[Archived] Rovers STILL not sold.

[Ricky]

I think the key is that the new group are further along than previously thought. They are in DD as well as Syed from the sounds of things.

[jim mk2]

My projection of closure by 17th is clearly wrong and I am not putting any new date down now.

I'm sticking to the situation being very complicated and fast moving.

In other words phlip you're full of hot air and know as much as anyone else, which is precisely nothing.

[MikeB]

Whoever finally buys Rovers has no need to worry about the manager - yes, I'm a big fan of Sam and so is Karl Robinson (the shining light in Ince's motley crew and destined for the top if the football grapevinre is correct), see his quote in an interview just done with the Beeb:

"Sam Allardyce is an absolute genius," said Robinson. "He is fantastic at what he does. He gets the best staff around him and makes them believe they can move mountains - that impacts on the players."

[philipl]

F00k me, Philip. Has someone hijacked your laptop?

I have stood up and said so whenever I have got things wrong.

If the Syed situation had run smoothly from five weeks ago then tomorrow or Monday would have been the day. But the world moves on and he is no longer alone as an extremely rich (as opposed to just very rich) bidder.

The Goldberg stuff is now over two weeks old so it would either have killed him or been of no big consequence by now. Unlike the Goldberg duet posting on here, the Trust and their professional advisers, will have used the intervening time to have done some real digging by now. I guess they have found no show stoppers as everything still points to Ali Syed still being very much in the favourite position this morning.

And, jim, no I am not going to do a Hughesy for you...

[nicko]

I would have thought that the news about a second 'serious' bidder [not Shah] was a major development.

Everybody got excited about Syed because of his PR-inspired entrance.

I have said since I first heard a whisper on the 'new' group that the fact they have said nothing, but apparently done a lot, is far more significant than we realise.

I'll say it again - they made an approach, had their meeting, went away to think about it...and are now seemingly are keen to deal.

This is a secretive bunch, which is why I have called them mystery. As many around here know from PMs I have been through about five or six potential names. One does seem the most likely. But there is no point in naming them until [a] I know for sure and I have half an idea what their intentions are.

[Jackson]

I have stood up and said so whenever I have got things wrong.

If the Syed situation had run smoothly from five weeks ago then tomorrow or Monday would have been the day. But the world moves on and he is no longer alone as an extremely rich (as opposed to just very rich) bidder.

The Goldberg stuff is now over two weeks old so it would either have killed him or been of no big consequence by now. Unlike the Goldberg duet posting on here, the Trust and their professional advisers, will have used the intervening time to have done some real digging by now. I guess they have found no show stoppers as everything still points to Ali Syed still being very much in the favourite position this morning.

And, jim, no I am not going to do a Hughesy for you...

Just a joke, bud. I enjoy your posts.

Whoever finally buys Rovers has no need to worry about the manager - yes, I'm a big fan of Sam and so is Karl Robinson (the shining light in Ince's motley crew and destined for the top if the football grapevinre is correct), see his quote in an interview just done with the Beeb:

"Sam Allardyce is an absolute genius," said Robinson. "He is fantastic at what he does. He gets the best staff around him and makes them believe they can move mountains - that impacts on the players."

Thanks for that, I'd been wondering what Karl Robinson's opinion of big Sam was, for some time now.

[only2garners]

as for any other "mystery buyers" I'd put as much faith in them as "the mystery striker" until they're prepared to at least make their identity and interest known.

On the contrary the fact that they have kept quiet and got on with the job rather than concentrating on their media image speaks volumes for me. At the very least they will fit in much more comfortably with the way Rovers current owners have always done business.

[Glenn]

No disrespect intended Kamy but you were building it up as if there'd been major developments. What was it that needed "sitting on" in that article?

There don't seem to have been any further significant developments and there's nothing that hasn't already been printed in the LT or elsewhere as far as I can see.

Looking at it from the outside it looks as though the whole thing is losing momentum. From being in a position where he wanted to complete before the end of the transfer window, Syed hasn't even applied to the PL for the owners test.

Shah seemingly won't stump up the due dilligence money and as for any other "mystery buyers" I'd put as much faith in them as "the mystery striker" until they're prepared to at least make their identity and interest known.

