Rage Online Blog

There's an article that's sort of worth checking out on Soccernet. The piece itself, by Richard Jolly, isn't particularly well written, basically being just a list of First Division clubs' transfers during the close-season, but the article's central premise, that the cash shortfall in football means that managerial ability is more to the fore, is unarguable. Or is it? Why not argue it using the Comment facility? We wouldn't normally highlight an article devoted exclusively to a division that United aren't in, but seeing as the First is our rightful place, and that we appear to be bound back there, why not?

Labels: Money, Transfers

It looks like the Nationwide League are to be partially successful in their quest for exemption from the ridiculous transfer window. Today's Guardian reports that the League will probably be exempt for the next two years, enough time for clubs to get their squads in order, perhaps, before this window will be enforced. The good news, if this is correct, is that it allows this season to continue as normal. The bad news is that there is a reasonable chance that in the next couple of years clubs will overstretch themselves financially in an attempt to strengthen their squads before the transfer window bites, and we all know what happens when clubs spend more than they can afford.

Labels: Football League, Transfers

The football cash crisis continues with news from the Guardian that Derby were unable to pay Sheffield United money owing from the transfer of Lee Morris. Leicester are still having problems with their £5 million wage bill (not helped by Denis unWise's demand of half a mill to drop his court case), and now Northampton have to raise half a million pounds by January or face administration. Still, at least FIFA has seen some sort of sense over the ridiculous transfer window business.

Labels: Derby County, FIFA, Leicester City, Money, Northampton Town, Sheffield United, Transfers

Also from yesterday's Observer is a report that the Nationwide League is hoping for exemption from the rules concerning transfer windows, due to the financial difficulties that many of the clubs are experiencing. They are proposing that they be allowed to sign and loan players from the Premier League and each other, although they accept that Premiership clubs wouldn't be able to sign Nationwide players, despite the cash boost that would mean.

Labels: Football League, Transfers