If you ask me whether customer reviews matter or not, the answer to this question is a powerful yes. With the market shifting to an online platform, customers can quickly provide feedback about the service, whether it is good or bad. It is a space where customers can provide their free opinion about the product, which affects other customers' buying decisions.
With good reviews, the application or the website will get better visibility. The more positive feedback about the product on different social media platforms will attract more potential customers. Apart from that, with the help of the feedback, better changes can be made in the applications. Generating positive and informative feedback about the application is possible through search engine optimization (SEO) and App store optimization. (ASO). As the name suggests, search engine optimization (SEO) optimizes a website with specific keywords, and the website ranks better in search engines like google, yahoo, and youtube. App store optimization ( ASO ) is quite similar to SEO. Creative content needs to be designed according to search intent. ASO is vital for any app developer.
There are millions of applications on the Apple app store and the google play store, and it is a tough competition if you don't get enough visibility. Proper app optimization will ensure a higher ranking when searched for relevant keywords. The meta description of the application, which includes the title and subtitles, should have relevant keywords. Higher the ranking of your application more, it will be used by the targeted customer and fetch more reviews on ios app reviews, google play store app review sites, and the respective website. ASO can help you get more installs and visibility on the social media platform.
Today many applications will guide you to optimize your application. These applications provide several kinds of services like buy app reviews from genuine users, Scattered users,24X7 support, geographically scattered, In-depth reporting, intuitive Statistics, quick changes, and automatic report sharing. All the app developers out there if you worried about why your application is not getting enough visibility. Your worrisome time is over because there is much trustworthy application to help you get better ranking on app stores.
In the 21st century, everything about ratings and reviews, all of us check reviews before doing for dining, after booking a ride, while booking flight/air/bus tickets, while signing up for an online course, while subscribing to youtube videos, before ordering food, before booking movie tickets. Customers look forward to reviews because it helps them make better decisions as consumers. Research has shown that if any application, website, or channel has terrible reviews, 90% of the customers will not spend time on that platform. The marketing of the application has to be so that you can reach your targeted audience, and once they have used the application, you can obtain positive reviews. Apart from that, when you invest in ASO, they have specific teams who install your application and go through the entire app, checks for bugs and glitches, and provides genuine reviews. Such constructive feedback from experts will help the developers to make better changes in the application. If you have designed your application and are looking forward to better reviews on the IOS app review sites, Playstore app review sites, it is worth investing in ASO. With optimal customer reach, you will get optimal install numbers.
App store optimization is a process that increases app visibility. The visibility of the application increases in the app stores. The most used app stores are the google play store for android users and the app store for IOS users. App store optimization depends on many factors, like click-through rate, app icon, app title, app sub-title, App screenshots, and App rating. More app developers can tweak these factors more they will get visibility, and these factors increase the chances of the application getting installed.
Why is app store optimization crucial?
One of the significant challenges which app developers face is that reaching their target audience. As there are more than 2 million applications available on the major app store platforms and 67% of the maximum app downloads happen on these major app store platform. These platforms are the best place to discover the new application. However, these are only possible when the app store is optimized correctly. If it is not optimized, you are likely to lose hundreds and thousands of potential downloads. But, today, there are many app stores optimizing organizations to whom you can reach out. These organizations work on your application on a daily basis to optimize fundamental factors and generate more organic downloads.
So you are an app developer and believe that your application has potential, but you are facing a hard time reaching out to potential customers. Invest in a program provided by the app store optimizing companies, and be rest assured that this investment will benefit you. Now, let us look at some of the benefits of the app store optimizing company.
Benefits;
Organic install at lower cost
App store optimization company in India and outside India offers packages at very reasonable prices, increasing your app ranking. Your application will be visible to the targeted audience, and that will bring in more app downloads.
Getting more loyal and relevant users.
Trying to use the exact keywords used by your targeted audience for searching the application is one of the best ASO strategies. ASO improves the subtitle the description of the application in such a way that it contributes a lot to the app ranking higher in-app store. Having your application used by the relevant user will fetch you a better rating on the app store and constructive feedback.
Enhance revenue collection and bring more stability.
