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Reply | Clive meeting with Nourry
at 21:00 17 Jan 2025
We don't know how long any of them have extended their contracts for. That's one of the bug bears covered in the meeting.
As for Marti, his stock is currently high, high enough to warrant a contract extension. This is an indicator that the board are happy with his performance and recent results will only have bolstered that. If Marti continues to deliver on limited resources then he's likely to attract suitors in the summer, regardless of what the club has planned. |
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Reply | Clive meeting with Nourry
at 20:12 17 Jan 2025
I'm inclined to agree as, though not impossible, we'd need a remarkable turn of events to make the play-offs or get relegated. Consolidate this season and then look to build further in the summer. My only concern with this plan is whether it's ambitious enough to retain Marti. |
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Reply | RIP Denis Law
at 20:08 17 Jan 2025
Sad news. A true footballing legend. Alzheimer's is a truly awful disease. RIP The Lawman. |
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Reply | Half a million a week for 9 years!
at 18:01 17 Jan 2025
That practice was curtailed by UEFA back in 2023. A transfer fee can only be spread across a maximum of five years of a player's initial contract. That being said, the new regulation wasn't applied retrospectively so chelshyte got away with it. Also, a club can spread the cost over a contract extension, but the extension can also not be more than five years. Explains the latest trend of clubs offering extensions mid-contract.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66046836 [Post edited 17 Jan 18:09]
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Reply | Clive meeting with Nourry
at 17:49 17 Jan 2025
My thoughts for what it's worth.
Training ground developments
It makes perfect sense to maximise our proximity to Heathrow by welcoming visiting teams in need of a temporary training ground. Whilst the topic of a new stadium wasn't discussed in this meeting, there's still a small part of me that suspects that Heston is one alternative being considered should redeveloping Loftus Road prove unviable. The caveat is I have no concrete evidence to support this notion, it's just a gut feel.
Academy
If our higher London costs brings us to the financial threshold regardless and there our tangible benefits to be had then it's worth considering a move to Cat 1 status.
Player development
I agree with the idea of challenging young players to achieve more earlier. This should hopefully result in more young players like Morgan, Kolli and Llloyd breaking through, and fewer older players who are clearly not going to make it remaining on the books.
Injury list
I'm less convinced of Nourry's arguments here. The board appears to have got its knickers in a twist over communications strategy. Whilst its nice to see the club opening up a little of late, reporting still feels somewhat guarded and inconsistent. Christian's assertion that we had no injuries previously to report is palpably untrue and misguided as it only serves to heighten scepticism. A missed opportunity, I feel, to build rapport with the fans by showing some humility and honesty when the board get it wrong.
As for Ben Williams working remotely, I'm struggling to see how this works well for QPR. The US is an unforgiving place to work and Ben's focus will be on the Brooklyn Nets. It's not lost on folk that injuries have piled up since he left. Time will tell whether this is a mere coincidence or not. In the meantime, lessons need to be learned and improvements implemented if this way of operating is to continue.
Recruitment
Look, recruitment is difficult and many clubs get it wrong. Add to the mix a young, inexperienced CEO thrown into the deep end and it's easy to see how mistakes could be made. That all being said, the summer recruitment was unbalanced. Now whilst I don't expect our entire squad to be shaped in one window, pointing the finger at Marti, Xavi and Andy rather feels like Christian is passing the buck. I like to see a CEO take accountability, particularly one who has driven a shift towards data-driven recruitment.
Players out of contract
Whilst it's pleasing to see good players renew their contracts, the club still finds a way to blemish great news through a questionable communications strategy. We may not all be as verbally accomplished as Christian but the fans are far from stupid. The contract announcements of JCS, Dembele, and Marti were clearly saved for the fans forum. Equally it is my belief that the contract announcements of Morgan, Lloyd and Kolli were saved for January. This enables Nourry to claim that significant business was done in the January transfer window when in reality these players were free to extend at any time. That all being said, this is a minor gripe. The main thing is that these players have agreed to extend their contracts and Christian deserves credit for getting these deals over the line. Hopefully, Jimmy follows suit.
