Alan Pace

[JohnDearyMe]

The one you missed is Redmond. I think he'd be a big asset for us at this level.

I forgot about Redmond. Is he expected to return any time soon?

[LowtonClaret]

If we were 2nd bottom, I would be all over this " All on Alan Pace " . However, we aren't. Regarding SP, he's not a magician. He's doing what he can with what he has. Im not saying its great to watch but January will be the key time for me! See who he brings in then judge him at the end of the season!

[FCBurnley]

The current team would probably have only got 2 or 3 points from the first two games of the season. The 6 points we actually got are making us look better than we are. We are failing to win against poor teams. Our win at Leeds was based totally on our defense which is not our problem. We have no strikers of note. The 3 on the bench yesterday are nowhere near the level we need to be promoted. Our only chance imo is to keep ourselves in contention until the transfer window opens and then somehow sell our current ‘strikers’ ( Flemming is not a striker ) and buy at least one proven goal scorer ( probably 2 ) if we have any money ? Tough times ahead for Parker and Pace. Chickens coming home to roost !!
Who will be up front next game at Millwall ? I guess J Rod

[Spike]

Look, it’s dull, but this might be the first time in the history of football that a chairman has been told being 2nd in a league is “on you”.

The standard of teams we have played so far is what is annoying most folk
We should be running away with this league if only we’d have bought strikers
We didn’t learn from Kompany’s buy anyone who might make a profit policy . We still didn’t look to fill every position
We have always been a selling club . But before Pace we were never a borrowing club . The loans are what are crippling us .
Recent reports of his own personal wealth never mind the other “ investors” make the amount they borrowed seem even more unreasonable
There is too much hysteria about sackings etc.
Being 2nd is ok but nothing more
Pace still needs to give his head a Wobble and yes Alan it isn’t good enough

[ClaretPete001]

CP may know better but I haven't read anywhere he was worth £190 million prior to buying the club. He was a divisional Sales Director in a Wall street bank I have no doubt he is worth a few million but £190 million?

[Chester Perry]

CP may know better but I haven't read anywhere he was worth £190 million prior to buying the club. He was a divisional Sales Director in a Wall street bank I have no doubt he is worth a few million but £190 million?

this story has been doing the rounds for weeks but I have never seen one of them provide evidence to justify this claim in any of them - in fact there appears to be a large degree of circular reference, to previous stories and it is the same few publications that quote one another.

[SydneyClaret]

Yes. Those results that show we’ve lost just one game this season. Some people on here seem to think that we’re supposed to be as good as Man City.

Those results that put us 2nd.. are those the results you are referring to?

[AlargeClaret]

Let’s hope the OP has had his medication . We’ve been cruising ,1 defeat in 12, 2nd in the table and clearly a quality side . When you add in our injury list and the lack of a striker , and the gelling of an alnost entirely new time I think we’re doing just fine . Teams are gonna park the bus and there’s gonna hard games , it’s the Championship after all .

The freak “ perfect storm “ VK 1st season was exactly that, a once in a generation set of circs that allowed us a fantastic open attacking side miles better than the rest .

[Quicknick]

These results are on you.

Decimated the squad and left us lacking quality and depth all across the pitch, especially in the attacking positions. I'm not sure Parker did much wrong today bar waiting too long to make changes, we got into great positions again and again and made a mess of them as has been a theme all season.

The Tresor situation needs explaining now, he's the one we really need to see, he cost us a fortune and we are being kept In the dark about what's going on with him. It's not really acceptable.

We are 2nd!

[Goliath]

We are 2nd!

Good. We need to be with our financial situation. Unfortunately we don't have the squad to finish in the top 2 at present, anything else would be a bit of a disaster if we don't go up. We would probably have 1 or 2 more proper go's at it after this season before we get into deeper trouble.

[Elizabeth]

I don’t think he’ll ever be fully accepted but I’ll give him his due he’s tried to get in amongst the fans. For that reason I’ll always give him time

[THEWELLERNUT70]

Look at the Table
We have played only 3 teams in the present top 12
Sunderland Leeds and Rovers 4 points
The other 9 7 are in the present last 9
5 wins 4 draws
We are not anywhere near promotion candidates
We can’t score goals and you need to to get out of this league
If we can’t beat teams at home who park the bus then we will not get promoted

Out of interest what were their positions when we played them, not their current standing?