The reason we were sat on it was because we were told it in confidence (it later turned up from several sources) but we agreed with the source that we wouldn't be the ones that put it in the public domain, at least not just yet (a mix of the FF minutes and this mornings LT article did that though). Personally I think a second bidder that isn't Shah or Ambani has got as far as due diligence is quite a development.

[Guest Kamy100]

No disrespect intended Kamy but you were building it up as if there'd been major developments. What was it that needed "sitting on" in that article?

No disrespect taken Rev it is a valid question, like I posted last night this was more of an update as to where things are upto with a bit of information which would get people taking.

The reason we had to "sit" on the article was because it reports that a second party has entered into due diligence (mystery bidder) and then an explanation of about the levels of due diligence (not having to pay £250,000 up front).

Also important that apart from the Trustees/Rovers Executives NO ONE knows exactly what is going in terms of how close we are to the sale of the club (include people bidding to buy the club), to claim otherwise would be a lie. Rovers are in total control of this process, over the last few weeks have been lucky enough to learn certain things about what is happening, but it is totally wrong for people to assume in anyway that I know about everything that is going, if I know even 10% of what is going on then I am doing well.

As I have said all along we have to "trust the trust", if they deem that any of these potential bidders are good enough to take the club forward then that is good enough for me, if they do not then again that is good enough for me.

[sweet]

Is it unlikely the trust will sell to syed whilst another party is going through DD?

You have to wonder what syed is thinking, with news like this. One would assume if he really is serious about purchasing us, a bid must be imminent from him; surely?

Once that bid is launched, what do the trust do? Knowing a potential wealthier, possibly more apt party is on the scene, but yet to bid...

[den]

It IS big news Rev.

Another party moving significantly forwards is great news. They have obviously had enough encouragement to believe they have a real chance of doing this. Shah is struggling to compete, so these latest guys must be strong candidates IMO.

[tony gale's mic]

I have stood up and said so whenever I have got things wrong.

If the Syed situation had run smoothly from five weeks ago then tomorrow or Monday would have been the day. But the world moves on and he is no longer alone as an extremely rich (as opposed to just very rich) bidder.

The Goldberg stuff is now over two weeks old so it would either have killed him or been of no big consequence by now. Unlike the Goldberg duet posting on here, the Trust and their professional advisers, will have used the intervening time to have done some real digging by now. I guess they have found no show stoppers as everything still points to Ali Syed still being very much in the favourite position this morning.

And, jim, no I am not going to do a Hughesy for you...

Sorry to break it to you, but there's not really a great deal of difference between you and Hughesy...

[47er]

At this rate we won't have a new owner in time for the January window. I have been looking forward to a "Rovers buy a player' type headline for some while now.

Sorry to break it to you, but there's not really a great deal of difference between you and Hughesy...

Oh but there is. The reason Philip rarely has to admit he was wrong is that few people can work out what his position actually is whereas Hughesy's Sir Humphrey skills are much less developed!

[G Somerset Rover]

Shah seemingly won't stump up the due dilligence money and as for any other "mystery buyers" I'd put as much faith in them as "the mystery striker" until they're prepared to at least make their identity and interest known.

Rev it's probably wise to point out that unless I'm mistaken Abramovich made very few noises before his purchase of Chelsea. Perhaps the way to go it would seem.

[tony gale's mic]

At this rate we won't have a new owner in time for the January window. I have been looking forward to a "Rovers buy a player' type headline for some while now.

Oh but there is. The reason Philip rarely has to admit he was wrong is that few people can work out what his position actually is whereas Hughesy's Sir Humphrey skills are much less developed!

You say Sir Humphrey, I say Walter Mitty...

Anyway, the latest news can only be taken as good news but a lot does depend on who this mystery bidder is and what their plans are for Rovers.

Syed generated a lot of excitement amongst fans with his promises of £100m transfer budgets, however to be honest I'd happily trade that with someone with more modest promises but with a proven track record.

[bluebruce]

How likely do you think we will definitely be sold

[Iceman]

why are people happy, that the mysetry buyers remain a mystery? People were happy, that Goldberg has found some dirt on Syed. If Syed had remained silent, nobody would have known a ) his intentions and b ) the revelations by Goldberg.

with Syed, at least he has come out and said what his intentions are. Whether he sticks to that plan, is anybody's guess. the fact that we know, is better than not knowing who the mystery guys are, and what their agenda is.

