Derek Llambias: We will back the manager

Nov 4 2009 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

“We are particularly interested in player under the age of 22 because we have always had an idea of building something for the future as well as the present. We are currently talking to two 16 year-olds from Ireland who we are going to sign for our Academy.

“But there will be money invested in

the team because the most important thing is getting us up – and if Chris feels the team is short in a particular area, we want to be able to do something about it for him.”

With fresh protests planned against Ashley this Saturday’s home game against Peterborough, Llambias acknowledged they continue to attract a lot of hostility from supporters still incensed by the treatment of former manager Kevin Keegan, the failure to appoint Alan Shearer as permanent manager and the latest scandal surrounding the search for a stadium sponsor.

Llambias added: “I know we are unpopular and I know a lot of fans don’t like us, but all we want to do is give the club the best possible chance to get back into the Premier League for next season.

“That is in everybody’s interests and we would urge supporters to get behind the team.

“There is a lot of negativity surrounding the club and there has been for a long time.

“But the most important thing is the team and helping that team get promoted.

“Promotion is by far and away the most important thing this season and we should all be focused on that goal.

“When we have achieved that and this team is back in the right division we will focus our energy on making sure we have a team which can keep us there.”