CONFIMRED - The final countdown

[rabidbee]

Surely the point is that Couhig has one of Dai’s ball in a vice-like grip (and the EFL are holding the other one a bit more gingerly), so now Dai is just going to have to take Couhig’s offer, or lose everything?

And I think a whole bunch of us suggested that the litigation was a fairly transparent effort to force a sale, although it appears to have been the liens that have actually provided the most leverage. If Couhig is honest that the only reason he still had them was because Dai oxf*rd off his original lawyers so much, that’s a massive own goal.

And for the record, I’ve never really seen what the problem is with Couhig. He has a proven track record at Wycombe, and appears only to have been guilty of wanting to buy something that was for sale.

[Esteban]

Club statement.

Buyer with exclusivity has gone away.

Alternative buyer is negotiating.

We can all join the dots and say Platek got scared off by Couhig, who is now proceeding.

Of course, the big question is will RC play hardball and reduce his previous offer on the basis that he will drop the court case?

Couhig said he had to make loads of deals to get to the end game last time. I don't see Couhig moving the goalposts too far at this stage, but there's probably still a few hurdles to clear. We're not out of the woods yet, but things are starting to look up.

Is it too early to arrange the inevitable piss up at the Turtle?

[traff]

Best result for you know who too, do what he ******* well should have done last September and get rid of another possible expensive failure in court in June as well.

Let’s all hope that Rob’s PR in recent weeks is all truthful, honest heart on the sleeve stuff.

Certainly will be great to have an owner who actually talks to people rather than the 8 years of stony silence we’ve had with YKW.

I think k you spell it DAI

[The Cap]

Surely the point is that Couhig has one of Dai’s ball in a vice-like grip (and the EFL are holding the other one a bit more gingerly), so now Dai is just going to have to take Couhig’s offer, or lose everything?

And I think a whole bunch of us suggested that the litigation was a fairly transparent effort to force a sale, although it appears to have been the liens that have actually provided the most leverage. If Couhig is honest that the only reason he still had them was because Dai oxf*rd off his original lawyers so much, that’s a massive own goal.

And for the record, I’ve never really seen what the problem is with Couhig. He has a proven track record at Wycombe, and appears only to have been guilty of wanting to buy something that was for sale.

Exactly this and, whilst allowing for the financial side of things, even his own family have queried why he doesn't take on more straightforward projects that have come his way. He may well be a hard nosed businessman, however he clearly has a vested interest in the club itself. And going on previous evidence, the Purple Turtle. Should it all go accordingly, that would be one hell of a bash.

[MouldyRoyal]

Surely the point is that Couhig has one of Dai’s ball in a vice-like grip (and the EFL are holding the other one a bit more gingerly), so now Dai is just going to have to take Couhig’s offer, or lose everything?

And I think a whole bunch of us suggested that the litigation was a fairly transparent effort to force a sale, although it appears to have been the liens that have actually provided the most leverage. If Couhig is honest that the only reason he still had them was because Dai oxf*rd off his original lawyers so much, that’s a massive own goal.

And for the record, I’ve never really seen what the problem is with Couhig. He has a proven track record at Wycombe, and appears only to have been guilty of wanting to buy something that was for sale.

Exactly my view tbh. Plus, not only does he want to buy something that is for sale, he didn't lie down and let himself be screwed over. He *should* have been the owner back in August, his actions since then seem to have been to ensure that still came to pass.

Fair play to him, screwing over Dai (and yes, Reading getting hurt in the process but he has the power to fix all that) is nice to see

[Linden Jones' Tash]

with the caveat that this may be another false dawn..

My concern with RC last time around was whether he has enough spare liquidity to run a club of Reading's size

He's not a sugar daddy and is in it for a quick buck

lets not kid ourselves...

[Winston Biscuit]

Is it time to start thinking up Couhig related chants?

If someone could find out whether he owns a pig or wears a wig that could really help us here tbh

[MouldyRoyal]

A quick buck, for him, means a 3 to 4 year project which isn't unreasonable. He will run us sustainably which will be the first time since SJM and, to me at least, is no bad thing. But to really see a return on his investment, he will need to get us back in the Champ, which he will know he can't do without some investment (I am not yet entertaining the idea we will go up this year).

[Brogue]

*** Breaking News***

This thread has now overtaken the 12 year old 'Academy Watch' thread, moving to number 3 on the all time biggest threads list.

Thanks for all your support.

xx

[MouldyRoyal]

*** Breaking News***

This thread has now overtaken the 'Academy Watch' thread, moving to number 3 on the all time biggest threads on the team board.

Thanks for all your support.

xx

You gonna retire the Huang Kad gimmick in celebration or waiting til the takeover?

[Armadillo Roadkill]

with the caveat that this may be another false dawn..

My concern with RC last time around was whether he has enough spare liquidity to run a club of Reading's size

He's not a sugar daddy and is in it for a quick buck

lets not kid ourselves...

Agreed.

But my hope is that the current model that's working so well gets continued. Everything built upon the academy providing a steady supply of players into the first team, with some of them moving on for good fees, plus careful and strategic signings. Knibbs, Wing, Mbengue, Smith, Savage and Bindon - great acquisitions on a sensible budget.

So it shouldn't take the kind of money Wrexham and Birmingham have spent to go up, just sensible stewardship and a Cat 1 academy.