Not revealing Contract lengths
Whilst I'm not a major fan of the practice of withholding contract lengths (mainly because I'm nosey), I'm a little more sympathetic than some for strategic reasons. However, a better explanation than "Sheff Wed, Preston, Plymouth, Luton and Millwall do it" is required to garner understanding from fans. It was refreshing to hear Nourry apologise for wrongly saying Portsmouth and Sheff Utd also do this albeit he then doubled down on the practice.
Whilst some mistakes have been made, overall I feel that the club is moving in the right direction. How much of this is down to Marti's presence is difficult to gauge. With respect to Nourry, softer aspects like communications could be handled better. It feels strange to say this given Christian's command of English but a successful communications strategy is more than using fancy words. Scope, audience, technique, timing and honesty are all key components. The man himself stated "I want people to feel communicated with". Mastering all facets of communications will go some way to helping Nourry achieve this and build trust with the fans. |
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Reply | Clive meeting with Nourry
at 15:40 17 Jan 2025
Indeed. Rest assured I'm not arguing with you, I'm taking part in said discussion. |
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Reply | Clive meeting with Nourry
at 15:34 17 Jan 2025
There are numerous types of leadership, not just one size fits all. Much depends on the group that you are trying to lead and the environment in which you are working. Leading a battalion into battle will require a very different skill set to managing a donkey sanctuary.
In any event, as I stated earlier, Nourry is not our ultimate leader. He is employed by the club to perform a role (albeit a senior one). He will be taking direction from above so he can't just do whatever he pleases. |
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Reply | Kolli signs new deal!
at 15:24 17 Jan 2025
So you think it's a good idea to go into the second half of this season with just one recognised striker (one who, by the way, has had 2 or 3 spells injured since arriving)? Unless QPR bring in reinforcements that would be very poor planning. [Post edited 17 Jan 18:04]
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Reply | Kolli signs new deal!
at 15:18 17 Jan 2025
After first saying that Kolli needs to go out on a 6 months loan. I'm glad you came to your senses. However, there are others who haven't taken into consideration just how short we currently are on strikers. If the club were to sign some this month (a big if), I'd understand the loan argument. As things stand, not for me. They're progressing well, enjoying a breakthrough season, and bringing the fans some long overdue joy. Let's enjoy that and take another view when the time is right. |
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Reply | Clive meeting with Nourry
at 15:09 17 Jan 2025
Bear in mind that he isn't the owner, he's an employee. Given this, his age and lack of experience, it's very likely that he's taking direction from the owners/board. |
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Reply | Kolli signs new deal!
at 15:00 17 Jan 2025
Excellent news.
For those suggesting that Kolli and Lloyd go out on loan, consider that as we speak Celar is injured and Frey is our only available recognised senior striker. |
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Reply | Marti's pre-Plymouth talk
at 14:56 17 Jan 2025
Indeed. If anyone is still in any doubt as to whether the club takes notice of social media, think again. |
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Reply | Saito, stick or twist?
at 15:06 16 Jan 2025
Context is important here. The danger with such questions is shaping the answer through the prism of the first 11. The fact is that modern football is about squads and we have a small one with some players not cutting the mustard. Whilst there's certainly room for improvement, Saito has shown enough to be considered a valuable squad member. If he fits the club's wage structure as well as Marti's plans for the future, and there are no better options available then it would be a yes from me. |
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Reply | Charlie Kelman
at 17:51 15 Jan 2025
Scored the opening goal against Derby yesterday. |
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Reply | Tamworth
at 17:32 15 Jan 2025
Like many, I'm sceptical of the decision to cancel replays. It lessens the chances of smaller clubs securing a windfall and serves to protect the elite. The Tamworth players would've relished the opportunity to play at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium, an opportunity they'll probably not see the likes of again. |
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Reply | Alfie Lloyd new deal
at 17:24 15 Jan 2025
Good to see the club rewarding youngsters who've taken their chance. As he readily admits, he's far from the finished article but the potential is there for all to see. Congrats Alfie! |
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