Along with ASO, if you monetize your application a little bit ( with ads, in-app purchase and subscription), it will bring you increased revenue as ASO provides lots of additional downloads. Having a financial back up is always good as it will provide stable growth to the application in future.
ASO is a crucial part of 21st-century marketing strategy, and many times marketers and app developers overlook this part. So if you are an app developer or are running your own business and want to launch an app, make sure you invest in ASO. All the big data companies are already following these strategies, and it is benefiting them. Be rest assured that it will help you too. Today there are numerous app store optimization company in India and outside India, so make sure you reach out to them whenever required.
The inclusion of great cameras into our phones nowadays have made our generation very much obsessed with clicking pictures specially selfies and make them look perfect. There are tons of social media sites where we post our pictures and want them to look perfect so that everyone sees our best side. Not only do we hope that our pictures look the best but we also want people to love them, react to them and try to imitate our picture often at times.
With the B612 app you can give your picture the best shape possible. Often the pictures we take don't satisfy us and we feel the need to enhance those pictures to be posted in the social media handles. This app is the perfect solution for this problem. If you don't feel like posting a picture, apply one of the hundred filters that B612 gives you. Each filter will make your viewing experience different from the other and you can see the effects that they provide you with. A little edit can make your picture look better than all the other people on the internet.
Apart from that the B612 app has also given you some of the best features among all the other apps. This includes changing and beautifying the background. We often click selfies and pictures to see later that the background is not aqs we have expected. This problem is solved by the B612 app that helps you to change the background and put any custom background you want or lets you beautify it in your own way. By this, you can beautify your image and also change your background according to your wish. Isn't that sun to just hear? Then imagine how much fun it would be to actually change your background and beautify your image.
Not only does the B612 app help you to fix your image and background but also can help you with the lighting. This often happens when we take a photo in the light that isn't righty focused on our face or our dress and it is either very bright or is too dim. This can be fixed with the B612 app. This app can scan your image and fix the lighting by auto light fix or you can manually fix the light through countless features that the app provides its users to enhance their image.
You can also edit your image entirely with the kind of effects you want to give and the contrast and warmth of the image. After you are finished you will find a more beautiful and enhanced picture than what you actually took. Doesn't that sound great? This app is dedicated to provide the users with the best edited version of their pictures and can be called the best in the industry.
Overall this app is a one stop solution to help you with all the picture editing needs. Get ready to be better than your friends on social media and use it to bring out the best version of your pictures.
Networking refers to the process by which an individual uses his contacts to gain leverage on certain issues. For example, if you work in the IT industry and need help regarding taxation and such - you contact a friend in your network who works in that domain. Most of this and other stuff happen on Linkedin. How is this relevant to your interest? Well, you are not reading this just for fun! You are here because some website gave you the tip - using app store optimization Linkedin to grow your app. Don’t worry, we will get to it soon!
How do you do it?
Although app store optimization Linkedin might sound like a hefty term, it means using the app store optimization opportunities on Linkedin. There are two options available - learn app store optimization yourself and make some trial runs to determine what is working in favor. The alternate option here would be to delegate the task of marketing to app store optimization companieson Linkedin. The second option is considered to be the better option because if someone is good at something, they should focus on so. To exemplify it, we can say that if someone is good at making apps then inculcating the needs of marketing and the how-to do’s of it might be a cumbersome task.
How do they do it?
The app store optimization Linkedin process, if delegated to a company that specializes in such an area, they will undertake the following steps to help your app grow:
Suitable keyword implementation: People perform searches on the App Store or Google Play Store using keywords. Let’s say someone searches for ‘recipe app’, then the app market will show apps that dominate in the space of giving recipes and cooking instructions. Thus, these companies find out what keywords have a huge search volume and what keywords are relevant to your app. When the search is complete - these keywords are implemented in every place that is appropriate like the app description, title, short description, metadata, etc.
App Ranking: Every app has some categories in which it can rank higher. If we take the example given in the previous pointer - the recipe app can rank better in the category of ‘food-making’ apps and so much more. Thus, by ranking higher in different categories the app can create a place for itself.
