For me its about realism. Over recent years we have wanted to establish ourselves as a Premiership club at all costs. I'll put 7.5 million for Naismith up there as an example. We spent more and more on players, and more importantly on their contracts, assuming we had cracked it, that our financial model could beat the odds and establish us. And that was maybe doable 5 years ago, but now? I'm not so sure. But once the board went down that path with McNally we very much developed tunnel vision, and as a result a lot of longer term things like the academy and Colney were ignored. In some way we wanted the best of both worlds, to be at the top table, but still work within our community club model.
Under our current financial terms the very best we can hope for now is yo-yo, thats the reality of the situation. I think Webber has brought the board down to earth with a bump and we are where we are. I don't think he is dishonest in the slightest, or manipulating anyone, that is nonsense. And I don't think he needs to buy anyone more time, fans really need to start recognising the size of the restructuring that is happening, dry their eyes, and get on board with it, because unless we get external investment (whole other issue) then they are going to have to get used to it.
In some ways the fans are equally to blame. The meteoric rise through the leagues under Lambert fooled a lot of people that this was the norm, and we would just rise and rise, and it would never end. I remember clearly phrases being used like "I don't see any reason why we can't become an established top ten side". The board very much reacted to a lot of fans unrealistic expectations perhaps.
I remember some years ago, ironically when we were following "The Charlton model" when Charlton fans got the hump that they weren't top six, and they sacked Alan Curbishley. Now look where they are. You could also look at the moaning that Arsenal fans do, as an example of expectation management.
