Moat takeover imminent. Maybe.
Posted on September 6th, 2009 | 88 Comments |
The Telegraph’s claims do seem at odds with Keith Harris’s last statement on matters, which seemed to indicate that no deal was ‘imminent’ and that things would just bubble along until Chrismas or beyond.
Ashley did of course extend the deadline to give Moat more time to put the deal together and it seems to me that this deal is the only one with any chance at all of succeeding. But those chances seemed remote at best as Moat was reported to be struggling to meet Ashley’s £100m price and sort out the overdraft with Barclays.
However, let’s not forget that all this talk of Moat’s financial inadequacy has arisen from press speculation with very few quotes from anyone who might actually be in the know. Having said that, the current article in The Telegraph is the same in that respect.
Moat of course is an advocate of Shearer for the manager’s job but Hughton has staked a good claim for the position after our terrific start to the season. I suppose one could argue that any half-decent manager would succeed with what is a effectively a Premier League team – albeit a poor one – in the Championship, but someone still has to actually make it happen and that someone has been Hughton.
The term ‘imminent’ suggests a week or two at the most so I guess we’ll find out soon enough.
NUFCBlog Author: Hugh de Payen
I'm a baby-boomer of the punk rock persuasion, currently exiled in Somerset for crimes committed in a previous life where locals keep trying to poison me with something called 'scrumpy'. Hates sprouts, coat-hangers, Cilla Black, ornaments, Steven Seagull movies and 50 Cent (he's not worth 10).
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This marriage of mutual financial convenience will end in tears. Barry can’t afford it, and Mikey is asking way too much (hence why there is no other buyer in the wings) so this is the perfect compromise. The unacceptable ‘opportunity cost’ of this partial purchase is the retention of Ashley & Llambias. It’s a carve up, and a shameful one.
What is secretly worrying the business fraternity to inspire this love in? This same business fraternity that have treated NUFC as a cash cow and the supporters with contempt for decades. Perhaps the last few weeks have shown they are not needed. All that IS needed, all that was EVER needed, is a sustainable financial plan coupled intelligence, ability and integrity in the dugout and hard work and professionalism on the pitch.
Wigan can succeed on half our gate and less (with £250 season tickets) in the Premiership. Arsenal’s glory days under Wenger were at a smaller ground than St James’, ditto Liverpool. Look at Cardiff, and how they are punching these days. Compare to these clubs to the NUFC dinosaur which lumbers on from one apalling decision to another – whether the sacking of Sir Bobby, the appointment of Souness or the purchase of an already declining Owen (to please the fans, of course). We don’t win trophies, we buy ’em and give ’em the no 9 shirt and sell the shirt to all the suckers out there.
Our promising start to the season suddenly flies in the face of this grasping logic; no new players, no trophy signings, no messianic manager, no boardroom involvment… Eureka, a club CAN succeed by just letting professionals get on with the job. No ranting about pride, badge pointing or emotive speeches; just the right tactics, a tight defence, experience and a 100 minute attitude on the pitch. S’easy, eh?
So the owner nose can no longer bribe a gullible fanbase with that new no 9 or the return of an ex-legend to justify the ludicrous season ticket prices. We don’t need £70m+ on wage, not even half of that, even in the Prem.
The only people that NUFC of late was a success for was a succession of overpaid and underperforming players, who spent large chunks of their stay injured. It is an utter disgrace and should never be allowed to happen again. However, despite the results the new Nanny-Moat will doubtless install Shearer, a man who luxuriates in the high wage ethos, over the excellent Chris and Colin, and the bad old days of patronising the fans with expensive signings, year on year failure and spiraling ticket prices will begin again.
Cosa Nostra? Doesn’t get close…