Feedback: When you avail of app store optimization linkiden, the company that is providing you such service will always have a feedback loop ready with their sophisticated tools. The feedback loop ensures that you get enough data at frequent intervals to make any kind of decision, like app ranking data, install numbers, etc.
Conclusion
Nevertheless, you should always try to optimize the app as much as you can. At the heart of your app is its service, and you should never make any compromises on that, whatever happens. Using app store optimization Linkedin can be a path of support, but it should never become the lifeline of your app!
I am in competition with nobody , I run my very own race. Well, this is often the word of wise people. But app business doesn't allow your wisdom, very proportionately. The routine that the app business and its fiercest strategies uphold everyday, is unquestionably getting to dump you, if anyhow, you miss being foolish enough to handle this breath resisting competition. Running short on philosophy, there are almost 1.5 million apps within the google playstore and almost a 1.3 million apps within the App Store optimization service. which may be the population of any highly developing continent. So, it's easily made out that, finding an interesting place amongst these millions may be a tough job.
So all the recent app developers expecting a hit during this business, here are a couple of tricks, you would possibly accommodate or adopt together with your own very policies to occupy a permanent position within the app stores.
The theory of App Store Optimisation (ASO)-
So, this rarely hard abbreviation basically determines app visibility. So, a better rank of ASO will allow users a simple access to your app. ASO basically is suffering from a couple of factors as positive reviews, an exquisite number of app downloads by app publishers , eminent positions for Impressive key words within the title, regional access and updated surveys over the amount of users, and a powerful number of app starts to supply an identifiable ranking to the apps.
App icon- the visual hero.
It is quite mandatory that the app developer creates a very enticing app icon, that, creates a really important visual impression upon the users. So, the app icon must be an unusual recognisable feast to the eyes of the user while scrolling down the App Store. It must be a transparent representation of the app content and concept. Simple app icon is usually appreciated.
The advertising guru- Social media.
Well, social media advertising is analogous besides being attitudinally complicated. It shall clearly uphold the App and its related contents. Wise choice of the social media platforms and a sensible angle of advertising is predicted of the app developers. Platforms like Facebook, twitter, YouTube might surely aid. Well, excite your fans to an immediate engagement together with your app through the social media platforms.
Offline Advertising is a further messiah.
The ad agencies might add on to your expenses but they're a sure shot to an ideal app advertising. Well, there are variety of ad agencies in Bangalore.
The top advertising app store optimization agencies in Bangalore to call a couple of includes sparkles app store optimization agency, beehive communication pvt.ltd., pink lemonade-creative advertising agency . but is included Vistas Ad Media-Web designing, Digital Marketing, SEO amongst the simplest advertising agencies in Bangalore. Perhaps, Bangalore may be a web hub of the country holding the highest ad agencies. So, definitely, readymade help within the advertising field is out there during this a part of the Silicon Valley of India.
Name and proper description-the mane.
Surely, an attractive name, but simple and short, clearly upholding the most contents of the app is predicted of smart app developers. There must be slightly of uniqueness, but no copyright. Keep the character limit within 30.
Screenshots save the scene.
Collection of photos videos and therefore the most appropriate screenshots save the sport . The features of your best app store optimization must clearly be depicted by the pictures and therefore the screenshots. Well, suggested the foremost is, don’t let your users work their brains while analysing your app. Do the greater a part of that within the presentation arena.
Offline marketing.
Undoubtedly, the Suri attempt to guaranteed services are once that are self checked and verified. Well the Silicon Valley of India, Bangalore holds an outsized number of ad agencies. These advertising agencies provide for correct exposure and marketing for your app. Further the social media agencies of Bangalore also present your app to potent clients for appropriate reviews. These reviews provided by the social media agencies of Bangalore and therefore the social media marketing agencies of Bangalore provide the required exposure for correct advertising of your app.
Conclusion
So, it's well sorted that there must be proper implementation of a couple of tricks besides some mandatory rules into your app business to get a correct position of your app within the app stores.
