Graham Potter to Brighton?

ivoralljack

Grizzled Veteran
Staff member
What I feared might happen could be on the cards as Brighton look for a new manager following the sacking of Chris Hughton. At the moment, the bookies make Potts an overwhelming favourite for the job at a staggering 1/8. There's no one else remotely in the frame with Phil Neville being quoted at 6/1 and ex Huddersfield boss David Wagner at 14/1. There's no smoke without fire and there must be reasons why Potter is such a strong favourite.

As others have said on here, I'd like to think that Potts regards us as a project but what manager is going to tolerate a club selling his best players when he's developed them into a valuable playing asset? You can't complete a jigsaw if someone keeps nicking some of the pieces and Potter just might be thinking that he's never going to be allowed the pieces he needs to finish the job.

The man is only human and will have his own aspirations. I've no doubt that he'd like to take this team to its full potential but he's not going to stand for watching what he's built up ripped to pieces every time the owners want a few quid. K&L promised that they would invest money IN THE PLAYING SQUAD. Their OWN money. To date I've not been aware of them putting in so much as a penny piece, the cost of incoming players having been funded by sales of other players. With respect, we could all do that. That is NOT putting in their own money!!!!

Trevor Birch had better look to his laurels because if this carries on we'll have no club left to support. One scant morsel of consolation, if you could call it that, is that if we get relegated, the value of the owners' shares will drop like a concrete Zeppelin and it would serve them right. A wise man might invest now to preclude that from happening. Trouble is I have a problem in identifying any wisdom being imparted thus far from our owners. I hope they prove me wrong..
 

Behindthegoal

Key Player
Paddy power now have him 4/6 with Bristol City manager Johnson coming in at 5/2. We’ve refused Brighton approach but that’s probably just hardball to up the compo. I live in hope as ever.
 

Jackflash

Midfield General
Staff member
Come on lads, think of this from a business angle, why get rid of the goose that's producing the golden eggs.
 

CroJack

Key Player
Come on lads, think of this from a business angle, why get rid of the goose that's producing the golden eggs.
Had our clueless owners had some sense for business they:
  • would have sacked Jenkins immediately after the takeover
  • would have signed a manager who plays a modern style of football immediatelly after the takeover
  • would have got rid of the scouting team immediatelly after the takeover
  • would have got rid of the high earners who didn't perform at PL level immediatelly after the takeover
  • would have cut the wage bill down to the sustainable 60% wages-to-revenue ratio immediatelly after the takeover
  • would have never signed Bob Bradley
  • would have never tried to sell Dan James to Leeds in January transfer window or any other window and would have given him a new contract
  • would have injected some money into the club through a non-interest loan and invested that money in new quality signings
  • would have shown some interest in the club and wouldn't have been absent
  • would have bought the Trust's shares and not colluded with the sellouts during the takeover
  • would have published a statement that Potter is not going anywhere and that they want to keep this squad together for one more season even if they have to let Daniel James go for free in 2020
So, no, they they don't have any sense for FOOTBALL business.
 

Jackflash

Midfield General
Staff member
Had our clueless owners had some sense for business they:
  • would have sacked Jenkins immediately after the takeover
  • would have signed a manager who plays a modern style of football immediatelly after the takeover
  • would have got rid of the scouting team immediatelly after the takeover
  • would have got rid of the high earners who didn't perform at PL level immediatelly after the takeover
  • would have cut the wage bill down to the sustainable 60% wages-to-revenue ratio immediatelly after the takeover
  • would have never signed Bob Bradley
  • would have never tried to sell Dan James to Leeds in January transfer window or any other window and would have given him a new contract
  • would have injected some money into the club through a non-interest loan and invested that money in new quality signings
  • would have shown some interest in the club and wouldn't have been absent
  • would have bought the Trust's shares and not colluded with the sellouts during the takeover
  • would have published a statement that Potter is not going anywhere and that they want to keep this squad together for one more season even if they have to let Daniel James go for free in 2020
So, no, they they don't have any sense for FOOTBALL business.
I would agree with 90% of that CJ, other than sacking Jenkins immediately after the takeover. I think if they could have they would have. He not them chose when was the time to leave. I still believe they have a gagging order on him, and that he holds the key to releasing us from their grip, but to do so would cost him some of his £M's, far too much went on behind closed doors in America with no one to witness the transaction, which until the final weeks was called investment.
I suppose a lot of the above mentioned could be down to ignorance of Premier league football, and other than ridiculous managerial appointments the club was viable until the Laudrup sacking, which I still feel was part of the takeover by the yanks. As Jenkins said when he left "I didn't want to sack Michael."
As for them being clueless business wise, I think not, they know exactly what they're doing, they have more than recouped their investment already and will continue to do so until the pot is dry, which unfortunately isn't in the near future, there are a few more pickings to be had yet.
 
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CroJack

Key Player
As for them being clueless business wise, I think not, they know exactly what they're doing.
I disagree on this one.

