The Takeover Thread - Recon Group - NOW WITH NEW POLL

[pauliewalnuts]

We should have a new thread 'predict the next bizarre Aston Villa news'

I mentioned this on twitter last night, but I am now at the stage where there isn't any Villa news that would really surprise me these days.

Players to play in clown shoes?
Refactoring Villa Park pitch to match old Yeovil slope?
Michael Ball as Director of Football?
Delph to play whole season on stilts?
New badge design to feature cheeses of the world?
Randy to release weekly updates on sale status in hieroglyphics, as club targets lucrative ancient egypt market?

None of it would surprise me.

[paul_e]

Well Lerner's handling the situatin like a pro. Announcing the club's for sale with no sign of a buyer and then cutting the price two weeks later. They'll be queuing up round the block.

That's only true if you don't believe that the Mirror sport section is a massive pile of made up bollocks.

As pointed out above, would an insider seriously announce to the world not to bother bidding £150m because Lerner will get desperate and settle for a lot less later in the summer.

That alone makes it pretty clear that it's a speculation story at best.  A premier club being openly up for sale with no firm news of a buyer is a big story with lots of ITK kudos coming for the first guy who gets it right, so it's in the interest of attention seekers and 2bit sports journalists to take shots in the dark, we're not going to come out and deny them and when nothing comes of it you c an just post a 'talks broke down' retraction.  The no buyer stories are my favourite, that's basically "I have no what is happening but I'm under pressure to write a story so I'm just going to say nothing is happening" - there's never anything to cal lthem out on for those stories, just "sources tell me" or "insiders suggest", which is just journo speak for "I guess".

[mr underhill]

After missing out on the Strictly Come Dancing gig, Roy Keane's old friend Anton Du Beke is being  appointed to replace Gary Karsa as our new bibs and cones man, with Ola Jordan being brought in as fitness coach.

[ChicagoLion]

Other News

Barry Fry has emerged as the favourite to take over he club with the backing of the new sponsor Billy Smart.
Rolf Harris has been put in charge of youth development, apparently his Jake the Peg routine went down well at the interview.
The ground is going to be renamed ~ or the stadium formerly known as Villa Park

[Malandro]

Other News

Barry Fry has emerged as the favourite to take over he club with the backing of the new sponsor Billy Smart.
Rolf Harris has been put in charge of youth development, apparently his Jake the Peg routine went down well at the interview.
The ground is going to be renamed ~ or the stadium formerly known as Villa Park

stuart hall to do security pat downs at the turnstiles

[Richard E]

But the valuation has dropped and insiders reveal it is likely to come down further as Lerner looks for an exit before next season starts.

Yes, because its really likely someone connected with the sale would reveal to a journalist that there is no point anyone offering the "reduced" price because they will be able to get it cheaper later.

I didn't say what you have attributed to me in the quote. Do you know any good lawyers? 

I am the vexatious litigant.

To be fair I did think perhaps I ought to have clarified that!

And for the avoidance of doubt that reply is without prejudice and not an admission of liability etc etc.

[Richard E]

Well Lerner's handling the situatin like a pro. Announcing the club's for sale with no sign of a buyer and then cutting the price two weeks later. They'll be queuing up round the block.

That's only true if you don't believe that the Mirror sport section is a massive pile of made up bollocks.

As pointed out above, would an insider seriously announce to the world not to bother bidding £150m because Lerner will get desperate and settle for a lot less later in the summer.

That alone makes it pretty clear that it's a speculation story at best.  A premier club being openly up for sale with no firm news of a buyer is a big story with lots of ITK kudos coming for the first guy who gets it right, so it's in the interest of attention seekers and 2bit sports journalists to take shots in the dark, we're not going to come out and deny them and when nothing comes of it you c an just post a 'talks broke down' retraction.  The no buyer stories are my favourite, that's basically "I have no what is happening but I'm under pressure to write a story so I'm just going to say nothing is happening" - there's never anything to cal lthem out on for those stories, just "sources tell me" or "insiders suggest", which is just journo speak for "I guess".

The suggestion that the price is having to be lowered and will be lowered further is also inconsistent with the Independent article about the Kazakh Tango Man which said that there were 6-8 interested parties. 

[mr underhill]

Dave Lee Travis is our new kit man. You heard it here first.

[adrenachrome]

But the valuation has dropped and insiders reveal it is likely to come down further as Lerner looks for an exit before next season starts.

Yes, because its really likely someone connected with the sale would reveal to a journalist that there is no point anyone offering the "reduced" price because they will be able to get it cheaper later.

I didn't say what you have attributed to me in the quote. Do you know any good lawyers? 

I am the vexatious litigant.

To be fair I did think perhaps I ought to have clarified that!

And for the avoidance of doubt that reply is without prejudice and not an admission of liability etc etc.

Sine dubio.

Fair play so. I have instructed my solicitors Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel to cease and desist from posting their cease and desist letter.

[LeeB]

Chuck Berry has refurbished the ladies toilets.

[villa `cross the mersey]

Michael Jackson statue to be erected at Villa Park - "as he touched the lives of so many children"

[adrenachrome]

Len Fairclough to be be in charge of Water Sports.

Thumbs up.

[Richard E]

Michael Jackson statue to be erected at Villa Park - "as he touched so many children"

Fixed it for you.

[villa `cross the mersey]

Michael Jackson statue to be erected at Villa Park - "as he touched so many children"

Fixed it for you.

not so subtle 

[ChicagoLion]

Arry has been appointed Manager of the stationary cupboard.