The Takeover Thread - Recon Group - NOW WITH NEW POLL

[pauliewalnuts]

Poll done.

[olaftab]

Well done...Pauline!

[robbo1874]

If he was staying, he'd have just said that, surely?

Which leaves one of three options.

1. He will now listen to offers. If that is what he means, and we are no further along the road, then that means a summer of manager uncertainty, transfer inertia and an owner who admits he had lost interest. That, for me, unless there is a huge change in spending policy, means another year of struggle. My money would be on it ending badly this time.

2. The takeover is done and dusted.

3. Actually, he doesn't have any grand announcement, but that weird statement has only managed to back him into a corner - ie he fucked up, through an amateurish press release.

Option 1 will likely see us relegated next season, I fear. We've escaped with 2 games to spare this season. Randy, sort it out. Either sell up and fuck off, or properly back your manager in the summer transfer window.

I don't care which it is. I backed lambert all season up until the Swansea debacle. If randy backs him with cash in the summer then I'm willing to 'go again' next season. If not, it will be more of the same and more disgruntlement next season.

[Chris Smith]

My guess is the first scenario is close to where we are albeit with a different conclusion. If he wants to make us an attractive prospect to potential buyers then it is counter productive to run the club down. So I think there will be some investment, that coupled with the availability of currently injured players should make us more competitive. It will be the equivalent of decorating your house before putting it up for sale. If that is the case there is absolutely no point in getting rid of Lambert as any replacement might not meet the approval of new owners and we lumber ourselves with two contracts to pay up.

[john e]

Well done...Pauline!

Spellcheck thing

[robbo1874]

Why decorate your house when someone else wants to buy it and decorate it to their own taste once they move in? Just cut the fuckin grass and fix the front gate.

[Chris Smith]

Why decorate your house when someone else wants to buy it and decorate it to their own taste once they move in? Just cut the fuckin grass and fix the front gate.

Because just cutting the fuckin grass doesn't cover up the scuff marks on the fuckin skirting board or the fuckin peeling wall paper on the landing.

[Mazrim]

It's almost certainly number 2. You don't really announce you're looking for buyers because it makes you look like a fool. Especially somebody as private as Lerner. He'd just do it and then announce something when there is actually something to say. Which I would guess is exactly what has happened.

The only other possibility is that he's found investors or major sponsorship or something. But I doubt that. He wants out and he is out.

[silhillvilla]

I think there's a 4th option which has been missed.
Lerner stays but has brought in some outside investment / business partners / sponsors etc.
The Turkish Airlines Stadium or Villa Red Bulls of Aston etc etc.

[Mr Diggles]

I think there would have been more leaks, either from the Villa end or the buyer, if the deal had been done.

I honestly think it's still number 1, which as others have summarised, could be disastrous.

At any rate I don't think Lerner will sack Lambert, it will be up to any prospective new owners to decide if they want to keep him, surely?

[ChicagoLion]

He could have denied the Sale Rumour and said I remain committed to the club. It was a pretty odd and stupid statement to make. Our PR machine has been pretty awful for a while now though.

We know the club is for sale, we know that he has lost interest. It is just a question of the right buyer and if Lerner can recover all of his investment.

[Jimbo]

It's almost certainly number 2. You don't really announce you're looking for buyers because it makes you look like a fool. Especially somebody as private as Lerner. He'd just do it and then announce something when there is actually something to say. Which I would guess is exactly what has happened.

The only other possibility is that he's found investors or major sponsorship or something. But I doubt that. He wants out and he is out.

I'd agree with this. Lerner doesn't talk, he acts. And I doubt he'd announce anything unless things were well down the line. He'd look a fool if he announced he was seeking a buyer and none materialised, and it would further destabilise an already chaotic club if it were common knowledge the owner wanted out, but couldn't get out.

No, I think if he has something to announce, he'll be telling us what's going to happen, not what might happen.

[saunders_heroes]

Why decorate your house when someone else wants to buy it and decorate it to their own taste once they move in? Just cut the fuckin grass and fix the front gate.

Because just cutting the fuckin grass doesn't cover up the scuff marks on the fuckin skirting board or the fuckin peeling wall paper on the landing.

Potty mouth!

[Mazrim]

There are leaks of sorts. There's a torrent of rumours and media speculation coming out from behind the scenes. Nothing official though and that wont be the case with two or more private entities negotiating.
Do you really think Randy would announce that he's looking for buyers? I cant see it. He's just not that sort of person. Without a buyer lined up, it would serve no purpose except to add to the instability at the club.
In my opinion, there's absolutely no chance this will be the case.

[mrastonvilla]

I think the lowering of the wage bill along with the equity swap has been the getting the house in order part. I think he's probably been looking for a buyer for a couple of years now so hopefully it will be that someone has agreed to buy the club.