Apps are everywhere and for everything. The early 2010s saw an outburst of apps in both Android and iOS app store, Prior to it, you had some 5-6 apps for a task but today the situation has been completely altered. If you search for an app today, you will find around 20 more apps for that specific task. With so much options to choose from, how can you decide which one is for you and which is not meant to be considered. It can be a bit confusing and let’s face it. Nobody has the time and patience to try each and every app before finally deciding on one buy app ratings.
To help you out, we will list down 7 Things to Consider When Making iOS and Android Apps.
User Interface: UI is probably the most vital thing to look out for while selecting an app. Will you like an app if it is complex to use? Let’s rephrase it a little. A neat and easy interface or a tough to follow interface. Which one will you prefer to use? An easy to app obviously. Imagine you need to roam around the Instagram for looking for an option to post a photo. Sounds lame right? While selecting an app, always look for the apps which have an easy to use UI. Look for the screenshots and try to figure out if the interface is friendly enough for you. If not, move on.
Design: Every one prefers an app which looks good and feels premium. If you look into insights, you will discover that an app with a good logo and a good overall design has more downloads than an app without one. This is true in many levels. Design makes the app look more approachable and thus should be considered while selecting an app.
Core Feature: While focussing on the UI and the design, don’t forget why you started the app hunt in the first place. Make sure you read the app specifications and ensure that it is offering the things that you were looking for. Also, read the reviews to get to know if the app is really worth it.
In-app purchases: Many apps have this feature called in-app purchases. Basically, you can use some of the app features and for the other feature, you need to buy it. This can be a real shocker if you are using an app for some time. If you will look around, you will get all the features that you are looking for basically without paying a single buckbuy reviews on google.
Ads: Ads can be annoying, especially when you are in the middle of something important. Imagine editing an important document that you have to mail in 10 minutes to mail it to your boss and in the middle of it. Boom. You get an advertisement asking you to write an app review before you can resume your work again. Irritating right? To avoid such situations, make sure that the app you use is free of in-app advertisements.
Stability: Whether iOS or Android, apps can get unstable. This may be due to a number of factors. Before downloading an app, make sure it matches with your phone’s specifications and there are no redundancies. Else, it can be a problem later on.
Bugs: Always be careful of apps with bugs in it. Especially if it is a paid app. If not, you will be wasting your money and time. Always read the user reviews and also go through app review websites before you use an app.
I had a huge issue a while back with the syncing which caused me to use chrome more than edge. I love Microsoft products and continue to use them because they’re my absolute go to... Unless they abandon ship and then I have no choice. (Previous windows phone user 👀💙) Anyways I love the new edge and I hope to see more people use it because it truly is a great browser! This web browser is probably the most innovative and creative web browser out there I use it on my computer and my iPad and it’s great it honestly is it has a built in bar code reader and camera search for cameras, it has rewards for when you search, it’s simple and sleek design looks great and its fast top aso companies and reliable with searching! I Highly recommend this app/web browser because this truly is a piece of artI have had a computer since 1956Before Microsoft existed.... & I admire both Apple & Microsoft... now both offer only a 747 that has 300plus & and more 100sOf opinions. ... that few users need.... NOW confuse & confuses...Updates that anges seen & unseen,,, my. Yours .,,’Requires & confusing U & meWaste of our time & costs $requires ore time spaceLike buy bigger new.....Slavery to IT now exists for updates.... I want one seat on Microsoft ... NOT needing me toJumping up or down thru 1000That. Are hiding in the closets
MISS—- Make It Simple ... OKHarvey says. PleaseThe application is so reliable it’s incredible. Thank you so much for adding chromium to the browser. Web pages load in less than a second and I have no stuttering while scrolling through web pages. Also, I give it a 10 for haptic feedback. I would like to see them work with Apple to support a “default apps” section for iOS. That would be amazing. I’d also like to see Apple Pay, but I guess that’s up to Apple.I have always used Microsoft Windows on my computers and it has, for as long as I can remember, given me the option to use Edge-formerly known as IE app search optimization company. In all these years I remained faithful to my Google! I’m a very loyal person. This is just who I am. I have recently ventured into employment that requires higher capabilities than my basic pc, so I upgraded. While going through the motions of backup (old pc) and setup (new pc), I was had some issues with Google, on which I have relied my entire internet life. It was then I decided to make the switch. My husband told me that Edge was made for Windows, so that’s how I decided where to go.
