This is over and done and the fact that you feel the need to defend it is sad, my one positive comment on this when I posted was the fact that the 3 of you tried and actually got in front of someone at the club. That took a great deal of well intentioned effort and thank you again for going to such lengths.
Your article was well intentioned, but when fans are treated as though they live in a mushroom farm i.e. Kept in the dark and fed raw Manure the reaction was predictable.
Changing the subject to the fans protests is it justifiable and will it make a difference.
Thanks for this piece and update. I genuinely felt sorry for Danny, Luke and yourself for some of the ridiculous feedback and comments that were sent. I’m not saying everyone had to agree as some people put some very good well written comments but those that just shot from the hip were disrespectful. No one thought that you were buying into the organisations PR but everyone asks for more interaction with the ownership/sporting directors and you got it for us and gave an insight. It might not have been anything extraordinary, but the fact that it came from the three of you and you all have called out the club at various times must give it some value. You would hope that it would create some better understanding.
It’s been clear for some time that it’s a top down structure and that anybody below the ownership is only implementing their vision and plan. The fact that Danny said and you confirmed that the parties you were meeting were 100% aligned means at least there’s some consistency and people that all working in the same direction. Fundamentally that’s why Enzo has gone he decided he did not want to play ball.
Thank you to the three of you again for continually pushing for these opportunities and discuss discussions and obtaining approval for you to share them with us all.
Appreciate the clarification. I think the general reaction to the original article, mine included was mostly due to the fact people have become tired and apathetic to the consistent narrative spin from club officials even when it has defied the reality of what we as fans have witnessed.
The one thing that could be taken as a positive from their beliefs/actions are that they genuinely believe in what they’re doing and are sticking to their principles. That commitment must be admired, I just hope it’s because it’s based upon their belief it will lead to sporting success and not purely a player trading platform.
I still think the owners and sporting directors need to be using more public channels such as club media interviews, match day programs, fan forums etc to connect with the “average fan” but I guess this is a step in the right direction.
Si, at this point the biggest question is who pulls the strings from sporting perspective and who tailors the transfer strategi and hiring throughout. If that's Clearlake/Eghbali, then it explains everything (which I think is the case).
Mr. Abramovic, pay the money and don't ask questions! As long as you mess around in a place where you have no expertise (and it's a learning curve for you since you're a rookie in the business) you'll face the outcome of the reality you deal with.
The thing I think is most telling is that the only time that any of the owners say anything about the club, and are happy to be seen saying it, is at business conferences and conventions. Their standing in the business community is obviously more important to them than informing and including the supporters , who are a worrisome, but, ultimately, irrelevant, group.
Getting them on a podcast - on the proviso that questions are kept respectful - for me would be a massive way forward. If nothing else, it might actually help humanise them to the fans.
I understand the frustration but untamed anger aimed at, not faceless of course, but personalityless, reps of the club doesn't help and needs nipping in the bud.
Whether we like them or not, they have been demonised off the back of not fully explained decisions and then hiding behind 'briefs'.
It'd deffo help to hear them speak.
Still, most of the anger is aimed at Egbahli mow and most have heard him speak.
Thanks for taking the time to explain that in more detail Si and a belated happy new year to you and your family.
"We are not allowed to say exactly who it was that we spoken with on request of said person/people. So of course we have to respect that and keep our relationship with them"
While I fully appreciate that you have to respect their confidentiality, I cannot understand why they want their identity kept from us. What came over in the article is that they have full belief in the project and believe totally in it's long term viability, but if that's the case then why are they being so clandestine and circumspect?
"To err is human"
None of us get it right all of the time and any sane and sensible fan will realise that mistakes will be made along the way, but as Einstein reportedly said The definition of insanity is to keep making the same mistake over and over again. Psychologists say that a person jumping a queue will incur the wrath of the people in front of him. Yet a queue jumper who gives a reason for doing so will by and large be forgiven. I, like most other fans feel like we've been insulted by a queue jumper not giving us their reason. I'm sure most fans would be far more forgiving of the top brass if once in a while they came out and gave an interview for public consumption. Why do we not have a FOS sponsor? why has the stadium development inextrably stalled? Why haven't we signed more experienced players?
