Correct. They had not invested anywhere near has much as us in the playing squad ( nor had Blackpool under the Oystons , who did it mainly with loanees) , they just had the luck and fortune ( a season without any major injuries for instance) to click at the right time and get up, whereas it never happened for us.
We could have beaten Bolton. We should have beaten West Ham. Defining moments of my generation. My dads were the cup final defeats v West Brom and West Ham, and twice being runners up in the league to Arsenal by the finest of margins . Similar tales of nearly men, whereas other clubs got over the line in their glory years. Finney went a full career without a major trophy. Anyone trying to convince me our club is not cursed has a struggle on their hands.
Back to Hemmings. I’m not going to defend the training ground fiasco, but I do think the strategy is broadly right, given the parameters of how much he wants to invest per year, which appears to be capped at £6m a year.
These are great times for our club, which we’d be enjoying so much more if it wasnt for our history of being nearly men, and the Fact that everyone else has had their glory and we never have.
I don’t realistically see anyone willing to put £7m a year or more in. I respect those who are “ Hemmings out” because they don’t like the way the club is being run, I just disagree with them. Sadly, i think if they get their way, and we do have a change of ownership, many of them will not hang around to support the club if we drop down the leagues.
I think improved communication and some attempts to create a better fan experience would go a long way to improving supporter morale.