The switch has been extremely pleasant and simple. I love all of the new options! I have setup a family where I can monitor my sons tablet. I love that. Everything has “for Dummies” step-by-step instructions. Everything comes with tutorials. I’m still discovering things and I am one completely satisfied customer! Thank you! I hope the experience continues to go this great. I lost a lot of important files when downloading and backing up Google Drive and Photos. The files were format converted to something I cannot revert. My children’s entire lives were in there. It’s the only remaining access I have.
I wanted an app that would keep my life events organized and stored safely. Diaro meets my requirements with its folders that you name and with its ability to sync across devices. It even has a Dropbox backup feature. The PDF export feature lets you have a hard copy of your information.I had a question for support and they responded quickly, which I like. It appears that the developers are responsive to requests from users who want new features buy review for app store.
I upgraded to Pro right away to get the sync features which is great because I use an iPad and iPhones that all can be used to access and enter data. I have had no issues with the app. I installed it on my devices and it has worked fine. The learning curve was easy and intuitive.I track my blood pressure, for example and can enter several entries per day, associate the readings with medication and habits. I use a folder I call Wellness to keep such data. I use a medical folder for doctor visits, medication doses and history.
I live on a sailboat and use Diaro to keep track of things I do like ordering parts, repairs items and maintenance.I use a family folder to keep information about relatives, events related to family and my thoughts.If you want to record information like this and keep it safe, Diaro is superb.
First of all, I have journaled off & on all my life. In a diary as a kid, notebooks & composition books as I got older & then LiveJournal for many years. I haven't had luck getting back in to LJ. Just not a good app for it. I've tried several other journal apps & I chose 2 to check out. This one & another one (can't remember the name) that was simple but unable to be personalized. Similar to my favorite of all time, LiveJournal, the other one can share your thoughts or chosen journal entries anonymously (or not) with others who felt the same as you that day, etc. I loved the concept of sharing my entries with others if I opted to https://rocketappranking.com/.
I love this journal best at this time because of the different ways you can personalize it. The setup works for me perfectly. I would consider the upgrade IF I had the one feature that the other did. To be able to share your thoughts or chosen journal entries with others. It wouldn't be something that any given person would have to participate in, just if they wanted to. Kind of like the option to change into a PDF so you can print it. Anyway, just my thoughts. Great journal!! I have given it a real chance before writing this review. Again, I do love the app & hope you might consider including the option to share with others. Im going to stick with this one UNLESS I find one identical to this one with that specific feature. 😜
We have seen how the career of David Beckham blossomed from his debut at Manchester United at the age of 17 to his now tired club appearances for LA Galaxy. For all our misgivings about Beckham being a self-promoting fashion icon rather than professional footballer, one thing is clear, the man never gives up. During his time at Manchester United, Beckham won the Premier League title six times, the FA Cup twice, and the UEFA Champions League in 1999. In 2003, he left Old Trafford for Real Madrid and many critics deemed him a loser after four barren seasons. Yet he emerged from his Spanish stint in 2007 with a major trophy – La Liga championship title, before leaving for Major League Soccer.
Recently, his international career picked up… for no apparent reason. All thanks to England coach Fabio Capello, Beckham has been steadily accumulating England caps, without any eye-catching performances. He was fielded as a late substitute in each of England’s World Cup qualifiers this year, playing a total of 28 minutes for his four caps. The total tally for Golden Balls is 107 England caps and he will equal Bobby Moore’s all-time appearances by featuring against Germany next month. That would leave David Beckham 17 caps shy of Peter Shilton’s long-standing record of playing 125 times for his country between 1970 and 1999.