Although you addressed some of these issues, I'm sure it would go some way to appeasing the fans if we heard it from them, say in an interview on Sky, rather than Todd giving us updates at finance and business conventions. That really winds me up, to put it politely, leaving the impression that the investors in the funds are more important than us fans. Or should I say customers as that PR disaster Chris Jurasek (park) referred to us as. Believe me he wasn't popular with the staff at Cobham either and we are well rid of him.
The top brass need to realise that they cannot live in a vacuum in these social media dominated days. I don't expect them to give us monthly updates, but the occasional appearance from one of them at say the annual CPO GM once a year would go some way to improving relations with the fans, which cannot be described as anything but toxic at the moment. Even Daniel Levy afforded the Spud fans that courtesy and to be honest at the moment I do feel like a customer rather than a fan in their eyes.
Thanks for this Si but Danny’s piece will always feel like PR even if it wasn’t. Why do the club always need to hide behind anonymity which always feels like they are trying to hide something. We can all talk and talk about what’s right or wrong but the bottom line is we are still miles off challenging for the premiership and if we don’t qualify for the champions league next season which at the moment is looking very unlikely due to our total lack of consistency we will be back to square one. As I have said before I went to my first game in 1968 and over the years seen some pretty poor teams but this one I really can’t seem to find likeable because I don’t find the club likeable and I’m pissed off feeling like that.
Of course we will qualify for the CL next year Nick by winning the trophy this year as we always do when we aren't expected to. We will finish well down the table and deny the Spuds a place in the competition again next year......lol. If only. I've been going since 1966 and I couldn't even bother to get excited when we equalised last night or piss the missus off when they scored the winner. Seriously thinking about not attending any more matches, I've spent more on this club than my house in the past 50 years and I'd rather spend my money travelling the world than watching us now , something I never ever thought I would say.
I completely understand what you are saying I just sat there against Fulham and I don’t look forward to any games but it gets in your DNA and it’s impossible to stop. It’s not just about winning it’s about feeling part of something. It feels like the club has been ripped away and is now just another business to make more money for somebody who doesn’t genuinely care about the club. The real fans are just a nuisance because they are not taken in by their PR.
thank you for the additional info Si. I do give them a bit more respect that they at least are willing to meet with you all. I agree, keeping this communication line open is important for all three of you.
The fact that you felt the need to post this, shows you how ridiculously over the top reactions have been.
Don't apologies to over reactions.
We are all allowed to have our opinions, but to call anyone who says anything remotely positive towards the club "a paid shill" for Blue Co, is just plain stupid. That opinion is as relevent or more so than hyper over reactive nonsense like the type we laugh at on Arsenal Fan TV.
No need to explain let alone respond to some of the more stupid comments. You are journalists and as such you can ask what you like but you can only report what you are told.
I thought it was a very worthwhile exercise and I came away from reading your report feeling at least a little bit less hostile towards them.
It would be a very good look for THEM if they’d put their heads above the parapet and had a more formal chat on the podcast. The club’s near silence only makes them look shifty which is a kiss of death to any possible decent future fan/club relationship.
If you can’t get them to come out to play on the podcast, maybe ask them to talk informally, like this latest one, every six months. One about this time of year and one in the summer before pre-season training?
Well done so far though and keep up the good work.
You are quiet correct they, the Club, have a plan and will stick to it, I'm sure no one thinks anything any different than that after all this time.
On a separate note I appreciate the efforts you all put in everyday, if I and many others didn't we would not be here in the first place, your not a journalist but are viewed as an influencer, its a two edged sword to navigate.
