interview with the new owner and Wael

If it was meant to be a PR exercise it was a total disaster as if we're going to have to wait until the Academy etc is producing players we're going to be in for a long wait. Was the new BP reporter, Dan Hargreaves, just making it up when he suggested JB's playing budget was going to be boosted as it seems the new owners have no intention of a top 6 push anytime soon.

Interesting interview and fair play to Radio Briz for asking some awkward questions. My takes...
Hussain AlSaeed would not have invested in BRFC if the FM did not have a realistic chance of success. Big positive.
I have been highly critical of the quality of the Board / senior management team in the past. Hussain brings greater experience (though a bit more detail of exactly what he has achieved wouldn't go amiss). Nothwithstanding, big positive.
Both repeated that he brings greater business experience. Instead of being repeatedly told that Rovers is more professional, I get the feeling Hussain actually means it. Cautiously positive.
Focus on development team / academy. Longer term strategy. Seems a bit more like what the hapless Ben Garner was trying to achieve (which I don't actually disagree with). I don't think Hussain will sign off on short term high spending on expensive loanees to facilitate a promotion push. He played down the prospects of challenging this season. This is not a bad thing. Management of expectation. Positive.
South Stand. Oh dear. Wael talked about circumstances out of his control. What things like understanding the planning and building process?
Wael (as ever) comes across as a 'nice chap', but with the inability to answer any questions directed at him. I thought Hussain was much more assured.
Further down the road, this co-ownership model will inevitably come under strain if there are disagreements (which inevitably there will be).
Maybe they can work together and agree on all the 'big stuff' Time will tell. Hussain has the largest share holding. Just sayin'.
Overall it's a cautious big positive for me.
My account has not been hacked.

If I'm reading that right the new owner has just opened a basketball school in a local sports hall, I'm not sure that compares with building a professional football stadium?

In yesterday's interview it was suggested a note of their achievements had been published, any idea where it was published, the Pirate, and what was said about their achievements?

Details please. Thanks in advance.

Agreed not much intent
Just waffle from previous owner saying new owner is a fantastic business real estate man.

The Mem is being offered to developer of new FM stadium as payment to ensure we are able to rent the new stadium. The locals won't be amused at blocks of flats probably student units on a busy road on Filton Avenue

Given that it was an introductory interview with a local broadcaster I dont think you can box them off as being weak yet Swiss.  We need to let them get their feet under the table, turn over the stones and see where they want to improve first.

Admittedly, there was no promises made whatsoever so if that is what you were looking for then you would be disappointed.

I'm not boxing off Hussain as being weak because some of the things he talked about were very encouraging and, dare I say it, echo what I've been posting about for the last few years.

But I do think the interview was weak and a lost opportunity to at least start to make a break with the past and and to give some encouragement that a more forceful style of management is on the way. Instead we heard a lot about partnerships and working together and this cosiness gave the impression (perhaps especially in Wael's eyes) that nothing much is going to change. I'm not a believer in fudging or contrived trade off's or trying to please everyone so I'm hoping that Hussain will soon emerge as the clear and decisive leader of the club.

The most glaring example of weakness was in Wael's attempts to answer questions about the South Stand.  Are you able to defend this or do you even want to now ?

Question. It’s obvious the South Stand has not gone as planned and is being delayed, why is that, was it a case of not applying for planning permission or not getting planning permission and are you confident it will be resolved sooner rather than later ?

Well, I mean, expecting a stand to be built in a couple of weeks wasn’t going to happen was it. I mean you know the way things are with contractors with councils with everything. I mean these hiccups do happen and unfortunately some hiccups have happened but we’re dealing with it and again the goal and ambition is to get that stand built as soon as possible. We’re all working towards that.


Question. Have mistakes been made ? Hindsight is a wonderful thing but would you have done things differently if you could start again ?


Um, I don’t think so because, you know, we’re hostage to events that are out of our control in terms of just getting approval. Or, you know, contractors and timelines that you can plan all you want to get it done in a month or two but, you know, in reality when you come to execute things kinda get delayed.


Question. When do you expect to get it resolved, are plans in place for if you don’t get planning permission ?


Well, I mean, the way we’re handling it is that we’re trying to manage it to get it done as soon as possible. How long will that take ? I can hope it’s short term, so, uh.



If this had been a boxing match we all know what the referee would have done.

Not sure what Wael answering questions about the new stand as to do with the new co-owners, or were you expecting Hussain to butt in and say "just admit it Wael you messed up and you will need to do better in future if this partnership is going to work"?

So we're going to be tenants of any new stadium and for the privilege the owners get the mem site? Wasn't the main reason the club didn't proceed with the UWE project that we wouldn't own the stadium??? I'm sure Wael has been quoted as saying that it's important that we own any future stadium? Is this not the reason why we left Eastville all those years ago, we didn't own the stadium and the greyhound company our the rent up beyond what we could afford?? Didn't Coventry get themselves in trouble because they didn't own the stadium??? Why are people so happy for the club to sign away the one major asset that we have?? I don't see why why can't redevelop the mem along the lines of the plans years ago with students accomodation etc?