Shilton is clearly unhappy with the manner in which Beckham has closed in on his record. He said: “I didn’t think it was justifiable at all to bring him on with two minutes to go against Belarus. I couldn’t believe it. You had Shaun Wright-Phillips on the pitch as well and I couldn’t see what reason there could be.”Certainly, any self-respecting footballer will prefer to earn his cap by making significant contributions to the team rather than to receive hand-outs from the coach. But to be fair, a goalkeeper enjoys longevity and can last the entire match because there is less physical demand on the body.An outfield player will have to burst his lungs running up and down the pitch, fighting for possession, creating chances as well as enduring malicious tackles. In this respect, I will cut Beckham some slack and accept his role as a substitute, while breaking records along the way.I am fine with cameo appearances so long as the team’s fortune is not compromised by the 33-year old midfielder whose pace is long gone and can only deliver spectacular free-kicks once in a blue moon. If Beckham can put in even more commitment and hard work than his peers, I keep faith with Capello’s decision that Beckham’s England days are far from over.
Coming back to Beckham’s club career, I am surprised that there is still light at the end of the tunnel. His insipid performances with La Galaxy over two seasons is a disgrace. For the amount of money he wringed from the club while it suffers from a double whammy of falling gate receipts and poor economic conditions in America, I believe not many fans will shed tears over the sacking of David Beckham.Actually, if Beckham can’t survive in the Major League Soccer, the answer is obvious on his usefulness to clubs harboring title ambitions. Yet, AC Milan surprised all and sundry with their unsettling, if not scandalous, decision. The Italian club has confirmed that David Beckham will join them on a short-term loan deal during the MLS close season.Golden Balls now has a chance to feature in both Serie A and UEFA Cup matches for an illustrious club and hopefully justify to his detractors, his continued presence in the England team. The LA Times seems to be none too sad about this development when it reported last week that “the Beckham circus could fold its tents and the club could go back to being what it once was competitive in MLS”.This statement is fair except for the term “competitive” which is at odds with the entire setup at LA Galaxy. In the past four years, Galaxy have accumulated 41 wins, 55 defeats and 27 draws in the regular season. Only Real Salt Lake, a new MLS franchise, has fared worse.
Currently, LA Galaxy lie second from bottom of the Western Standings, with no chance of reaching the playoffs. This is a repeat scenario of Beckham’s first season in California. Galaxy’s record of eight wins, 13 defeats and eight draws represents a failed experiment in creating a “sexy championship team” with David Beckham on the roster.David Beckham’s contributions to LA Galaxy stands at a paltry five goals and 11 assists. These are hardly the sort of statistics that will interest AC Milan, a seven-time European champion. Yet, the Rossoneri were clearly rubbing their hands in glee, probably in anticipation of more fans and merchandise sales.Despite Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti’s declaration that the Rossonneri would like to make the proposed move permanent, the Galaxy captain insisted that he will be back in California for the start of the 2009 MLS season. He said: “I will be back. My commitment is to the Galaxy and that has not changed.”“It’s a two-month spell, maybe a little longer. Milan have got a great team, so I’m not expecting to go straight in the starting line-up. I will have to earn the right to get into that team. I’m in Serie A form. It’s about getting my fitness up.
“I came to the Galaxy to actually win trophies so I want to do that. I’m also very committed to my role as the MLS ambassador as well. It’s been slightly disappointing because we haven’t made the playoffs again.”Does AC Milan really need the 33-year-old England midfielder for footballing purposes? The squad is already overflowing with exceptional talents which include FIFA World Player of the Year Kaka, along with fellow Brazilian internationals Ronaldinho and Alexandre Pato.Experience is rich with veterans Clarence Seedorf and former sharpshooter, Andriy Shevchenko returning to his favorite hunting ground after a miserable time at Chelsea. And not to forget, an array of Italian World Cup winners: Andrea Pirlo, Gennaro Gattuso, Gianlucca Zambrotta, Maldini and Alessandro Nesta.In such a competitive club, it is difficult to imagine Beckham breaking into the first XI on a regular basis. Former Gunners, Mathieu Flamini, has only played four matches (3 domestic and I European), so it is a wonder if Beckham can even make it onto the bench, especially when he is already old, has never tasted Italian soccer and defense never been his forte.