They are talking about sustainability but the club had not been sustainable in 2016 when they took over. Already in 2016 our wages-to-revenue ratio was 85%. FIFA's recommendation is that it should be lower than 60%. We had the highest wages-to-ravenue ratio of all Premier League clubs. But why? Why Swansea? Because Jenkins wanted to sell the club and he was desperate. Instead of choosing a manager who played a superior style of football and signing young talented players on lower wages, he chose the wrong path, and that path was a financial doping of players who didn't deserve huge wages. Instead of playing a brave, attacking brand of football (Rodgers and Laudrup) we started playing crappy, defensive and not-to-lose style of football. A mentality of cowards has spread itself from Jenkins at the top through the managing staff to the players at the bottom.

Already in 2016 our operating costs exceeded our revenue by tens of millions of pounds. We desperatelly needed a surgeon to do what was necessary to do. And what did the American owners do in 2016/17 and 2017/18? Nothing. That's a f****** negligence. Clever businessmen would never allow something like that to happen. The American owners were not proactive when they needed to be and now they are forced to be reactive. They should have been able to predict a £30m financial hole in case of relegation and they should have been able to prevent it.

And when I hear that Jap Staam has been their first choice and not Graham Potter, then I want to throw up.
 

Jackflash

Midfield General
Staff member
I disagree on this one.

They are talking about sustainability but the club had not been sustainable in 2016 when they took over. Already in 2016 our wages-to-revenue ratio was 85%. FIFA's recommendation is that it should be lower than 60%. We had the highest wages-to-ravenue ratio of all Premier League clubs. But why? Why Swansea? Because Jenkins wanted to sell the club and he was desperate. Instead of choosing a manager who played a superior style of football and signing young talented players on lower wages, he chose the wrong path, and that path was a financial doping of players who didn't deserve huge wages. Instead of playing a brave, attacking brand of football (Rodgers and Laudrup) we started playing crappy, defensive and not-to-lose style of football. A mentality of cowards has spread itself from Jenkins at the top through the managing staff to the players at the bottom.

Already in 2016 our operating costs exceeded our revenue by tens of millions of pounds. We desperatelly needed a surgeon to do what was necessary to do. And what did the American owners do in 2016/17 and 2017/18? Nothing. That's a f****** negligence. Clever businessmen would never allow something like that to happen. The American owners were not proactive when they needed to be and now they are forced to be reactive. They should have been able to predict a £30m financial hole in case of relegation and they should have been able to prevent it.

And when I hear that Jap Staam has been their first choice and not Graham Potter, then I want to throw up.
I disagree on this one.

They are talking about sustainability but the club had not been sustainable in 2016 when they took over. Already in 2016 our wages-to-revenue ratio was 85%. FIFA's recommendation is that it should be lower than 60%. We had the highest wages-to-ravenue ratio of all Premier League clubs. But why? Why Swansea? Because Jenkins wanted to sell the club and he was desperate. Instead of choosing a manager who played a superior style of football and signing young talented players on lower wages, he chose the wrong path, and that path was a financial doping of players who didn't deserve huge wages. Instead of playing a brave, attacking brand of football (Rodgers and Laudrup) we started playing crappy, defensive and not-to-lose style of football. A mentality of cowards has spread itself from Jenkins at the top through the managing staff to the players at the bottom.

Already in 2016 our operating costs exceeded our revenue by tens of millions of pounds. We desperatelly needed a surgeon to do what was necessary to do. And what did the American owners do in 2016/17 and 2017/18? Nothing. That's a f****** negligence. Clever businessmen would never allow something like that to happen. The American owners were not proactive when they needed to be and now they are forced to be reactive. They should have been able to predict a £30m financial hole in case of relegation and they should have been able to prevent it.

And when I hear that Jap Staam has been their first choice and not Graham Potter, then I want to throw up.
Don't you think their financial advisors will have looked at all these financial probabilities before they put pen to paper.
The yanks never looked at Swansea as a long term policy, to Jenkins it was a multi-million pound get-out,who nodded his head to everything. The yanks had looked at the clubs situation for a couple of years before the takeover, £30M is far from mega money in football today, they still have two years of Prem parachute money to get their hands on, a probable fire sale on our youngsters to come, I think to them everything is going according to plan. We can call them what we like, but they are not mugs, they have no principles where money is concerned, they have financial experts available to them who have guided them to where they are now. When they are ready they will pull the plug,shake each others hand and say "that was another successful transaction".
There are probably still £M's to come in from Everton for the Siggy deal, and possibly some from Spurs for Llorenti. And still think keeping Potter is very much a good business move by them, as he will keep churning out youngsters from the academy, which will make him even worth more in a very short time.
 
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ivoralljack

Grizzled Veteran
Staff member
Two thoughtful posts from @CroJack and @Jackflash who both make good points but I wonder about the following:

And still think keeping Potter is very much a good business move by them, as he will keep churning out youngsters from the academy, which will make him even worth more in a very short time.
Whilst Potter has polished the performances and talent of the youngsters, they were actually produced by Messrs Toshack and Richards via the Academy and I wonder if the Liberty thinking is to cash in on Potter and promote one or both of T&R to first team duties. It makes some sort of sense but no way do I want to lose Graham Potter and I feel the timing is wrong in any event to consider doing this right now. Down the line, perhaps.

