[BaggyBomber]

I think us older posters are making the mistake that we still have this strange belief that it is supposed to be about the football, when in reality the game of football has no relevance anymore and it is purely coincidental that football is the product they are selling to make money. These days it is all about business and money whether that be from the clubs, the leagues, the media or the players.  

Gone of the days when players usually came from close to the club they played for, as did the fans.  Gone have the days when a players main consideration was winning the league or a cup, now its what their next car will be or showing off their new £50,000 watch and maybe a little bit of it would be fun to play in the Champions League.  

The clubs look to increase profit anyway they can regardless of the effect on the club or the fans.  If JP or any other chairman for that matter thought the club would earn more by playing in the bottom tier of football that's what they would aim for.  Why do we need a newly designed strip every year, if not to sell more shirts?

Its about doing anything to please the media and "sod the fans, it will make us more money".  Just look at the way the clubs will move games with no regards to the fans all so they can show a game on a Sunday morning or Monday night (and earn more money).

Now for the controversial bit, as I know JP has kept us in the black and in the premiership, but I am not convinced as he has done anything different to what any accountant running "the business" would have done.  This is not in any way a dig at JP.  Simple accountants rule "never take any risks, not even calculated ones" and I am sure that any of you that have ever worked in an organisation run by an accountant would agree.  I am not saying that that policy is wrong, just do not expect anything different.

More controversy coming

I think we are treating Berahino a little harshly, yes he was wrong and has given our rivals a great excuse for a good laugh at us, but, we go on about his loyalty and that he is a spoilt brat, but lets look at how we would feel.  

We go ask about moving on from our company "to bigger and better things", the boss says "We are really stuck at the moment, if you will stay for one more year, you can go with our blessing, so we agree and put in the shift asked for and play a big part in saving the company from going under.  Come the following year, the boss says "Well now you can go, IF......".

Not the agreement we signed up to a year before.  How would we feel?  

No way we should sell him off on the cheap, but I am sure statements like "Berahino is not for sale at any price" helped his attitude very much.  Neither do statements saying "there are 15 clubs in after him"  I think the lad had good reason to believe that he would move on.  Before people say "should we sell him for less than he is worth", absolutely not, but anything or anybody in this case is only worth what someone is prepared to pay.  You may think your house is worth 100k, but if your best offer is 80k, your house in reality is worth 80k, (whether paid in instalments or any other way).

Of course  SB went about it in the wrong way and was stupid to post that message to twitter, which I put down to his age and naivety .  But I do pose the question where was the loyalty the club showed in honouring their promise to him?

Unfortunately I think SB got stuck between to of the largest footballing ego's in the country and will ultimately be the one to pay the price, as no top club will look at him now for at least a year and probably more and IMO all he can do now is apologise to all concerned and hope for the best.

All in all a sad state of affairs, for everyone.  Bring on the flack ;-)

Goodness knows where you find the energy to write such an epistle, Salop.  Congratulations on your stamina.  As to the sentiment; for me it's a curate's egg.