Questions and Answers in the middle of a crises

We gathered around our phones, laptops and whatever else to be updated by Mark and Nicola Palios about the current state of affairs at the club. Beforehand it would be fair to say there was a high degree of cynicism about the value of the Q&A, afterwards some felt that such cynicism was far from misplaced.

Normally I would explore the positives and negatives and whilst there were some positive message, such as the fact that the club is not in danger of going into Administration there was a huge amount of vagueness. There was no indication given regarding the money available in the January transfer window. However, it was stated the one reason for bringing Andy Crosby in was so that he could make an objective assessment around the current squad. I’m no expert on this kind of thing but our League position might hint that the squad isn’t good enough. Maybe Andy will come to a different conclusion?

There were pleas that the players were working hard and trying to make themselves better. Mark Palios suggested that all teams get into these spirals from time to time and he doesn’t think we are going to be relegated. If we are though ‘Wrexham came back’. Mark, after 10 years. 

The takeover process is still ongoing. We were told that something concrete would happen by the end of the first quarter next year. Now this may sound positive but I am left wondering, does this mean the end of the quarter ending in March, or the end of the first quarter in the new financial year starting in April? Either way the cash injection we hoped for ahead of January doesn’t seem to be likely.

They also discussed the fan park where Mark indicated that he had lost patience with the Trust and that the Trust do not have the funds to complete the project. The relationship with the Trust was described as ‘fractured’. This seems a deeply concerning situation that is not going to improve in the short term.

After 40 minutes I started feeling like I do when I am watching the team at the moment. I had lost the will to be engaged and felt that nothing specific was being addressed other than ‘we want this period to be over soon’. It all felt quite sad.

The questions and comments coming in from supporters were a mixture of agitated concern, gallows humour and a smattering of appreciation for the work Mark and Nicola had done. Another Q&A will take place at the end of the next quarter. We will certainly have a clearer idea about our likely League status by then. The rest, well we’ll just have to keep our fingers crossed and stay positive.