" Thursday 16th December 2010 Update "

got 15 days to come to an agreement yet. Tan always takes it to the wire

Carl, if not to pay Sam, what is this other investment?

Great update again, I did want an early night, might just stay up for the cricket now. Ha ha

got 15 days to come to an agreement yet. Tan always takes it to the wire

Thats what I think, he is playing Sam at his own game.

Needs to work on the defence ? Yes i agree with that but it isn't that easy. The tactics are all wrong which is putting more on a very poor defence. we need to get back to a attacking formation. Then that will take the pressure off the defence because when we attack no one can live with us. DJ cant live with the pressure and in my opinion he is a dead man walking.
Great update Carl

In short we are in safe hands. Time for the players and manager to produce the goods. If they don't I think the message is loud and clear for all to hear.

got 15 days to come to an agreement yet. Tan always takes it to the wire

Thats what I think, he is playing Sam at his own game.

Annis, what I've read In your books about Sam (he seems stubborn, which isn't a bad thing ), But Do you think that this could possibly turn out to be "who's got the biggest Dick confrontation"

Thanks Carl

Good to see the owners are breathing heavy on the manager....in my opinion

He needs to motivate 'em this next fortnight and deliver.

We shall see

got 15 days to come to an agreement yet. Tan always takes it to the wire

Thats what I think, he is playing Sam at his own game.

Annis, what I've read In your books about Sam (he seems stubborn, which isn't a bad thing ), But Do you think that this could possibly turn out to be "who's got the biggest Dick confrontation"

Marc, Sam Says he is Now standing firm and has waited long enough and its now up to VT.

Cheers Carl!!!

Reassuring news indeed about VT and his intentions, though I never really
had any doubts!!!

Langstone?? Hmmmmmm... its safe to say Vincent Tan has no intention
whatsoever of paying 20 odd million when he can pay less than half that, so
its a situation where we will just have to wait and see. Speculating the ifs
and buts are a waste of time for all of us. There are obviously issues here that
nobody but Sam and the Malaysians are aware of.

All in all Carl, a refreshing boost of an update.

However. Jones is looking at two wingers? What is it with this f*cking bloke? Does
he do it just to piss us off?? Width is NOT a position where we desperately need
cover. He has lost faith in playing Keogh up top. I'm going to hold back though...
One thing I'll ALWAYS respect Jones for is that he keeps his cards quite close to
his chest when he's after players, so praps he DOES have a strker in mind!!!
Shame about Riggott, but we all knew it was going to end in tears

thanks for your time and effort carl another great update hope santa's going to be very busy down the ccs this xmas

Thanks for the update Carl, With regards Hammill of Barnsley he is a winger isn't he ? Looking more likely that Burkey is on his way out then.

got 15 days to come to an agreement yet. Tan always takes it to the wire

Thats what I think, he is playing Sam at his own game.

Annis, what I've read In your books about Sam (he seems stubborn, which isn't a bad thing ), But Do you think that this could possibly turn out to be "who's got the biggest Dick confrontation"

there is no question who has got the dangly dongler, its our very own Vinnie Tan!!

Vicenzo aint shelling out over ten million weeks before he needs to. It makes
no business sense. Sam will get it on the very last day. As its all been agreed
through the High Court I doubt Vinnie will find a get-out clause, but he aint
gonna let it sit in sams account when it can still be gaining interest in his own!

Another great article Carl - fantastic to hear VT is still committed and continues to invest, what would we do without him? The news on DJ backs up what I have heard, two wins from the next two games or he will be packing his bags! I was told by a member of staff that training has been poor this week and morale is poor! Did you find out whether rumours of us lining up in a 352 formation on Saturday are correct? I hope theyre not, think that could be disastrous!!

3-5-2 is the best formation out there. If he uses Naylor and Mcnaughton as wing backs when we are attacking get them overlapping and if they do it right we SHOULD have a 5v4 in our favour, there will be space for one of our front 2 then . When we loose the ball they can tuck in and we will have 5 in defence and with Oli just in front of the back 4 it will be very difficult to break us down

Cheers Carl, news about Riggott not so good as I thought it would be, yes we definitely need a reserve team at City. With regard to the position of Gary Speed, it would be a mistake to bring back any of our retired players even Giggs, stick with the young uns.

I, along with Annis, Clive ( ridofrid ) and Gwyn, attended a meeting tonight with Steve Borley to discuss plans for the initiative that has been set up by this forum in raising funds for our development centres which feed our Academy. We were shown around the House of Sport by Steve and I must say he has done a magnificent job in bringing it to reality. Steve Borley spent £2million of his own money to build the house of sport and it was vital for us to maintain academy status.

In March next year there is to be a tournament run by the Malaysians and will become an annual event at the House of Sport. Carl what sort of tournament are we talking here especially as it's as you say run by the Malaysians?

It costs CCFC £700k per year to run the academy and they receive only £160k from the Premier League as a subsidy.

