I don't believe the take-over is under threat if we were to be relegated, though that will be over one way or another by Saturday tea time, but I do, unfortunately, feel there is now some degree of threat from the regulatory process. If it isn't announced next week that the take-over has been approved by the EFL, or an explanation that it's close and expected, then I'd be worried. Both the wording of the Club statement in the accounts filings and the most recent article in the Athletic show that, maybe a little clumsily, the Club are indeed trying to move things along, but that indicates that the delays are, as the Athletic Article alluded to, down to Ascent not providing the required paperwork/evidence of the providence of all of the involved investors. Best case is that that is simply down to the length of time that lawyers take to operate but it may be an indication that there is more of a structural issue with the bid. I would believe that the Club, any statements aside, do want to complete with the current bidders, and do want to complete imminently as the alternative is grim. As such, I'm hoping that any administrative issues or regulatory issues are sorted quickly. The alternative, either the bid fails because we are relegated, or the bid fails (whether we stay up or not) due to regulatory refusal or the bidders simply get fed up or disillusioned with the process and pull out, would mean that any new bid is subject to the new rules under the new regulator. These are untested, but are orders of magnitude more strict than the EFL rules. As such it is entirely likely that the regulatory approval for any new bid would take at least a season. If the current bid doesn't complete, we will be operating on drastically reduced levels of funding, the current high level of funding, with the Palios' putting in substantial money weekly to cover wages isn't sustainable, nor actually is it likely to be allowed under the new regulations coming in. As such, we would need some very astute recruitment and a manager and coaching team that could get the best out of 'lower level' players, not impossible of course, but we may well find ourselves struggling. We need new owners, with new ideas and new blood, the takeover can't complete soon enough. I hope we hear something next week, I'm nervous we won't.