The actual fan engagement is at rock bottom, the recent fan survey shows that, that's an area the club needs to address, its not hard to engage even when you know other will not agree with you.
Danny Finkelstein is very quiet, not heard anything from him in a long while, I would very much like to have a meeting with him. Michael Cornall, head of fan engagement is invisible to everyday fans, know idea if he is still in his post!
Ownership actually avoid the Chelsea Fancast team which is odd in itself as the older players do not and actively support.
All in all I have seen owners come and go managers come and go, I'm now at 41 managers since I first stepped into the Bridge, some I loved some I really disliked, players come and go but here we still are the fans, the game is nothing without us, we do NOT have 6yr contracts, its for life.
Can I just say on Danny Finkelstein - the couple of times he has tried to actually speak and address stuff has just resulted in mass abuse. I totally get why he wouldn't want to subject himself to that again.
Hi Rob Yes I get that, however I have loads of suggestions for help, I have dealt with all sorts of er lets call it negative pr over the years, apart from recently been shot at and subject to rocket attack so nothing phases me, bit like standing on the terraces in that time in the 70's! Come back Ken Bates at least he would talk directly to you...
Absolutely important you keep channels open for discussions. Can even be in confidence (with the usual risks of messaging that puts them in the best light). One thing I really wanted to know was their internal metrics for new player valuations (eg Gittens, Joao Pedro, Badiashile etc) and how they monitor whether it is a good or a dud post purchase. Is it done on a portfolio basis or by individual signings. So far no-one has got fired on the SD side despite overpaying for so many mediocre prospects. I only ask this because of the private equity model Clearlake has.
top man! as i said in my comment under that article that atleast I have no doubts about your, Danny or Luke's article. It was more on the responses that the said person gave you guys which felt more of the same stuff that we hear from them via other media sources. You guys did a great job reaching out to them and brining our concerns to them.... BUT its upto them on how THEY address them / if they address them.
This is over and done and the fact that you feel the need to defend it is sad, my one positive comment on this when I posted was the fact that the 3 of you tried and actually got in front of someone at the club. That took a great deal of well intentioned effort and thank you again for going to such lengths.
Your article was well intentioned, but when fans are treated as though they live in a mushroom farm i.e. Kept in the dark and fed raw Manure the reaction was predictable.
Changing the subject to the fans protests is it justifiable and will it make a difference.
Yes it is and no it won’t.
Thanks for this piece and update. I genuinely felt sorry for Danny, Luke and yourself for some of the ridiculous feedback and comments that were sent. I’m not saying everyone had to agree as some people put some very good well written comments but those that just shot from the hip were disrespectful. No one thought that you were buying into the organisations PR but everyone asks for more interaction with the ownership/sporting directors and you got it for us and gave an insight. It might not have been anything extraordinary, but the fact that it came from the three of you and you all have called out the club at various times must give it some value. You would hope that it would create some better understanding.
It’s been clear for some time that it’s a top down structure and that anybody below the ownership is only implementing their vision and plan. The fact that Danny said and you confirmed that the parties you were meeting were 100% aligned means at least there’s some consistency and people that all working in the same direction. Fundamentally that’s why Enzo has gone he decided he did not want to play ball.
Thank you to the three of you again for continually pushing for these opportunities and discuss discussions and obtaining approval for you to share them with us all.
Appreciate the clarification. I think the general reaction to the original article, mine included was mostly due to the fact people have become tired and apathetic to the consistent narrative spin from club officials even when it has defied the reality of what we as fans have witnessed.
The one thing that could be taken as a positive from their beliefs/actions are that they genuinely believe in what they’re doing and are sticking to their principles. That commitment must be admired, I just hope it’s because it’s based upon their belief it will lead to sporting success and not purely a player trading platform.
I still think the owners and sporting directors need to be using more public channels such as club media interviews, match day programs, fan forums etc to connect with the “average fan” but I guess this is a step in the right direction.