[ŽižkovClaret]

Get real, he had the Saudi deal lined up. Did us a favour. He was never staying. Club legend

The Saudis, for some reason, dont like to sign players on free transfers, so JBG comes back to us, gets fit, then gets his move, and we get 1m for our trouble for a player we had released not long before.

Sounds ok to me

[Quicknick]

Good. We need to be with our financial situation. Unfortunately we don't have the squad to finish in the top 2 at present, anything else would be a bit of a disaster if we don't go up. We would probably have 1 or 2 more proper go's at it after this season before we get into deeper trouble.

I agree with you that it's imperative that we go up this season or next, although I couldn't see it happening in a third season. We could well go down after a few seasons of hanging around in the Championship. Where I disagree with you is that I think we have the squad to go up automatically this season. We have eleven players out injured. Under the circumstances, Parker is doing a great job. Only five goals conceded. Teams who win this division tend to have the best defensive record. And I know, they tend to score more than we are doing at present, but I think we will in time.

[Mattster]

Out of interest what were their positions when we played them, not their current standing?

Luton - N/A
Cardiff - 20th
Sunderland - 2nd
Blackburn - 3rd
Leeds - 4th
Portsmouth - 18th
Oxford - 9th
Plymouth - 16th
Preston - 21st
Sheff Wed - 15th
Hull - 14th
QPR - 23rd

So an 8/4 split rather than a 9/3 if you go off time of playing them.

[Goliath]

I agree with you that it's imperative that we go up this season or next, although I couldn't see it happening in a third season. We could well go down after a few seasons of hanging around in the Championship. Where I disagree with you is that I think we have the squad to go up automatically this season. We have eleven players out injured. Under the circumstances, Parker is doing a great job. Only five goals conceded. Teams who win this division tend to have the best defensive record. And I know, they tend to score more than we are doing at present, but I think we will in time.

Maybe but I doubt any of the injured lot will.make a huge impact until probably feb/March time.

We basically sold Berge and Odobert for about 50/60 mill then replaced with 500k Laurent, Anthony/Sarmiento on loan and Fleming (again on loan with a possible permanent). Theyve tried to do it on the cheap and hope to get away with it.

[TheFamilyCat]

Maybe but I doubt any of the injured lot will.make a huge impact until probably feb/March time.

We basically sold Berge and Odobert for about 50/60 mill then replaced with 500k Laurent, Anthony/Sarmiento on loan and Fleming (again on loan with a possible permanent). Theyve tried to do it on the cheap and hope to get away with it.

You conveniently forgot about Hannibal (£10m or thereabouts).

[Row x]

You conveniently forgot about Hannibal (£10m or thereabouts).

Thought it was about 4m ?

[Goliath]

You conveniently forgot about Hannibal (£10m or thereabouts).

Easily done. I don't think he cost anywhere near 10.

I also didn't mention the sales of Weghorst, O'Shea, Muric or Vitinho, so it doesn't change my opinion.

[TheFamilyCat]

Thought it was about 4m ?

Didn't realise it was that low. I thought £9m plus add ons was quoted at the time.

[Poulton-le-Claret]

I also didn't mention the sales of Weghorst, O'Shea, Muric or Vitinho, so it doesn't change my opinion.

+ VKs fee to Bayern

[Rileybobs]

Luton - N/A
Cardiff - 20th
Sunderland - 2nd
Blackburn - 3rd
Leeds - 4th
Portsmouth - 18th
Oxford - 9th
Plymouth - 16th
Preston - 21st
Sheff Wed - 15th
Hull - 14th
QPR - 23rd

So an 8/4 split rather than a 9/3 if you go off time of playing them.

Their league position isn’t relevant though. A better indicator of the level of opposition we’ve faced is their xG.

[Mattster]

Their league position isn’t relevant though. A better indicator of the level of opposition we’ve faced is their xG.

Better to use both, and more.

But because you brought it up; for both xG and xGD the split is 4/8 top half/bottom half. For xGA it's 5/7.

Almost like it's a decent indicator or something.

[Rileybobs]

Better to use both, and more.

But because you brought it up; for both xG and xGD the split is 4/8 top half/bottom half. For xGA it's 5/7.

Almost like it's a decent indicator or something.

I don’t think anyone has said xG isn’t a decent indicator.

[Paul Waine]

CP may know better but I haven't read anywhere he was worth £190 million prior to buying the club. He was a divisional Sales Director in a Wall street bank I have no doubt he is worth a few million but £190 million?

