I think the NotAproject group may have played this quite well.

Protesting against the club will not remove Blue co / Clearlake and as said above they might struggle to sell up if they wished to.

Protests always end up being aggressive/ edgy and can easily miss the point.

The Club have actually done something that would appear to align with the supporters, at least initially, proof will be if they continue in this vein.

We want our Chelsea back may sound a little lame but the truth is a lot of supporters would like to see things revert to how they were on the pitch and know what needs to happen behind the scenes to achieve that.

Suspending the protests may allow the club to see that their latest move is received favourably and that they may be hitting the right balance between money and football, who knows they might do more of this football smoothing and what the hell they might even enjoy it.

Small steps but Eghbali and Co. would probably prefer not to be called all kinds of bastards every time they go to the Bridge.

Fingers crossed. What else can we do?

Protest is the only thing that works. Protest is what led to media attention on Chelsea accounts, and a forensic examination of Clearlake's practices and sources of funding that jumped from sports media to financial media.

The reason why protest is important is because right now, if there is sufficient pressure on BlueCo to get out as a result of fan sentiment, there is also concomitant pressure on the incoming new owner to adopt changes that the fans want. If BlueCo are allowed to sell in their own time, the fans will have no influence on who buys or what their aims for the club are.

2 hours ago, SydneyChelsea said:

Protest is the only thing that works. Protest is what led to media attention on Chelsea accounts, and a forensic examination of Clearlake's practices and sources of funding that jumped from sports media to financial media.

The reason why protest is important is because right now, if there is sufficient pressure on BlueCo to get out as a result of fan sentiment, there is also concomitant pressure on the incoming new owner to adopt changes that the fans want. If BlueCo are allowed to sell in their own time, the fans will have no influence on who buys or what their aims for the club are.

Do you genuinely think there is a world where fan opinion and sentiment would be taken into account in influencing who a football club is sold to? Is there any precedence supporting that for a club of this size?

I have no problem with protesting and putting forward some representation against what the club owners are doing and I am definitely Clearlake Out, but I also know that somebody has to be prepared to buy. I also think that much of the Protest Shaming of fans for not attending or being more vocal is also unfair. I do find it a bit off that many of the most vociferous and judgemental voice are from those that aren't even in this country. This is not directed at you Syd but is more a comment on the likes of Younes and George Benson, who have been telling people what they should be doing and bemoaning if things fall short. Easy to do when you're in Dubai and not affected. I see little difference in their difficulty in being present and, say, somebody like @GarnachoCheese living up north with a new baby. I can imagine him saying to his partner "look after the baby, I'm off down south to protest against the owners for an hour". "Yeah, are you fck" would be the probable response

2 hours ago, WhiteWall said:

Do you genuinely think there is a world where fan opinion and sentiment would be taken into account in influencing who a football club is sold to? Is there any precedence supporting that for a club of this size?

I have no problem with protesting and putting forward some representation against what the club owners are doing and I am definitely Clearlake Out, but I also know that somebody has to be prepared to buy. I also think that much of the Protest Shaming of fans for not attending or being more vocal is also unfair. I do find it a bit off that many of the most vociferous and judgemental voice are from those that aren't even in this country. This is not directed at you Syd but is more a comment on the likes of Younes and George Benson, who have been telling people what they should be doing and bemoaning if things fall short. Easy to do when you're in Dubai and not affected. I see little difference in their difficulty in being present and, say, somebody like @GarnachoCheese living up north with a new baby. I can imagine him saying to his partner "look after the baby, I'm off down south to protest against the owners for an hour". "Yeah, are you fck" would be the probable response

If there's ever a #NetoOut protest i'll arrange childcare for the weekend and be on the first train down.

3 hours ago, WhiteWall said:

Do you genuinely think there is a world where fan opinion and sentiment would be taken into account in influencing who a football club is sold to? Is there any precedence supporting that for a club of this size?

