Transfer Reality.

[somersetstokie]

I was going to say that now the transfer window storm has subsided. But what storm? In comparison to usual levels of activity there has been little or nothing happening in the markets, for any league or size of club. Most teams seem to have been adopting a wait and see policy and have been unwilling to commit themselves. The implications of the Covid restrictions are clearly cutting deeply and even clubs that haven't publicly drawn attention to the issue are struggling financially or are worried about the direction things are going.

Our own club issues of course have as much to do with the FFP rules,as spending power, and we are required to operate within limits and ensure that expenditure is controlled within the references of income. As fans we accept and understand this, however reluctantly, and we recognise the restraints that Stoke are facing. The reality of the situation has been evident in the transfer window as we have been obliged to reduce our wage bill and try to move players out, and this has to happen before we can move forward again.

I can't help thinking though that we are going through this difficult period unnecessarily. Ok as a club we hope to play within the rules and try and stay within the framework of FFP, and to a large extent out current problems are very much of our own making, with recent signing arrangements that are now regretted with hindsight. But it is also probably true that FFP, as it now stands, is a system that is unworkable and to maintain restrictions is not helpful to any club. How can we seek to live within our means and income, when we have no income from gate receipts and commercial activity at the club facilities?

There will be pressure to change or even suspend the system now, and change will inevitably occur, but will this in itself be a fair resolution of any issues. Stoke are restricted now and as stated are making every effort to stay within the rules. Some clubs by comparison may be pushing on with fairly lavish expenditure programmes in the hope that they don't have to answer for the consequences in the short term. If the rules are changed, isn't it the case that Stoke will have done all this hard work and made sacrifices for nothing. The club will have held back, while others keep on going regardless of the situation and steal a march on us.

I fear that in the final analysis Stoke will have tried so hard to adhere scrupulously to the rules that exist now, and will then soon find that the rules are changed or scrapped, and the club could have saved themselves the trouble. All their efforts and work will be negated, and the club will effectively have the rug pulled out from underneath its feet.

Never mind this debate about the "Big Picture" and the Premier League clubs leading changes. What we need is a summit meeting of representatives of both club and league interests, to see how Financial Fair Play can continue to be workable, or not.

[robwahlmann]

- I'm in favour of a limited number of players in a squad (23)
- I still think a wage cap system should be introduced, for instance a maximum of wages per squad
- A certain number of homegrown players in the squad (11)
- I think the suggestions above will make a more level ground for all teams in the division too

- I don't like the FFP system as it actually leads to clubs losing money, can't sell players because of FFP and because of that have to let the contracts run down