Steve highlighted to us that Football in the Community have had their funding slashed this season and the initiative that we are setting up as come at the very right time. viewtopic.php?f=2&t=27677 Carl was it explained how this funding had been slashed and by whom?

Steve informed us of plans to set up a tournament where companies will sponsor a team to enter and all proceeds will be passed down to the development centres, this will mean thousands of pounds.

The first team have been using the facilities there during the recent bad weather, at least if things ever turn sour at the vale, as it's run very much by the WRU, our first team still have excellent facilities. At the vale the WRU have first option on the indoor pitch over us.

Newport County even used the facilities today.

Training at the club this week has been focusing on defence and Chris Riggott has played a big part in the '1st' team but I understand he has been struggling with the pace of the sessions, for me this goes back to not having a reserve side as it would give players like Chris the opportunity to get up to speed and not in the focus of possibly being thrown into the 1st team because of results. I was thinking that over the last few day's when all the Riggott talk was in flow

Craig Bellamy has been a much calmer influence around the training ground and the atmosphere amongst the squad has been better. The players know they have to get results to put a stop to a terrible run of results and stop this campaign turning into a disaster.

For the Watford game on the 28th we have been alloacated 2300 and so far just over 2100 have been sold. There will be no more tickets requested as the club are aware already that no more would be released. We actually lose 10% of our allocation for our persistent standing at games.

Leeds tickets are selling very well and fast so I am asked to urge fans to buy early and do not leave it until after Christmas or the new year as you may be left disappointed.

At the Portsmouth game earlier this season there was an incident which resulted in City fans being arrested and charged for their alleged involvement in a fracas. This week a group of fans were charged but refused to sign the paperwork that would have meant they were agreeing to being banned from future games until they appear in court. The fans were asked to sign the paperwork and enter into an agreement that would stop them going to the games but on the grounds of their liberty and human rights they refused to sign and as a result this particular group are able to attend games at CCS until their court case decides their fate.

As already reported on here and I have since had conversations which confirm it, DJ's agent has been responsible for his name being linked with jobs at Blackburn and a while ago with West Ham and Fulham.

Wayne Routledge is a target of DJ's and the club made contact with Newcastle but with Alan Pardew going there it is unlikely that we will see Routs down at CCS this January. A player that DJ is also interested in is winger Adam Hammill at Barnsley.

It is my understanding that the Welsh FA made a terrible mistake financially when they appointed Gary Speed as the new Welsh manager, as they paid £500k compensation for him and I have had it on good authority that Sheff Utd were already on the look out for a new manager to replace Speed in January as they were dismissing him. Robbie Savage has contacted Speed and already told him he is available to play.

PMG have entered negotiations with the WRU in CCS holding further rugby events, similar to the game the Gwent Dragons played there last week. I am aware that it costs £20,000 to rent the CCS for a one off match plus the cost of the staff. The Millenium Stadium costs in the region of £200,000 including staff for a one off match.

There has been much speculation recently regarding Dave Jones' future and also the length of stay of the Malaysians. Firstly where Dave Jones is concerned he is under pressure to succeed and this came at the start of the season with the players he signed but in recent weeks he has been told by none other that Vincent Tan that the results must be turned around. Yes Dave Jones has to get results in the next 2 games or " the pressure will really be on " I am told. I thought that was the case and would explain the Jones media interviews of late

The Malaysians or being more specific Vincent Tan is not ready to up and leave if things don't work out to go as planned this season, Tan is a businessman and he wants positive results from a business point of view but those who believe he has had enough and is ready to get out and take his money too, are I am glad to say, wrong. For Vincent Tan has made a massive investment recently ( which will come out soon ) which further backs the claim that he is sticking around for a little while yet. Thank you for the information but i'm still not totally convinced but hopefully something will come out soon to convince me.

I am told there is a 3 year plan by Tan and in that time he wants and expects this club to be in the Premiership, which starts with and includes this season. Vincent Tan has put well over £15 million to the cause and has know upped his investment significantly with this further investment. Furthermore, Tan has 2 of his children in private education here, one in Brecon and one in Loughborough. What his Children do for schooling means nothing to me as he could do that without any football involvement, this investment is this more loans or a real investment? Would it be possible Carl to find out how the 15 million you mention is structured?

Sam Hammam is in London and has been for a couple days and flies out tomorrow morning and as yet no deal has been agreed between the club and Langston. Sam is disappointed that it is not settled already and also that they are not even close to a deal at present because there are no talks ongoing. It is looking increasingly likely that no deal will be reached before the end of the year and that is unfortunate news for the club as the opportunity to reduce the debt will be lost. Is Vincent Tan letting it go to the wire in an attempt to reduce the debt further, I guess we will have to wait and see but whatever happens we won't be waiting long. Game of business poker by the sounds of matters, will all be dependent on how desperate Hammam is for a cash return.