Hi Pete, why do you say Alan Pace's position at Citibank was "a divisional Sales Director?" On his LinkedIn profile AP describes his last role - before he left to found ALK - at Citi "as Managing Director and the Global Head of Sales Securities Services, overseeing a multibillion-dollar division."

[ClaretPete001]

Hi Pete, why do you say Alan Pace's position at Citibank was "a divisional Sales Director?" On his LinkedIn profile AP describes his last role - before he left to found ALK - at Citi "as Managing Director and the Global Head of Sales Securities Services, overseeing a multibillion-dollar division."

Partially because, he was widely cited in the media as having a customer facing roles including global head of client experience for prime brokerage as opposed to banking ones. But mainly because it's not that much difference in terms the subject in hand to warrant clarification.

It is largely not known how much he is worth but I doubt Citibank pay him enough to accrue $194 million fortune. You can check these things but I don't know how accurate the data is.

No doubt he has more money than I do that's for sure.

[k90bfc]

Alan Pace,has no respect for Our Great Clubs History at all,removing our players portraits out side the ground,everything painted black in hospitality,doing away with Claret and Blue,horse boxes for the Sponsors,in the James Hargrieves Stand,ruined the Jimmy Adamson suite,in the Jimmy Mac stand,all the prices at Turf Moor,have gone through the roof,he will be found out,bring back Barry Kilby,One of our own,UTC.

[Row x]

Alan Pace,has no respect for Our Great Clubs History at all,removing our players portraits out side the ground,everything painted black in hospitality,doing away with Claret and Blue,horse boxes for the Sponsors,in the James Hargrieves Stand,ruined the Jimmy Adamson suite,in the Jimmy Mac stand,all the prices at Turf Moor,have gone through the roof,he will be found out,bring back Barry Kilby,One of our own,UTC.

And breath

[GetIntoEm]

Alan Pace,has no respect for Our Great Clubs History at all,removing our players portraits out side the ground,everything painted black in hospitality,doing away with Claret and Blue,horse boxes for the Sponsors,in the James Hargrieves Stand,ruined the Jimmy Adamson suite,in the Jimmy Mac stand,all the prices at Turf Moor,have gone through the roof,he will be found out,bring back Barry Kilby,One of our own,UTC.

All the things you mention have improved the club pretty much.

The state of the hospitality 5 years ago was like stepping back in a time warp.

[Leisure]

Alan Pace,has no respect for Our Great Clubs History at all,removing our players portraits out side the ground,everything painted black in hospitality,doing away with Claret and Blue,horse boxes for the Sponsors,in the James Hargrieves Stand,ruined the Jimmy Adamson suite,in the Jimmy Mac stand,all the prices at Turf Moor,have gone through the roof,he will be found out,bring back Barry Kilby,One of our own,UTC.

Could do with a few more commas!

[k90bfc]

What I have said is true,no computers,when I was at school,sorry now aged 72,and do struggle,with what I want to say,UTC.

[TPClaret]

All the things you mention have improved the club pretty much.

The state of the hospitality 5 years ago was like stepping back in a time warp.

The turf definitely needed a revamp, so old fashioned

[Volvoclaret]

What I have said is true,no computers,when I was at school,sorry now aged 72,and do struggle,with what I want to say,UTC.

Too many commas. I was taught punctuation with pen and ink.

[IanMcL]

Could do with a few more commas!

I would watch out or he will take on 'Allcommas'!

[NewClaret]

Seems from the latest FAB minutes that he expected 12 games for performances to improve. Good job next one is number 13:

[dsr]

All the things you mention have improved the club pretty much.

The state of the hospitality 5 years ago was like stepping back in a time warp.

I can only speak for the last 3 seasons including this one, and prices have gone up by close to 50% but the food quality has gone down. Service is very good apart from the tea/coffee at half time which has no system at all.

[Quicknick]

Maybe but I doubt any of the injured lot will.make a huge impact until probably feb/March time.

We basically sold Berge and Odobert for about 50/60 mill then replaced with 500k Laurent, Anthony/Sarmiento on loan and Fleming (again on loan with a possible permanent). Theyve tried to do it on the cheap and hope to get away with it.

The signings you refer to are all very good ones, irrespective of what they cost. Flemming will be a definite permanent. I agree that the injured players probably won't feature for a long time, though.

[Bullabill]

Could do with a few more commas!

With spaces after them!

[Swizzlestick]

Haven’t we committed a lot of money to signing Humphreys too?