Another thing that concerns me is that Chris Coleman has just been sacked by his club in China. I have no problem with Chris whatsoever as a person but I hope to God he will never be appointed as our manager.
 

Jackflash

Midfield General
Staff member
Two thoughtful posts from @CroJack and @Jackflash who both make good points but I wonder about the following:



Whilst Potter has polished the performances and talent of the youngsters, they were actually produced by Messrs Toshack and Richards via the Academy and I wonder if the Liberty thinking is to cash in on Potter and promote one or both of T&R to first team duties. It makes some sort of sense but no way do I want to lose Graham Potter and I feel the timing is wrong in any event to consider doing this right now. Down the line, perhaps.

Another thing that concerns me is that Chris Coleman has just been sacked by his club in China. I have no problem with Chris whatsoever as a person but I hope to God he will never be appointed as our manager.
Yes I would agree Ivor, but surely Potter must take some credit for synchronising them into the first team as individuals. As for Coleman, with you all the way, never impressed with his style of football at Fulham.
I suppose they could do worse than bring Tosh forward leaving Richards with the academy, Tosh is very conversant with a lot of the first team squad now,and probably dad would be on hand now and again with some timely advise.
 
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Jackflash

Midfield General
Staff member
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ivoralljack

Grizzled Veteran
Staff member
Sky Sports reporting that Swansea have rejected Brighton's approach and also said that there is a built in compensation clause of just under £2 million should he go. I hope the club means what it says because that would at least be an indication that they do have one eye on the future.
 

CroJack

Key Player
And still think keeping Potter is very much a good business move by them, as he will keep churning out youngsters from the academy, which will make him even worth more in a very short time.
You can make youngsters more worth in a very short time only if you have a manager like Potter. Without him our youngsters will be crappy like the football we'll be playing.

A great brand of football produces great players, crap football makes great players average.


Don't you think their financial advisors will have looked at all these financial probabilities before they put pen to paper.
Of course they did. Before the takeover. Due dilligence and blah, blah... And they probably told them that they'd lose money if they got relegated. Job done. But once when the takeover was completed their financial advisors were out of picture and the owners continued to run the club as if they were going to stay in the Premier League forever. Negligence.

How much is our club worth now? £50m? They invested £68m. Next year the club will be worth £35m. Apart from our training facilities and players we don't have any other assets. And allegedly we have a £30m financial hole. Even if we sell James and Grimes the club will have a loss. And if Potter leaves we'll struggle to stay in the Championship.
 

Jackflash

Midfield General
Staff member
You can make youngsters more worth in a very short time only if you have a manager like Potter. Without him our youngsters will be crappy like the football we'll be playing.

A great brand of football produces great players, crap football makes great players average.




Of course they did. Before the takeover. Due dilligence and blah, blah... And they probably told them that they'd lose money if they got relegated. Job done. But once when the takeover was completed their financial advisors were out of picture and the owners continued to run the club as if they were going to stay in the Premier League forever. Negligence.

How much is our club worth now? £50m? They invested £68m. Next year the club will be worth £35m. Apart from our training facilities and players we don't have any other assets. And allegedly we have a £30m financial hole. Even if we sell James and Grimes the club will have a loss. And if Potter leaves we'll struggle to stay in the Championship.
I suppose the question is at what point do they say enough and walk? As you rightly say, Potter leaving would be a disaster, I think they realise this if what Ivor says Sky Sports report them as having refused Brighton talks with him. If the crunch time has to come then maybe sooner rather than later may be in our best interest.I've no doubt that with the right ownership we are capable of picking ourselves up by the bootlaces once again, we have an academy which is the envy of most, providing we can also keep Tosh and Richards,their contribution has been invaluable this season.
 

CroJack

Key Player
Ivor says Sky Sports report them as having refused Brighton talks with him.
Allegedly, Potter has a £2m release clause in his contract, and that's peanuts for a Premier League club. So, it's up to Potter. Now we'll see how much his word is worth. A couple of weeks ago he said this:

'I'll stay here as long as you want me to stay.'
 

KVetch

Key Player
Seems like Graham is a bit of a canary in a coal mine right now. If he is seeking assurances that owners won't be selling off half the team again and not putting a cent in transfers. If he goes to Brighton or anywhere for that matter you can bet the owners did not instill him with confidence. If the talks are stalling you can probably bet the owner's are trying to convince him of their poverty. God bless Graham Potter because he seems like the last person in a spot to put their foot down for the sake of this club. Without his success with a young group of players the manager would have no leverage.
 

Victoria Swan

Key Player
The noises coming from the club today are encouraging -- offering Potter a new and improved contract and reassurances about a transfer budget. I really do think he'll stay, as much as anything because his footballing ambition is clearly tempered by his family commitment and loyalty. He has already talked about how he disrupted his wife's business and his kids schooling when he left Ostersunds and they let him know that! I think he wants the family stability of Swansea as well as the chance at realising the long-term plan at Swansea. In Graham we trust!
 
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