The latest from Akvbcfc.

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It’s The Debt Man…Run!
“There is only one (Premier League) club that is debt-free and that is Birmingham. Everyone else is carrying too much debt,” Dave Whelan, Wigan Chairman.
Astonishing. Simply astonishing.
For years, many have assumed this to be true, but this admission from Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has confirmed our worst fears. Many people say that our league is the richest league in the world. Clubs seem to be loaning more and more money to try and keep up with their rivals, and that cannot bode well for the future. Clubs are using short-term strategies to solve all their problems, believing that ‘it will all turn out alright’, but it’s about time that clubs realised that it won’t be alright.
Some clubs are in serious danger, and it’s not the kind of trouble that a loan or a refinancing deal can fix. Portsmouth have been saved, and they have been the recipient of what can only be seen as an Arabian miracle. Without the new investors, Portsmouth would be in a critical situation, and even if the new investors come to take over the club, Pompey could still be in trouble. Top stars on top wages will need to be moved on otherwise dark days lie ahead.
It’s not just Portsmouth. Liverpool are in financial difficulty. No matter what propaganda emerges from the Merseyside club, they are in trouble. Whilst I can assure you that the club will not enter administration, it is clear that George Gillett and Tom Hicks did not think clearly before investing in the club and there is a massive whole in the finances of the club.
Talking of not thinking before investing, what about our good old friends in the North-East. The Newcastle saga continues, with Mike Ashley willing to sell (but only for the right price), and with others unwilling to buy (at any price).
For once, Blues fans can be proud that their team are a shining light of inspiration to other clubs, due to the management style of the current Board. Many fans have slated the Board over the years for not spending, but their prudent style has worked wonders for the club. They took a club who looked dead and buried, and they took them to the Premier League…three times.
Foreign owners? Debt? Who needs ‘em?

Real finally seeing the real picture?
For the first time in what seems to be an eternity, common sense has returned to Madrid as director of sport Jorge Valdano has recognised the fact that Madrid might not be able to sign every single player on the planet.
After sweet-talking Manchester United into submission, Liverpool are the next target as Florentino Perez looks to Xabi Alonso. In typical Perez fashion, Madrid have sounded out the player before making a move. Don’t worry, they haven’t ‘tapped him up’. They haven’t broken he rules. They’ve just completed their business in an underhand and sneaky fashion. Madrid have gone through the papers to try and sound out the player, and their latest trick comes as no surprise. It’s what Madrid do. They put their interest out in the open and they wait for the player’s head to be turned.
Classy.

Technology In Use?
Has it happened? Did it happen? Who cares, at least it produced the right decision. In the Confederations Cup game between Egypt and Brazil, a tense game entered injury time with the sides locked in a 3-3 draw. Then, Brazil won a free kick. The ball was floated over, and then, in the blink of an eye, the ball was cleared off the line by Ahmed El Mohamady.
What a block. Fantastic. Webb points for a corner to Brazil, and EL Mohamady goes to ground holding his face. As Brazil players appeal for a penalty, Webb appears to be talking to one of his assistants through the electronic headset provided by FIFA.
Replays for those at home were conclusive. El Mohamady handled the ball. It was blatantly obvious. However, were the replays just for those at home? It is unknown as to whether the fourth official, who communicated with Webb, had seen the replay on a television before talking to the English official.  Whatever happened, Webb awarded a penalty, sent off El Mohamady, and Kaka stepped up to score the 7th goal of an enthralling game that ended with Brazil the victors, by 5 goals to 4.
Honestly, I don’t care if replays were used in this situation. Egypt complained to FIFA after the game suggesting that the fourth official had seen the replay, but, who cares? Webb made the right decision eventually, and El Mohamady was rightly punished because he cheated. End of story.

It’s Time to Realise
It is the time that Birmingham City, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley fans have been looking forward to for weeks, and it’s the time that Newcastle, Middelsbrough and West Brom fans will be dreading.

Wednesday 17th June, 10AM. The day that the fixtures for the new season are released, and it really hits home for fans that next season you will see the likes of Ronald…(nevermind)…Gerrard, Rooney and Lampard. Or, in the case of the relegated trio, next season you will see players that have never even heard of.
Love it.

By akvbcfc
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