I have no problem with protesting and putting forward some representation against what the club owners are doing and I am definitely Clearlake Out, but I also know that somebody has to be prepared to buy. I also think that much of the Protest Shaming of fans for not attending or being more vocal is also unfair. I do find it a bit off that many of the most vociferous and judgemental voice are from those that aren't even in this country. This is not directed at you Syd but is more a comment on the likes of Younes and George Benson, who have been telling people what they should be doing and bemoaning if things fall short. Easy to do when you're in Dubai and not affected. I see little difference in their difficulty in being present and, say, somebody like @GarnachoCheese living up north with a new baby. I can imagine him saying to his partner "look after the baby, I'm off down south to protest against the owners for an hour". "Yeah, are you fck" would be the probable response

I feel that the protests have forced the ownership to hire Alonso, for example, which we all have regarded as a step in the right direction. Without the protests from Strasbourg and Chelsea fans, we would have probably ended with Gary O'Neil or some other puppet of their choice. So yes, protest is always important, and as Sydney has already mentioned, it attracts attention to other aspects of the Club, and that possibly makes the investors unhappy. We should keep protesting, in my opinion.

6 minutes ago, RMH said:

I feel that the protests have forced the ownership to hire Alonso, for example, which we all have regarded as a step in the right direction. Without the protests from Strasbourg and Chelsea fans, we would have probably ended with Gary O'Neil or some other puppet of their choice. So yes, protest is always important, and as Sydney has already mentioned, it attracts attention to other aspects of the Club, and that possibly makes the investors unhappy. We should keep protesting, in my opinion.

I think that's a stretch. As blind, deaf, dumb and stupid as they are, it was evident things weren't working.

4 hours ago, WhiteWall said:

Do you genuinely think there is a world where fan opinion and sentiment would be taken into account in influencing who a football club is sold to? Is there any precedence supporting that for a club of this size?

I have no problem with protesting and putting forward some representation against what the club owners are doing and I am definitely Clearlake Out, but I also know that somebody has to be prepared to buy. I also think that much of the Protest Shaming of fans for not attending or being more vocal is also unfair. I do find it a bit off that many of the most vociferous and judgemental voice are from those that aren't even in this country. This is not directed at you Syd but is more a comment on the likes of Younes and George Benson, who have been telling people what they should be doing and bemoaning if things fall short. Easy to do when you're in Dubai and not affected. I see little difference in their difficulty in being present and, say, somebody like @GarnachoCheese living up north with a new baby. I can imagine him saying to his partner "look after the baby, I'm off down south to protest against the owners for an hour". "Yeah, are you fck" would be the probable response

I have to agree I don’t see our protests ever having that much power in terms of who we may sell to etc.

The protests let the club know there is only so much the fans will take and that that their project was failing and it must change.

A new manager doesn’t on its own do that, we have had 5 since they started. Let’s see what happens over the summer.

But if they get him his targets, some quality, experience,then as a match going fan(my boys go more than me these days) I’d like to start next season looking forward to hopefully some good football and getting behind the team.

If you protest when they are trying to do something right it will just become background noise from a few disgruntled fans who they will see as never being happy and probably ignore rather than listening like hopefully they are doing now.

Long term, club finances etc for me that’s kind of their problem and they pay enough people to figure it out. I’d just like a decent squad and manager ready for next season playing some enjoyable football and competing at the top again.

33 minutes ago, dermott said:

I think that's a stretch. As blind, deaf, dumb and stupid as they are, it was evident things weren't working.

It's taken them 4 years to realise what every fan was already seeing. They've finally realised themselves, yes, but I feel like the protests (outside but also the chants, boos and empty seats inside Stamford Bridge) have made them rethink a bit their project and go for a sought after coach. However, we still need to see proper changes introduced in other aspects of the Club, signings, tickets, SDs and their interference, etc We already had an experience coach in Pochettino and it didn't work out because of their precious project.