Traditionally, big name players who were over the hill struggled to carve a name for themselves when they arrived at AC Milan. Ronaldo was overweight and out-of-form when he arrived at the San Siro from Real Madrid in Jan. 2007. The Brazilian scored a few goals but never regained his lethal form.His ruptured ligaments ruled him out for nine months and AC Milan privately confirmed that Ronaldo would never play for them again even if he made a full recovery. Ex-Italy forward Roberto Baggio was among other top players who failed to hit their earlier heights after signing for Milan.Financially though, it could be a mutually beneficial arrangement for both club and player. Initial reports reveal that AC Milan will only take Beckham on a ‘free’ loan, meaning that the Italians would not fork out money to LA Galaxy and would just pay part or none of his wages.Milan are cash tight at the moment following the purchase of Ronaldinho from Barcelona, so they will be glad to take Beckham for pennies on the dollar. Beckham, as one of the world’s most famous sportsmen, is a marketing machine which singlehandedly propelled Real Madrid to the richest club in the world with lucrative sales of replica shirts and other revenue generating opportunities.
Consider the mania which greeted the club the day after Ronaldinho joined in July. Milan fans snapped up over a quarter of all the season tickets sold up to that point and hits on the website were 10 times the average.As for David Beckham, the fashion-conscious superstar is already well-known in Italy and models underwear for famous Italian designer Giorgio Armani. Billboards of his half-naked body already span the country, so his effect on Milan fans will be nothing short of spectacular.However, one has to be careful of Beckham’s waning appeal amid the current economic crisis. Last season, Beckham drew a crowd of 66,237 to Giants Stadium in New Jersey to watch him play the New York Red Bulls but this season the attendance was 46,754.FC Dallas had a crowd of 22,331 when David Beckham came to Pizza Hut Park in May, up from 14,600 when Galaxy played there without him last June. But the attendances fell to 8,960 and 8,541 for each of Dallas’s next two home games, signs that Beckham’s impact is only ephemeral.
Galaxy’s owners, Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) has not committed to the deal but coach Arena has already highlighted his displeasure: “I don’t see where that benefits MLS or the Galaxy. Given the position the Galaxy is in, it would seem very odd to me if we were loaning out our top players at the start of the season. ”Despite a sticky start, AC Milan are getting into the groove and looking like Serie A title contenders. The Beckham circus could unfortunately disrupt the balance and upset a few key players. Maldini was reportedly happy with the signing though.On his team’s good run of form, Ancelotti attributed it to his defense, saying: “Favalli, Bonera, Maldini, as well as all the others, have improved individually as well as in a team sense. But the credit also goes to the strikers, who are able to move well on the pitch without ever leaving too much space behind.”Ancelotti said of Beckham: “I wouldn’t just loan him, I’d buy him. He’s still a valid player who can be useful to us, and we can be useful to him. He will not be a tourist.”
But he remained ambivalent about Beckham’s role in the team. “If Beckham wanted to train with us, it wouldn’t be a problem for me.” No mention of Beckham featuring for the team.It will be interesting to see if Ancelotti can find a slot for Beckham and bring out of the best in him. The intense competition with Ronaldinho and Kaka will spur Beckham to outperform himself, which will ultimately work to the benefit of England… that is, if it works out at all.
There is something to be said about Portsmouth going into administration – with debts of around £70 million, it became the first Premier League club to achieve this dubious honour and gave a stark reminder that the entrapment from the richest league in the world will be insufficient to shelter a mismanaged club from financial woes.For better or worse, the Premier League has been largely spared by the financial crisis and economic recession in the last two years, what with transfer fees and wages spiralling upwards while austerity measures were frowned upon, but in the fullness of time, one must expect the day of reckoning to arrive when the limit to how much debts a club can rollover or snowball is breached.
Portsmouth is facing its darkest moment currently. Entering administration means the club is virtually certain to be relegated when their 19 point tally is slapped with a 9 point deduction. With only 11 matches left to preserve their Premier League status, Pompey has to win at least 7 games, which is a tall order even in the best of circumstances.Are they up to the task? Last Saturday, Pompey displayed enough gumption to edge out fellow relegation candidate Burnley in a morale boosting 2-1 victory. Portsmouth struck through Piquionne but a Martin Paterson goal returned the scoreline to parity and it was up to Algerian Hassan Yebda’s penalty to settle the game.