[67splitscreen]

On the upside, until someone pins down the Mystery bidder it stops anyone digging in his back yard.

Once the deal is done, his Wiki page confirmed and his iffy past uncovered then everything will be Blue & White in the garden.

[tony gale's mic]

why are people happy, that the mysetry buyers remain a mystery? People were happy, that Goldberg has found some dirt on Syed. If Syed had remained silent, nobody would have known a ) his intentions and b ) the revelations by Goldberg.

with Syed, at least he has come out and said what his intentions are. Whether he sticks to that plan, is anybody's guess. the fact that we know, is better than not knowing who the mystery guys are, and what their agenda is.

Most of the successful takeovers in the Premier League were barely known about before they went through and certainly didnt involve them mouthing off to every major news network they could find about their plans for the club.

[jim mk2]

I have stood up and said so whenever I have got things wrong.

You would have more credence if you took a position and stuck to it but you continually bend with the wind according to the latest snippet of information.

If you were a newspaper you would be the Sun, always going along with popular opinion but lacking substance.

[Guest bluerovers]

Most of the successful takeovers in the Premier League were barely known about before they went through and certainly didnt involve them mouthing off to every major news network they could find about their plans for the club.

Boy you've got a short memory, that bloke who ended up buying Portsmouth was Sheik Mansour's spokes person and couldn't stop telling people how they were going to Ronaldo, Torres and Kaka and that was before the Sheik had even faced the Owners and Directors Test (aka, incorrectly as, the fit and proper person test).

[tony gale's mic]

Boy you've got a short memory, that bloke who ended up buying Portsmouth was Sheik Mansour's spokes person and couldn't stop telling people how they were going to Ronaldo, Torres and Kaka and that was before the Sheik had even faced the Owners and Directors Test (aka, incorrectly as, the fit and proper person test).

The first anyone heard of these owners of Manchester City was when they signed Robinho on deadline day. Right up until that point there was stories that City were in huge trouble due to Thaksin's assets being seized, I remember it well.

After Robinho was signed, in the intervening period between summer deadline day and the start of the transfer window in January was when this spokesman was shooting his mouth off, which then culminated than January with a failed bid for Kaka.

But the club had already been bought.

I have an excellent memory thanks.

[Hughesy]

Sorry to break it to you, but there's not really a great deal of difference between you and Hughesy...

Oi!! Damn right their is a difference - I cant spell properly for starters....What was you getting at? (Go on earn yourself some brownie points - you know you want to)

[rebelmswar]

Most of the successful takeovers in the Premier League were barely known about before they went through and certainly didnt involve them mouthing off to every major news network they could find about their plans for the club.

After a steady course of antibiotics and some valium, I think I have had an epiphany.

Is it possible that the Mr. Ali, stuff has been just and elaborate smoke screen by the secretive Mr. X? I mean he came in banging a drum, howling about how he will be spending the worlds GNP on players and such like. While this is going on, unbeknownst to Batman and Jack Bauer, our evil genius Mr. X pays a landlord to contact a journalist and then gets another Indian buddy to start raising hell about unpaid rent and stolen funds.

Then while there is dust murking the sky, he rides in, war whooping, throws down a wedge and starts his business, while the cavalry is busy trying to track down Mr. Ali’s actual home town.

Mr. Ali is nothing more than a high paid member of Mr. X’s insidious takeover team and in actual fact Mr. X is the unknown contributor to WGA.

Ahh… hydrocodone I love you.

[Stuart]

No disrespect intended Kamy but you were building it up as if there'd been major developments. What was it that needed "sitting on" in that article?

There don't seem to have been any further significant developments and there's nothing that hasn't already been printed in the LT or elsewhere as far as I can see.

Looking at it from the outside it looks as though the whole thing is losing momentum. From being in a position where he wanted to complete before the end of the transfer window, Syed hasn't even applied to the PL for the owners test.

Shah seemingly won't stump up the due dilligence money and as for any other "mystery buyers" I'd put as much faith in them as "the mystery striker" until they're prepared to at least make their identity and interest known.

I imagine that things are still at a delicate stage with Ali Syed and if the club are seen to be putting news "out there" that there is another bidder at a fairly mature stage then it might affect that potential deal.

The bottom line is that, whilst it is nice to have all this attention from bidders, we could still end up without a sale and have with nothing but a few kick marks on our tyres to show for it!