SecretSam

Sponsorship is a minefield. In the UK, it's all gambling and booze, because they have the most money for the limited space on a shirt.

In some continental leagues, it's more diverse with loads of sponsors...the jerseys are more like cycling ones with half a dozen plastered over the front.

I actually think the Slags' idea of a raffle a few years back was a great solution. But... gambling again!!!

20 hours ago, Negan said:

As for Wells, personally think this should be his last season here. You’d hope he’d only have a bit part to play for the upcoming season as we’ve signed someone who can play and score 20

We've suddenly found £15-20m down the back of the sofa, right?

On 30/05/2024 at 20:24, Harry said:

Of course, Brailsford didn’t “invent” marginal gains, but it was he who brought it to British Cycling and then subsequently to Team Sky. 
“Invented” no, but certainly made a huge success of the theory. 

I'm not sure he brought it to BC, although he was responsible for creating the winning machine they had there. I think the likes of Chris Boardman and co. were responsible for a lot of the innovation, as part of the "Secret Squirrel" team:

"In the run-up to the Beijing Olympics we gained a huge understanding. We didn't just try to make a big improvement in one area; we looked at a thousand things, and how each could be improved by just one per cent. Aggregate all of that and it becomes a meaningful number."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/17635921

6 hours ago, Dullmoan Tone said:

Everyone is so positive but does he make or score enough goals?

We need goals from midfield and while he’s not exactly box to box, he isn’t a dedicated defensive midfielder either.

The problem is we know what we are getting- has it been good enough these last two seasons for a sustained top 6 push or did we need something different/better?

Can we afford something different/better is a more apposite question

9 hours ago, City37 said:

Of course it's not down to the accounts payable team.

INEOS are looking to reset the culture and performance of the whole organisation - from top to bottom.

It's been well documented about their "marginal gain" theory.

 

Actually, 'marginal gains' was borrowed from British Cycling by that over-hyped plank Brailsford. It's not an INEOS thing; in fact, BC nicked it from Toyota.

As for changing culture - you change behaviours, attitudes, and standards. Culture follows. And it's not helped by petty presenteeism. If the only way they can gain oversight of productivity is by seeing people in an office, then they're in more trouble than anyone realised. 

Is Radcliffe going to be in every day? Oh, hang on, that would affect his tax exile status...

5 minutes ago, City37 said:

Marginal gains is a theory of Sir David Brailsford who is employed by INEOS and very much at the forefront of the Man Utd takeover.

Brailsford no more invented it than I invented breathing. 

14 hours ago, Davefevs said:

According to the seniors in the company I contract at, they want people in so you can chat to people in other teams…about something you’ve no interest in!

I didn't know you were one of the IR35 hordes, Dave. 

15 hours ago, TDarwall said:

Any firm that applies this strictly will just lose out on a lot of talent. Sometimes things happen which change society & covid certainty did that in terms of attitude to work.  For many people an element of flexible working is a must have in any role. Sir Jim is just depriving himself of a large % of the workforce.

100%. My latest job, I stipulated from the start I would WFH. They were fine with that, like many companies, they don't have space for all their staff in the offices.

20 hours ago, Sir Geoff said:

Redundancy only if they refuse to go back to work in the office. Quite right too imo.

Ah, the 1980s have popped in. Tell me why it's important for staff to go into the office, pray, do? 

I've worked from home for years, with Teams/Skype/Zoom, I can hold my meetings, and I'm far more productive and work harder for longer than I ever did in the office. I went in last week and literally got nothing done, too many interruptions.

For certain roles, I can understand it, but at a time when many companies are shifting to a virtual model (which saves ££££s), it's a baffling retrograde step.

Really good news, like a new signing. Excellent decision by Joe.

He was a really good, solid player for us. 

(Williams, not Messi)

7 hours ago, Agard Days Night said:

Bump.

Any kit updates please Reds?

Apparently Kelly Brook will be modelling it

On 26/05/2024 at 17:59, Davefevs said:

Bl00dy hell, who'd be a Plymuff fan? Plus, you get to live in...

So, anyway, Bajic...

13 hours ago, Numero Uno said:

Very good analogy. Like James he makes a world class save and then 10 minutes later concedes a pea roller. Wouldn’t write him off just yet, there are plenty of foreign keepers who look a lot better in their SECOND season in England. De Gea being an obvious example.

IIRC, Schmeichel had a pretty rocky start, too

Really good with his feet.

A bit...David James, otherwise.

2 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Nah, City-only in my spreadies…

TBH, that conjures up an image that is quite distressing

Thanks, @Silvio Dante, cracking article, he comes across as an intelligent and thoughtful guy. I must admit, I was a little under-enthused when he was appointed, but the whole of the Pearson team seemed just that - a team. Regardless of how you think Pearson himself performed, I think as a team they really took us forward.

Just now, Davefevs said:

Feel free to use Google!

That's a bit salty, Dave, I feel hurt. I was assuming your vast knowledge meant this was just a click away.

Out on loan, sold, or splinters in his ar53 again?

45 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

What about total appearances, @Davefevs? That's the real metric that matters.

Dirty Leeds and their self-important fans, versus Southampton, as supported by that pint-sized shitpot Sunak.

Praying for a meteor strike.

1 hour ago, BigTone said:

Keep it secret Sam

I'm so excited to be moving back to Bristol after 32 years away

'Senior' doesn't necessarily mean 'old'.

Experience is the key.

Vyner is 'senior', as he's played a lot of games.

I live in Bucks but BS3 address incoming

I thought this thread would be about hair loss