19 minutes ago, RMH said:

It's taken them 4 years to realise what every fan was already seeing. They've finally realised themselves, yes, but I feel like the protests (outside but also the chants, boos and empty seats inside Stamford Bridge) have made them rethink a bit their project and go for a sought after coach. However, we still need to see proper changes introduced in other aspects of the Club, signings, tickets, SDs and their interference, etc We already had an experience coach in Pochettino and it didn't work out because of their precious project.

You are right the manager alone means nothing. Let’s see what happens over the summer.

However I also feel like there is a time and place to protest. This season the players have been poor, but the coaching and behind the scenes set up as been a shambles. Booing at the match was right and reflected this. But I’d rather not see demonstrations at the first game of the season if Alonso’s targets have arrived and the players are ready for the new season.

I’m not going to sit booing during the game when Alonso or the players have nothing to do with ticket policy.

I hate to say it but the scousers manage to keep their grievances with the club’s hierarchy separate from getting behind the team. It’s about picking your battles I suppose and when and where to have them.

They wanted Iraola but we bullied them into getting Alonso + control.

In all seriousness, I'm not too fussed considering its a step in the right direction. We'll know whether it was right or not match day one of next season and what starting XI we have.

3 hours ago, C3blue said:

I have to agree I don’t see our protests ever having that much power in terms of who we may sell to etc.

The protests let the club know there is only so much the fans will take and that that their project was failing and it must change.

A new manager doesn’t on its own do that, we have had 5 since they started. Let’s see what happens over the summer.

But if they get him his targets, some quality, experience,then as a match going fan(my boys go more than me these days) I’d like to start next season looking forward to hopefully some good football and getting behind the team.

If you protest when they are trying to do something right it will just become background noise from a few disgruntled fans who they will see as never being happy and probably ignore rather than listening like hopefully they are doing now.

Long term, club finances etc for me that’s kind of their problem and they pay enough people to figure it out. I’d just like a decent squad and manager ready for next season playing some enjoyable football and competing at the top again.

What i was trying to say but put far more eloquently than me. Spot on.

Ok, so I'm NOT involved in the protests.

But what sort of fans would we have become if we had watched in passive silence while our club was being ruined? I'm supportive of fans who take the time and make the effort to protest, regardless of whether it has the desired effect.or not...

As Stewart and Winstanley were involved in the interviews and appointment process, I can't see them going anywhere soon.

Come on you BLUES!

2 hours ago, C3blue said:

You are right the manager alone means nothing. Let’s see what happens over the summer.

However I also feel like there is a time and place to protest. This season the players have been poor, but the coaching and behind the scenes set up as been a shambles. Booing at the match was right and reflected this. But I’d rather not see demonstrations at the first game of the season if Alonso’s targets have arrived and the players are ready for the new season.

I’m not going to sit booing during the game when Alonso or the players have nothing to do with ticket policy.

I hate to say it but the scousers manage to keep their grievances with the club’s hierarchy separate from getting behind the team. It’s about picking your battles I suppose and when and where to have them.

Those in the protests have got behind the team . The protests are confined to the owners..

22 minutes ago, The Rising Sun said:

As Stewart and Winstanley were involved in the interviews and appointment process, I can't see them going anywhere soon.

Come on you BLUES!

Stewart and Winstanley wont be the first people in business to have appointed their successor, unknowingly.

Edited May 19May 19 by OTL

They don’t give a monkeys about business reputation, won’t be shamed into doing the right thing. They’ll be crying all the way to the bank. It’s not a popularity competition

18 hours ago, WhiteWall said:

Do you genuinely think there is a world where fan opinion and sentiment would be taken into account in influencing who a football club is sold to? Is there any precedence supporting that for a club of this size?

Fan sentiment was the reason why the Rickett's family didn't buy Chelsea despite them being Roman's preferred choice.

Edited May 19May 19 by yaz

20 hours ago, WhiteWall said:

Do you genuinely think there is a world where fan opinion and sentiment would be taken into account in influencing who a football club is sold to? Is there any precedence supporting that for a club of this size?

