StrandedWestYorksRoyalStranded
As short term as it may be, I think we are mostly all on the same page - if whatever group comes in passes the low bar tests and then just keeps us ticking over and invests, wisely, in the team/club then fine. The alternative doesn't really bare thinking about.
If you speak to Wigan fans, Al Hammad started well there. Spoke about investing in youth, won promotion, appointed Maloney. Then the guy providing the money turned the tap off. Obviously he shares the blame, he agreed to front their operation and made himself chairman. But it doesn't guarantee he'll fail with us. And at least when it went tits up, they sold up quickly unlike Dai who continues to cling on.
The problem with all these private equity and hedge funds is knowing who is providing the money. I imagine the EFL checks take time compared to someone like Mike Ashley.
I think though, Howe has put a step in place that means every bidder has to essentially pass the EFL Checks with him first before he puts them anywhere near the EFL - so we can hope (and it is only hope) that as soon as exclusivity is announced the actual checks may not be much more that reviewing the paperwork from Howe.
This is where having Howe involved is a bonus as he knows the EFL processes inside out.
If Genevra were very close to exclusivity in November until Dai decided to sell the training ground separately you’d think that things can move quickly.