The absence of anything concrete concerning the involvement (or otherwise) of Mark Attanasio in our football club has obviously left the door wide open for speculation. And sure enough…
While MFW is far from alone, we (I) have managed to fill a whole week’s worth of articles based almost solely on the fact that Attanasio and his people were present at the final home game of the season.
That there were seven people in Attanasio’s delegation, appears to suggest discussions had at that stage already gone beyond the initial ‘sounding out’ – why send seven people over for something that is a long way from happening? – but that is literally all we know.
The precise structure of any prospective deal also remains a complete unknown although a piece on The Athletic in the week suggests that initially Attanasio and co are just interested in buying Michael Foulger’s 18 per cent stake in the club.
If true, this would, of course, mean that the only beneficiary of the initial deal would be Foulger himself who would walk away with a sum he deems his 18 per cent worth, while Team Attanasio’s reward would an ‘in’ to Norwich City and a minority stake in the football club.
In other words, no new money.
While this (to me) initially appeared a little underwhelming, in reality it appears a sensible way forward. What this football club needs right now, even more than cold hard cash, is to be refreshed and reinvigorated.
Different voices in the boardroom, ones that have overseen a seismic change to a baseball team considered of similar in stature to Norwich City, would bring with them fresh ideas and some impetus -something we desperately need as we dust ourselves down from the season from hell and embark on yet another Championship promotion quest.
That tentative beginning would also give Attanasio and co a chance to take a close look at Norwich City and its workings, just as Norwich City would be able to take a close look at them and how they operate.
My initial thoughts were that the US investment would arrive in the form of the take up of some of the 1,000,000 unallocated shares – thereby bringing new money into the club – but have since been informed that those who invest in English football from across the pond tend to do so cautiously at first before, if things work out, gradually increasing their stake.
And I get it, or rather I got it… eventually.
If, still a big if, Stuart Webber and Dean Smith can pull together a squad capable of top six or even better, and if said squad achieves promotion at the end of the 2022-23 season, that would be the point at which we would need to start doing things differently, and by differently I mean not via the smallest net Premier League budget known to Man.
That would be the time for new money to come into the club; money that would enable us to strengthen the team for the here and now rather than two or three seasons hence; money not just used on transfer fees but also to be able to make us competitive when offering Premier League wages.
All hypothetical of course, dream-like even, and all predicated on the notion that Delia and Michael are planning to loosen their current vice-like grip on the club.
The other thing that new money could do (and this time I have allowed my imagination to run wild) is for some of the new money – based on Attanasio and his people purchasing a significant chunk of the unallocated 1,000,000 shares – to be used to put that much-needed second tier on the City Stand.
Like I said… dreaming.
And on that note, one thing we must accept is that any involvement from Attanasio would certainly not involve him coming in and throwing cash around willy-nilly in a Sheikh Mansour / Amanda Stavely / Government of Saudi Arabia style.
Simply not going to happen.
So let’s not even think about doing that Ipswich Town ‘we’re f#@$%*! loaded‘ thing while waving around crumpled fivers at opposition fans.
We’re better than that… I hope.
Attanasio’s positive impact on the Milwaukee Brewers has been based on a Moneyball-type strategy that identifies talent based on data, and by bringing in outstanding individuals to coach and manage the team – not by simply throwing money at it.
Also, given that Brewers fans are apparently unhappy that some of his money appears to be heading across the pond rather than into their organisation, there’s zero chance of him being an investor who’ll turn Norwich City into Checkbook FC. And I reckon we’re all pretty cool with that.
After over two decades of self-administered austerity, I’m not sure any of us would be ready to go full Abramovich. That’s not us.
So for now, we wait… and speculate… and dream.
I cannot see the Stowmarket grip being loosened anytime soon, they will ride it and refuse., I can dream I am wrong. After and still reading The Athetic’s article on the Glaziers at UTD, leaves a lot to be desired, can only hope that this current crop from the pond are different, early signs is they are quite away removed.
So it is more likely a case of, As you were, Carry on Corporal
Half an hour Teemu Pukki podcast didnt offer much, because that guy is from Kotka. He said that Norwich were nowhere near enough good to survive and deserved relegation. It was tough mentally to lose all the time, but on a personal level he managed to get to his at least 11 goals target. In question about the playing in the championship he seemed completely uninterested. He said that he has not thought of Norwich and championship at all. Right now the situation is that Norwich has used their option. He would want to keep on playing top level games. He spoke about his special chemistry and close friendship with Robin Lod. Actually guys scored a goal yesterday when Kamara passed through ball to Pukki and Pukki passed to Lod who scored. It was sadly offside, but yes skill level and game reading are matching.
Finland spoiled victory vs Bosnia in 93th minute. Problems started when Schuller left the field and Lam took his place. Bosnia made some changes too, but Lam has no ability to play Finlands type of short pass technical game. Now that there are going to be 4 games in a short period, my opinion the biggest problem is manager Kanervas player selections. He prefers to choose players who can be called as his personal back washers. Now those back washers are forced to play too and when they play whole team level drops. He tries to avoid selecting different personalities, but at the same time team level individually drops.
Teemu took his penalty well, Pjanic tried to disturb him but he kept his nerves. He had another good scoring chance and just slightly shooted wide. He should have taken the ball and then shoot, I believe it would have been almost a sure goal. Things happen so fast, you cant really complain about it. I believe that Teemu will not start vs Macedonia this Tuesday. Pohjanpalo didnt play at all vs Bosnia, so he will start surely. It should not be a problem to start Teemu on the bench, problem is that we really dont have anyone to cover Kamara and he played the whole game yesterday and also Schuller has become now way too important. Its a must win game for Finland, there is no place to give more handicap.
You are misinformed: we have never had the lowest budget in the Premier League. Nor have our wages been the lowest.
Whether or not new owners will increase either of the above is speculative. Hopefully they will.
Cheers mate , always good to get your view on things .
If Pukki and Norwich part I’d like to encourage you to have a say now and again
“After over two decades of self-administered austerity, I’m not sure any of us would be ready to go full Abramovich. That’s not us.“
Come on Gary show a bit more ambition. If Sir Jim Radcliffe rocked up at Carrow Road aiming to do a “Leicester” what’s not to like. Otherwise EPL success for us is staying out of the bottom 3.
The EPL for most teams outside of the big 6 resembles playing against a loaded deck.
At least let’s dream.
Hi Gary
An excellent read
Could we do with a good Billionaire owner willing to take the club up to the top 6 I think most city supporters would love that but it’s more realistic for city to look for someone that can add to what we have and just maybe these American could be that right fit.
We all know that our present majority share holders aren’t likely to sell and want to keep a strangle hold on the club finance’s so will these find that a deal breaker I really hope not.
Buying out a board member doesn’t put money into the club as you say but will these Americans be willing to trust their dollars to our current board to spend wisely or not.