[baggiejohn]

If we are bemoaning the loss of Mark Jenkins we have hit bottom

Not sure how you reach that conclusion, he ran a tight ship, but was a highly experienced football administrator.

[AlbionFan]

Not sure how you reach that conclusion, he ran a tight ship, but was a highly experienced football administrator.

Fully agree baggiejohn and wish he was still in post, as he had an understanding, both financially and management wise, of how a football club should be run at our level

[gazberg]

Not exactly a massive fan of Jenkins but knew more about footy than those left behind. Him and Sam done a runner. As others said, they saw the writing on the wall.

[skyclad99]

Not sure how you reach that conclusion, he ran a tight ship, but was a highly experienced football administrator.

I for one would appreciate him casting his independent eye over our books at the moment.......

[Maresca Was A Baggie]

If we didn't spend money on a decent striker during the summer, what makes anyone think we will put our hand in our pocket in January? That would make a mockery of not buying anyone 4 months ago. Thats like shutting the door after the horse has bolted. What a **** poor run club we have become. Utter joke!!

[wbastrollers]

If we didn't spend money on a decent striker during the summer, what makes anyone think we will put our hand in our pocket in January? That would make a mockery of not buying anyone 4 months ago. Thats like shutting the door after the horse has bolted. What a p8ss poor run club we have become. Utter joke!!

The horse is still in his box - albeit on his knees!!

[hardtobeat]

Not exactly a massive fan of Jenkins but knew more about footy than those left behind. Him and Sam done a runner. As others said, they saw the writing on the wall.

And therein lies a massive part of the problem . Just who is supposedly running the club . This Ken bloke was going to be but we haven’t heard a squeak out of him since the season started , who does that leave with any broad experience of a football club ?

[tlms-p23]

I wonder how this absentee ownership will resolve itself. Apparently the away fans were singing ‘sack the board’ towards the end of the game last night.

If the poor performances continue up to/beyond Xmas, I can see things turning nasty q quickly. I think most people can see the performances are a symptom of a disunited club behind the scenes, without the appropriate infrastructure to succeed in the modern game.

First time since Ashworth joined that we haven’t had a Director of Football, or similar, in place. It’s almost a given in the modern game that you have a link between the boardroom and the manager. Lai evidently doesn’t know enough about football to know that Ken hanging around the club for 4yrs as a commercial presence doesn’t qualify him to take the lead on football matters/recruitment/squad building. This is massively concerning.

In the unlikely event of us going up this season it will be in spite of the infrastructure rather than because of it. Can see things coming to a head long before the end of the season in the form of vocal dissent against the ownership - especially if results and performances continue. (Not that it’s likely to do anything. Doubt Lai knows when/where/who we are playing).

[gazberg]

And therein lies a massive part of the problem . Just who is supposedly running the club . This Ken bloke was going to be but we haven’t heard a squeak out of him since the season started , who does that leave with any broad experience of a football club ?

I think its anyone who fancies it at the moment. No one with a clue about football is in place currently anyway

[baggiejohn]

I wonder how this absentee ownership will resolve itself. Apparently the away fans were singing ‘sack the board’ towards the end of the game last night.

If the poor performances continue up to/beyond Xmas, I can see things turning nasty q quickly. I think most people can see the performances are a symptom of a disunited club behind the scenes, without the appropriate infrastructure to succeed in the modern game.

First time since Ashworth joined that we haven’t had a Director of Football, or similar, in place. It’s almost a given in the modern game that you have a link between the boardroom and the manager. Lai evidently doesn’t know enough about football to know that Ken hanging around the club for 4yrs as a commercial presence doesn’t qualify him to take the lead on football matters/recruitment/squad building. This is massively concerning.

In the unlikely event of us going up this season it will be in spite of the infrastructure rather than because of it. Can see things coming to a head long before the end of the season in the form of vocal dissent against the ownership - especially if results and performances continue. (Not that it’s likely to do anything. Doubt Lai knows when/where/who we are playing).

I think I'd be a bit careful on this one:


We had a period when Pulis was Head Coach when we didn't have a DoF.

After DA & RH left, RH recommended Terry Burton as our DoF, who in turn brought in Alan Irvine. Both appointments were sanctioned by JP ( who was supposedly protecting his own interests).

Bear in mind JP was being advised by Mark Jenkins & Richard Garlick, both of whom had significant experience in EPL & EFL.

Any senior appointment carries some risk, but if experienced guys can't get it right, then for our board it's pinning the tail on the donkey.

For what it's worth, I believe the flatter structure under Ken is the way to go at the moment, in that way, the CEO has more control.

I believe it's fair to say that VI will be judged on results, & more importantly on trends.
If the current trend continues it's likely his job will be at risk.

[Droitwich Baggie]

He is a "no where man".
Terrible businessman.Clueless and useless.