I have no problem with protesting and putting forward some representation against what the club owners are doing and I am definitely Clearlake Out, but I also know that somebody has to be prepared to buy. I also think that much of the Protest Shaming of fans for not attending or being more vocal is also unfair. I do find it a bit off that many of the most vociferous and judgemental voice are from those that aren't even in this country. This is not directed at you Syd but is more a comment on the likes of Younes and George Benson, who have been telling people what they should be doing and bemoaning if things fall short. Easy to do when you're in Dubai and not affected. I see little difference in their difficulty in being present and, say, somebody like @GarnachoCheese living up north with a new baby. I can imagine him saying to his partner "look after the baby, I'm off down south to protest against the owners for an hour". "Yeah, are you fck" would be the probable response

I think @GarnachoCheese's missus is gonna ask him if he's planning to finish those renovations first

I agree about the Youtubers, but this situation probably does show the reality of the fanbase. I don't think the "match-going" fans are who we think they are, because the people that genuinely care about this club have been priced out or subjected to restrictive ticketing practices that just make it impossible to attend regularly.

That said, I do believe fan sentiment brings change. Even to the coldest-hearted PE firm they are customers, and if a brand's customers are unhappy, regardless of what the financials say no one will consider that a good investment. On the flipside, investors see 'quick wins' if all they need to do is turn around fan sentiment to increase the value.

5 hours ago, yaz said:

Fan sentiment was the reason why the Rickett's family didn't buy Chelsea despite them being Roman's preferred choice.

Sorry, I'm not convinced that there was true evidence of that but even if that were the case that wasn't the point I was making. I was questioning were fan opinion resulted in companies investing in football clubs have sold up

2 hours ago, SydneyChelsea said:

I think @GarnachoCheese's missus is gonna ask him if he's planning to finish those renovations first

I agree about the Youtubers, but this situation probably does show the reality of the fanbase. I don't think the "match-going" fans are who we think they are, because the people that genuinely care about this club have been priced out or subjected to restrictive ticketing practices that just make it impossible to attend regularly.

That said, I do believe fan sentiment brings change. Even to the coldest-hearted PE firm they are customers, and if a brand's customers are unhappy, regardless of what the financials say no one will consider that a good investment. On the flipside, investors see 'quick wins' if all they need to do is turn around fan sentiment to increase the value.

Bang on the money Syd. Therein lies the issue. How many of the hardcore loyal are able to travel from all parts of the country to attend a 30 minute protest march if they are unable to attend the game.

One transfer often not mentioned is that of Declan Rice.

Him and his family are Chelsea, he wanted to come back here but blueco insulting him and his dad so he went on to win the title, and perhaps CL, for Arsenal.

Declan Rice is a very average player playing in a very solid team. We'll watch him for England struggling to pass the ball forward and reality will sink back in. If he wins POTS its a joke.

The Athletic are the latest ones to say we are sell to buy, and the loss of CL will add to that.

Summer window should be interesting. Apparently the Madrids are looking at signing Enzo and Cucu.

12 hours ago, axman2526 said:

One transfer often not mentioned is that of Declan Rice.

Him and his family are Chelsea, he wanted to come back here but blueco insulting him and his dad so he went on to win the title, and perhaps CL, for Arsenal.

When did BlueCo insult him or his family?

We had multiple opportunities to bring Rice under Abramovich. Lampard wanted him as a CB/DM, Tuchel wanted him to replace Jorginho. We weren't linked with him until 2023 by which point is was clear the club's #1 target was Caicedo. We should have had them both.

4 hours ago, SydneyChelsea said:

When did BlueCo insult him or his family?

We had multiple opportunities to bring Rice under Abramovich. Lampard wanted him as a CB/DM, Tuchel wanted him to replace Jorginho. We weren't linked with him until 2023 by which point is was clear the club's #1 target was Caicedo. We should have had them both.

Yes, the insult thing is a furphy that has grown over time. Common around here. I forget the year but, at one point, it looked to be on but WH changed their minds and decided not to sell. By the time they decided to sell his price was astronomical.