PL charge City for alleged breaches of financial rules

[halfcenturyup]

Why do people keep saying the January transfer window will tell. Surely if we do go on the spending spree people want/expect, that means we are fucked and relegated and complying with PSR no longer matters.

Or at least the relevance is just as tenuous as the other way round.

I suppose it's normal that the more nervous amongst us, or the more desperate amongst the press, are looking for a sign, any sign, as the judgment gets inexorably closer.

But the reality is that nothing is a sign of anything, or at least can be interpreted both ways, and the only truth about the case is that we know as much about it as we did in February 2023. The concensus back then after a few weeks of bedwetting was that the club will more than likely be just fine and that is still the only sound assessment whatever happens between now and the judgment.

 

[Keeper!]

Why do people keep saying the January transfer window will tell. Surely if we do go on the spending spree people want/expect, that means we are fucked and relegated and complying with PSR no longer matters.

Or at least the relevance is just as tenuous as the other way round.

Would the club go a spending spree in January if they felt the hearing had gone against them and the PL evidence was enough to find us guilty?


I would say 100% not, so I would say the Jan window would be a good judge of our verdict.

 

[Don Howe]

Why do people keep saying the January transfer window will tell. Surely if we do go on the spending spree people want/expect, that means we are fucked and relegated and complying with PSR no longer matters.

Or at least the relevance is just as tenuous as the other way round.

Because no player would dream of joining City unless they had some very strong assurances. I certainly wouldn't (awaiting the call)

 

[halfcenturyup]

Would the club go a spending spree in January if they felt the hearing had gone against them and the PL evidence was enough to find us guilty?


I would say 100% not, so I would say the Jan window would be a good judge of our verdict.

But you wouldn't know that was the reason, and not just that the club couldn't get the players they wanted for the price they wanted to pay. I doubt the club is panicking as much as the fans are. It's all just speculation.

Edit: Sorry, I read your post wrong. But my point works both ways. Buying a player or two may not be a "spree" in the same way not buying any players may not be an indication of concern. Apologies, though, for misreading.

 

[halfcenturyup]

Because no player would dream of joining City unless they had some very strong assurances. I certainly wouldn't (awaiting the call)

You would it there was a relegation release clause.

 

[come-on-barney]

Well looking at Tolmies tweets this morning, it appears all guns are blazing moving forward in the next 2 trasfer windows and with an increase on the Etihad deal.

League 2 is not going to know what's hit them when Wirtz rocks up!!! :-)

I read at least two in January, and six players in total by the Summer. If that’s true we are definitely going for it!

 

[Don Howe]

You would it there was a relegation release clause.

I dunno, I'm not sure players would want to go through the uncertainty and upheaval. I seem to be in the minority in this thought though, and looks like City are buying big in January, which I think is telling.

(we're probably not looking at more than a moderate points deduction if guilty, but that could mean no CL for a new player next season)

 

[M18CTID]

Would the club go a spending spree in January if they felt the hearing had gone against them and the PL evidence was enough to find us guilty?


I would say 100% not, so I would say the Jan window would be a good judge of our verdict.

That makes sense but I think the January window is notoriously difficult to do business in when it comes to the more expensive high-profile signings so I'm not going to panic about the outcome of the case if we only sign a couple of moderately priced players in January. Of course, we all know we need an overhaul of the squad but I feel most of the business will be done in the summer.

 

[Silva2021]

I suppose it's normal that the more nervous amongst us, or the more desperate amongst the press, are looking for a sign, any sign, as the judgment gets inexorably closer.

But the reality is that nothing is a sign of anything, or at least can be interpreted both ways, and the only truth about the case is that we know as much about it as we did in February 2023. The concensus back then after a few weeks of bedwetting was that the club will more than likely be just fine and that is still the only sound assessment whatever happens between now and the judgment.

I disagree there are signs out there, but we are not privy to enough of the information to understand them.

The hotel and increased capacity is a good one, as on face of it I believe it’s quite simple. We built it because we are confident this is not all going fade away after being relegated. Others can interpret differently but it’s a big investment just to be doing it for show.

Spending in Jan, we have been very cautious since £10 million net spend in last 3 years. This is surely to leave wiggle room in the accounts. Part of which I believe is paying the players CL wages for not finishing in top 4 due to a points deduction. Not saying that’s what will happen or we think we’re guilty but we need contingency and we wouldn’t want to face a fire sale or be out of the frying into the fire with more charges.

A big spend in Jan would show confidence both in us potentially not needing as much wiggle room as we consider worse case is less (possible after hearing PL closing statements and what they are asking for or based on legal opinion and how the trail went) or that aspects such as limitations where accepted during the process.

It would also show a confidence if a player such as Bruno G joined that he expects City to be in better position then Newcastle next season. I don’t believe with investors and responsible Directors we just say we don’t care about PSR no more.

I think the charges play a part in a lot and the impact are there to be seen (including our recent lack of spend).

What it means as you say is open to interpretation.

 

[mancity dan]