On the `get what you pay for' basis, Mr Khan's expectations will differ from those of a purchaser of Arsenal, Chelsea or Spurs. He will know that we compete with those teams over 90 minutes and occasionally beat them; but that they are in a different category financially as clubs -- within a group of six that's distinct from the rest of us.
The latest accounts (2011-2) show incomes for that top six ranging from £320m (ManU) down to £169m (Liverpool) and £144m (Spurs). Then a plunge to the next highest, Newcastle at £93m, with six others in the 70-80,000s: in descending order: Everton, Villa, Fulham, Sunderland, Norwich and Stoke.
So we're in with that second lot, Newcastle downwards. And lo and behold, these are also the clubs we tend to jostle with for league position. Last season most of us could have finished in any old order, and we'll commence in August anticipating similarly. But we shan't anticipate bettering the financial top six over a full season. No spending that doesn't bridge much of the £50 million gap between Newcastle and Spurs has a right to expect that -- and supporters don't have a right to expect such spending. Nor do we.
Shahid Khan, Mike Ashley, Delia Smith, Randy Lerner, etc, will be aiming to finish above each other and maybe win a cup (which isn't so tied to spend -- ask Wigan and Swansea); but they won't be expecting their management to deliver a top six finish. That would be an unexpected bonus.
Would it help if they expanded their stadia and filled them? Yes it would a bit. But matchday income is only part of the reason for that financial top six being so far ahead. What's more attendance stats are only one aspect of matchday income. Spurs, after all, fill a 36k stadium, Chelsea a 40k one and Newcastle much the largest, at 50k. A stadium moreover slap-bang in the midst of that city.
Signs are that Shahid Khan will proceed with a Riverside development that not only adds 5k capacity, but facilities to generate much more spend from food, drink and hospitality.
Beyond that, proper rebuilds of the two ends, even if barely larger (hence uncontroversial) could also add restaurants, bars and lounges usable as meeting and function rooms at other times. This would probably be as lucrative as busting a gut to maximise seats, and would certainly have a better fit -- in all senses -- with the CC environs.
With capacity at 30k we'd stay in competition with the Sunderlands rather than the Chelseas, meaning a chance of Cups and Europa League participation, rather than Champions League. That is a better fate than 90% of other clubs'. All taking place in a distinctive and attractive environment that not only generates pride, but may also, with cards played right, yield income that Brittania Stadium etc. can't aspire to.
I would hope Mr Khan appreciates all this -- and imagine that he either does or soon will.
