The New Revolution- starting 2012

**Captain Sinister** · 30-07-12, 12:58

I too envisage a slow start to the new season, and we - the fans - need to keep accentuating the positives if there are a few poor results initially.I wouldn't read anything into the defeat at Mansfield.It wasn't so long ago Alfreton Town put 14 past Sheffield Wednesday in a pre-season kick-about, and SW went on to get promotion...
One point I have been pondering, and that is wages to turnover ratio.
I keep going over the fact that at the moment our turnover is around £16m, and that if we were to have a wages tot turnover ratio of (say) 75%, it would be a wage bill of £12m.
Applying the old 80/20 rule, 80% would be first team wages and 20% Directors, Admin & non-first team players.
So, that would be around £9.6m for the first team.
If we assume a first team squad of 20 players, that equates to an average of £9k per player per week.
My question is, can we assemble a squad to challenge for promotion at that sort of level of wages?
If not, then we are back to the old question of how do we increase the revenue to enable us to support the level of wages per first team player per week?

**LTLF Sponsors** · 30-07-12 12:58

**porks** · 30-07-12, 13:00

Might be a dumb question. Our directors wages will go down significantly now will they not?

Originally Posted by Captain Sinister

I too envisage a slow start to the new season, and we - the fans - need to keep accentuating the positives if there are a few poor results initially.I wouldn't read anything into the defeat at Mansfield.It wasn't so long ago Alfreton Town put 14 past Sheffield Wednesday in a pre-season kick-about, and SW went on to get promotion...
One point I have been pondering, and that is wages to turnover ratio.
I keep going over the fact that at the moment our turnover is around £16m, and that if we were to have a wages tot turnover ratio of (say) 75%, it would be a wage bill of £12m.
Applying the old 80/20 rule, 80% would be first team wages and 20% Directors, Admin & non-first team players.
So, that would be around £9.6m for the first team.
If we assume a first team squad of 20 players, that equates to an average of £9k per player per week.
My question is, can we assemble a squad to challenge for promotion at that sort of level of wages?
If not, then we are back to the old question of how do we increase the revenue to enable us to support the level of wages per first team player per week?

**Erik** · 30-07-12, 13:29

Originally Posted by congo_red

Must admit, I'm still a little bit sceptical about the new owners. They've not actually invested a penny of their own in new players yet. All the money that has been spent was covered by Chris Gunter's fee. We're making progress from where we were, but they've hardly 'blown me away' yet.

They may not have invested money in transfer fees but the orderly manner in which they have gone about getting in players we needed - players who will enable us to be competetive too - for reasonable sums (and if the Halford figure is to be believed - very good sums)is not only sensible but very astute too.

Let's build quietly and sensibly rather than chucking it all away on players with names and fees that don't really want to be here apart from the money - We tried that last year and look what happened.

I'm cautiously optimistic about them.

**Irishforestfan** · 30-07-12, 15:46

Originally Posted by congo_red

Must admit, I'm still a little bit sceptical about the new owners. They've not actually invested a penny of their own in new players yet. All the money that has been spent was covered by Chris Gunter's fee. We're making progress from where we were, but they've hardly 'blown me away' yet.

This is true, but I think the owners are looking at other clubs (ie. Leicester) and trying to learn from their mistakes. I genuinely don't think they have arrived at Forest just to profit. They are going to take their time before throwing money to the wall. I'm happy with this.

And tbh they should only start throwing out the cash when it is absolutely necessary. To do so very early on would be a sign of naivety- The loudest man in the room is always the weakest man the room.

**GaribaldiReds** · 30-07-12, 15:52

I'm very pleased so far.

**Trojii** · 30-07-12, 16:11

Originally Posted by GaribaldiReds

I'm very pleased so far.

Me too.

I would like us to have several more players come in, a few as cover and then some with potential (ala Hall from Southend), and perhaps a striker.

Perhaps those expecting us to spend millions and achieve promotion instantaneously have higher expectations than the owners? I would like us to do promotion the right way; build from the back, build a quality squad with depth capable of mounting a promotion push, and plug any gaps come January. Whether that is this season or the next will depend mostly on what happens in the next few weeks, but I think patience is key at this stage. We now have a left back for the first time in years, a more than capable back four and a quality midfield (at least centrally). Where we might have to rely on our current squad is up front, but if Miller remains injury free (oxymoron I know) we might well end up with a good season.

