Badger

Which, depending on the owner, could be equally as worrying.

Been the case all season. And why was Tadic allowed near taking the penalty for Christ sake? Agree the future ownership/structure has to be sorted before any decisions are taken, either by a new board, or KL if she accepts she's in it for another year.

Yet that is exactly what could happen if during the six month exclusivity period talks have been ongoing with another party who accept they'd be unable to complete the purchase until this time has ended.

... and eaten ?

Why the period of exclusivity then ? As someone else asked earlier, how committed are we to them during this time? I initially believed this was for due diligence, and during this period the seller gave a commitment not to enter into negotiations with another party but I'm sure we'll have a mergers and acquisitions expert out there to clarify.

or change the kit to an all red abortion of a Saints shirt.

Agree with your first point, and that he has done enough to stay in place for next season. I'm not totally convinced however so the "better alternative" is a key question in my mind. Two other issues may have a bearing on Puel's time with us: 1)Investment, and who the decision makers are. If a new consortium comes in then they will probably wish to make their mark immediately. Chances are they'll want to go for a "name" judging by the appointments of Chinese owners so far, Di Matteo at Villa, and Zola at Brum. Both disasters. 2)Puel himself. Amidst all the discussion of whether he should stay on, has anyone considered if he will want to ? There was an article linked from a French paper back in January where he spoke of his wife not settling etc. At the time with results not going well it appeared a case of getting your version out there early for a parting "by mutual consent", but was it a flag waving for another job at home ?

Could be worse The top man at Amer International that I've mentioned above is a Wang Wenyin ( https://www.forbes.com/profile/wang-wenyin/ ), and previously there was another Wang at Dalian Wanda. So we might have to fit the name Wang into a song.

Article previously mentioned Amer International, another Chinese bidder: http://www.insideworldfootball.com/2017/04/18/chinas-lander-forced-pull-200m-saints-buy/

Isn't this rehash of a previous article ? One that has already seen Blackbridge discredited by some on here already.

Possibly conflicting with the only 'known' fact, that they were granted a period of exclusivity. Although of course it might be that they were preferred at that time but things have moved on with someone else now in the frame.

But taken to a new level:

Christ,how things have changed. Bet Fonte doesn't end up doing that.

He was a favourite player 1983/4 and was being talked about as a future international. Always remember hearing commentators purring over his distribution out of defence when most hoofed it, and very few teams used a sweeper. Big question is really, why the fall in his career, and the fall out with Lawrie?

Don't think he was ever a young local though as he came through the London centre

Exactly.

And what influence or sway will KL hold with 20% ? If they start doing a SISU with 80% control she is not going to be able to put a halt to it.

https://mobile.twitter.com/OrigamiNinja79/status/855813959550730240/video/1 Dave Jones reported response http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/football/hartlepool-united/hartlepool-united-boss-dave-jones-will-fight-on-after-jeff-stelling-tells-him-to-go-1-8507111

I think it was previously suggested that the period of exclusivity was signed 11th November. Lander have previously released a statement (in January) which was premature. Can this be relied on ? But if taken at face value it does look to be advanced. Disappointed that the unproven Lander Group will be the dominant owner if they're taking 80%, don't see KL will have much influence in this case.

Living in Gloucestershire I have a bit of a vested interest in the relegation scrap in L2 with Cheltenham in the mix. Hartlepool seem to have plummeted into it. Looked on their forum earlier and found this: http://www.pooliebunker.co.uk/newbunker/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=60989 Seems familiar from his time with us when he was often accused of being passionless.

Agree, very underestimated. Armstrong was consistent through the 1980's and played an important part in three quite different Saints teams in that decade, the Keegan- Channon- Ball one touch side, the 1984 team (S/F & RUNNERS UP), and then after Lawrie left he was an important part of Nichol's first year (maybe two) playing LM, and at time LB & sweeper. Despite the changing position in the side I think he was our top goalscorer for much of that season also.

There is certainly some history of ill feeling dating from this time on reading some of the history books, but in my lifetime, and following Saints from around the same era as you it has been more to do with Chivers, 1978 promotion etc. Strange that Saints always had a good relationship with Arsenal often reported at Board level but never the yids. Just when things steadied down a bit the whole hatred of spurs is reinvigorated by the Hoddle saga, Dean Richards, and more recently of course Poch. As things stand I can't really say I'm anti -Poch anymore, you have to admire his style of play etc, and some of the thunder has been taken by Koeman's departure. Still have an intense disliking of their club though, and many of the players especially Mong and Alli. Pleased Chelsea beat the c^nts tonight.

So how does this work then, these ultimatums that if Puel remains we're off kind of issues ? Does it remain tittle-tattle on the training ground and in changing rooms, or do their agents bombard Les Reed with this ?Alternatively does Kelvin as a player liaison, or whatever his role is, get to take this back to Reed?

Yes to both, although it was probably only on here.

This should be compulsory reading for those desperately wanting KL to sell to a far east consortium.