As I said before during a recent meeting VT said ( regarding DJ's position ) he did not want to "rock the boat ". I am not saying he will not sack DJ but I am told that DJ has got his backing but has been told that he has to turn these results around in no uncertain terms. Let's be honest and up front Tan is a businessman and not a football fan. His son U-juin however has become a big fan of CCFC and loves the place. What's U-juin thoughts on Jones and his tactics? That would be interesting! Will U-juin be joining this forum?

DJ knows he has to sort the defence out and he wants a centre half in desperately, but he has been told that players have to be moved on also. Rae, Jarvis, Wildig ( who has bulked up considerably this season ) will all be at least loaned out this January.Jones has only just realised regards the defence? It's been obvious for over a year!

It is imperative that we get behind the team and help lift this group back to winning ways, lets not be downbeat, we are second, we are progressing and we are going into a very busy period where with the right results we can set ourselves up for the new year.

Hear Hear up the City!

Thank you Carl for your valued time in putting this latest update together. I'm a little sceptical in part's but more hopeful after reading your fine update tonight although the pessimism in me tends to lean towards that it was written tonight after a positive meeting with a Club Director.

Anyway heres to Saturday and hopefully 3 points! Bluebirds!

Thanks for the update Carl, With regards Hammill of Barnsley he is a winger isn't he ? Looking more likely that Burkey is on his way out then.

Would be very surprised to see Hammill come to us, as he seems to be very much in demand!

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Tr ... 48845.html

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sp ... mmill.html

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528, ... 24,00.html

Thanks Carl, that's far more positive than I was expecting after some of the 'lesser-informed' postings on this site recently!!

Intrigued by the 'huge investment' thingy (you little tease, you!! ) and initially I assumed it was part of the Sam (ahem, I mean Langston, of course) debt, but then I read your comments on Sam's disappointment later....

Whilst I think Sam will be painting a 'gloomy' picture at proceedings, I feel sure the issue will be sorted before the deadline....for a £17 million saving on the 'supposed' debt we (I mean the club, of course) be would be daft not too!!

Thanks again, mate....no point in buying tomorrow's Echo now!!

At last, someone with something positive to say on this forum. Good news on all fronts. Now it is just a matter of DJ and the team getting 'on message'. Hopefully this will start with Burnley on Saturday. Great update Carl: you rock.

Great news, especially Hammil i told my mate couple of days ago i wouldn't mind seeing him here if we could get him.
Glad about Wildig and Jarvis getting first team action and good luck to Rae whatever he does

The House of Sport is very very impressive and we owe Steve Borley a debt of gratitude for the hard work, money and time that he put into this project. This facility is up there with the best in the land and Steve did it in 14 weeks. If parents of promising young players see this facility then they will see the club is professional and serious in bringing the best out of our local talent.

until DJ fucks that up with his greater than tho attitude

Thanks Carl, some good info [again].

cheers carl. lets hope for 3points saturday, and the doom and gloom may be lifted

I have not read any of the replies, so I'm sorry if this has already been asked/replied to, but, if there is not a resolution to the Langston deal before the new year, doesn't that mean that the debt rises to 20 odd million?!?!?!?!?!

Surely that implies that the Malasians are not in this for the long haul?!

Sorry if I'm reading too much into this, but surely this is a huge concern?

I have not read any of the replies, so I'm sorry if this has already been asked/replied to, but, if there is not a resolution to the Langston deal before the new year, doesn't that mean that the debt rises to 20 odd million?!?!?!?!?!

Surely that implies that the Malasians are not in this for the long haul?!

Sorry if I'm reading too much into this, but surely this is a huge concern?

They are in it for the next 3 years.

Seems to me Sam is worried what the Malaysians have up their sleeve.

I have not read any of the replies, so I'm sorry if this has already been asked/replied to, but, if there is not a resolution to the Langston deal before the new year, doesn't that mean that the debt rises to 20 odd million?!?!?!?!?!

Surely that implies that the Malasians are not in this for the long haul?!

Sorry if I'm reading too much into this, but surely this is a huge concern?

They are in it for the next 3 years.

Seems to me Sam is worried what the Malaysians have up their sleeve.

If that is the case, seems strange that they would rather pay 20 odd million rather that pay the 10 million though?

Like I said, I haven't read the lot so may have missed the important points.

good news finally well done carl thanks for the update

Maybe tan has seen a loop hole in the debt we owe sam\lanston and we can reduce it further or even gey away with paying nothing.

cheers carl, i would like to say on behalf of the moderators and all the members you have done a fantastic job keeping us all informed this year


merry x mass and a happy new year to you and your family

Very positive update mate, thank you.

Shouldn't laugh really, but the news about the FAW so funny.

I think it's sad on two counts one, it was obvious he had to be sacked, two he is now the manager of Wales after failure, and we had to pay for the privilege, they are absolutely clueless, God help Wales