The fans can take heart from this victory; even if the cause is lost, the players are determined to fight for their pride. Manager Avram Grant, who shaked hands with the travelling fans after the game, said: “Despite everything, we were fighting today. You saw the spirit today, you see the real trait of people in difficult days. I still believe, I want to stay positive.”Let’s hope the troops continue to respond positively to Avram Grant’s rally. However, it will take all of Grant’s abilities to steer the ship when the administration soap opera is underway. Firstly, the ship is now rudderless. Chief executive Peter Storrie has tendered his resignation instead of staying on for a nominal salary to sort out the financial mess which was created during his tenure.
Last year, he took home more than £1 million when the club is already insolvent. I can understand paying good money for top talents but what is the point of having a chief executive if the club is going to be run into the ground? Employing a minimum wage cleaner in that position will suffice. There should be a clawback in Storrie’s bonus or he returns the bonus willingly but that is just wishful thinking.Instead of feeling remorseful, Peter Storrie looked on “favourably” on his eight years of service. Portsmouth fans will beg to differ. Questions abound over Storrie’s leadership and ethics but at the moment, transparency and accountability are in short order.
While wages at the club are high and the tattered ground is too small to generate sufficient revenue but where did the television money and transfer money from the sales of players like Diarra, Muntari, etc go to? Why wasn’t the money used to pay down mounting debts?Andrew Andronikou, from Hacker Young, has been installed as chief administrator and he has promised to review all expenses and open up the books, even calling in the police if money laundering is uncovered. Andronikou has a reputation for doing the right thing so Portsmouth fans should not jump the gun on any alleged wrongdoings (on Storrie’s part or the owners).
There is little love lost for Peter Storrie but in the coming weeks, there could be more departures. Avram Grant is unsure if he will stay until the end of the season. England goalkeeper David James, the most experienced member in the squad, has volunteered to take a pay cut than be shown the door. The relegation battle could be made easier if other highly paid footballers in Portsmouth share the same sentiment.The priority for the administrator is to find a buyer for Portsmouth but this is easier said than done. To make matters worse, the stadium and surrounding land is no longer owned by the club, thanks to financing deals made by “fit and proper” owners.
Balram Chainrai made a £17m loan loan to previous owner Ali Al Faraj in return for mortgages on Fratton Park and the club. Chainrai became Portsmouth’s fourth owner of the season after the club defaulted on repayments due to him.The inability to find a suitable buyer sparked his controversial move into administration but as a secured creditor, it gave him priority after football creditors (like players, staff, etc) to be repaid. Ironically, Balram Chainrai is likely to emerge again as Portsmouth’s owner. In the absence of new investors/suckers, regaining control of Portsmouth with the debts largely wiped out will allow him to preserve his investment and possibly profit at a later date.There are other legal disputes awaiting Portsmouth too. It has been sued by former defender Sol Campbell for £1.7m for unpaid image rights. The football club is also involved in a separate dispute with former owner Gaydamak over whether they have missed a deadline in paying a £9m chunk of the £28m they owe him.
Pompey must also enter a Company Voluntary Agreement for unsecured creditors by the end of the season or start next season with another deduction of at least 15 points which could result in another relegation into the Championship and put off any potential buyers.On the bright side, Portsmouth will be a more stable and financially viable Championship side. Administration is definitely the lesser of two evils compared to a winding up order and there are already four interested parties circling in. The winding-up process, started by HM Revenue and Customs, due before the High Court this week, will be suspended automatically.
Andrew Andronikou has requested for a meeting of the Premier League board to ratify the nine-point deduction. He will also try to overturn rulings that prevent them from selling players outside the transfer window. This rule is too cumbersome for the administrator. If players have not contributed enough to justify their high wages and refuse to take pay cuts, the direct way to reduce the debt burden is to sell them, rather than waiting for several months to take action.With Portsmouth going into administration, it is set to receive outstanding payments from the Premier League – including parachute payments paid to relegated clubs – totalling £36 million.
The Premier League has also given Portsmouth written permission to raise £20m against the promise of the future funds. However, the League will retain about £16m to pay off football debts. Besides the advance payments and raising of fresh capital, negotiations forcing creditors to take a haircut and offloading of redundant players will make the £70 million debt less daunting.
