"We have redeveloped the ground, the academy and the training ground but a huge proportion of the money has gone in players' wages," McCabe says.
There were a lot of promises about players, about the training ground, the academy; they said they would fix the stadium, that they would buy feeder clubs".
"If you walk around the infrastructure, the training ground, the academy, if you're a person who is willing to take a view over the next two to three years, this is a club that belongs in the top seven".
Sporting's training ground and academy Mareo, in the wet and windy rolling hills outside the city, from where you can hear the cowbells in the fields across the lane, has long been famous but rarely has it been so central to the first team as this.
"There will be new stadia, new infrastructure for the club, a new training ground, an academy for the kids.
"If I was one of them with this facility, the training ground, the academy and the fans, I would be.
Brighton & Hove Albion chief executive Paul Barber says their new training ground and academy is "critical" to the club's future.
The pair will now meet again early next week with Martinez keen to establish Whelan's plans for the club's new training ground and academy.
The Seagulls recently unveiled plans for a new training ground and academy in West Sussex, which is due to be in full operation at the beginning of 2013.
Lawrence seems to be the movie's best bet, and she too could be on shaky ground if academy members decide to elevate Rooney Mara ("Carol") and Alicia Vikander ("The Danish Girl") from supporting to lead.