[BigGaz]

Haven’t we committed a lot of money to signing Humphreys too?

Absolutely nowhere near what was reported. One figure I saw reported was 12 million. It's not even half that.

[GetIntoEm]

I can only speak for the last 3 seasons including this one, and prices have gone up by close to 50% but the food quality has gone down. Service is very good apart from the tea/coffee at half time which has no system at all.

i can only disagree, having been using hospitality for the last 10 years i have only seen an improvement. however its in the table service parts, so may be different.

[claretonthecoast1882]

Alan Pace,has no respect for Our Great Clubs History at all,removing our players portraits out side the ground,everything painted black in hospitality,doing away with Claret and Blue,horse boxes for the Sponsors,in the James Hargrieves Stand,ruined the Jimmy Adamson suite,in the Jimmy Mac stand,all the prices at Turf Moor,have gone through the roof,he will be found out,bring back Barry Kilby,One of our own,UTC.

Parklife

[Goliath]

The signings you refer to are all very good ones, irrespective of what they cost. Flemming will be a definite permanent. I agree that the injured players probably won't feature for a long time, though.

Very good? For a team desperate for automatic promotion?
We can agree to disagree on that one. They all look like decent to good Championship players.
If they were much better I think we'd have had to fight a bit harder for their signatures.

[Quicknick]

Very good? For a team desperate for automatic promotion?
We can agree to disagree on that one. They all look like decent to good Championship players.
If they were much better I think we'd have had to fight a bit harder for their signatures.

They are far better than decent. Anyway, we're hardly going to be signing Premier League quality players.
Let's see where we end up. My prediction: Burnley 1st, Leeds 2nd.

[CaptainKirk]

They are far better than decent. Anyway, we're hardly going to be signing Premier League quality players.
Let's see where we end up. My prediction: Burnley 1st, Leeds 2nd.

Bit bored, so had a look through some old posts.
Some of the posters from October/November seem to have gone very quiet recently and there should be some very loud apologies from some of them - but I won't hold my breath.
This one, on the other hand is ageing rather well!

[Burnley1989]

Bit bored, so had a look through some old posts.
Some of the posters from October/November seem to have gone very quiet recently and there should be some very loud apologies from some of them - but I won't hold my breath.
This one, on the other hand is ageing rather well!

I get that everyones entitled to an opinion, but i know which ones ill be ignoring when they start posting next season after a few defeats

[Big Vinny K]

You have to chuckle at some of the early season comments on this thread.
Plenty more threads like this too unfortunately.

Reality for most fans though is that the appointment of SP was pretty underwhelming. Probably based on what happened at his time at Bournemouth after he had got them promoted. There were also exciting names like RVN being banded about - although there was nothing in his managerial career to justify this excitement.

The performances at the start of the season after we lost all those players further fuelled the already sceptical supporters to find more reasons for pessimism rather than try and context what had just happened at the club and the hand SP had been dealt.

All those things that happened in August still happened. Pace deserves some credit for appointing SP but the vast majority of credit has to go to SP and his team for moulding together a proper team and trying to add to and develop that team as the season progressed. He said in his very first interviews there were going to be bumps in the road.

Not getting a striker to sign in January was also on the face of it a big risk / concern. But look at what Edwards provided for us and contrast that too what has happened to Boro and Morgan Whittaker since January.

None of this guarantees we will do ok next season but for now we should all be grateful of the remarkable job SP has done this year in the face of a far greater set of issues than VK had to deal with when he joined the club.

[Quicknick]

Bit bored, so had a look through some old posts.
Some of the posters from October/November seem to have gone very quiet recently and there should be some very loud apologies from some of them - but I won't hold my breath.
This one, on the other hand is ageing rather well!

Thankyou very much, Captain.

[agreenwood]

There was an even better thread mid February congratulating Leeds and Sheffield United on their promotion and one notorious poster getting his GCSE Maths muddled.

I’ll save their blushes and not bump it.

[Goliath]

They are far better than decent. Anyway, we're hardly going to be signing Premier League quality players.
Let's see where we end up. My prediction: Burnley 1st, Leeds 2nd.

Good shout this one. The weird thing is I haven't really changed my opinion in terms of the players Brought in apart from them being a bit better at this level than I thought. It's a promotion built on the team not the Individuals. We probably didn't make any signings of huge individual quality in the summer but we made clever signings which fitted a system and Parker had a real idea of what he was trying to create.

The signing of Edwards was the final piece which unlocked the attacking side.