Anywhere around mid-table will be wonderful and we can press on from there.

**Forestexileinlincs** · 30-07-12, 16:30

What excites me most about ur new set up is we will have an influx of players from the middle east. We dont know how good they are, but they will all come as trialsts so expense is just their air fares.
To us supporters it means players we have never seen before instead of the merry go round of the English scene.

There has to be some untapped talent out there and we will get first choice. By the end of the forthcoming season it will be interesting to see how many of these guys are first team regulars.
Maybe some could also be brought on thru the Academy. Who knows, I think its going to be a roller coaster ride, very interesting, and great fun to watch.

Wonder what Derby fans make of all this. I'm sure they will be varying shades of Green back at pride park.

**porks** · 30-07-12, 16:43

Originally Posted by Forestexileinlincs

What excites me most about ur new set up is we will have an influx of players from the middle east. We dont know how good they are, but they will all come as trialsts so expense is just their air fares.
To us supporters it means players we have never seen before instead of the merry go round of the English scene.

There has to be some untapped talent out there and we will get first choice. By the end of the forthcoming season it will be interesting to see how many of these guys are first team regulars.
Maybe some could also be brought on thru the Academy. Who knows, I think its going to be a roller coaster ride, very interesting, and great fun to watch.

Wonder what Derby fans make of all this. I'm sure they will be varying shades of Green back at pride park.

Hopefully we can open a academy over there in the future and I'm sure we will start doing pre season tours as well

**chriscl** · 30-07-12, 16:44

I'd quite fancy a pre-season tour to the Gulf.

It would be mighty hot though!

**GaribaldiReds** · 30-07-12, 16:47

Originally Posted by porks

Hopefully we can open a academy over there in the future and I'm sure we will start doing pre season tours as well

Category One academy status would be fantastic.

**Timothy Pope** · 30-07-12, 16:51

Originally Posted by Captain Sinister

If not, then we are back to the old question of how do we increase the revenue to enable us to support the level of wages per first team player per week?

I wonder how much new revenue will be brought in through shirt sales in the Middle-East?

**Trojii** · 30-07-12, 17:28

Originally Posted by chriscl

I'd quite fancy a pre-season tour to the Gulf.

It would be mighty hot though!

Any good pubs?

**chriscl** · 30-07-12, 17:29

Originally Posted by Trojii

Any good pubs?

Depends where you go. Many of the larger hotels have their own bars but - for obvious reasons - many of the Gulf countries don't have the "pub" culture you'd be used to over here.

**Trojii** · 30-07-12, 17:30

Originally Posted by chriscl

Depends where you go. Many of the larger hotels have their own bars but - for obvious reasons - many of the Gulf countries don't have the "pub" culture you'd be used to over here.

Can't imagine why.

Local alcohol might be interesting. May well give a whole new meaning to Black Sheep, me thinks.

**chriscl** · 30-07-12, 17:39

Originally Posted by Trojii

Can't imagine why.

Local alcohol might be interesting. May well give a whole new meaning to Black Sheep, me thinks.

For the hotels, they mostly import beer, as there isn't a huge brewing industry in that part of the world.

This does of course make to cost a little more expensive than you might expect.

**Captain Sinister** · 30-07-12, 19:57

Originally Posted by porks

Might be a dumb question. Our directors wages will go down significantly now will they not?

Not sure why you think that.There have been no directorial departures, other than Frank have there?
Arthur and Pelling are still there...

**Anatoli** · 30-07-12, 20:02

I knew there was a bloody good reason for Desert Storm.
Problem with Arab countries is that they are so hot.
They need someone to sell them good air conditioning and refrigeration systems.
I'm tired of this new regime. It's been hours since we signed anyone.

**Irishforestfan** · 30-07-12, 23:03

Originally Posted by Timothy Pope

I wonder how much new revenue will be brought in through shirt sales in the Middle-East?

I wonder how much revenue will be brought in through shirt sales in general. From what I hear, they are selling like hot cakes due to the new sponsor and new influx of players.

I think this will continue throughout the season as varied new players become fan favourites. We've nearly started our team from scratch so will be looking forward to revenue from the jersey's throughout.

As for the middle-east...yeah I think if Forest do reasonably well this year (top ten) and show some good football- we could sell some shirts.