[Brogue]

*** Breaking News***

This thread has now overtaken the 'Academy Watch' thread, moving to number 3 on the all time biggest threads on the team board.

Thanks for all your support.

xx

You gonna retire the Huang Kad gimmick in celebration or waiting til the takeover?

?

[WestYorksRoyal]

Presumably given the profile of it all, someone will confirm Couhig's involvement today (maybe the Chronicle). Does the last sentence of the statement imply he's lending us money again?

[WestYorksRoyal]

with the caveat that this may be another false dawn..

My concern with RC last time around was whether he has enough spare liquidity to run a club of Reading's size

He's not a sugar daddy and is in it for a quick buck

lets not kid ourselves...

Agreed.

But my hope is that the current model that's working so well gets continued. Everything built upon the academy providing a steady supply of players into the first team, with some of them moving on for good fees, plus careful and strategic signings. Knibbs, Wing, Mbengue, Smith, Savage and Bindon - great acquisitions on a sensible budget.

So it shouldn't take the kind of money Wrexham and Birmingham have spent to go up, just sensible stewardship and a Cat 1 academy.

It wasn't just Couhig, he had other backers. But yes, we won't have a billionaire. But where does that get you? Look at ourselves and Stoke.

It will be a weaker division next year too.

[Linden Jones' Tash]

with the caveat that this may be another false dawn..

My concern with RC last time around was whether he has enough spare liquidity to run a club of Reading's size

He's not a sugar daddy and is in it for a quick buck

lets not kid ourselves...

Agreed.

But my hope is that the current model that's working so well gets continued. Everything built upon the academy providing a steady supply of players into the first team, with some of them moving on for good fees, plus careful and strategic signings. Knibbs, Wing, Mbengue, Smith, Savage and Bindon - great acquisitions on a sensible budget.

So it shouldn't take the kind of money Wrexham and Birmingham have spent to go up, just sensible stewardship and a Cat 1 academy.

A 'however' is that the STAR statement last week indicated that the current model is costing ~ £1.35M a month to sustain.

that is now, this month....

so "working well" isn't the same as sustainable..

we need a way to generate a significant amount of new income just to keep the current model going

[MartinRdg]

Surely the point is that Couhig has one of Dai’s ball in a vice-like grip (and the EFL are holding the other one a bit more gingerly), so now Dai is just going to have to take Couhig’s offer, or lose everything?

And I think a whole bunch of us suggested that the litigation was a fairly transparent effort to force a sale, although it appears to have been the liens that have actually provided the most leverage. If Couhig is honest that the only reason he still had them was because Dai oxf*rd off his original lawyers so much, that’s a massive own goal.

And for the record, I’ve never really seen what the problem is with Couhig. He has a proven track record at Wycombe, and appears only to have been guilty of wanting to buy something that was for sale.

About the only problem with Couhig is that he will want to cost save which is probably reasonable as we are running at a huge monthly loss and something needs to be done to reign that in.

[MartinRdg]

But my hope is that the current model that's working so well gets continued. Everything built upon the academy providing a steady supply of players into the first team, with some of them moving on for good fees, plus careful and strategic signings. Knibbs, Wing, Mbengue, Smith, Savage and Bindon - great acquisitions on a sensible budget.

So it shouldn't take the kind of money Wrexham and Birmingham have spent to go up, just sensible stewardship and a Cat 1 academy.

Which is what a lot of people have said for a long time. We don't want over paid prima donnas who have had their day.

[WestYorksRoyal]

with the caveat that this may be another false dawn..

My concern with RC last time around was whether he has enough spare liquidity to run a club of Reading's size

He's not a sugar daddy and is in it for a quick buck

lets not kid ourselves...

Agreed.

But my hope is that the current model that's working so well gets continued. Everything built upon the academy providing a steady supply of players into the first team, with some of them moving on for good fees, plus careful and strategic signings. Knibbs, Wing, Mbengue, Smith, Savage and Bindon - great acquisitions on a sensible budget.

So it shouldn't take the kind of money Wrexham and Birmingham have spent to go up, just sensible stewardship and a Cat 1 academy.

A 'however' is that the STAR statement last week indicated that the current model is costing ~ £1.35M a month to sustain.

that is now, this month....

so "working well" isn't the same as sustainable..

we need a way to generate a significant amount of new income just to keep the current model going

Difficult decisions need to be made. The best way to become sustainable is to get promoted, but do we want an owner putting all their eggs in that basket?

That is the crux of the issue. Underwrite losses for an indefinite period in L1 so the club is worth more when we go back up, or cut cloth to limit operational losses but reduce the upside opportunity that our infrastructure and academy would bring in the Championship? The academy is at the centre of this, as L1 clubs can't afford a Cat 1 academy.

[MartinRdg]

It will be a weaker division next year too.

Cardiff and Luton pretty strong but Plymouth back to where they belong...

[katweslowski]

Surely the point is that Couhig has one of Dai’s ball in a vice-like grip (and the EFL are holding the other one a bit more gingerly), so now Dai is just going to have to take Couhig’s offer, or lose everything?
.

This is what I don't get. If it were anyone else it would make perfect sense. But Dai has HUGE issues, and Reading are just a tiny part of it. I had always thought that if the club were to completely collapse, Dai would barely even care.

What's the incentive for Dai to sell? Isn't the money generated just a tiny sum of what he needs and barely registers. He has 32 legal orders or proceedings against him in a single province of China.