Lerner Right Way – Padfield Wrong

People are asking me why I’m not quoting the recent articles from the press with reference to AV06.

The simple answer is I give no credence to people that conduct a takeover via the press instead of via the Boardroom and in this case Rothschild. Anyone who wants to discuss it in the forum is welcome, but despite having very loose standards as to the outrageous things I come out with ;-))) I won’t give space on this site to anything that I can’t take seriously. I’ve put two quotes below and there will be no more.

I’m also amazed at the pathetic whisper campaigns – wherever they come from – about the Lerner approach.

Lets clear this up. Randy Lerner and his advisors have done everything by the book. They have conducted themselves with great dignity and done their negotiating where it should be done. NOW that the bid is in, they will start talking details. Doesn’t that sound the sort of group you’d like at Villa? You know, no more press leaks, no more Circus Villa, no more wild claims and puerile press comments?

Sounds great to me.

The rumour about a merger with any team is beyond belief. Even someone who knew nothing about football would know that can’t be done, it would make no business sense.

The implication that there is no money to spend on the team is a total joke. WHEN the time is right, they will say what they are planning but there IS money to back Martin O’Neill, of course there is.

A couple of very quick quotes from Padfield: ‘We are not American, and want to fly the flag.’ Not American, not British either? And who wanted to employ a Dane as manager and said if another manager came in their interest would be over?

He also said: ‘We have money for transfers, up to £30million in the August window if we can get the deal done quickly enough and we are confident we can. But we are more than prepared to step aside if Mr Lerner can match our £30million transfer budget inside the next 17 days.’

Errrm, WHY?

Why 17 days? What has 17 days got to do with anything?

And why

a) Does Randy Lerner have to match anything they say when he is already ahead of all the groups and
b) why would these people who are so mad keen on taking over Aston Villa move aside if Randy did give that undertaking?

I also fail to see how someone who hasn’t gone through due diligence yet, in fact scrap that, hasn’t even put a bid in yet, (I believe not even an indicative bid is in but could be wrong) can expect to get everything done and dusted before the transfer window closes?

I know who my money is on and I’m excited at the prospect of their arrival.