Si, at this point the biggest question is who pulls the strings from sporting perspective and who tailors the transfer strategi and hiring throughout. If that's Clearlake/Eghbali, then it explains everything (which I think is the case).
Mr. Abramovic, pay the money and don't ask questions! As long as you mess around in a place where you have no expertise (and it's a learning curve for you since you're a rookie in the business) you'll face the outcome of the reality you deal with.
The thing I think is most telling is that the only time that any of the owners say anything about the club, and are happy to be seen saying it, is at business conferences and conventions. Their standing in the business community is obviously more important to them than informing and including the supporters , who are a worrisome, but, ultimately, irrelevant, group.
Getting them on a podcast - on the proviso that questions are kept respectful - for me would be a massive way forward. If nothing else, it might actually help humanise them to the fans.
Yeah, i think this would help.
I understand the frustration but untamed anger aimed at, not faceless of course, but personalityless, reps of the club doesn't help and needs nipping in the bud.
Whether we like them or not, they have been demonised off the back of not fully explained decisions and then hiding behind 'briefs'.
It'd deffo help to hear them speak.
Still, most of the anger is aimed at Egbahli mow and most have heard him speak.
Thanks for taking the time to explain that in more detail Si and a belated happy new year to you and your family.
"We are not allowed to say exactly who it was that we spoken with on request of said person/people. So of course we have to respect that and keep our relationship with them"
While I fully appreciate that you have to respect their confidentiality, I cannot understand why they want their identity kept from us. What came over in the article is that they have full belief in the project and believe totally in it's long term viability, but if that's the case then why are they being so clandestine and circumspect?
"To err is human"
None of us get it right all of the time and any sane and sensible fan will realise that mistakes will be made along the way, but as Einstein reportedly said The definition of insanity is to keep making the same mistake over and over again. Psychologists say that a person jumping a queue will incur the wrath of the people in front of him. Yet a queue jumper who gives a reason for doing so will by and large be forgiven. I, like most other fans feel like we've been insulted by a queue jumper not giving us their reason. I'm sure most fans would be far more forgiving of the top brass if once in a while they came out and gave an interview for public consumption. Why do we not have a FOS sponsor? why has the stadium development inextrably stalled? Why haven't we signed more experienced players?
Although you addressed some of these issues, I'm sure it would go some way to appeasing the fans if we heard it from them, say in an interview on Sky, rather than Todd giving us updates at finance and business conventions. That really winds me up, to put it politely, leaving the impression that the investors in the funds are more important than us fans. Or should I say customers as that PR disaster Chris Jurasek (park) referred to us as. Believe me he wasn't popular with the staff at Cobham either and we are well rid of him.
The top brass need to realise that they cannot live in a vacuum in these social media dominated days. I don't expect them to give us monthly updates, but the occasional appearance from one of them at say the annual CPO GM once a year would go some way to improving relations with the fans, which cannot be described as anything but toxic at the moment. Even Daniel Levy afforded the Spud fans that courtesy and to be honest at the moment I do feel like a customer rather than a fan in their eyes.
Thanks for this Si but Danny’s piece will always feel like PR even if it wasn’t. Why do the club always need to hide behind anonymity which always feels like they are trying to hide something. We can all talk and talk about what’s right or wrong but the bottom line is we are still miles off challenging for the premiership and if we don’t qualify for the champions league next season which at the moment is looking very unlikely due to our total lack of consistency we will be back to square one. As I have said before I went to my first game in 1968 and over the years seen some pretty poor teams but this one I really can’t seem to find likeable because I don’t find the club likeable and I’m pissed off feeling like that.
Of course we will qualify for the CL next year Nick by winning the trophy this year as we always do when we aren't expected to. We will finish well down the table and deny the Spuds a place in the competition again next year......lol. If only. I've been going since 1966 and I couldn't even bother to get excited when we equalised last night or piss the missus off when they scored the winner. Seriously thinking about not attending any more matches, I've spent more on this club than my house in the past 50 years and I'd rather spend my money travelling the world than watching us now , something I never ever thought I would say.
