The retaining/attracting players with the wages we can pay is the biggest challenge I see

Our current players may well be happy to stay for a season on £20K - £30K a week but the issue we will have is that as soon as any prove themselves at prem level they will have clubs offering them doubles, treble or even quadruple that at the drop of a hat so they will be tempted away.

Challenge will therefore be to find their replacements who are prepared to come for lowish wages (by prem standards) and at fees we can afford.

I previously felt that long term the "self funding" model was going to make it really challenging to compete long term at champ level. Going up sorts us out on that front for a few years even we come straight back down again but sustaining the strategy at prem level is going to be a different but just as difficult challenge. Our recruitment from cheaper markets is going to have to be outstanding.

Posted By: Jim, May 31, 13:24:34