[baggiejohn]

He is a "no where man".
Terrible businessman.Clueless and useless.

I'd say somebody who made enough out of a landscaping business to enable him to put £30 million into the purchase of a football club is pretty good at business.
 
Lai is, at the very least, a front man for a consortium who are the major shareholders & have controlling interest of WBAFC. He is not an employee & therefore doesn't have to be visible.

On the other hand, Li Piyue as Chairman, who it's understood is a shareholder in the consortium, & Xu Ke, who is the CEO of WBAFC, should be visible.

As I understand it, there's an Albion Assembly meeting next week, I'd be really surprised if the issue of visibility doesn't come up.

[skyclad99]

I'd say somebody who made enough out of a landscaping business to enable him to put £30 million into the purchase of a football club is pretty good at business.
 
Lai is, at the very least, a front man for a consortium who are the major shareholders & have controlling interest of WBAFC. He is not an employee & therefore doesn't have to be visible.

On the other hand, Li Piyue as Chairman, who it's understood is a shareholder in the consortium, & Xu Ke, who is the CEO of WBAFC, should be visible.

As I understand it, there's an Albion Assembly meeting next week, I'd be really surprised if the issue of visibility doesn't come up.

Cannot see that happening John........

[baggiejohn]

Cannot see that happening John........

We'll see, but in the current climate, visibility has to be addressed.

The Board might not be doing what we want them to do, but they're not stupid, & the Assembly meeting gives them an opportunity to close the distance between them & the fans.

If they chose to miss the opportunity, then I believe we're on a very slippery slope.

[Hull Baggie]

If we didn't spend money on a decent striker during the summer, what makes anyone think we will put our hand in our pocket in January? That would make a mockery of not buying anyone 4 months ago. Thats like shutting the door after the horse has bolted. What a **** poor run club we have become. Utter joke!!

Maybe clubs were looking for more money for a player in the final year of their contract than we wanted to pay. By waiting until January they are even nearer the end of their contract. It's the last chance for a selling club to be able to get some money in before the player leaves for free in the Summer.

[LiamTheBaggie]

There is a severe lack of football intelligence at this club and operating with Li Piqyue and a wet behind the ears Ken is not the way to proceed.

This football club lives from day to day - no joined up thinking, no forward planning. It’s pretty much why we live on a list of others cast offs when it comes to recruitment.

We’ve pretty much handed the keys to Ismael to do everything from first team affairs to recruitment.

What’s the plan if we go up? There isn’t one.

What’s the plan if we don’t go up? There isn’t one.

Just continue to live from day to day.

[skyclad99]

There is a severe lack of football intelligence at this club and operating with Li Piqyue and a wet behind the ears Ken is not the way to proceed.

This football club lives from day to day - no joined up thinking, no forward planning. It’s pretty much why we live on a list of others cast offs when it comes to recruitment.

We’ve pretty much handed the keys to Ismael to do everything from first team affairs to recruitment.

What’s the plan if we go up? There isn’t one.

What’s the plan if we don’t go up? There isn’t one.

Just continue to live from day to day.

Someone's a bit grumpy today.....

I agree BTW

[lewisant]

Cannot see that happening John........

Woosh!

Best post I’ve read in ages!

[skyclad99]

Woosh!

Best post I’ve read in ages!

Pleased someone got it😂

[seteefeet]

There is a severe lack of football intelligence at this club and operating with Li Piqyue and a wet behind the ears Ken is not the way to proceed.

This football club lives from day to day - no joined up thinking, no forward planning. It’s pretty much why we live on a list of others cast offs when it comes to recruitment.

We’ve pretty much handed the keys to Ismael to do everything from first team affairs to recruitment.

What’s the plan if we go up? There isn’t one.

What’s the plan if we don’t go up? There isn’t one.

Just continue to live from day to day.

That would suggest we have a plan for today, I'm not sure even that's true.

[baggiejohn]

Pleased someone got it😂

Yep, got to admit, I missed it 

[lewisant]

Yep, got to admit, I missed it 

It's easy to miss an invisibility joke 

For me, Lai is the one that is questionable along with the board. Val has been hung out to dry!

[ex coseley kid]

He is probably even now thinking, third place, good chance to make it...

THAT is how much grasp I think he has on the game.

What a ***** businessman he is.

[OverLandAndSea]

I remember Paul Williams. He at leat chipped in and was on £200 a week. M

Hugill is pathetic. Absolutely shameful

[AlbionFan]

A demonstration against the clubs ownership and board is planned to take place before the Reading game on 11th December at 1:30 PM. The demonstrators will meet at the main gates to the East Stand.

Not sure it will make any difference to the owner and the board, but it allows fans the opportunity to show and voice their discontent with the way the club is being run.