo before the Club’s name and reason for Embargo is published on the Embargo Reporting Service.

"Embargoes are intended to operate as a deterrent against Clubs defaulting on financial obligations to clubs or players, and/or breaching other key relevant regulations e.g. reporting on financial matters."An embargo prevents a Club from strengthening its team or adding to its playing staff costs until such time as it has met its existing financial obligations and/or the Club has rectified the relevant breach of EFL regulation(s)."

[Snowflake Royal]

And if the owners don't know much about football or have no experience in it, what sort of CEO blindly follows their instructions without trying to influence them to do things better or more appropriately?

A shit lazy one who knows he wouldn’t last five minutes in the corporate real world before being discovered to just be a bluffing bully boy.

Sounds like he'd get on fine in much of the corporate real world. Or as Tory leader.

[YorkshireRoyal99]

THE ENGLISH Football League have placed Championship outfit Sheffield United under a transfer embargo.

The governing bodies’ website has stated in its Embargo Reporting Service section that the Blades, who welcome Yorkshire rivals Hull City in a second-tier match at Bramall Lane on Friday night, are now under embargo under Regulation 52.2.3 of the league’s rules.

That regulation reads: "If a Club is in default of payments due to another Club (or club) under a transfer or compensation agreement, the Club shall be subject to a registration embargo such that it shall not be permitted to register any Player with that Club without the prior written consent of The League until such time as the agreement is honoured."

Bramall Lane officials will be granted “two business days” to secure the removal of the notice before the EFL publicly acknowledges their situation and its reasons for taking the step.

League regulations read: "Once placed under a registration embargo, Clubs have two Business Days to secure the removal of the Embargo before the Club’s name and reason for Embargo is published on the Embargo Reporting Service.

"Embargoes are intended to operate as a deterrent against Clubs defaulting on financial obligations to clubs or players, and/or breaching other key relevant regulations e.g. reporting on financial matters."An embargo prevents a Club from strengthening its team or adding to its playing staff costs until such time as it has met its existing financial obligations and/or the Club has rectified the relevant breach of EFL regulation(s)."

There's a degree of irony that, we get points deductions for spending too much money but clubs who outright aren't paying for certain transactions just get placed under an embargo. Imagine that in the real world!

[Franchise FC]

And Burnley get refereeing assistance again.
The free kick they score from in the 88th minute given for the Burnley striker kicking the turf

[Mid Sussex Royal]

Blackpool V Hudds off, frozen pitch, and with Hull losing last night only Cov can overtake us today, but have a tough game V Norwich.

I thought champ teams had to have undersoil heating...

[Royals and Racers]

Blackpool V Hudds off, frozen pitch, and with Hull losing last night only Cov can overtake us today, but have a tough game V Norwich.

I thought champ teams had to have undersoil heating...

From the EFL regs
27.9 Each Home Club shall provide full pitch frost covers and/or under soil heating (the
specification of which shall meet the reasonable satisfaction of The League) which shall be
operated to the extent necessary to procure, so far as it is reasonably possible, that the pitch
is playable on the occasion of each match. A breach of this requirement which results in the
postponement or abandonment of a match shall be dealt with in accordance with Regulation
31, and not Regulation 8.4.

[Stranded]

Blackpool V Hudds off, frozen pitch, and with Hull losing last night only Cov can overtake us today, but have a tough game V Norwich.

I thought champ teams had to have undersoil heating...

From the EFL regs
27.9 Each Home Club shall provide full pitch frost covers and/or under soil heating (the
specification of which shall meet the reasonable satisfaction of The League) which shall be
operated to the extent necessary to procure, so far as it is reasonably possible, that the pitch
is playable on the occasion of each match. A breach of this requirement which results in the
postponement or abandonment of a match shall be dealt with in accordance with Regulation
31, and not Regulation 8.4.

The so far as reasonably possible will be doing a lot of work there.

[Snowflake Royal]

'reasonable' seems to come up a lot in legal and regulatory stuff, despite not actually being very clear or objective at all.