The Bard

What if he's mediocre? He'll fit in perfectly

The dream wasn't. The very cynical, financial set up done to suit only his needs clearly was. The more tuned in Rugby fans are deeply concerned about this sale and would come after.

It would make no sense for money to go to the rugby. There's no FFP in rugby, just a salary cap. When we were sailing close to the wind FFP wise the opposite would've made sense. Just as Man City's 'sponsorship' was bloated to increase 'revenue' to allow extra spending. Rugby pay rent to Ashton gate stadium Ltd. Or sm I missing your point?

You're clearly not verifying anything are you?

Okay, so the staff costs on matchdays are all recharged to the clubs, the takings aren't unless they specifically relate to each 'franchise'? Hence each club has a cost from the bars etc on matchday. Basically, Steve takes the surplus income from the stadium doesn't he? Hospitality, conferencing whether it be from Football, rugby or just in the middle of the week. It's why he's so desperate for the arena as this will take the whole thing onto a different level. Yes the arena is lovely for the basketball team, but its real value to its owner is immeasurable. Think his plan was that it would've been built by now and the sale would be nailed on.

Money is being paid from the club to its holding company. I imagine the holding company also benefits from the profits of Ashton Gate Stadium. After the £8 million "other operating costs" have covered whatever they cover.

'Other operating expenses' of £8 million. Love to hear the explanation of them.

Not as if he's made loads from football is it?

In what way? By who?

The real reason will be because he's asking too much.

I don't think the rugby loses much money at all Graham. Staff costs are pretty much fixed by the salary cap and there is decent revenue. Lansdown has recently been complaining he can't spend more on wages. It probably makes a loss just like City do on the books though. The complex structure of the companies hides revenues from the sports teams (ie all beer/pasties sold at matches be they football or rugby go to Ashton Gate Stadium Ltd). Long suspected our financial situation was made to look worse by the structure too. Only one of the companies will make money and that would be the one based in Guernsey..

Worth remembering he returned to Leicester after a change of ownership. Not beyond the realms of possibility.

The first person they will phone up will be Nige won't it?

What a bumbling, silver spooned oaf

You're an imbecile

Well put. Think he's after more power than just staying in his current role though.

100%. Rather pathetic attempt of creating some kind of justification if you ask me.

Simply , BT gained more power when Gould left and more again when Alexander left. He probably sees us as needing a different set up, one that has a coach rather than a traditional manager. That would cement his power within the organisation. Undeniably. Whoever gets the job will be his man. Lets put it that way.

People I know who worked with JL at Hargreaves Lansdown painted a really bad picture of him. No agenda on their part, just that he was petulant, entitled and capable of having meltdowns if he didn't get his way.

Sometimes there isn't a happy medium. You're either on one side or the other. And calling a thread rational before anyone else has said anything is asking for it to be massively derailed.

His objection would be why the **** didn't you allow me to sign some decent players when the window was open? He knew what was coming.

Because they have egos. They believe they can succeed despite the obstacles because they believe they are footballing geniuses. Football is not full of realistic reflective types.

If you and me have independently come to this conclusion then it's 99% happened. Saw something on twitter earlier and he gave off the vibe of being quite happy with the situation. Pearson's comments about being questioned why Andy King is playing CB would almost certainly be from him especially with him probably wanting to see Aroyaye/Knight-Lebel/Idehen given a go.

You've just said what I implied. He's the obvious link here as soon as you analyse the situation. I'm not comfortable with that at all. He did this previously, for his own ends and that was disastrous.

Spot on. There is a lot of delusional stuff going. A lack of self-awareness from key characters. From the arrogant owner, his tumbledown son and our Technical director who I fear has been a key player in all this behind the scenes.