I completely understand what you are saying I just sat there against Fulham and I don’t look forward to any games but it gets in your DNA and it’s impossible to stop. It’s not just about winning it’s about feeling part of something. It feels like the club has been ripped away and is now just another business to make more money for somebody who doesn’t genuinely care about the club. The real fans are just a nuisance because they are not taken in by their PR.
thank you for the additional info Si. I do give them a bit more respect that they at least are willing to meet with you all. I agree, keeping this communication line open is important for all three of you.
The fact that you felt the need to post this, shows you how ridiculously over the top reactions have been.
Don't apologies to over reactions.
We are all allowed to have our opinions, but to call anyone who says anything remotely positive towards the club "a paid shill" for Blue Co, is just plain stupid. That opinion is as relevent or more so than hyper over reactive nonsense like the type we laugh at on Arsenal Fan TV.
No need to explain let alone respond to some of the more stupid comments. You are journalists and as such you can ask what you like but you can only report what you are told.
I thought it was a very worthwhile exercise and I came away from reading your report feeling at least a little bit less hostile towards them.
It would be a very good look for THEM if they’d put their heads above the parapet and had a more formal chat on the podcast. The club’s near silence only makes them look shifty which is a kiss of death to any possible decent future fan/club relationship.
If you can’t get them to come out to play on the podcast, maybe ask them to talk informally, like this latest one, every six months. One about this time of year and one in the summer before pre-season training?
Well done so far though and keep up the good work.
Nicely said Si.
You are quiet correct they, the Club, have a plan and will stick to it, I'm sure no one thinks anything any different than that after all this time.
On a separate note I appreciate the efforts you all put in everyday, if I and many others didn't we would not be here in the first place, your not a journalist but are viewed as an influencer, its a two edged sword to navigate.
The actual fan engagement is at rock bottom, the recent fan survey shows that, that's an area the club needs to address, its not hard to engage even when you know other will not agree with you.
Danny Finkelstein is very quiet, not heard anything from him in a long while, I would very much like to have a meeting with him. Michael Cornall, head of fan engagement is invisible to everyday fans, know idea if he is still in his post!
Ownership actually avoid the Chelsea Fancast team which is odd in itself as the older players do not and actively support.
All in all I have seen owners come and go managers come and go, I'm now at 41 managers since I first stepped into the Bridge, some I loved some I really disliked, players come and go but here we still are the fans, the game is nothing without us, we do NOT have 6yr contracts, its for life.
Up the Chelse
Can I just say on Danny Finkelstein - the couple of times he has tried to actually speak and address stuff has just resulted in mass abuse. I totally get why he wouldn't want to subject himself to that again.
Hi Rob Yes I get that, however I have loads of suggestions for help, I have dealt with all sorts of er lets call it negative pr over the years, apart from recently been shot at and subject to rocket attack so nothing phases me, bit like standing on the terraces in that time in the 70's! Come back Ken Bates at least he would talk directly to you...
Absolutely important you keep channels open for discussions. Can even be in confidence (with the usual risks of messaging that puts them in the best light). One thing I really wanted to know was their internal metrics for new player valuations (eg Gittens, Joao Pedro, Badiashile etc) and how they monitor whether it is a good or a dud post purchase. Is it done on a portfolio basis or by individual signings. So far no-one has got fired on the SD side despite overpaying for so many mediocre prospects. I only ask this because of the private equity model Clearlake has.
top man! as i said in my comment under that article that atleast I have no doubts about your, Danny or Luke's article. It was more on the responses that the said person gave you guys which felt more of the same stuff that we hear from them via other media sources. You guys did a great job reaching out to them and brining our concerns to them.... BUT its upto them on how THEY address them / if they address them.
They the club, I guess it would depend on who is actually trying to engage, I don't think this lot up top give a rats arse